François Nicaise

Since 2011, I've been working as a freelance software architect/developer for a very broad list of clients with very different needs (big players, small players, industry, defense, gaming, retail, etc...). What I can bring to your team: - Strong working knowledge of modern web development technologies including JavaScript/TypeScript/React and other remotely connected languages like F# and Haxe (see my experience at Motion-Twin) - Strong working experience with different languages: I'm a real polyglot but I love Functional. So I do imperative, declarative, functional. I have written and designed software in C, C++, C#, F#, Java, Scala, Lisp, Go, Javascript, Typescript, Haxe, Racket, Lua, Swift, SQL. Thus I will understand the dialect spoken by your developers. - Experience with measuring and improving the performance of systems. I'm a fan of observability. I love Honeycomb. - Expertise with Serverless Functions. Yesterday it was IBM/AWS/Azure. Now it's Vercel and the Google Cloud ecosystem - Experience with relational databases including, MySQL, PostgreSQL - Experience with Key Value stores like Redis - Experience with Time Series like InfluxDB and Warp10 - Experience with NoSQL and document stores like Firestore, Firebase Realtime Database, Cloudant and CouchdB - Experience with modern DevOps tools Git, Docker, YAML deployment scripts - Strong organizational skills and ability to work together with both technical and non-technical stakeholders - Ability to work independently, prioritize my workload - Excellent written and verbal English communication skills My years of experience allow me to - Work out the technical scope of cross-team software projects based on the business requirements - Collaborate with the development teams to design robust and performant solutions to the needs of my customers - Analyze the performance of existing systems and work out solutions for improving them I like team work, I like people and projects that benefit the world :)

Created the system architecture using serverless and cloud technologies, ensuring scalability, reliability, and maintainability while optimizing for performance and cost-efficiency. Devloped a business oriented web app to help manage the Vending machines in real time and help the business grow, ensuring the interface is intuitive, fast, and responsive and enhances the productivity of both internal users and external workers. Last but not least, I had the chance to work with a great team for several years, a team that fought to make the world a better place for Women. It's been a great project with great people!

In-House Metrology Software Development: Spearheaded the development of a custom in-house software system for managing all metrology missions at MG Instruments, a leading French company in the HVAC industry. This software is now an essential tool, used daily by all employees, significantly improving efficiency and accuracy in metrology tasks. IoT Data Management System: Designed and implemented a comprehensive IoT data management system, which includes around 20 applications covering the entire process—from data ingestion to real-time monitoring, alarm management, and AI-driven analysis. This system supports MG Instruments' successful line of Sigfox and LoRa IoT devices, enabling robust data handling and insights. Over the past years, I have managed the development and continuous improvement of these systems, occasionally bringing in contractors to assist with specific tasks. My leadership ensured that these complex projects were delivered on time and met the high standards required by MG Instruments. The software solutions I developed have become integral to MG Instruments' operations, supporting their growth in the IoT sector and enhancing their capabilities in the HVAC industry. And last but not least: working with a great team!

Led the retroengineering of a legacy 2D and 3D data system, tasked with migrating data and its hierarchical structure into a new, modernized system while preserving the integrity and relationships between files. Conducted an in-depth analysis of database extracts to reverse-engineer the data structure. Utilized a functional programming language to create flexible and efficient business rules, which simplified the parsing and transformation of complex data sets. This approach enabled the accurate migration of data and ensured that all historical relationships and hierarchies were maintained. Successfully migrated all 2D and 3D data, preserving the original hierarchy and ensuring the new system’s data integrity. The process also laid the groundwork for future data migrations by establishing a clear methodology and set of business rules for handling complex data structures.

IT & Multimedia teaching for BTEC Higher National Diploma students

https://www.youtube.com/c/Frenchcows Founded and developed FrenchCows, a unique collective and platform dedicated to promoting original and creative indie video games. The mission was to push forward innovative gaming experiences by providing a space where independent developers could showcase their work. Successfully created a network of indie game developers, facilitating collaboration and sharing through various online platforms, including a forum and a shop. This community became a hub for developers to connect, share ideas, and promote their games. Managed a series of conferences and online events aimed at bringing attention to creative indie games. These events included game showcases, developer talks, and community discussions, all designed to elevate the profile of indie developers. Handled partnerships and communications with other indie developers, ensuring strong relationships and collaborations within the collective. Worked closely with developers to curate and promote their games effectively on the platform. Led the communication strategy for FrenchCows, crafting messages that resonated with both developers and gamers. This included managing social media, writing press releases, and engaging with the community through various channels.

Strange Masks (2013): Led all aspects of game development from initial design to launch and public relations. Managed the entire process independently, including concept creation, coding, and marketing. The game received positive reviews, earning a rating of 8/10 from the respected French video games magazine, Canard PC, highlighting its quality and innovation in the indie gaming scene. Mind Labyrinth (2012): Designed and developed this unique game in collaboration with Labe.me for the Neurosky MindWave platform, a pioneering technology in brainwave-based gaming. Handled game design, cross-platform development, and protocol implementation to ensure smooth functionality across various devices. Worked extensively on user experience (UX) design, including the development of intuitive user interfaces (UI), as well as in-game graphics and sound effects, ensuring an engaging and immersive experience for players.

Played a key role in growing Motion-Twin from a small group of five friends into a thriving game development studio with 11 dedicated team members. The early days were marked by shared sacrifices, with the team working out of a shared flat and pooling resources to build innovative multiplayer games. Motion-Twin operated as a cooperative, where all members were associates and shared profits equally. With no formal hierarchy or boss, the studio functioned as a real-life laboratory for social experiments in team dynamics and project management. Teams of 2-3 experienced members would take the lead on projects they believed had the potential to be the next big hit. Contributed to both backend and frontend development, utilizing in-house technologies to create a variety of games. This included numerous Flash games and four major multiplayer projects spanning genres such as survival, cooperative play, casual gaming, and virtual pet (Tamagotchi-style) games. Engaged in game design across multiple projects, bringing creative ideas to life through innovative gameplay mechanics and engaging user experiences. Involved in all aspects of the studio's business operations, from daily management to handling international deals and payments. Developed and managed in-house business tools, including systems for HR, financial tracking, and sales management. The cooperative structure allowed for frequent experimentation, leading to both successes and failures that provided invaluable learning experiences for the team. Key project: Hordes (hordes.fr / die2nite.com) - press review: http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/11/15/die2nite-horrifying-harbour-of-crime/ - press review: http://thereticule.com/2010/11/time-to-die2nite/ - press review: http://www.twinpedia.com/hordes/presse (french)

Design & development of in-house B2B tools

Project manager on various outsourced Java web apps.