CRAIG RICHARDS
Senior .NET Engineer (Full-Stack)
Chester-le-Street, Co Durham, UK
GitHub: https://github.com/untiedshoes
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/untiedshoes/
### PROFILE
Senior .NET Engineer with 25+ years’ experience delivering enterprise-grade platforms across consultancy, public-sector, and high-traffic commercial environments.
Proven track record of building and scaling business-critical systems within structured delivery frameworks, including Agile, CI/CD pipelines, and multi-team engineering environments. Experienced in stakeholder-driven development, governance, and long-term platform ownership.
Specialising in C#, ASP.NET Core, SQL Server, Azure, and modern web architectures, with deep expertise in Umbraco CMS and nopCommerce-based commerce platforms.
Worked with a wide range of organisations including Deloitte, Dulux, AEG, Co-op, Ryobi, SCS Sofas, NEC, Coventry College and Lotus F1 Team, delivering systems that support real-world commercial operations.
Combines hands-on engineering depth with the ability to operate effectively within large organisations, aligning technical delivery with business objectives and operational constraints.
### KEY STRENGTHS
• Architecture and delivery of large-scale .NET platforms (web, API, cloud)
• High-performance systems under load (150+ RPS, low-latency design)
• API-first platforms, SDK development, and third-party integrations
• Clean Architecture, SOLID, and modular system design
• Full lifecycle ownership: design → build → deploy → optimise → scale
### TECHNICAL SKILLS
Backend: C#, .NET (Framework → .NET 10), ASP.NET Core, Web API, EF Core
Frontend: React, Next.js, TypeScript / JavaScript, Bootstrap, HTML5, CSS3, SASS
Cloud & DevOps: Azure, Docker, Terraform, CI/CD (GitHub Actions), IIS
Data: SQL Server (performance tuning, indexing, query optimisation)
Architecture: Clean Architecture, REST APIs, distributed systems
Testing: xUnit, NUnit, Moq, TDD
Platforms: Umbraco (including headless/hybrid implementations), nopCommerce (multi-tenant architecture, deep customisation, performance optimisation)
Tools: Visual Studio, VS Code, CLI tooling, Git, GitHub, Azure DevOps
AI-Assisted Engineering: ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, Claude — used to accelerate API design, prototyping, refactoring, and test generation, with outputs validated for production-quality implementation
### PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Principal .NET Consultant / Software Engineer
Untiedshoes (Independent Consultancy) • 1998 – Present
Delivering end-to-end architecture, development, and optimisation of high-scale .NET platforms across eCommerce, API ecosystems, SDKs, and enterprise applications.
• Experienced across agency, enterprise, and high-profile delivery environments, building scalable, secure, and maintainable applications with a strong focus on accuracy to design, clean code, and reliable delivery under pressure.
• Worked with multiple commercial and public-sector clients, in both consultancy and agency environments, often in long-term engagements, owning systems from initial design through to production scaling and ongoing optimisation.
• Comfortable taking ownership of features from scoping through to deployment, working across multiple concurrent projects, and collaborating closely with designers, developers, and stakeholders in fast-paced delivery teams.
• Experienced across the full software delivery lifecycle including architecture, system design, database engineering, CI/CD automation, deployment pipelines, optimisation, and long-term platform ownership. Strong background in API design, SDK development, and third-party integration ecosystems.
#### Selected Engagements & Impact
Eureka Golf Ltd - Senior Full-Stack .NET Developer
2012 - 2026
Led the architecture and development of a custom .NET eCommerce platform, transforming a small retail operation into a multi-million-pound online business.
• Architected ASP.NET MVC → ASP.NETCore platform tailored to retail workflows
• Implemented targeted fragment caching to reduce database load and improve performance.
• Delivered mobile-first UX with advanced product configuration and pricing logic
• Integrated bespoke payment processing and full order lifecycle systems
• Implemented marketing integrations (Google Analytics, Shopping, Meta platforms)
Impact:
Transformed a small retail platform into a multi-million-pound online business through continuous platform evolution, performance optimisation, and feature delivery. Enabled sustained growth in traffic, transactions, and repeat customers while maintaining strong performance and operational reliability.
JustSport Group - Senior Full-Stack .NET Developer, Windows Server Manager
2014 - 2025
Technical lead for a multi-tenant eCommerce platform serving major UK football clubs, built on nopCommerce and extended for complex retail, personalisation, and fulfilment workflows.
• Led performance testing and optimisation, identifying and resolving critical scalability bottlenecks under concurrent load.
