The Backend Engineer
Dave Henderson
West Midlands, UK — Open to Worldwide Remote
Website: https://elysiumcode.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/-dave-henderson
Professional Summary
I’ll admit design isn’t my strong point; I leave the fancy colours and pixel-perfect layouts to those with
an eye for it. My strength lies in making the backend rock solid: scalable APIs, event-driven
architecture, and serverless solutions that just work. With over a decade of hands-on experience, I
specialise in building scalable backend systems using Node.js, TypeScript, and AWS Serverless.
Core Skills & Technical Expertise
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Backend Development: Node.js, TypeScript, JavaScript, Express
Architecture: Microservices, event-driven systems (SNS, SQS)
API Design & Testing: REST API design, integration/unit testing, Postman, Swagger
Cloud Platforms: AWS Lambda, API Gateway, DynamoDB, S3, CloudWatch
CI/CD & DevOps: Git-based workflows, GitHub Actions, automated testing/deployment
Containers: Docker (build and development testing)
Project Leadership: Client communication, planning, architecture design, and mentoring
Professional Experience
Elysium Code – Freelance Software Engineer
2024 – Present
● Designed and delivered scalable event-driven APIs using Node.js, Express, and AWS
Serverless.
● Built cloud-native systems for mobile apps and SaaS clients.
● Worked closely with stakeholders on architecture decisions, security, and performance.
● Delivered projects with full CI/CD pipelines and automated testing.
Clearabee – Software Engineering Manager / Senior Software Engineer
2019 – 2024
● Led backend development and migrated legacy systems to modular microservices.
● Implemented real-time event handling via SNS/SQS and API Gateway.
● Designed high-volume transactional systems that supported logistics operations and
third-party integrations, processing over £25,000 in payments each day.
● Introduced CI/CD pipelines and improved team practices with clean architecture
principles.
Lightbox Digital / B60 Apps – Senior PHP Engineer
2015 – 2019
● Delivered robust backend solutions for mobile and web projects.
● Led integration of third-party APIs and built secure admin portals.
● Maintained code quality and mentored junior developers.
Jones & Palmer / Blue Fusion Studios
2009 – 2015
● Progressed from Project Manager to Lead Developer, overseeing technical delivery.
● Built CMS systems, APIs, and internal tooling for client projects.
Key Projects & Highlights
● Motorcycle Training App: Created backend APIs and scoring systems for an
instructor/student training platform.
● Nationwide Booking API: Architected a scalable, event-driven booking system using
AWS Lambda and DynamoDB, handling thousands of transactions daily.
● Subcontractor Job Allocation Tool: Developed a tool for managing overflow jobs with
real-time updates and secure job tracking.
Why I’m a Fit for This Role
● Backend Specialist: With several years of experience designing, building, and scaling
production-grade backend services using Node.js and event-driven patterns.
● Tech Stack Match: Strong experience with Node.js, TypeScript, Express, Docker, and AWS
Serverless.
● Cloud-Native Expertise: Proficient in designing systems for the cloud from the ground
up, including observability and CI/CD.
● Production-Ready Code: Committed to automated testing, version control, and clean,
maintainable architecture.
Availability & Rates
Rate: Flexible, depending on the scope, within your advertised range of $30–$55/hour.
Availability: Ready to commit part-time or full-time, depending on project needs.
Let’s Connect
I love to contribute to a team that values clean architecture and modern engineering practices.
