Steven Lawton - Technical
Profile
Senior Software Developer with over 20 years’ experience delivering
robust, scalable backend systems across fintech, retail, Web3, and
publishing. Known for pragmatic problem-solving, deep technical breadth,
and consistent delivery in complex environments.
🔧 Core Strengths
- Backend-focused: GoLang, Java,
Node.js, and Scala
- Cloud-native architecture: AWS,
GCP, Kubernetes, and
Terraform
- Event-driven systems: Kafka,
RabbitMQ, and gRPC
- CI/CD and platform automation with GitHub Actions,
Docker, and Helm
- Secure API design: OpenAPI,
GraphQL, OAuth2/OIDC,
GRPC
- Observability:Prometheus, NewRelic
Grafana, Datadog
💼 Project Highlights
- Integrations (Sainsbury’s): Automated API
onboarding with GitHub Actions and
TypeScript, integrated
OpenAPI/AsyncAPI into SwaggerHub, and
designed internal PaaS services for request state and authorisation
- SmartShop (Sainsbury’s): Migrated PHP to Go
microservices, optimised memory usage, and integrated with external
teams using gRPC and GraphQL
- Groceries Online (Sainsbury’s): Led platform
migration to Kubernetes, overhauled secrets management, and improved
delivery with SSR and microservices
- Baanx (Fintech): Re-architected core web/crypto
infrastructure with Go, ECS, and Keycloak for identity management under
compliance constraints
- Barbourne Brook: Delivered an event-driven data
pipeline in Go, replacing a fragile PHP app, enabling new high-value
customers
- RS Components: Delivered PCI-compliant internal
payment system and supported eCommerce modernisation using Spring Boot
and Docker
🛠 Technology Stack
- Languages: Go, Java, Node.js/TypeScript, Scala,
PHP, Python, Solidity
- Cloud & Infra: AWS (ECS, EKS, Lambda),
Terraform, Helm, Docker, Nomad
- Messaging: Kafka, RabbitMQ, gRPC, GraphQL,
REST
- Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, DynamoDB,
Redis, InfluxDB
- Observability: Prometheus, Grafana, Datadog,
Kibana
- CI/CD: GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, custom internal
tooling
- Security: OAuth2, OIDC, Keycloak, Vault, secrets
automation
🤝 Ways of Working
- Experienced with remote-first teams,
cross-functional collaboration, and stakeholder engagement.
- Advocate of TDD, pair programming,
and clean developer experience (DevEx)
- Trusted to lead platform rebuilds, technical
migrations, and internal tooling delivery