Alex Vasconcelos de Almeida
Full stack developer (React, Java & .NET/C#)
WHO IS ALEX?
Born in England to a British mother and Portuguese father, Alex grew up
between the UK and the Netherlands. He returned to the Netherlands as an
adult because it felt like home. Diagnosed with ADHD at 24, he finally received
the right treatment and found the focus and momentum to switch careers into
software development.
What clicked? Code turned out to be the perfect blend of structure and
creativity. “There are clear rules, but endless ways to solve a problem. You
know when it works, and that’s deeply satisfying.”
From challenge to growth
Alex started out in customer-facing retail roles (Tesco, TK Maxx, Superdry,
trampoline park) where constant social energy was demanding. During COVID
he seized the opportunity to study remotely, taught himself Java/Spring, found
a mentor on Reddit, and completed the Ironhack bootcamp. That led to his first
developer role. Since then, he’s continued to expand his toolkit, most recently
with C# and .NET on real-world codebases
WHAT CAN ALEX DO?
Alex brings a strong backend foundation with practical full-stack experience:
- Node.js (NestJS/Express) – API design, databases, microservices,
production deployments.
- C#/.NET – currently applying his Java background to build services
and features in .NET.
- Java & Spring Boot – relational databases, RESTful services.
- Frontend (React/TypeScript) – component design, state
management, performance tuning.
- Ways of working – Agile/Scrum (two-week sprints), code reviews,
PRs, pair programming.
He thrives on turning requirements into working software; quickly, pragmatically, and with solid engineering hygiene.
WORK ALEX IS PROUD OF
Basic-Fit (Backend Developer, Node.js)
- Shaped and helped execute the move from a monolith to microservice architecture (self-taught NestJS, created service blueprints, shipped services to production).
- Built the Workout Builder domain model and APIs so members could create their own workouts; resolved complex validation and business-logic edge cases.
- Shipped a reminder feature in his second week on the job.
- Contributed to the rollout of QR code access functionality.
Personal Projects
A Google Calendar-style app (days/weeks/months views) with events, notifications, overlap safety checks, and significant performance optimization. Demonstrating both UI/UX thinking and robust state management.
HOW DOES ALEX WORK?
Alex is a hands-on problem solver who learns best by doing. He starts by trying
different approaches, testing, and iterating, and then deepens his
understanding by reading and researching afterwards. When he codes, he can
become completely absorbed in his work time flies, and distractions fade away.
His ADHD, once a barrier, now works in his favor when he’s engaged: “When I’m
programming, I can hyperfocus all day. It’s the one thing that keeps my
attention naturally.”
READY FOR THE NEXT STEP
Alex is looking for a team where he can contribute from day one, learn from
experienced colleagues, and continue developing his skills in a supportive
environment. He values clarity, mentorship, and teamwork over company size or
prestige. Whether in Dutch or English, he’s motivated to keep improving, not
just as a developer, but as a teammate.
Beyond code, Alex’s creativity finds another outlet in art. He used to paint
hyper-realistic portraits and now creates digital artworks inspired by film stills;
evidence of the same attention to detail and patience that defines his coding
style. “I like to build things people can use, whether it’s an app or a painting.
I’m practical, persistent, and I learn by doing.”
Interested in working with Alex?
Let’s connect and explore how he can strengthen your team.