MICHAEL

MICHAEL VANDERWERKER

Full Stack Engineer

ABOUT ME

Hi, I’m Michael VanDerwerker.

I’ve spent over a decade turning ideas into working products — from custom APIs and scalable web platforms to cross-platform mobile apps. My career began working with small businesses and startups, where wearing multiple hats was the norm. That fast-paced, problem-solving mindset has stuck with me ever since.

Today, I specialize in building robust, maintainable software that solves real-world problems. I’m known for adapting quickly, integrating seamlessly into teams, and navigating both legacy codebases and greenfield projects with confidence. Whether it’s integrating third-party SDKs, optimizing backend performance, or building an app from scratch, I focus on clean, efficient solutions that scale.

My approach is simple: understand the challenge, choose the right tools, and deliver — one line at a time.

Outside of coding, I’m an avid woodworker. Crafting tangible, lasting things by hand has shaped how I approach software development: focus on the end user, care about the details, and always be ready to adapt.

  • Programming Languages
    PHP, Python, HTML, JavaScript
  • Hobbies
    Woodworking, Cooking, Brewing Beer
  • Website
    You're on it...

I’m always eager to learn, whether it’s mastering a new programming language or improving my woodworking techniques. My curiosity keeps me exploring new technologies and refining my craft — both in software and in life. Whether collaborating with a team or tackling solo projects, I bring creativity, discipline, and a commitment to building things that last.

Hire MeDownload Resume


WHAT CAN I DO

Backend Development

Building scalable, secure server-side systems and data architectures that drive reliable web applications.

Frontend Development

Crafting intuitive, responsive user interfaces with a focus on performance, usability, and clean design.

Software Design

Designing efficient, reliable software architectures tailored to unique project needs and future growth.

Security Audits

Evaluating applications and infrastructure to identify vulnerabilities, strengthen defenses, and ensure compliance.

API Development

Developing secure, high-performance APIs that enable seamless integration between systems.

Project Management

Coordinating development workflows, managing teams, and ensuring smooth progress from concept to launch.

TESTIMONIALS

Michael is a true professional. He’s diligent, sharp, and a pleasure to work with. I’d suggest using him for your next project. You will be pleasantly surprised!

Jeffrey J.

Michael was great! I had a really complicated project and my schedule was tough to work with. Michael was great about completing tasks and sending over for feedback as soon as I provided him with it. He was very flexible and did an excellent job with the coding of the site, following the artworking guidelines, and making everything work. Definitely recommend working with him.

Ambika S.

Michael is an excellent programmer! He is able to complete work on time and accurately, and has been a pleasure to work with. Will hire again.

John K.

Michael is an absolute expert! His patience and collaborative approach made working on this project a breeze! Michael and I will definitely be working together on an ongoing basis!

Luigi R.

Michael is a pleasure to work with. He is especially skilled at listening to my requirements (I am someone with no coding experience), and then delivering exactly on my brief. He was very open to feedback and always made himself available to my team. I would highly recommend his services, especially if you are someone looking for a partner who can meet you where you are from a technical perspective, and take on the heavy lifting of helping you articulate your goals, and identify the most efficient way to build your app.

Jack J.

Michael is a top notch developer. We’ve been so happy to have him working with us implementing new features, digging into and resolving issues. He’s proactive as he approaches projects and he’s always thinking how to make the system work better with the customer in mind. He also takes criticism well, not taking things personally which goes a long way toward efficiently resolving an issue.

Ben L.

Michael is an excellent dev and great communicator. Our problem is that we just didn’t have enough work for him. He’s a very independent dev and I think he would be best on a from-scratch app build that you need quickly. If he’s available snatch him up.

Ian S.

EXPERIENCE

Senior Full-Stack Software Engineer

Mandina's Inspection Services - 2011 to present

At Mandinas, I led the development of a full SaaS dashboard that streamlined employee certification management. I created testing and training modules, built third-party integration APIs, and ensured the platform scaled to meet evolving client needs.


