Steve McDougall

# Senior Laravel & API Consultant | DevRel Engineer | PHP Core Committee | CTO-for-Hire

Senior Laravel & API Consultant with 15+ years building scalable web applications and leading engineering teams. Currently Technical Director at Lila Fuches and Core Committee member of PHP-FIG, shaping industry standards. Recognized technical writer (php[architect], Laravel News, and more) and international speaker who's helped dozens of teams architect better APIs and scale development practices. Specializing in Laravel, Go, API design, developer experience, and fractional CTO services for high-growth startups.

# WHAT I DO

$ API Development & Architecture

I specialize in designing and building scalable, maintainable APIs using modern PHP frameworks like Laravel and Symfony. I focus on clean architecture, DDD principles, and best practices.

$ Technical Writing & Education

I write extensively about software development, sharing insights through articles, tutorials, and technical documentation to help developers level up their skills.

$ Consulting & Workshops

I help teams improve their development processes, refactor legacy codebases, and adopt modern practices through consulting and hands-on workshops.

$ Open Source Contributions

I actively contribute to and maintain open-source projects, building tools and packages that make developers' lives easier.

# CORE EXPERTISE

$ Developer Advocacy

› Technical Content Creation
› Developer Education
› Community Building
› Conference Speaking
› Technical Writing
› Developer Relations
› Product Evangelism
› Workshop Facilitation
› Documentation Strategy
› Open Source Advocacy
› Social Media Engagement
› Developer Experience (DX)

$ Backend Engineering

› PHP 8.x
› Laravel 11
› Go
› API Development
› RESTful APIs
› GraphQL
› Microservices Architecture
› MySQL
› PostgreSQL
› Redis
› OAuth 2.0
› JWT Authentication
› Message Queues
› Event Sourcing
› Database Design
› Performance Optimization
› Webhook Systems
› API Security
› Rate Limiting
› Caching Strategies

$ Frontend Engineering

› JavaScript ES6+
› TypeScript
› Vue.js
› Alpine.js
› Astro
› Tailwind CSS
› Livewire
› Inertia.js
› Server-Side Rendering
› Progressive Web Apps
› Responsive Design
› Component Architecture
› State Management
› Web Performance
› Accessibility (a11y)
› Modern Build Tools

$ Leadership & Communication

› Engineering Management
› Team Leadership
› Technical Mentoring
› Strategic Planning
› Cross-functional Collaboration
› Stakeholder Management
› Hiring & Onboarding
› Performance Management
› Agile Methodologies
› Code Review Culture
› Technical Decision Making
› Conflict Resolution
› Career Development
› Budget Management
› Remote Team Leadership
› Engineering Culture

$ Software Architecture

› System Design
› Domain-Driven Design (DDD)
› SOLID Principles
› Hexagonal Architecture
› Event-Driven Architecture
› CQRS Pattern
› API Design
› Microservices Patterns
› Service-Oriented Architecture
› Design Patterns
› System Scalability
› High Availability
› Distributed Systems
› Technical Debt Management
› Architecture Documentation
› Technology Evaluation

$ DevOps & Infrastructure

› AWS (EC2, RDS, S3, CloudFront)
› Docker
› Linux System Administration
› CI/CD Pipelines
› GitHub Actions
› Terraform
› Infrastructure as Code
› Load Balancing
› Database Optimization
› Monitoring & Logging
› Security Best Practices
› Deployment Automation
› Container Orchestration

$ Quality & Testing

› PHPUnit
› Pest
› Test-Driven Development (TDD)
› Feature Testing
› Integration Testing
› Unit Testing
› Code Quality Tools
› Static Analysis
› PHPStan
› Psalm
› Performance Testing
› Security Testing
› Code Coverage
› Continuous Testing

# EDUCATION

$ HM Forces Apprenticeship Scheme

NVQ Level 2 - Mechanical Engineering • Mechanical Engineering & Technology

2007 – 2011

I learned about mechanical engineering as part of the military's apprenticeship scheme, completing an NVQ Level 2 working on the British main battle tank (Challenger 2).
- Mechanical Engineering Maintenance
- Electrical Systems Installation
- Equipment Operation & Safety
- Technical Problem Solving

# AWARDS & RECOGNITION

$ PHP Community Recognition

PHP FIG • February 2024

Elected to PHP-FIG Core Committee, representing global PHP developer community in language standardization efforts.
$ Outstanding Technical Writing

php[architect] Magazine • December 2023

Recognized for exceptional technical writing contributions and ability to make complex PHP concepts accessible to developers worldwide.

