Michiel de Mare
Senior Software Developer
- Phone
- +31 6 45404632
- Location
- The Hague, Netherlands
- michieldemare@gmail.com
- linkedin.com/in/mdemare
- GitHub
- github.com/mdemare
Profile
Senior software developer and former CTO with more than 20 years of commercial experience building, maintaining, and modernising server-side applications. Strong background in Ruby on Rails, Clojure, Java, PostgreSQL, Redis, API integrations, performance, security, and product ownership.
Effective in complex, long-lived systems where architectural choices need to be pragmatic, well-communicated and maintainable over time. As a former CTO and founder, used to taking responsibility for the full lifecycle of a software product: requirements, architecture, implementation, deployment, operations, and support.
Languages
- Dutch
- Native
- English
- Fluent
Skills
- Programming Languages
- Ruby, JavaScript, Clojure, Java, Kotlin
- Backend
- Ruby on Rails, APIs, integrations, background jobs, service design
- Databases
- PostgreSQL, Redis, MySql
- Cloud & Infrastructure
- AWS ECS, Docker, Linux
- Leadership
- CTO experience, technical architecture, product ownership, mentoring, customer support
Work Experience
SURF
June 2022 - Present
Freelance Consultant
Freelance consultant on eduhub RIO mapper, a Clojure service that maps between the OOAPI specification and RIO, the XML-based API maintained by DUO for Dutch education. Maintained and extended the service, implemented the migration to OOAPI v6, and worked on reliable data exchange between systems in the education sector.
- Programming Languages
- Clojure
- Backend
- Compojure, APIs, XML, data mapping
- Cloud & Infrastructure
- Docker
Studytube
March 2023 - January 2024
Freelance Consultant
Automated parts of the invoicing service in the Studytube/Springest platform and supported the incoming development team after the Springest application was sold. Worked in a mature Rails codebase, focusing on maintainability, operational continuity, and knowledge transfer.
- Programming Languages
- Ruby, JavaScript
- Backend
- Ruby on Rails
Tolq
April 2012 - June 2022
Founder and CTO
Founder and CTO of Tolq, a translation marketplace serving enterprise customers including bol.com, MediaMarkt, and Randstad. Designed and built the platform from scratch and evolved it over ten years into a suite of applications for clients, translators, reviewers, and customer support.
Responsible for architecture, development, hosting, performance, security, product direction, customer support, hiring, coaching, and day-to-day technical leadership.
- Programming Languages
- Ruby, JavaScript, Kotlin
- Backend
- Ruby on Rails
- Databases
- PostgreSQL, Redis
- Cloud & Infrastructure
- AWS ECS
KWF
June 2011 - April 2012
Freelance Consultant
Developed a prototype for kanker.nl, a Dutch platform providing information, support, and community features for people affected by cancer.
- Programming Languages
- Ruby
- Backend
- Ruby on Rails
- Databases
- PostgreSQL, Redis
Agis Zorgverzekeringen
May 2011 - October 2011
Freelance Consultant
Ported the customer support application to another framework under a tight deadline, working in a Java and Oracle environment.
- Programming Languages
- Java
- Backend
- JWF
- Databases
- Oracle
Inglua
May 2007 - June 2011
Founder
Founded and built inglua.com, a language-learning web application for practising vocabulary and grammar in English, Spanish, French, German, Dutch, and Italian. Designed a sentence-generation system and a spaced-repetition algorithm for personalised practice.
- Programming Languages
- Ruby, JavaScript
- Backend
- Ruby on Rails
- Databases
- PostgreSQL, Redis
Finalist
September 2000 - May 2007
Software Developer
Java developer at Finalist, a Dutch consultancy, working on projects for organisations including ING, VPRO, and the municipality of Eindhoven. Part of the original team that built the UWV portal werk.nl from scratch in 2005-2006.
Education
Translation Studies, M.A. - University of Amsterdam (1993 - 1999)
Computer Science, propaedeuse - University of Amsterdam (1993 - 1994)
VWO - Vossius Gymnasium (1987 - 1993)