Senior Software Engineer

Michael VanDerwerker LLC - 2015 to present

As the owner and by far the best employee, I delivered custom web and software solutions for a diverse range of clients. I specialized in rapid MVP development, robust API integrations, and crafting secure, user-friendly web applications tailored to each client’s unique goals.


Full-Stack Software Engineer

PowerPromo - 2021 to 2022

I developed dashboards and data tools that empowered clients to optimize their coupon strategies and product sales. I also engineered flexible data ingestion solutions that automated the structuring and interpretation of varied spreadsheet formats.


Lead Software Engineer

BuyItLive - 2019 to 2021

I integrated APIs across social media and e-commerce platforms, significantly improving client conversion rates. I led a team to overhaul the cart and inventory systems, enhancing scalability, and implemented analytics that provided deep insights into customer behavior.


Senior Software Engineer

Delta Five Systems - 2015 to 2019

I designed and maintained an IoT infrastructure that supported thousands of connected devices. I also architected internal dashboards and application suites that unified operations across sales, accounting, inventory, and client services.


EDUCATION

The University of Virginia's College at Wise

2010-2015

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Focused on programming, data structures, algorithms, and software architecture, providing a deep technical foundation for building complex software solutions.

Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering
Specialized in software development methodologies, project management, and the full software development lifecycle, emphasizing scalable, maintainable, and efficient systems design.


SKILLS

With over a decade of hands-on experience across multiple technologies, my skill set reflects both depth and versatility. Below is a breakdown of my core competencies, representing my proficiency and practical use of each technology in real-world projects.

PHP
100%

Laravel
95%

JavaScript
85%

VueJS
80%

Python
70%

HTML
95%

MySQL/MsSQL/NoSQL
90%

API Design
85%

Kivy
60%

WordPress
75%

PORTFOLIO

From Airplane Panels to Bed Bugs — Let’s Talk Projects.

Most of the work I’ve done over the years has been for businesses and organizations that require confidentiality. Because of that, I can’t publicly display many of the projects I’ve built — especially the larger or more complex ones that involved proprietary systems or sensitive data.

That said, I completely understand that seeing examples is important when choosing a developer to work with. While I can’t showcase full projects, I’m more than happy to provide code snippets or sample sections from past work. Sensitive information, algorithms, or client-identifying details will, of course, be carefully removed.

To give you an idea of the kinds of solutions I’ve built: I developed an interactive airplane panel designer for aviation enthusiasts, worked with sensor data systems to detect bed bug infestations in hotels (yes, it’s just as gross as it sounds — and no, I can’t discuss which hotels), and created everything from business management tools to mobile apps.

If you’d like to get a sense of my coding style, problem-solving approach, or the types of solutions I’ve delivered, just send me a quick message. I’ll be glad to share what I can! 

And for projects I’ve worked on in my free time, feel free to check out my GitHub.

GET IN TOUCH


  • Email
    michaelvanderwerker@gmail.com

  • LinkedIn
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-vanderwerker

  • GitHub
    https://github.com/VanDmade

  • Upwork
    https://upwork.com/freelancers/~01356328248924e444

Have an idea, project, or challenge? Whether you’re looking for a reliable developer, a technical consultant, or just want to chat about possibilities — I’d love to hear from you.

With over a decade of experience crafting everything from APIs and scalable web platforms to mobile apps and secure systems, I bring both creativity and technical precision to every project. I’m always open to new ideas, collaborations, or even a quick conversation about what you’re building.

If you’d like to discuss a project, request code samples, or explore how I might be able to help, feel free to reach out. You can contact me directly at michaelvanderwerker@gmail.com, or connect with me through LinkedIn or GitHub. Whether you have a clear project in mind or are still exploring possibilities, I’m happy to answer questions and discuss how we might work together.

From concept to launch, one line at a time.