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Florian Vallen

@florianvallen

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Software engineer at NewWorkSE and founder of Hitchlog, who built a React Native app for a circus arts community.

Germany

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At NewWorkSE, I developed Next.js applications with TypeScript, maintained Ruby on Rails admin apps, and implemented GDPR and Digital Services Act requirements. I also built automated CI/CD pipelines for containerized applications.

I founded Hitchlog, an open-source social network for hitchhikers built with Ruby on Rails and later React. I created it to help people share and explore hitchhiking experiences.

With Paradise Circus, I built a cross-platform app for a circus arts community, with a live workshop timetable, artist profiles, show schedules, and push notifications. As a freelancer for PhoenixFireConvention, I created a React Native app whose Python and FastAPI backend served PostgreSQL data to attendees in real time.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Founder & Product Owner of Several Websites/Apps

Current

Hitchlog, Paradise Circus

Jan 2013 - Present (13 years 9 months)

Founded an open source social network for hitchhikers called Hitchlog, built with Ruby on Rails and later React. Started Paradise Circus, a cross-platform mobile app for a circus arts community in Pai, Thailand.

Ruby on Rails React Community Management

Freelancer

PhoenixFireConvention

Mar 2026 - Jun 2026 (3 months)

Created a state-of-the-art iPhone/Android mobile app with React Native for the biggest fire juggling convention in Europe. Backend uses Python and FastAPI to serve PostgreSQL data to thousands of attendees in real time.

React Native Python fastAPI PostgreSQL Push Notifications Gamification

Fullstack Developer with Ruby and React/Next.js

NewWork SE

Jan 2023 - Mar 2026 (3 years 2 months)

Implemented GDPR and new laws in the context of the new DSA laws. Maintained Ruby on Rails admin apps and developed Next.js applications with TypeScript.

Ruby on Rails Next.js TypeScript GitHub Actions Docker Kubernetes AWS ECR

Next.js Frontend Development

HelloBetter

Oct 2019 - Nov 2022 (3 years 1 month)

Developed three separate Next.js apps connected with microservices in the backend, using TypeScript.

Next.js TypeScript Microservices

Ruby Software Developer, Freelancer

Devolute, Finiata, Redbull

Sep 2017 - Jul 2019 (1 year 10 months)

Developed with Rails 5.2, created and tested a service object communicating with a credit card service API, and improved performance of a Rails API communicating with a React app.

Ruby on Rails API Development Performance Optimization

Ruby Software Developer, Freelancer

AskCharlie

Nov 2015 - Aug 2017 (1 year 9 months)

Developed Ruby on Rails applications, applied a redesign to make it more mobile friendly, and developed a RESTful API in Rails that communicates with an Angular app.

Ruby on Rails REST APIs Angular

Ruby on Rails Developer

Inspire9

Jun 2013 - Jan 2014 (7 months)

Provided Ruby on Rails development and software consultancy, and developed a social network with Backbone.js.

Ruby on Rails Backbone.Js Software Consultancy

Ruby on Rails Developer

Wimdu

May 2012 - Jul 2012 (2 months)

Developed a full text search engine for listings.

Ruby on Rails Full Text Search

Ruby on Rails Developer

Wuaki.tv

Oct 2010 - Mar 2011 (5 months)

Performed web development and implemented job queues with Delayed Job.

Ruby on Rails Delayed Job Web Development

Ruby on Rails Developer

Teambox

Jun 2009 - Nov 2009 (5 months)

Performed Rails web development.

Ruby on Rails

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf

Bachelor of Computer Science, Computer Science

2006 - 2010

Activities and societies: Erasmus exchange program at a technical university in Madrid; thesis: A Comparison Of NoSQL And SQL Databases Regarding Development Practices And Performance.

Bachelor of Computer Science from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, including an Erasmus exchange program in Madrid and a thesis on NoSQL and SQL databases.