• Designed and executed realistic load testing scenarios, including rapid ramp-up from 0 to 1,000 concurrent users, to validate system stability during peak demand and traffic spikes.
• Implemented custom .NET application-level caching strategy & view-component (donut-style) caching using StaticCacheManager/CacheManager to cache specific view components, with tenant-aware cache keys and targeted invalidation — reduced DB/CPU load, improved page load times, and prevented timeouts during peak kit launches.
• Achieved sustained performance of 150+ requests per second, with ~250–300ms average response times and zero timeouts under load.
• Maintained stable, low-latency system behaviour during peak concurrency, ensuring consistent performance under stress conditions.
• Analysed detailed performance metrics (response distribution, latency patterns, and system saturation points) to validate scalability and production readiness.
• Delivered a production-ready system capable of reliably supporting high-traffic commercial events such as product and kit launches, eliminating the need for external queuing systems.
Impact:
Delivered a high-performance, multi-tenant commerce platform supporting £13m+ in revenue, consistently handling 150+ requests/sec with ~250ms response times. Eliminated timeouts during peak demand (e.g. kit launches) through targeted performance optimisation, enabling stable, zero-downtime operation during high-traffic events.
Avec Sport Ltd - Senior Full-Stack .NET Developer / Technical Lead
2014 - 2025
Led the architecture and ongoing evolution of a high-traffic .NET eCommerce platform, delivering scalable infrastructure, performance optimisation, and continuous feature development.
• “My Kit Room” – Bespoke feature allowing clubs to manage multiple kits, upload artwork (crests, sponsors, squad printing), preview designs, and reorder quickly. Fully integrated into product pages for seamless club merchandising.
• Architected custom nopCommerce extensions, integrating payment gateways, merchandising tools, and content management features.
• Led all backend and database architecture, optimising SQL Server performance, indexing, and query efficiency.
• Managed deployment, IIS hosting, and Azure integration for high availability and CDN delivery.
• Ensured site security, maintainability, and adherence to coding best practices.
• Implemented analytics and tracking tools for data-driven business insights.
• Integrated Umbraco with nopCommerce using headless/hybrid CMS architecture
Impact:
Improved platform scalability, performance, and reliability through continuous optimisation and architectural evolution. Enabled consistent feature delivery and faster time-to-market while supporting sustained growth in traffic and operational demand.
### ENTERPRISE & HIGH-PROFILE DELIVERY
- British Olympic Association (London 2012) – Delivered high-availability Team GB Umbraco platform delivered under strict performance and reliability requirements for Olympic-scale traffic.
- Deloitte – “Angels & Dragons” Platform – Designed and developed an internal innovation funding platform (£25m programme) within a consultancy environment; supporting structured idea submission, evaluation workflows, and stakeholder review processes.
- NEC (Contract) – Enterprise .NET applications delivered within Agile teams using structured sprint cycles, Git-based workflows, and CI/CD pipelines.
- Lotus F1 Team – Time-critical launch platform aligned to Formula 1 deadlines utilising Umbraco CMS.
- SCS Sofas – Umbraco CMS brochure platform for a major UK retail brand, delivering structured content management and responsive, accessible frontend experiences across a large marketing website.
- Coventry College – Umbraco CMS platform delivering structured multi-language content management and responsive frontend experiences, supporting multiple departments within a large public sector environment.
- Government and local authority systems (.GOV.UK, Sheffield City Council)
Engagements frequently delivered under NDA within embedded or white-label development teams.
### OPEN SOURCE & PLATFORM ENGINEERING
TadoNetApi (.NET SDK)
GitHub Repo: https://github.com/untiedshoes/TadoNetApi
Built and released a production-ready .NET SDK used to simplify integration with the Tado smart heating platform.
• Designed a clean, developer-focused SDK abstraction, removing low-level API complexity and improving integration speed.
• Improved reliability through resilient HTTP handling, including retry strategies and predictable error behaviour.
• Implemented secure OAuth2 authentication and robust token lifecycle management for long-running integrations.
• Applied Test-Driven Development (TDD) using xUnit and Moq, achieving 97% code coverage and reducing regression defects.
• Delivered a strong developer experience through practical documentation and a runnable playground.
• Managed versioned releases with changelogs and release notes to support maintainability and consumer trust.
