INDEPENDENT SOFTWARE ENGINEER · ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Bespoke software, built to be kept.

Senior engineering for small businesses, startups and independents — one person who takes the whole problem, from rough idea or ageing system to a shipped product that’s a pleasure to use.

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Software that fits the business, not the other way around.

Most projects this size get quoted with a designer, a couple of developers and a project manager attached. I handle all of that myself — the requirements, the architecture, the UX, the build, and the deployment. I specialise in Vue, Nuxt, React, Next and .NET, but the stack is a leaning, not a rule: I’ll happily work with whatever you’re already running. I take the time to learn your system and frameworks.

You don’t need a finished application or complete concept. Bring the problem as it stands and we’ll work together to determine what needs building and how we’ll approach it. Then I can either build it, or hand off with a design spec full of all the key requirements and considerations needed to hit the ground running.

My process centres around building software that’s secure, maintainable, a pleasure to use, and built on modern frameworks with clean architecture. My objective is always to build systems that genuinely support business operations and fulfil your dreams. I will never leave you stuck with something that isn’t what you want. If I can’t do it alone, I make that clear up front and provide guidance for acquiring the necessary resources or team.

Much of my work is modernisation, upgrades, and refactoring — taking a legacy system that has earned its keep and rebuilding it on — or integrating it into — a modern stack: keeping what works, retiring what doesn’t, and filling in the gaps where it matters.

Recent systems include online ordering platforms, inventory and production tracking, ecommerce, internal tooling, and bespoke CRM and CMS builds. Most of that work turns on getting identity and access right, and a good deal of it runs live over websockets, so everyone in the system sees the same state at the same time.

Oct 2025
Atavis Development
The freelance arc begins.
Nov 2025 – present
Lane Communications (contract)
Contracting as a senior software engineer — working directly with executive management to modernise their complete digital ecosystem.
Dec 2023 – Oct 2025
Lane Communications
Junior to mid-level software engineer — shipped two full-stack web projects including a ground-up online ordering platform complete with internal tooling, and an online document version control manager.
Sep 2023
Bachelor of Software Development
Graduated in the top 5% of computer science students, with merit awards for every year of study.

The whole build, one engineer.

Modern Frameworks

The frameworks I work with daily, and trust to still be here in five years.

Vue / Nuxt / React / Next

Why these are excellent frameworks

Frontend UI/UX

Design and build handled by the same person, so nothing gets lost in handover.

Tailwind / Reka UI (Radix) / Shadcn / Nuxt UI

My UI/UX process

Backend Infrastructure

Backends built to fit the size of the business — dependable and easy to keep running.

.NET / Node / Postgres / MySQL

Building scalable and maintainable systems

What I do.

Consulting.

Work out where you're going, and what it takes to get there.

I come in, learn your system, and map where you are against where you want to be.
Technology choices based on what your business needs, explained in plain terms.
A clear project scope for a minimum viable product, so budget goes where it matters.
Written documentation and briefings your team, or your next developer, can act on.
UI/UX concepts to settle your look and feel — whether it's a redesign or a fresh build.
A second opinion before you commit budget.

Development.

Design, build, and deploy your dreams. Web or mobile. Long-term maintenance if desired.

Everything in Consulting, plus:

Bespoke where it earns its keep, established frameworks and tools where they do the job better.
Ordering, inventory, production, ecommerce, CRM and CMS, plus the internal tooling around them — the software a business runs on all day.
Identity and access — who signs in, what they can see, and what they can do. Built on standards like OpenID Connect.
Live updates over websockets, so everyone working in the system sees the same state.
Modernise, refactor, or redesign legacy systems without losing what works.
Full-stack: design and build handled by one person, or alongside your existing team.
Ongoing updates and long-term support when you need it.

Reinforcements.

Drop-in mid-to-senior help for a week, a month, or a whole crunch.

Everything in Development, short-term.

Short-term contracting to assist when you need it most.
Extra hands on deck when your team is overloaded.
Immediate value without long onboarding.
Expertise across a wide range of technologies.
Quick into an unfamiliar codebase, or an unfamiliar technology.
When you're back on track we wrap up cleanly and part ways, and I stay reachable for questions about the work.

Contracts from $120 AUD an hour. Salaried roles to be negotiated. Mid to senior. Remote or hybrid.

Based in Adelaide, South Australia (UTC+09:30). The rate is public because the conversation goes faster when it is. Start a conversation

The questions I get asked most.

What services do you offer? Will you build my idea for me?

I can certainly build your idea for you. The work takes one of three shapes, set out in full further up this page.

Consulting. Working out what to build, and what it will take, before anyone writes code.

Development. All of that, plus the build itself — web or mobile, with long-term maintenance if you want it.

Reinforcements. The same expertise on a short clock. Need help hitting deadlines or covering for someone on leave? I can step in for a week, a month, or longer. Once you're back on track, we wrap things up cleanly and part ways.

I don't have a technical team or a spec. Is that a problem?

Not at all — most of my clients are small businesses, startups and independent operators without an in-house tech team.

You don't need a spec or a project manager either. Bring the problem as it stands, messy is fine, and we'll work out together what needs to be built. I'll design it, build it, and check in with you the whole way.

What is your process? What happens when I get in touch?

My process is straightforward and collaborative. First, reach out through the contact form or via LinkedIn, and I'll usually respond within 1–3 business days. From there, I'll share my direct contact details so we can arrange a time to discuss your project. Anything you share is treated with complete confidentiality.

When we meet — Zoom, Teams, or in person — we'll go through my contract form. It defines your project goals, clarifies expectations, and covers the essentials: scope of work, deliverables, technologies, timeline, payment terms, intellectual property, and liability.

Then development begins. I check in frequently — often daily — share progress updates, and actively incorporate your feedback, so the project evolves exactly as you intend. You'll see it grow in small, reviewable steps from concept to launch.

After delivery, you can manage maintenance yourself or, if preferred, I can continue to support the project — keeping it updated and suggesting opportunities for further growth.

What level do you work at?

I work at a mid-to-senior level — I'm currently engaged as a senior software engineer.

That's the level I work at: owning the architecture, making the technology calls, and mentoring where needed. It does mean I generally pass on junior roles, but if you're after senior help — for a project, a crunch, or a permanent seat — I'm happy to talk.

Will you work as an employee rather than a contractor?

Absolutely — I consider both contract and permanent offers at a mid-to-senior level. If it's the right fit, I'm open to either.

Where are you located? How can I get in touch?

I'm based in Adelaide, South Australia, and work with clients worldwide.

Most of my work is remote — running my own business means my time stays focused and my schedule stays flexible. That said, I'm happy to work in a hybrid arrangement: on-site when you're in Adelaide, and occasional interstate travel where an engagement genuinely benefits from it.

To get in touch, use the contact form below or message me on LinkedIn.

Which technologies do you specialise in? Can you work with our tech stack?

My primary specialties are Vue/Nuxt, React/Next and .NET, and much of my work is modernising legacy systems onto those stacks.

Treat that as a leaning rather than a rule, though. I'm also experienced with Node.js and classic ASP.NET MVC, and I'll happily work with whatever you're running — an ageing PHP site included. And where something is new to me, I'll say so upfront and go learn it properly.

What are your fees like?

Contract rates start at $120 AUD per hour, depending on the project scope and engagement length. Salaried roles are discussed case by case.

Start a conversation.

Tell me what you’re building — or what’s in the way. I’ll usually reply within 1–3 business days, and everything you share stays confidential.

Aidan Forbes · Adelaide, South Australia