Open to opportunities

Alex McCaughran

@alexmccaughran

Message

Backend-focused Full-Stack Software Engineer delivering scalable, compliant SaaS systems.

United Kingdom

Message

What I'm looking for

I seek a role owning backend and full-stack features in a product-led company, working on scalable, compliant systems with autonomy, strong engineering standards, and opportunities to influence architecture and UX.

I am a backend-focussed full-stack software engineer with a product-led mindset and proven ownership of complex SaaS systems in regulated, real-time environments. I design and deliver large features end-to-end, replace legacy systems with modern patterns, and contribute to architectural and UX direction across multi-module platforms.

At Defaqto I build and scale Laravel and Livewire-based SaaS platforms used by thousands of financial advisers daily, working closely with product and non-technical stakeholders to translate regulatory requirements into scalable system design. Previously I delivered backend REST APIs, middleware and data platforms across C#, .NET, Java (Spring), Python and SQL-based ecosystems for business-critical operations.

I have a First Class Honours degree in Software Engineering achieved while working full-time, strong experience in domain modelling, RBAC, event-driven workflows, CI/CD and cloud tooling, and a track record of reducing technical debt, improving performance, and shipping high-priority projects under tight constraints.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Full-Stack Software Engineer

Current

Defaqto

Built and scaled Laravel and Livewire SaaS platforms used by thousands of financial advisers, delivering major product modules, role-based permissions and event-driven notification subsystems to meet regulatory and business requirements.

PHP (Laravel)MySQL REST APIs Event Driven Architecture RBAC CI CD Docker

Graduate Software Developer

Müller UK & Ireland

Jul 2024 - Mar 2025 (8 months)

Designed and implemented a backend REST API aggregation service and a compliance monitoring middleware, improving operational efficiency and reducing manual reconciliation by an estimated 10+ hours per week.

C++.NET SQL Server Azure REST APIs Performance Tuning Middleware

Technical Analyst (Systems & Data)

Celtic FC

Jul 2022 - Jul 2024 (2 years)

Built a centralised shared data platform with Azure ETL pipelines and Spring Boot REST APIs, automated ticket allocation processes and implemented QR ticket encoding to improve match-day operations and analytics.

ETL Spring Boot SQL Data Platform Power BI Tableau Automation REST APIs

Service Desk Analyst

MicroTech Group

Jul 2021 - Jul 2022 (1 year)

Provided technical support to GP practices and Windows-based businesses, resolving complex application issues and maintaining critical healthcare IT infrastructure under high ticket volumes.

IT Support Windows Server Troubleshooting Ticketing Systems EDT Hubs Customer Service