I’m Matt Caulkins, a senior full-stack engineer and technical consultant with 10+ years of experience building, stabilizing, and scaling complex web applications, data integrations, and production platforms. I enjoy stepping into established codebases to diagnose performance and architectural issues, then delivering reliable, accessible solutions for teams ranging from startups to large public institutions. I also run Caulm LLC, where I lead engineering support and technical direction—often turning existing designs and workflows into robust, responsive products. Recent work includes inheriting and extending production WordPress platforms, modernizing front ends with React/Next.js and TypeScript, and building interactive, data-driven experiences such as GIS maps, editorial publishing workflows, touch-screen kiosk interfaces, and offline-capable applications.…

Matt Caulkins

I’m Matt Caulkins, a senior full-stack engineer and technical consultant with 10+ years of experience building, stabilizing, and scaling complex web applications, data integrations, and production platforms. I enjoy stepping into established codebases to diagnose performance and architectural issues, then delivering reliable, accessible solutions for teams ranging from startups to large public institutions. I also run Caulm LLC, where I lead engineering support and technical direction—often turning existing designs and workflows into robust, responsive products. Recent work includes inheriting and extending production WordPress platforms, modernizing front ends with React/Next.js and TypeScript, and building interactive, data-driven experiences such as GIS maps, editorial publishing workflows, touch-screen kiosk interfaces, and offline-capable applications.…

Available to hire

I’m Matt Caulkins, a senior full-stack engineer and technical consultant with 10+ years of experience building, stabilizing, and scaling complex web applications, data integrations, and production platforms. I enjoy stepping into established codebases to diagnose performance and architectural issues, then delivering reliable, accessible solutions for teams ranging from startups to large public institutions.

I also run Caulm LLC, where I lead engineering support and technical direction—often turning existing designs and workflows into robust, responsive products. Recent work includes inheriting and extending production WordPress platforms, modernizing front ends with React/Next.js and TypeScript, and building interactive, data-driven experiences such as GIS maps, editorial publishing workflows, touch-screen kiosk interfaces, and offline-capable applications.

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Skills

Experience Level

JavaScript
Expert
Node.js
Expert
WordPress
Expert
API
Expert
HTML5
Expert
TypeScript
Expert
Figma
Expert
React JS
Expert
Python
Expert
Docker
Expert
Express
Expert
PHP
Expert
MySQL
Expert
Leadership
Expert
MongoDB
Expert
PostgreSQL
Expert
CSS
Expert
Blender
Expert
AWS
Expert
Django
Expert
HTMX
Expert
ArcGIS
Expert
Tailwind
Expert
Unity
Expert
ZBrush
Expert
Socket.IO
Expert
Web Design
Expert
3D Design
Expert
Ruby on Rails
Expert
GA4
Expert
Data Visualization
Expert
AngularJS
Expert
3D Model
Expert
SEO
Intermediate
Elasticsearch
Intermediate
GitHub CoPilot
Intermediate
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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Founder & Principal Software Engineer — Caulm LLC (portfolio work)
April 1, 2025 - Present
Built an interactive touch-screen kiosk experience with React, Vite, and Node.js for an offline-first video experience on dedicated hardware. Owned an existing AI-generated React/Vite/Node application, reverse-engineered the codebase, and established a Docker-based local dev environment. Resolved authentication, persistence, API, and application-state issues and prepared the app for AWS deployment. Developed a Next.js/React/TypeScript application using Payload CMS, PostgreSQL, Docker, role-based editorial workflows, version history, and custom publishing tools.
Founder & Principal Software Engineer at Caulm LLC
April 1, 2025 - Present
Founded a software consulting practice providing development and technical leadership for startups, agencies, and organizations. Built and extended a large WordPress/Bricks production platform, adding custom search, interactive mapping, analytics, and responsive frontend features based on Figma designs and design systems. Collaborated with stakeholders while maintaining accessibility, responsive behavior, and consistency across an established global public-health platform.
Senior Full Stack Software Engineer at Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
June 1, 2018 - November 1, 2024
Led stakeholder meetings to define specifications, requirements, and project milestones, managing a $50k budget for operational efficiency. Developed an HTML-based public publications archive and management system, streamlining access to research materials for 200 years of content. Integrated individual tracking systems into a unified Angular and Node.js screenshot catalog, improving data consistency and automating tracking for over 200 research plants. Engineered mobile applications for landscape management, reducing task approval times by 80%. Architected REST APIs, boosting employee productivity by 40% and reducing redundant tasks through data automation. Designed interactive maps using ArcGIS, facilitating real-time tracking and data visualization. Created over 40 custom post types and page templates for WordPress site, integrating with over 4 different third-party APIs.
Front-end Developer at New England Journal of Medicine
May 1, 2017 - December 1, 2017
Developed responsive data-driven infographics using D3.js and JavaScript, improving audience engagement with interactive content. Modernized legacy Flash content to comply with web standards for enhanced accessibility.
Senior Game Developer at Family Entertainment Network
February 1, 2013 - October 1, 2015
Led a 4-person team in developing Poptrópica web and mobile games, enhancing gameplay through state-driven mechanics and XML parsing. Increased user engagement through real-time updates and dynamic content.
Independent Software Engineer & Consultant
April 1, 2008 - April 1, 2025
Provided independent software engineering and consulting services across multiple industries. Delivered custom web applications, WordPress platforms, and data-driven features.
Software Engineer (Consultant / Independent) at Starshot (WordPress/Bricks) / Robo(t) Advisory Group / Oddtoposy Reports (as applicable)
April 1, 2008 - April 1, 2025
Provided engineering support across multiple engagements including WordPress/Bricks development with custom PHP/JavaScript functionality (roles/market/region workflows and permissions). Built an offline-first interactive touch-screen kiosk using React, Vite, and Node.js. Reverse-engineered an AI-generated React/Vite/Node app, established a Docker-based local dev environment, fixed authentication/persistence/API/application-state issues, and prepared the application for AWS deployment. Developed a Next.js/React/TypeScript app with Payload CMS, PostgreSQL, Docker, role-based editorial workflows, version history, and custom publishing tools.
Freelance Designer & Full-Stack Developer at Self-Employed / Freelance
April 1, 2008 - Present
Designed and optimized custom WordPress themes, templates, and plugins for businesses and institutions. Migrated, debugged, and optimized WordPress sites using Elementor, Bricks, WS Form, Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), and third-party integrations. Enhanced website speed, security, and SEO using Cloudflare, caching strategies, and best security practices. Developed custom API integrations, interactive front-end components, and database-driven functionalities. Managed multiple client projects, ensuring clear communication, problem-solving, and on-time delivery. Achieved 100% client satisfaction over 14 years, delivering tailored web development and design projects for small businesses.

