Ste Royle

Frontend Software Engineer

I've spent 20 years building for the web, and the last 4+ years focused on React, TypeScript, and Next.js in production. I own features end-to-end, from shaping requirements with stakeholders to shipping and iterating in production. Recently I've been working on AI-powered accessibility and content tools, and I'm now looking for new frontend roles with a fully remote setup, where I can bring that experience to a product team.

Professional Experience

Software Engineer

Silktide · silktide.com · Remote, UK

2022 - 2026
  • Built and maintained production applications using React, TypeScript, and Next.js
  • Implemented frontend flows that consume internal APIs and AI-powered services, handling loading, error, and edge cases in the UI
  • Designed frontend flows around AI APIs to deliver fast, reliable content and accessibility analysis for users
  • Applied WCAG guidelines in production, building tools that detect accessibility issues across thousands of sites
  • Used AI-assisted tooling (Cursor, WisprFlow) to speed up refactors, debugging, and feature delivery
  • Developed reusable UI components with Mantine and Tailwind
  • Implemented type-safe forms and API response validation using Zod, improving runtime reliability
  • Collaborated with designers and stakeholders to deliver features end-to-end

Freelance Web Developer

FroggaByte · froggabyte.co.uk · Widnes, UK

2017 - 2022
  • Wrote clear and detailed project proposals and technical specifications
  • Designed and built responsive WordPress websites with custom post types using Advanced Custom Fields Pro
  • Built an ecommerce site that resulted in a 54% increase in online sales within 3 months
  • Provided ongoing support and maintenance for multiple clients on monthly service plans
  • Managed DNS and server infrastructure

IT and Media Lead (Part Time)

The Foundry Church · thefoundry.org.uk · Widnes, UK

2017 - 2022
  • Led IT and media operations, overseeing the church's infrastructure and VoIP system
  • Produced multimedia content for social media and both live and pre-recorded services
  • Delivered high-quality multi-camera livestreams that improved online engagement
  • Recruited, trained, and managed a production team of eight volunteers
  • Engineered sound for live and recorded services

Junior Web Developer → Team Leader

EMS Internet · Warrington, UK

2006 - 2017
  • Progressed from Junior Developer to Team Leader, managing a team of up to eight developers
  • Delivered client websites and ecommerce projects across Drupal, WordPress, Magento, and OpenCart
  • Wrote custom scripts and SQL queries to migrate large volumes of product data between ecommerce platforms
  • Improved delivery consistency and throughput across a team of eight developers by standardising processes and owning technical quality for multiple concurrent projects

Highlights

  • Built accessibility tools used by 50,000+ users, including the Silktide Toolbar Chrome extension.
  • Worked on AI-powered content and accessibility tools used by marketing teams.
  • Progressed from junior developer to team leader, managing a team of up to eight developers.
  • Delivered an ecommerce site that increased online sales by 54% within three months.

Skills

Core Technologies

ReactReact HooksContext APITypeScriptNext.jsJavaScript (ES6+)HTML5CSS3 / SASS

Libraries & Tooling

MantineTailwind CSSShadcn UITanStack QueryZodGitCI/CDNode.jsAccessibility (WCAG)

Legacy / Supporting

PHPMySQLWordPress

Education

A Levels

Maths, Physics and Computing

Cronton Sixth Form College

GCSEs

Including Maths, Science and English

Fairfield High School

Courses

  • React - The Complete Guide (Udemy)
  • Learn React for Free (Scrimba)
  • JavaScript30 (Wes Bos)

Interests

Outside of work I enjoy playing guitar, PC gaming and spending time with my family.

References

References are available on request and can be provided to support your hiring process.