Tech: .NET 10, C#, REST APIs, OAuth2, xUnit, Moq, CI/CD
---------------------------------
ElavonPaymentsNet (.NET SDK)
GitHub Repo: https://github.com/untiedshoes/ElavonPaymentsNet
Developed and maintained a .NET SDK for integrating with Elavon/Opayo payment systems.
• Improved safety and reliability of payment flows, including handling of network failures and uncertain transaction states.
• Designed a clean SDK interface to simplify complex payment workflows and reduce integration errors.
• Introduced strong validation and explicit error handling to make failures easier to diagnose and recover from.
• Applied Test-Driven Development (TDD) with xUnit and Moq, achieving 97% code coverage and increasing confidence in critical payment flows.
• Structured onboarding around high-quality documentation and a runnable playground to accelerate developer adoption and integration.
• Managed versioned releases with changelogs and release notes to support maintainability and consumer trust.
Tech: .NET 10, C#, REST APIs, xUnit, Moq, CI/CD
---------------------------------
DPD Ship-to-Shop Plugin (nopCommerce)
Github Repo: https://github.com/untiedshoes/Nop.Plugin.Widgets.DPDShipToShop-Master
Custom nopCommerce widget/plugin integrating DPD Ship-to-Shop delivery workflows into checkout and order management processes.
• Integrated DPD pickup-point APIs with postcode-based location search
• Implemented location caching to reduce external API usage and improve performance
• Extended checkout and fulfilment workflows for complex delivery scenarios
• Captured structured delivery metadata including location codes and geo-coordinates
Tech used: C#, ASP.NET Core, nopCommerce, REST APIs, caching, checkout workflow integration
---------------------------------
Umbraco ↔ nopCommerce Integration API (Headless CMS Architecture)
Video Walkthrough: Youtube
Designed and implemented a custom integration layer between Umbraco CMS and nopCommerce, enabling Umbraco to operate as a headless content platform for commerce-driven experiences.
• Built a secure API integration using Umbraco OAuth, including token lifecycle management with automated renewal via scheduled tasks
• Enabled bidirectional data flow between systems, allowing content managed in Umbraco to synchronise with nopCommerce (e.g. topics/pages)
• Integrated product data from nopCommerce into Umbraco, supporting dynamic content composition including related product selection within CMS workflows
• Leveraged Umbraco Grid and Block Editor to replace limited native nopCommerce content capabilities with a fully flexible, structured content model
• Implemented rendering pipeline to ensure HTML output from nopCommerce matched Umbraco’s native rendering, maintaining consistency across platforms
• Addressed complex cross-platform rendering and data-mapping challenges between legacy nopCommerce structures and Umbraco’s content model
Tech used: C#, ASP.NET, Umbraco CMS, nopCommerce, OAuth, REST APIs, scheduled tasks, headless CMS architecture
### EARLIER CAREER
Lead Developer / Infrastructure Engineer
Refinery Group • 2001 – 2011
Delivered full-stack web applications and digital platforms for commercial and enterprise clients, combining application development with infrastructure and deployment ownership.
• Designed and built large-scale, database-driven web applications using ASP / ASP.NET and SQL Server (and Access)
• Managed Windows Server environments, deployments, and production hosting
• Translated business and UX requirements into scalable technical solutions
Selected Client Projects:
- Ryobi (Ryobi One+) – Large-scale SQL-driven brochure platform with product registration system
- AEG – High-volume product registration platform
- Padders Shoes – Database-driven commercial website
- Co-op Funeralcare – Large-scale ASP.NET platform with performance improvements
NEC Birmingham — .NET Web Developer
2013 - 2015
Delivered multiple enterprise applications as part of structured Agile development teams using C# and .NET Framework.
Worked across sprint-based delivery cycles, contributing to application development, feature implementation, and controlled release processes within a multi-team environment.
Gained significant experience working within enterprise delivery frameworks including TFS-based source control, structured CI/release pipelines, and collaborative development practices across engineering and QA teams.
Deloitte — Web Developer (Consultancy Engagement)
2007 - 2008
Delivered development work on an internal innovation platform (“Angels & Dragons”) supporting a £25m corporate initiative focused on structured idea submission, evaluation, and workflow management.
Worked within a consultancy environment delivering ASP.NET and SQL Server-based functionality, including workflow-driven application features and iterative enhancements aligned to stakeholder requirements.
This engagement provided early exposure to enterprise delivery practices, structured stakeholder management, and Agile-style iterative development within a large corporate environment.
### EDUCATION
BA (Hons) Multimedia – University of Hull (2:2)
### ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• British Citizen – no work restrictions
• Full UK driving licence