Education

Master’s of Liberal Arts – Digital Media Design at Harvard Extension School
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2023
Bachelor’s of Science – Interactive Media & Game Design at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
January 11, 2030 - December 27, 2025
Master of Liberal Arts – Digital Media Design at Harvard Extension School
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2023
Bachelor of Science – Interactive Media & Game Design at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
January 11, 2030 - March 15, 2026
Master’s of Liberal Arts – Digital Media Design at Harvard Extension School
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2023
Bachelor’s of Science – Interactive Media & Game Design at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
January 11, 2030 - September 3, 2026
Master’s of Liberal Arts – Digital Media Design at Harvard Extension School
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2023
Bachelor’s of Science – Interactiv e Media & Game Design at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
January 11, 2030 - September 3, 2026

Qualifications

Back-End Development Certification
January 11, 2030 - March 15, 2026
Learning Design and Technology Certification
January 11, 2030 - March 15, 2026
Capstone Project: Tactical Game Development
January 11, 2030 - March 15, 2026
Certificate: Back-End Development
January 11, 2030 - September 3, 2026
Certificate: Learning Design and Technology Capstone
January 11, 2030 - September 3, 2026
Back-End Development Certificate
January 11, 2030 - September 3, 2026
Learning Design and Technology Certificate (Capstone: two-player turn-based tactical game using Phaser, MongoDB, Socket.IO, and Node.js)
January 11, 2030 - September 3, 2026
Back-End Development
January 11, 2030 - September 3, 2026
Learning Design and Technology
January 11, 2030 - September 3, 2026
Capstone: Two-player turn-based tactical game
January 11, 2030 - September 3, 2026

Industry Experience

Software & Internet, Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Healthcare, Government, Non-Profit Organization

Skills

Experience Level

JavaScript
Expert
Node.js
Expert
WordPress
Expert
API
Expert
HTML5
Expert
TypeScript
Expert
Figma
Expert
React JS
Expert
Python
Expert
Docker
Expert
Express
Expert
PHP
Expert
MySQL
Expert
Leadership
Expert
MongoDB
Expert
PostgreSQL
Expert
CSS
Expert
Blender
Expert
AWS
Expert
Django
Expert
HTMX
Expert
ArcGIS
Expert
Tailwind
Expert
Unity
Expert
ZBrush
Expert
Socket.IO
Expert
Web Design
Expert
3D Design
Expert
Ruby on Rails
Expert
GA4
Expert
Data Visualization
Expert
AngularJS
Expert
3D Model
Expert
SEO
Intermediate
Elasticsearch
Intermediate
GitHub CoPilot
Intermediate
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