About

Thanks for stopping by. Read below to learn more about me and my journey into software development.

Me with my bike

Background

I'm James Ellis, a Junior Software Developer based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne with a background in eCommerce, logistics, and warehouse operations. After years of managing fast-paced environments, I made a career switch into software development to pursue my passion for solving problems and building things that make life easier.


I live with my wife Eloise, our daughter Jessie, and our energetic dog Penny. Balancing family life with learning and career development has helped me become more focused, resilient, and curious — qualities that also shape how I approach software engineering.


I recently completed the Northcoders Software Engineering Bootcamp, where I built full-stack applications using JavaScript, Node.js, React, and PostgreSQL. I’m especially drawn to projects that involve real-world problem-solving and community-building — like my capstone project, PedalOut, a social cycling app for discovering and sharing local rides.


My previous experience leading warehouse teams and maintaining eCommerce platforms gave me a strong foundation in communication, process improvement, and working under pressure — all of which I bring to my work as a developer.

Education

Northcoders Software Engineering Bootcamp
Jan 2025 – Apr 2025

  • Built full-stack projects using JavaScript, React, Node.js, and PostgreSQL
  • Applied test-driven development with Jest and Supertest
  • Collaborated in Agile teams using GitHub, CI/CD, and pair programming

Codecademy – Java & Spring Boot Track
Ongoing

  • Learning Java fundamentals, Spring Boot, REST APIs, and MVC architecture

Skills

  • Languages: JavaScript, TypeScript
  • Front-end: React, React Native, HTML, CSS
  • Back-end: Node.js, Express.js, PostgreSQL, MongoDB
  • Testing: Jest, Supertest, TDD
  • Tools & Deployment: Git, GitHub, Netlify, Render, Supabase, Expo
  • Soft Skills: Agile workflows, communication, problem-solving, technical documentation

Interests

When I’m not coding, I’m usually out on my mountain bike or exploring new trails with my wife and my daughter. I also enjoy indoor and outdoor climbing, hiking, and digging into front-end development tutorials or side projects to keep building my skills.