Understand before changing
I prefer to understand why a system exists, how people actually use it, and where the real risk is before proposing a rewrite or major architectural change.
About Me
I've spent my career building software.Now I'm putting that experience to work solving difficult software problems.
I'm David Southwood, a senior full-stack software engineer with more than 13 years of professional experience across frontend applications, backend systems, APIs, databases, cloud services, and application modernization.
13+
Years in software engineering
Professional development experience beginning in 2013.
20+
Legacy pages modernized
Including production Vue.js to React + TypeScript migration work.
Consulting + Engineering
I'm currently available for consulting, contract work, software rescue and modernization projects, as well as the right senior software engineering opportunity.
How I Work
Software decisions should solve business problems,not create new ones.
Modernize pragmatically
Newer technology isn't automatically better. The goal is software that is easier to maintain, safer to change, and better suited to the business.
Communicate the technical reality
Technical decisions should be understandable to the people paying for and depending on the software not hidden behind unnecessary jargon.
What I'm Building
I still like building things outside of work.
Independent projects give me room to explore product development, self-hosted software, new application architectures, and the hardware side of computing.
Work in Progress
LibraryForge
A self-hosted media metadata and library management platform built with a Django backend and modern React frontend.
View on GitHubComing Soon
TicketLore
A paid web product for preserving movie-going history through digital collectible ticket stubs, personal collections, ratings, and related movie experiences.
Coming Soon
Achievement Hub
An ongoing hardware and embedded-systems project exploring achievements for original retro game consoles through dedicated console adapters and a central hub.
Work With Me
Have a difficult software problem—or looking for an experienced engineer to join your team?
I'm open to consulting, contract engagements, application modernization work, and the right senior engineering opportunity.