Devon Gifford logo

Hello World, my name is

Devon Gifford.|

Self-taught software engineer with a strong focus on frontend development. I specialise in building modern web applications using React, TypeScript & Next.js.

Drawing on my background in quality engineering, architecture and technical leadership, I bring a unique perspective that prioritises clean, reliable software and thoughtful use of AI.

Fully committed to the philosophy of lifelong learning.

Capstone Projects

01. About me

Devon Gifford - Profile picture

Hello there, I'm a full-stack developer. Originally from South Africa, a British citizen, and currently based in Madrid, Spain.

I have 8+ years of experience in the tech industry, including stints across startups, big tech and enterprise platforms. I specialise in frontend development using React & TypeScript.

My career has taken me from quality engineering at a major FAANG company to building large-scale enterprise web applications. Along the way, I've had the privilege of leading engineering teams, modernising legacy systems, and working across a wide range of tech stacks and cloud environments.

Outside of work, I tinker with Linux, homelabs and AI tooling.

Devon Gifford - Profile picture

Hard Skills:

  • TypeScript
  • JavaScript
  • Python
  • React
  • Figma
  • NextJS
  • Vite
  • Storybook
  • Tailwind
  • Jest
  • PlayWright
  • Docker
  • Kubernetes
  • Redis
  • Neovim

Currently Exploring:

  • Go
  • Electron
  • Zig
  • Linux
  • Claude

02. Where I have worked

Lead Frontend Developer

@ TÜV Rheinland

Jan 2025 - Present

Led the greenfield rebuild and production launch of TÜV Rheinland's enterprise web platform, replacing a 20-year SSG monolith with a reusable headless Next.js architecture powering international web applications.

  • Architecture & Development:
    Owned frontend architecture while remaining hands-on across FirstSpirit CMS, Redis caching, content validation & Storybook components, delivering requirements into production.
  • Team Leadership & Scaling:
    Led 10+ engineers across internal and external teams, hiring and onboarding developers while coordinating agency support across frontend, backend and DevOps workstreams.
  • Code Quality & Maintainability:
    Established TypeScript, ESLint, Prettier, Husky and unit, integration and E2E testing standards, alongside review gates, branching conventions and technical documentation.
  • CI/CD & Cloud Delivery:
    Built multi-stage GitLab CI/CD and Docker workflows for automated delivery across Azure, Kubernetes and Akamai, supporting migration from the legacy on-prem platform.
  • AI-Assisted Development:
    Modernised day-to-day engineering through AI-assisted development, introducing agent-based workflows across implementation, debugging, code review & developer productivity.

03. Capstone Projects

Featured Project

Flatmate Finder

A real world personal project designed to streamline the search for a flatmate. Through a simple form, applicants submit their details, allowing existing tenants to review them in a Tinder style swipe interface

  • Vite
  • TypeScript
  • ShadCN
  • Firebase
  • Vitest

Featured Project

ClearScore Ideaboard

A time-constrained frontend assessment for ClearScore. Developed within 6 to 8 hours, it utilizes modern technologies like Tailwind CSS and ShadCN UI Library for rapid development. Prioritized simplicity, accessibility, and thorough testing.

  • PostgreSQL
  • Supabase
  • TypeScript
  • Tailwind

Featured Project

Thymia 2-back game

A gamified version of the 2-back task, a cognitive test designed to measure working memory. Users are presented with a sequence of letters and must determine if the current letter matches the one presented two trials before.

  • Next14
  • Event-Logger
  • Tailwind
  • TypeScript
  • Jest

Featured Project

Dev Ready

An open source fullstack initiative, inspired by ZTM, designed to create an engaging interactive quiz platform for students. The project aims to empower learning through gamification and dynamic features.

  • Next14
  • TypeScript
  • Tailwind
  • Jest
  • PlayWright

Other Noteworthy Projects

FlipDish

Frontend Technical Assessment: Implement server-side data fetching to present JSON data as a restaurant menu, including some sneaky twists.

  • API
  • NextJs
  • TypeScript
  • Vitest

NextLane

Backend Technical Assessment: My solution for implementing a client-side caching layer, using JavaScript as requested.

  • Backend
  • ttl-cache
  • JavaScript

InCard

Frontend Technical Assessment: Develop a web application that demonstrates authentication functionality using JWT tokens.

  • NextJS
  • TypeScript
  • Jest
  • NextAuth

Restful API

Simple and efficient way to handle HTTP requests and interact with a MongoDB database, following modern and best practices.

  • TypeScript
  • Express
  • MongoDB

Devotion

A fullstack web application designed to replicate the seamless functionality of Notion, utilizing real-time database & recursive components.

  • NextJs
  • TypeScript
  • Convex
  • Zustand

BulkBasics

A fullstack e-commerce platform focusing on business logic and functionality, integrating various technologies.

  • Vite
  • TypeScript
  • Stripe
  • Redux

04. What's Next?

Let's get in touch

My inbox is always open and looking for new opportunities
Whether you have a question or just want to say hi, I'll do my best to get back to you!

Say Hello