Pascal Opitz: Web Developer

I am a highly proficient web developer based in Adelaide, Australia, with commercial experience since 2001 and an excellent understanding of the full lifecycle of web applications.
The main focus of my work is PHP5 (OOP), MySQL and User Interface development, utilizing a variety of technologies such as JavaScript, AJAX, distributed APIs, MVC Frameworks (Zend Framework), JS libraries (jQuery) and LINUX system tools.

Previous projects include Beam.TV, Specialmoves, Photobox, Mr and Mrs Smith, Team Oakley, William Hill Livescores, UKTV channel rebrands, Tesco, The Economist, Magnum Photos Store, BP Gas Operations, Sodexho, Robert Bosch GmbH, Unicef, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Eurohypo, Mainova and others.

Specialities

PHP5, MySQL, Redis, Zend Framework, other PHP based MVC Frameworks, implementing distributed APIs (SOAP, REST, XMLRpc, JsonRpc, OAuth), Apache, Nginx, JavaScript, Node.js, express.js, AJAX, Comet, Websockets, JS libraries (mainly jQuery), (x)HTML, CSS, Git, Subversion, PHPUnit, Selenium, Xpath, XSL transformations

Recommendations by

• James Dunmore , Lead Developer at BEAM.TV

  

  Pascal was a joy to work with. Pascal fitted straight into the team, both on a technical level and a social level (a rare skill to find within development). Pascal quickly understood the project brief and the coding framework we had put in place to solve it, and he quickly got to work and helped us deliver results. Pascal introduced us to some new technologies and ideas, but without trying to re-invent the way we do everything (which some contractors are guilty of), he was able to work on his own, as part of the team and assist others. The methodologies and technologies we used were: PHP, Oracle, Zend Framework, TDD (PHPUnit), CI (Jenkins), JQuery, Agile (Scrum) - Pascal had no issues working across all of these components. I would not hesitate working with Pascal again, and I wish him well with his move to Australia.

• Paul Shiu , Business Analyst at Channel 4

  I worked with Pascal at Photobox where he worked on a Boots integration project, specifically on the middleware solution. He also made some key changes to internal work tools building an electronic Scrum/ Kanban board which was linked to an internal story/ bug tracking system. Throughout these projects Pascal showed dedication as a professional whose knowledge and technical aptitude made him an invaluable addition to the team. Pascal grasps concepts very quickly and is able to recommend robust solutions, which he then proceeds to deliver with speed and quality.

• Stephen Hau , Freelance creative artworker at BergHind Joseph Ltd

  

  Pascal developed www.tagbento.com, the place for people to share the things they love. His analysis and implementation showed his attention to detail, his methodical discipline, and that he enjoyed tackling challenges - all the while with a respect for web standards, security, and optimization. He asks critical questions, and goes the extra mile in suggesting sensible solutions. His choice of technologies for Tagbento will reassure you that he's experienced with stable technologies, yet forward-thinking in embracing faster better ones too. See the proof of his supreme code-fu skills at www.tagbento.com His website is called ilikecode.co.uk - but really, that's an understatement.

• Nick Catt , Founder & MD, Redwire Design Limited

  We asked Pascal to come in and come up with a solution for a search engine that was hard to integrate into our current CMS architecture. He decided on a standalone architecture integrated as a web service and managed to finish the project in a timely fashion. We know we could trust his analysis and I would recommend working with him without hesitation.

• Adam Al-Salman , Senior Java Spring Developer (Contract) at RBS Global Banking & Markets

  

  Pascal hit the ground running, he implemented a visual web page design extremely quickly and accurately using HTML, JavaScript, XSLT and CSS.

• Nicholas Gentry , Interaction and visual designer at Waitrose

  

  I worked with Pascal at UKTV on a website rebrand for the Alibi channel. It was good working with him and it is clear that he has built up a lot of experience and skills in web development.

• Norman Cooke , Web Developer and Trainer

  I worked with Pascal when we were both contracting at Pitch/Playphone. He had a thorough knowledge of the technologies we used during the project: PHP/Zend Framework, XML, SOAP, JavaScript, HTML and CSS. I found that he was a great problem solver, with a very sharp, analytical mind. I learned a lot while working with him - he was a very good team worker, always willing to discuss any problems the team came up against and to offer ideas. After working with Pascal for a few days, I felt confident that we would be able to deliver the project on time - which we went on to do.

• Matt Dunn , UI Architect / Developer

  Pascal is an extremely talented developer who is great to work with. His passion for coding is second to none and he has a very clear view on how to design and implement code.

• Tobias Graening , director user experience

  

  pascal is a bright and straight forward guy, handled technology related issues as well as design topics in a very smart way. always liked working with him.

Experience

• Contractor PHP / Zend Framework at Via Media Communications
• Owner at ILikeCode Ltd
  Providing contracting services for web development companies throughout London.
• Contractor PHP / Zend Framework at BEAM.TV
  Back end development with PHP / Zend Framework / Oracle within an agile environment with a strong focus on testing and continuous integration.
• Contractor PHP / Zend Framework at Mr & Mrs Smith
  Refactoring of existing search queries within complex existing codebase, integrating with 3rd party SOAP/WSDL sevices through client and server endpoints.
• Contractor PHP / Zend Framework at specialmoves
  Backend development for Facebook application for a major british airline, based on Zend Framework integrating Facebook Apps and Graph API.
• Contractor JS / Node.js / PHP / Zend Framework at PhotoBox
  Developing a real time tool for in-house processes based on node.js, express.js and socket-IO. Maintenance of PHP / ZF based applications.
• Freelance Web Developer at Tagbento
  Complete architecture and full life cycle development based on Zend Framework, Nginx, Redis and jQuery UI.
• Contractor PHP / Zend Framework at PhotoBox
  Working on PHP based daemons, middleware and web tools.
• Contractor PHP / Xapian at Redwire Design Ltd
  Implementing a Xapian based search engine.
• Contractor PHP / Zend Framework / Kohana at Photobox
  Working on Zend Framework based middleware as well as a Kohana based website that interfaces with remote JSON APIs.
• Contractor PHP / Zend Framework at Photobox
  Complete re-development of a Zend Framework driven Interface to a remote content management API with a focus on reducing API calls and pushing performance.
• Contractor UI Development at UKTV
  UI development for Blighty and Yesterday.
• Contractor XSL / UI Development at Opta Sportsdata
  UI and XSLT development for William Hill Livescores and William Hill Football Stats.
• Contractor UI Development at UKTV
  UI development for UKTV Homes, Alibi, Watch and G.O.L.D. with focus on modular structure and reusability.
• Contractor PHP Development at Pitch (now Playphone)
  Heavily refactoring a UI prototype into a content driven Zend Framework application with multiple deployment targets and languages.
• Contractor UI Development at IVIS Group
  During this contract I was exclusively working on the TESCO groceries website, one of the biggest online groceries website in the world.
• Web Developer at Redwire Design Ltd
• Web Developer at Recollective Ltd
• Junior Web Developer (Apprenticeship) at Leonhardt Multimedia
  Technically I wasn't actually employed at Leonhardt directly, but at the subsidiary company Skileon AG. However, I did loads of their work as well and therefore list it in my references.
• Junior Web Developer (Apprenticeship) at Skileon AG
• Junior Web Developer (Apprenticeship) at High End Multimedia AG
• Placement Candidate Web Design at Cosa Logo GmbH

Contact

Email: pascal [at] ilikecode.com
Mobile: +44 (0)7961 982 528