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Hi there! My name isSaul Guardado

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Saul Guardado Profile Picture

About Me

As a seasoned Software Engineer with 12 years of experience, I excel in harnessing cutting-edge technologies to create exceptional web experiences. My expertise in Full-Stack development has enabled me to lead teams in crafting high-performant, server-rendered web applications known for their accessibility and visually appealing UIs. I'm passionate about enforcing coding standards, conducting rigorous code reviews, mentorship, and making pivotal architectural decisions to maintain scalable, maintainable, and efficient codebases.
I've worked on many projects ranging from small start-ups, to non-profits, all the way through large consumer facing applications for major sports, news, and entertainment companies.
At the moment, I'm leading the re-architectured redesign of theFX Networkswebsite and providing technical leadership for the revampedGAADwebsites using bleeding-edge tech.
These a few things I've been enjoying working with lately:
NextJS
React
TypeScript
tRPC
GraphQL
Prisma

Professional Experience

Lead Software Engineer

July 2021 - Present

  • Architected the redesign of the new site and CMS using NextJS, TypeScript, Styled-Components, Material UI, Akamai Amp Video Player, and GraphQL
  • Lead the team in developing all new high-performant and reusable components using the Atomic Design methodology
  • Implemented best practices for code maintainability, scalability, and security in architectural choices
  • Communicating with clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle to identify problems or issues and ensure they are resolved
  • Created sleek intuitive UI translated from product specifications and Figma designs
  • Proficient in integrating and customizing video players to enhance multimedia experiences within web applications
  • Conducted code reviews to ensure that new code is error-free and conforms to established standards
  • Noteworthy achievements: Infinite Scrolling Homepage Carousel and Music Player that were developed from the ground up
  • Implemented CI/CD pipelines to automate deployment processes, improving efficiency and reliability by integrating pre-commit hooks and GitHub Workflows
  • Created unit and E2E tests using React Testing Library, Jest, and Cypress
  • Led a team of developers, conducting regular one-on-one meetings to provide guidance, address concerns, and foster professional growth

Principal Software Engineer

October 2022 - Present

  • Played a pivotal role in making architectural decisions that prioritize web accessibility, ensuring that accessibility considerations are integrated into the core of the application, making digital content inclusive and usable for all users
  • Providing technical leadership, mentoring junior engineers, fostering their growth, and guiding the team to successful project delivery
  • Enforced coding standards and best practices across the development team, ensuring clean, maintainable, and efficient code
  • Leveraged Next.js to build high-performance, server-rendered web applications, ensuring fast load times and seamless user experiences
  • Employed TypeScript for type safety, code quality, and maintainability throughout the development lifecycle
  • Integrated tRPC for streamlined API communication, reducing code complexity and improving development efficiency
  • Designed and maintained complex data models using Prisma, optimizing database interactions and preserving data integrity
  • Developed visually appealing, user-friendly, and accessible custom UI using Mantine components
  • Designing a fully custom backend CMS, empowering content editors to efficiently manage website content and users
  • Implemented NextAuth for secure user authentication and authorization, enhancing data protection and access control

Senior Software Engineer

November 2017 - July 2021

  • Built and maintained redesigned website using React and Redux
  • Integrated with cable providers to give users access to watch, favorite, and save any given TV show, series, and movie
  • Enhanced payment gateway to incorporate Apple Pay and Google Pay to securely activate subscriptions and pay for Pay Per View content
  • Scaffolded several unique landing pages to advertise and consume payments for every new Boxing, Wrestling, and MMA event
  • Created unit tests using Jest

Lead Full-Stack Engineer

March 2017 - October 2017

  • Led the development and adoption of a React web app that leveraged libraries such as Redux Saga, Redux Persist, Redux Form, and React Player
  • Maintained legacy backend using Node, PHP and MySQL
  • Worked on live streaming platform that ingested an HLS stream to allow users to stream live content from creators
  • Maintained custom Chat script that allowed users to interact with content creators and send gifts

Lead Full-Stack Engineer

July 2016 - March 2017

  • Leveraged strong, objective judgement in order to weigh the right frameworks and technologies to architect several rapid prototypes to measure product interest from daily active users
  • Engineered reusable project template through a custom CLI tool that quickly scaffolded projects with HandlebarsJS, Node, Express, MongoDB, SendGrid email service, and Stripe payment gateway
  • Created custom CMS using React Relax in order to build product pages quickly

Software Engineer III

July 2016 - March 2017

  • Contributed to full-stack .NET projects, with an emphasis on front-end features, cross-browser compatibility, and automated services
  • Maintained and added new features to in-house deployment automator by creating new services to flush remote caches, migrate databases, stage releases, and run regression testing
  • Assisted in development of back end features including generating SQL queries
  • Created functional automated tests using CasperJS and PhantomJS to ensure new features work properly

Software Engineer

November 2014 - February 2015

  • Worked closely with product teams to develop new features and frameworks for high-traffic websites
  • Leveraging frameworks such as AngularJS and Yii to build asynchronous, responsive, high-performance pages to create a better user experience
  • Creating RESTful APIs using PHP to securely manage JSON data

Software Engineer

March 2013 - September 2014

  • Developed front-end applications in .NET for broadcast networks such as NFL Network, DirecTV, MLB Network, CBS, and Golf Channel
  • Built .NET desktop applications following MVVM design patterns
  • Construct web services using Razor while following MVC design patterns for clients to create show segments to go live on-air
  • Create dynamic asynchronous web pages using jQuery, KnockoutJS, and AngularJS

Work

FX Networks
FX Networks
A total redesign of the FX Networks website built from the ground up using some of the latest tech. I was responsible primarily for the front-end development but also worked closely with the product and client teams to ensure the site was built to spec.
NextJS
TypeScript
Material UI
Styled Components
GraphQL
Mongoose
GAAD Foundation
GAAD Foundation
I am currently working on porting two GAAD websites over from WordPress to NextJS with TypeScript, tRPC, Prisma, NextAuth, and Mantine. I'm leading the team in developing a re-architected site following Atomic Design principles as well as creating a custom CMS to better serve our needs.
NextJS
TypeScript
Mantine
Styled Components
tRPC
Prisma
NextAuth
Fox / Fox Sports
Fox / Fox Sports
I was responsible for the front-end development that integrated cable providers to allow users to login, watch, and favorite content. I also worked on the payment gateway and built the Apple Pay integration that allowed users to subscribe to content.
React
Redux
PostCSS
Express
Apple Pay
HTTP Live Streaming
Collide
Collide
Collide is a platform that allows users to create and share interactive experiences. I was one of the first engineers on the team and helped build the initial version of the platform, which included live chat, video streaming, and user payments.
React
Redux Saga
Express
Node
HTTP Live Streaming
LegalZoom
LegalZoom
I lead the team in developing rapid prototypes for new features and products to test market viability. After evaluating what technologies worked the best, I built a command line utility tool to quickly scaffold new projects with minimum setup.
React
Redux
HandlebarsJS
Express
Node
MongoDB
Stripe
ScoreBig
ScoreBig
ScoreBig is a platform that allows users to purchase tickets to events at a discount. I worked as a full-stack engineer developing new features and maintaining the existing codebase. I also worked on the internal tools used by the dev team.
C#
.NET
Razor
AngularJS
SQL Server
PhantomJS

Contact

Although I'm not actively looking for any new opportunities at the moment, I'm always open to discussing new project ideas, potential freelancing, or trading music recommendations. If you have any questions or just want to say hi, feel free to email me.
Email Me