# PUBLICATIONS

Building an API Starter Kit for Laravel

PHP Architect • 2024-12

Deep-dive into Laravel application architecture patterns, featuring real-world case studies and performance optimization techniques that improved application response times by up to 60%.
How Steve Writes Laravel Code

PHP Architect • 2024-09

Comprehensive exploration of AI integration in modern PHP applications, examining practical implementation strategies and real-world impact on developer productivity.
Llamas, Llamas everywhere

PHP Architect • 2024-06

Analysis of large language models in software development workflows, featuring practical examples of AI-assisted PHP development and automated code review processes.
Cloudy with a chance of elephants

PHP Architect • 2024-05

Technical guide to leveraging Cloudflare's edge computing capabilities for PHP applications, demonstrating performance improvements of up to 40% in global deployments.
APIs In The Wild Wild West

PHP Architect • 2024-03

Comprehensive guide to handling complex API requests in Laravel projects, featuring advanced routing patterns and middleware optimization techniques.
API Essentials: A Developer's Guide to Authentication, Validation, and DTOs

PHP Architect • 2024-02

In-depth exploration of essential API development concepts in Laravel, including authentication strategies, request validation techniques, and the use of Data Transfer Objects (DTOs) for clean architecture.
Hooked On Functionality: The Whimsical World Of Webhooks In PHP

PHP Architect • 2024-01

Practical implementation guide for webhook systems in PHP, covering security best practices and event-driven architecture patterns for scalable applications.
Controlling Quality in Laravel

PHP Architect • 2023-12

Detailed analysis of code quality tools and configurations for PHP development, featuring automated quality control systems that reduced bug reports by 45%.
Alternative Architecture in Laravel

PHP Architect • 2023-11

Exploration of MVC alternatives in Laravel applications, examining when and how to implement hexagonal architecture and domain-driven design patterns.
Taking Laravel To The Orchestra; Building A Symfony Inspired Application.

PHP Architect • 2023-10

Strategic approach to legacy code refactoring in Laravel applications, featuring techniques that improved codebase maintainability by 50% while reducing technical debt.
Fantastic SDKS and How To Build Them

PHP Architect • 2023-08

Technical deep-dive into external API integration challenges, featuring robust error handling patterns and resilience strategies for production PHP applications.

# PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY

$ Technical Director

Lila Fuches Limited • 2024 – Present

Architected a scalable Laravel SaaS platform with API-first design, enhancing maintainability and flexibility for a rapidly growing user base. Led comprehensive technical strategy including infrastructure modernization and CI/CD pipeline optimization. As fractional CTO, provided strategic guidance on hiring, roadmap planning, and product vision while directly mentoring developers to elevate code quality and team productivity.

› Architected scalable Laravel 11 SaaS platform serving 10,000+ users
› Implemented API-first design reducing technical debt by 60%
› Led CI/CD improvements boosting deployment speed by 40%
› Mentored 5-person development team, improving code quality scores by 35%

$ Core Committee Member

PHP FIG (Framework Interoperability Group) • 2024 – Present

Shape PHP language standards by contributing to proposals and RFCs focused on framework interoperability. Engage directly with the global PHP community to drive adoption of PSR standards and best practices. Provide crucial real-world developer insights to guide standardization efforts that impact the entire PHP ecosystem.

› Contributing to PSR standards affecting millions of PHP developers worldwide
› Reviewing and voting on critical PHP interoperability proposals
› Representing real-world developer perspectives in standardization processes

$ Technical Columnist

php[architect] • 2023 – 2025

Authored monthly technical deep-dives on advanced PHP topics and architectural best practices for one of the industry's most respected publications. Simplified complex concepts for a broad developer audience using storytelling techniques and clear, practical examples. Collaborated closely with editorial teams to ensure technical accuracy and maximum reader value.

› Published 12+ monthly deep-dive articles reaching 50,000+ developers
› Covered advanced PHP 8.x features, Laravel patterns, and architectural best practices
› Maintained 95%+ reader satisfaction scores through engaging technical storytelling

$ Developer Advocate

Treblle • 2023 – 2024

Led comprehensive developer education initiatives, creating extensive technical content library that significantly increased API adoption and community engagement. Represented Treblle at major international conferences, gathering critical community feedback that directly influenced product roadmap. Built practical demo projects and sample code that dramatically simplified product onboarding and accelerated developer success.

› Created 50+ technical resources increasing API adoption by 40%
› Spoke at 15+ global conferences reaching 5,000+ developers
› Built demo projects reducing user onboarding time from 2 hours to 30 minutes
› Generated $250K+ in qualified leads through content marketing initiatives

$ Technical Writer

Laravel News • 2022 – 2024

Published comprehensive articles on Laravel internals, package development, and architectural best practices for the Laravel community's primary news source. Produced educational content specifically targeting intermediate-to-advanced Laravel developers, focusing on real-world application and performance optimization. Actively highlighted innovative open-source projects and community contributions to foster ecosystem growth.

