Chris Mellor
A Full-stack Developer from Leeds, UK
Professional Summary
Full-stack developer with 5 years of commercial experience creating SaaS platforms and eCommerce solutions. My expertise lies in the Laravel ecosystem, though I readily adapt to other modern development stacks when needed. I focus on writing clean, maintainable code backed by solid testing practices. My approach combines practical solutions with modern development techniques to deliver robust, well-structured applications.
Technical Skills
Primary Stack
- Laravel
- Livewire
- Tailwind CSS
- Alpine.js
Additional Technologies
- Vue.js
- PestPHP/PHPUnit
- Git
- GitHub
- CI/CD
Development Environment
- PHPStorm
Professional Experience
Laravel Developer
59club Ltd
01/2022 - Present
- Spearheaded system modernisation by resolving critical bugs and implementing new features while successfully upgrading the Laravel framework version
- Core member of a three-person team rebuilding the company's flagship software from the ground up using the TALL stack (Tailwind, Alpine.js, Laravel, Livewire)
- Actively contributed to code quality through regular peer review processes and pull request assessments
- Successfully delivered a complete mobile solution, encompassing both a cross-platform application (built with Vue.js and Ionic Framework) and its supporting Laravel API using Sanctum authentication. Notable achievement in independently learning multiple new technologies and delivering both applications to production within a 6-month timeline
- Established and configured Laravel Vapor infrastructure, including implementation of dynamic PR environments for enhanced testing capabilities
- Developed and maintained robust CI/CD pipelines in Bitbucket to ensure smooth deployment processes
PHP Developer
Jump Twenty Four Ltd
06/2021 - 12/2021
- Led multiple client projects in an agency environment, focusing on modernising legacy applications using Laravel and modern PHP practices
- Architected and implemented new features using Inertia.js, demonstrating ability to adapt to client-specific technology requirements
- Championed test-driven development practices, significantly improving code reliability and maintenance
- Collaborated directly with clients through daily stand-ups to gather requirements and demonstrate feature implementations
- Established coding standards and best practices that were adopted across multiple projects
Full-stack Developer
Interior Goods Direct
01/2021 - 06/2021
- Played a key role in developing and enhancing a Laravel-based eCommerce platform for a major UK blinds and curtains retailer
- Built complex product customisation features using Vue.js components integrated with Laravel backend
- Implemented responsive admin interfaces using Bootstrap, improving internal team efficiency
- Collaborated in an agile environment to deliver new features while maintaining existing functionality
- Optimised database queries and API endpoints to improve application performance
Full-stack Developer
VOODOO
11/2019 - 11/2020
- Spearheaded complete rebuild of company website using Laravel, Vue.js, and Tailwind CSS, delivering a modern, responsive platform
- Designed and implemented scalable architecture using Docker containerisation and Kubernetes orchestration
- Established automated deployment workflows through custom CI/CD pipeline configurations
- Improved development workflow by implementing containerised environments using Rancher
- Collaborated with UK development team to establish new technical standards and practices
Technical Engineer
VOODOO
02/2017 - 11/2019
- Led the development of a new RESTful API, implementing PSR standards and comprehensive documentation
- Revolutionised deployment processes by introducing Git-based workflows, replacing legacy FTP deployments
- Mentored development team on modern version control practices and deployment strategies
- Architected and delivered a white-label solution based on the core API platform
- Implemented monitoring solutions using Docker to improve service reliability
- Enhanced support processes through effective ticketing system management and customer query resolution
Industry Engagement & Open Source
I create Laravel packages that solve problems I've encountered in my own development work. When existing packages don't meet my standards or specific needs, I build my own solutions. One of my packages has gained over 500 stars on GitHub and continues to receive recognition on X. I maintain an active presence in the Laravel ecosystem, keeping ahead of framework developments and emerging tools, which helps me bring fresh perspectives to my projects.
Interests
Beyond development, I'm passionate about solo travel and experiencing different cultures. A long-time wrestling fan, I balance this with regularly attending live music events and festivals. I maintain a keen interest in AI technologies, exploring their potential in modern development practices.