Introduction
I am an experienced IT developer working mainly on PHP and MySQL projects. During my employment and consultant experience, I have had the opportunity to work on mainstream systems such as Drupal and Joomla!. My development experience is mainly based on insurance-related software and ranges from small and simple online quotation systems (PHP) to standalone quotation executables (C++ and C#) and the conception and programing of an insurance auditing system (PHP and MySQL.)
Some of the programs I worked n can be found in the Projects category.
Skills and experience
The insurance industry is a domain where accuracy is a major issue. More than two years of IT work for insurance companies have allowed me to sharpen my attention to details and rigorousness, and to master important aspects of development including planning, documenting and unit-testing. Working in small structures like Quantum Insurance Services Ltd provided me with the valuable opportunity to learn about most aspects of the IT field, such as how to set up a proper development environment, working closely with the stakeholders of the projects and to be familiar with systems set up, administration, maintenance and technical support.
Here is a list of my IT skills and knowledge:
- LAMP server set up and maintenance, featuring either Apache or Lighttpd.
- PHP development (versions 5 and 4) has been my main assignment ever since I started working. I am experienced in either functional or object-oriented programing with this language.
- HTML, XHTML, CSS and W3C compliance.
- Use of SQL database collections - MySQL, SQLite and PostGreSQL.
- Web communication through SOAP over HTML, programmed in PHP.
- Javascript and AJAX at a basic level and where required.
- Utility programming with various scripting languages: Python, Visual Basic, Perl, Elisp.
- Programming standalone software in compiled languages: C++, C# and C, also basic knowledge of Java.
- Use of several CMS:
- Daily use and maintenance of Joomla!
- Theming and tweaking of Drupal, also development of custom modules.
- Customisation of Plume CMS, requiring modification of the CMS's source code.
- Use and maintenance of GNU/Linux and Microsoft Windows.
- Use of word processors:
- Microsoft Word
- OpenOffice.org Writer
- TeX, LaTeX and TeXinfo
Employment history
- From 2009
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IT consultant for Quantum Leben AG
Quantum Leben AG is a young and dynamic Liechtenstein-based insurane company. My assignment is to develop and maintain various quotation systems, both standalone and online, as well as the auditing system developed during my previous employment. Collaboration with the stakeholders (CEO, COO), teamwork and transfer of knowledge are the key requirements for this position.
- 2007 to 2009
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IT developer for Quantum Insurance Services Ltd
Quantum Insurance Services Ltd was a small starting company (10 employees.) My responsibilities covered a wide range from IT design, management, system administration and of course development.
- Development of a complex policy auditing system featuring SOAP communication with a third party system.
- Programmed a small CMS for the company's website. Later replaced by Drupal.
- Made quotation systems online or standalone, with PHP and MySQL or C# and C++.
I have been given two salary reviews the same year (2008) for oustanding achievements.
The company has been closed and I have been made redundant for economical reasons.
- 2006 to 2007
-
Technical support agent for IBM
Provided support on UPSs to French customers. This job involved advanced electrical and electronics knowledge, customer care and customer service. I have been in charge of the maintenance of the support team's test bay.
Education
- 2005 to 2006
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BSc Computational Physics - Heriott-Watt University, Edinburgh
Simulation and modelling of physical phenomenons using C++ programming. The final project required to model the motion of electrons within an atomic lattice, both in 2D and 3D programmed in C++.
High marks in programming - Above 90% - however failed this degree because of a too high level in physics and the difficulty to get used to speaking English.
- 2004 to 2005
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Licence Professionnelle CIM - IUT of Reims, Châlons, Charleville, France
The aim of this degree is to give scientific skills to set up an instrumentation system from the choice of the sensors to the analysis of the measures. The final project was to design an embedded measurement device, programmed in RISC assembly.
*Licence Professionelle and DUT is a French equivalent to English BSc degree.
- 2002 to 2004
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DUT Mesures Physique - IUT of Reims, Châlons, Charleville, France
This degree provides the technical knowledge and practical experience on how to collaborate efficiently with engineers in research and testing laboratories, quality control, and how to perform any kind of advanced measurements applicable to any industrial sector. The final project was to design aerial sonar to make out the surroundings of the device. The software to process data and display the room was programmed in Visual Basic.
- 2002
-
Scientific Baccalauréat
French equivalent to the A levels.
Languages
- French - Native speaker
- English - Fluent
- German - Basic knowledge
- Chinese - Basic knowledge
Interests
- Playing guitar
- Reading fantasy and science fiction books
- Associate member of the Free Software Foundation
- Programming small projects for fun and learning more about IT in general
References
For privacy reasons, I will not put down my references here. However, feel free to contact me if you need any information.