› Published 25+ in-depth Laravel tutorials and best practice guides
› Articles averaged 10,000+ views with 85%+ completion rates
› Highlighted 50+ open-source projects, contributing to community growth

$ Senior Engineering Manager

Geomiq • 2022 – 2023

Managed cross-functional engineering teams delivering high-performance Laravel applications for major manufacturing clients. Implemented comprehensive process improvements including enhanced code review workflows and automated testing, resulting in significant bug reduction. Mentored engineers through structured career development programs and technical coaching sessions.

› Managed cross-functional teams of 12+ engineers across 3 products
› Implemented process improvements reducing production bugs by 30%
› Delivered Laravel applications serving 100,000+ manufacturing clients
› Achieved 99.8% system uptime through robust CI/CD practices

$ Lead Software Engineer

Mumsnet • 2022 – 2022

Led backend engineering for one of the UK's highest-traffic community platforms, architecting Laravel solutions for millions of users. Designed and maintained critical APIs that improved system reliability and dramatically reduced response times. Collaborated closely with product and design teams to ship engagement-driving features while mentoring junior engineers and establishing improved development workflows.

› Led backend engineering for platform serving 1.5M+ monthly active users
› Optimized API performance reducing average response times by 45%
› Mentored 4 junior engineers, with 100% promotion rate within 12 months

$ Founder & Organizer

PHP South Wales • 2018 – 2022

Created PHP South Wales to bring developers together regardless of background or experience level. Hosted monthly events featuring diverse speakers and topics, fostering continuous learning and professional growth. Built a welcoming community that became a launching pad for many developers' careers and established lasting connections across the Welsh tech scene.

› Founded and grew community from 0 to 200+ active members
› Organized 40+ monthly meetups featuring international speakers
› Mentored 50+ developers through workshops and networking events
› Established Wales as a recognized hub in the PHP community

$ Software Engineering Manager

Car & Classic • 2022 – 2022

Oversaw talented engineering team building Laravel-powered systems for the UK and Europe's largest classic car marketplace. Introduced structured agile planning processes that improved team velocity and delivery consistency. Led infrastructure initiatives ensuring exceptional uptime while fostering high-trust, high-impact team culture through regular coaching and mentorship.

› Led team building Laravel systems for UK's largest classic car marketplace
› Implemented agile processes improving team velocity by 25%
› Maintained 99.9% uptime for platform processing £50M+ in transactions

$ Engineering Manager

Jump Twenty Four • 2021 – 2022

Led engineering initiatives across multiple client projects at a Laravel-focused digital agency, from discovery through technical delivery. Implemented comprehensive CI/CD automation that dramatically reduced release times while establishing rigorous testing and code quality standards. Played key role in hiring and onboarding while shaping a culture of technical craftsmanship and accountability.

› Led engineering across 8+ concurrent client projects
› Implemented CI/CD automation reducing release times by 60%
› Established testing standards achieving 85%+ code coverage
› Successfully hired and onboarded 5 senior developers

$ Technical Lead

Squarefoot Capital • 2021 – 2021

Owned architecture and delivery of mission-critical Laravel-based financial products, including complex real-time data pipelines and third-party integrations. Worked closely with stakeholders to align ambitious business objectives with technical execution while enforcing high engineering standards to ensure code quality and long-term maintainability.

› Architected Laravel-based financial products handling £10M+ transactions
› Built real-time data pipelines processing 100,000+ daily events
› Integrated with 12+ third-party financial APIs maintaining 99.5% uptime

$ Chief Technology Officer

Lila Fuches Limited • 2019 – 2021

Established technical foundation and product architecture for innovative SaaS platform. Led development from initial MVP through market-ready product launch, establishing development practices and technical standards that supported sustainable growth.

› Built initial product architecture serving 1,000+ early customers
› Established development practices and technical foundations
› Led product from MVP to market-ready SaaS platform

$ Combat Engineer

HM Forces • 2007 – 2011

Served as Combat Engineer with frontline deployment to Afghanistan, specializing in route clearance and IED detection operations. Gained comprehensive training in mechanical and electrical engineering while developing exceptional problem-solving skills under pressure. Experience included operating complex military equipment and working effectively in high-stakes team environments.

› Served frontline tour in Afghanistan as Royal Engineer
› Specialized in IED detection and route clearance operations
› Trained in mechanical and electrical engineering fundamentals
› Operated and maintained Challenger 2 main battle tanks

# WHY I DO THIS

I believe that great software comes from great developers, and great developers are built through continuous learning and knowledge sharing.

My mission is to make complex concepts accessible, to elevate the craft of software development, and to help developers build systems they're proud of. Every article I write, every talk I give, and every line of code I share is aimed at making the developer community stronger and more capable.