Hi, I'm
Dave Barnwell

Software Architect / Problem Solver

View My Work About Me

# What I Do

Engineering

I architect and build high-performance, scalable systems. My focus is on solving complex technical challenges through clean code and seamless collaboration. From serverless architectures to cloud-native solutions on platforms such as AWS and Google Cloud, I deliver robust applications designed to exceed modern scale requirements.

Leadership

With over three decades of experience, I bridge the gap between high-level strategy and hands-on execution. Whether scaling an existing platform to millions of users or building a dedicated engineering team from the ground up, I provide the technical leadership and architectural rigor needed to ship resilient, production-ready software.

My recent expertise spans technologies such as AWS, GCP, Vercel, Vue.js/Nuxt, React, Go, Python, Node.js, TypeScript and Laravel. I'm committed to staying at the forefront of tech.

# Selected Work

I've worked with multiple founders, multiple times, to deliver exceptional results, from concept to launch.

ActionStorm

Partnered with the founder to build a petition and community engagement platform from scratch. Features include AI-powered campaigns, fundraising, CMS integrations for Mailchimp, NationBuilder, and Action network. Integrations with UK Government Open Data
#Laravel #Tailwind #Filament #Livewire #Apline-JS #AI #Mailchimp #Stripe #UK-Gov #Open-Data

Pass

As Head of Tech for a mature product, set Technical direction, initiated a return to TDD, Integrated AI question marking and RAG-powered AI Tutors as a market leader in the UK online education market. Developed public APIs and Webhooks powering tight third party LMS integrations.
#Laravel #Vue #Go #AI #Public-API #Webhooks #Nuxt #Nova #LMS

Sched / Emamo

Partnered with the founder to build out a new online events platform (Emamo). Implementing event creation, schedules, speaker and attendee management, social card sharing, and deep integrations for Eventbrite, Zoom, and YouTube.
#Laravel #Vue #Eventbrite #Stripe #AWS #Zoom #Youtube

Headforwards / Best Energy

Led a team to take over development and scale an IoT platform handling 25 billion monthly data points. Architected key stability improvements and modernised the global monitoring system.
#PHP #Javascript #IoT #Docker #Custom-Database #Time-Series-data

Crowdfunder

From the developer to Head of Tech, stabilised the platform and scaled for viral traffic (>10K/min). Recruited a team of six developers. Implemented significant optimisations and TDD.
#CodeIgniter #Javascript #Stripe #GoCardless #Mangopay #PayPal

SurfHog

Side project running >20 years, providing local weather and ocean conditions relevant for surfing in Cornwall. Visualising >30M meteorological data points. Currently serverless via Vercel.
#Astro #SolidJS #Serverless #API #Weather-Geo #GeoJSON

# Life outside tech?

I'm an avid Music lover, Record Collector, Audiophile, relapsed Trombone, Piano and Violin player; Devourer of Books, lover of the Great Outdoors.