Luke Taaffe

Delivers React, Next.js, and Node.js products for startup and enterprise clients as an independent contractor, owning application architecture and justifying technical decisions. Engineers TypeScript and Node.js services for Reya DEX and ZiffDavis, using AI-assisted coding tools and containerized AWS deployments.

Led the full Growth engineering domain at the Netherlands' largest crypto exchange, architecting a real-time notification campaign system that delivered 5 million messages at 100% delivery rate and generated 7-figure annual revenue. Grew the Growth engineering team from 0 to 13 engineers, owning hiring, coding standards, and delivery processes.

Developed GraphQL API microservices in TypeScript and NestJS for behaviour-driven recipe categories on Kubernetes and AWS, monitored with Grafana and ELK. Introduced distributed system architecture and Kubernetes practices to the engineering department through an in-house Node.js Kafka microservice.

Implemented a scalable event scheduling system with REST and GraphQL APIs on Node.js, NestJS, and PHP, with full observability through Grafana and Sentry. Shipped full-stack subscription features across the user interface and API for a scaling European SaaS platform.

Crafted client-facing React.js, Vue.js, and TypeScript interfaces for Bentley, Vauxhall, Opel, and Sunseeker Yachts at a global agency. Delivered high-profile digital work with Node.js and Laravel backends under agency deadlines.

Completed production React.js, Node.js, and PHP web applications for 8+ EU and global clients across contract-style Agile engagements. Took features from requirements through deployment with version control discipline and iterative quality improvements.

Co-founded a horse-racing data and betting platform and took it from concept to launch with React.js and PHP, including UI and UX design. Owned the product end to end across backend logic, frontend experience, and early platform architecture.

Completed Agentic AI Engineering with LangChain & LangGraph course on Udemy in 2026.

Completed Prompt Engineering for LLMs course on Udemy in 2025.

Completed Leadership & Innovation program at MIT in 2023.

Completed Advanced TypeScript Masterclass on Educative in 2022.

Completed Grokking Modern System Design course on Educative in 2022.

BSc in Computer Science from the University of Worcester, completed in 2015.