Matt Howell

Senior Software Engineer

I’m an experienced engineer with over 13 years of helping brands grow through fast, engaging, and SEO-optimized websites. I’m also passionate about mentoring other developers and sharing knowledge about building for the modern web.

Read Blog

About

I started building websites in the early 2010s and saw firsthand how good engineering and design can shape how people experience a brand online. Since then, I have helped businesses across different industries improve their web presence with performance focused builds, scalable architecture, and clean design. My work spans modern frameworks, SEO strategy, and the full development lifecycle from planning to deployment.

I also enjoy sharing what I have learned. I have mentored engineers, helped build internal documentation and onboarding processes, and written about development best practices. Whether I am optimizing Core Web Vitals or designing system architecture, I am always looking for ways to build better systems and help others do the same.

Education

  • The University of Texas at Arlington
    Aug 2007 · May 2012
    Bachelor of Arts in Communication Technology
    The University of Texas at Arlington
    At UTA, I built a strong foundation in software engineering, web development, and system design. The program was guided by great faculty and surrounded by motivated peers who pushed me to grow.

Work Experience

  • Freelance
    Apr 2025 · Present
    Senior Software Engineer
    Freelance
    Build and maintain 50+ client websites, managing development, security, performance optimization, integrations, and ongoing technical support. Deliver custom web solutions using WordPress, PHP, JavaScript, React, Next.js, and modern frontend technologies. Develop custom WordPress themes, plugins, and content architectures using Advanced Custom Fields, custom post types, taxonomies, and REST APIs. Optimize websites for Core Web Vitals, accessibility (WCAG), technical SEO, and user experience. Manage hosting infrastructure, DNS, SSL certificates, Cloudflare, deployments, backups, and security monitoring. Lead technical strategy, architecture decisions, and project execution while collaborating with designers, developers, and business owners.
  • LinkSquares
    May 2023 · Apr 2025
    Senior Software Engineer
    LinkSquares
    At LinkSquares, I led the system architecture and migration of linksquares.com from WordPress to Next.js and Contentful. Using these tools, I optimized load times, SEO, and marketing composability. I also streamlined the deployment process with an on-demand preview environment, developed custom features, improved caching, and integrated third-party tools and APIs. Throughout my time, I collaborated with cross-functional teams and mentored junior developers, aligning technical solutions with business goals to create a scalable platform.
  • The University of Texas at Arlington
    Feb 2020 · May 2023
    Marketing Web Developer III
    Covenant Eyes
    At Covenant Eyes, I managed multiple WordPress websites, migrated build systems from Gulp to Webpack, and developed custom tools and themes. I also supported junior developers, helped manage Jira workflows, and integrated various third-party MarTech tools, ensuring smooth deployment and optimized performance.
  • Freelance
    Sep 2017 · Feb 2020
    Senior Software Engineer
    Freelance
    Built custom websites and web applications for small businesses using WordPress, PHP, JavaScript, and modern frontend technologies. Delivered SEO-focused solutions, integrations, performance improvements, and ongoing technical support.
  • The University of Texas at Arlington
    Mar 2013 · Sep 2017
    Web Application Developer II
    Qualbe Marketing Group
    At Qualbe, I led key platform migrations and performance improvements. Most notably, I rebuilt 1dental.com from ExpressionEngine to a custom PHP setup and then to a modern Node.js architecture. I also managed AWS infrastructure, build systems, and WordPress sites across the board.