Hi, I'm Josh Plaza!

Portland, Oregon

Senior Software Engineer with over 10 years of experience, specializing in PHP, JavaScript, Laravel, and React.

I build robust, scalable applications that solve real business problems. My expertise spans from developing interactive front-end interfaces to designing efficient backend systems. Check out my experience below to see how I've helped companies ship better products faster.

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Technical Skills

PHP PHP
JavaScript JavaScript
React React
Laravel Laravel
TypeScript TypeScript
AWS AWS
Node.js Node.js
Tailwind Tailwind
Docker Docker
MySQL MySQL
REST APIs GraphQL DynamoDB MySQL PostgreSQL CI/CD Microservices Event-Driven Serverless Redis Angular Firebase MongoDB Terraform

Work Experience

Senior Full Stack Engineer

Automatiq | April 2025 - Present

  • Developing and scaling the leading automation platform for dynamic ticket pricing and distribution for the event ticket space
  • Building with TypeScript, Node.js, React, AWS, REST APIs, and SQL technologies
  • Implementing messaging systems and ORM solutions for robust data management
  • Leveraging expertise in cloud architecture to design scalable solutions

Senior Software Engineer

A2Z Sync (Amazon Autos) | July 2023 - January 2025

  • Implemented event-driven PHP/Laravel backend serving 500K+ daily users
  • Built RESTful APIs following SOLID principles achieving 99.99% uptime
  • Implemented comprehensive PHPUnit test suite with 90%+ coverage
  • Worked with AWS services including SQS, Lambda, EC2, and S3

Senior Full Stack Engineer

Genvid: Silent Hill: Ascension | July 2022 - October 2023

  • Built real-time interactive streaming platform handling 125K+ concurrent viewers
  • Implemented live polling system using AWS SQS with DynamoDB
  • Created React-based interactive overlays for the game

Lead Software Engineer

Thrasio | March 2020 - June 2022

  • Led a team of 9 engineers, managing technical acquisition integrations
  • Set quarterly OKRs, planned sprints, and managed feature development
  • Built automated compliance scanning tool reducing site audit time from 2 hours to 20 minutes
  • Orchestrated migrations from various e-commerce platforms into a unified ecosystem

Full Stack Engineer

Varsity News Network (VNN) Inc. | September 2018 - March 2020

  • Developed SaaS athletics management system for 2,000+ schools
  • Enhanced real-time scoring system processing 50K+ concurrent game updates
  • Built features for headless CMS integration

Full Stack Engineer

Parlevel Systems | May 2017 - August 2018

  • Built and maintained enterprise vending management platform used by 5,000+ operators
  • Implemented RESTful API endpoints for inventory management using Laravel and MySQL
  • Optimized database queries reducing API response times by 40%
  • Developed mobile-responsive dashboard using Vue.js and Bootstrap

Junior Full Stack Engineer

Bravelets | June 2015 - April 2017

  • Maintained e-commerce platform that raised over $3.5M for charitable causes
  • Implemented custom donation tracking system with PHP and MySQL
  • Integrated with payment processors and shipping APIs
  • Created reporting dashboards for cause partners using JavaScript and Chart.js

Notable Projects

Amazon Autos

Played a key role in the launch of Amazon's automotive platform, building backend systems serving 500K+ daily users. Implemented event-driven architecture using Laravel and AWS services.

Laravel AWS PHP SQS MySQL Docker CI/CD

Silent Hill: Ascension

Led integration of Emmy-winning interactive streaming platform for this AAA game. Created interactive features allowing viewers to participate in the storyline through real-time decisions.

React AWS DynamoDB WebSockets Lambda Node.js Redis

Thrasio Brands

Managed development, migrations, and operations for 200+ eCommerce websites and 800+ domains. Notable properties include ostohome.com, vybepercussion.com, and angryorange.com.

PHP Laravel JavaScript AWS MySQL S3 Shopify API

VNN Platform

All-in-one web application for athletics departments, serving 2,000+ schools across the United States. Built with AngularJS, React, TypeScript, GraphQL, Apollo, and Symfony2.

Angular React GraphQL TypeScript Symfony MySQL Apollo

Parlevel Vending Management Platform

Enterprise SaaS platform for vending operators to manage inventory, track sales, and optimize routes. Serving 5,000+ operators across North America with real-time monitoring of vending machines and micro-markets.

Laravel Vue.js MySQL Redis REST APIs Docker GraphQL Ionic

Bravelets Charity eCommerce Platform

Custom eCommerce platform connecting products to charitable causes, raising over $3.5M for various organizations. Implemented donation tracking system and partner dashboards for real-time fundraising metrics.

PHP MySQL JavaScript Chart.js Payment APIs jQuery Bootstrap Stripe

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Cum Laude)

Texas State University, San Marcos, TX | August 2011 - May 2015

Contact

(956) 648-2263
hello@joshplaza.com
github.com/hexagonstorms