Matthew M. Jones

Resume

About

A Principal Engineer at Valtech with over four years of experience driving innovation in the MACH technology space. Leading cross-functional teams to deliver high-performance websites and applications. Skilled in guiding CMS migrations from legacy systems to modern, headless solutions such as Contentful and Contentstack, while leveraging tools like Next.js for static site generation and SEO optimization. Proficient in deploying global static sites via platforms like Netlify and Vercel, and managing collaborative workflows using JIRA and Azure DevOps.

Committed to simplifying complex processes and enabling scalable solutions, creating design systems via Storybook and documenting onboarding strategies to empower both developers and clients. With a passion for creating seamless user experiences and robust development pipelines, current efforts focus on enhancing digital ecosystems through thoughtful architecture and cutting-edge technologies.

Technologies

Javascript
Contentful
Contentstack
Next.js
Algolia
Node.js
Python
Vercel
Netlify
Gemini
Google Cloud
AWS
CSS
SASS
Wordpress
Premiere
Photoshop
After Effects
Azure DevOps
Github

Skills

Solution Architecture
Front End Development
Content Modeling
AI
Web Design
Game Development
Content Management Systems (CMS)
Poster Design
Motion Graphics
Social Media Marketing
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
GraphQL
Responsive Web Design
Animation
Video Editing

Experience

Valtech

Solutions Architect

Valtech

January 1, 2025 - Present
  • Technical architecture, product and data analysis.

  • Search and API Data integration into Sales Force Commerce Cloud.

  • Agentic AI engineering.

  • Algolia merchandising rules, ranking, sorting and synonyms.

  • Digital Asset Management setup and maintenance.

  • Generative AI Project Management and Personalization.

  • Uses Node.js scripts to interface with Algolia's api.

Kin + Carta

Principal Engineer

Kin + Carta

January 4, 2022 - December 31, 2024

Acquired by Valtech. Principal Engineer leading teams of developers creating websites and applications in the MACH composable technology space.

  • Systems Architecture: Engineered scalable content models and data schemas for modular page assembly within Contentful and Contentstack.

  • Modernization Specialist: Orchestrated high-stakes migrations from legacy monolithic systems to high-performance, headless CMS architectures.

  • Full-Stack Integration: Designed and implemented complex REST/GraphQL API integrations and advanced search functionalities to unify disparate data sources.

  • Next.js Implementation: Leveraged Next.js for Static Site Generation (SSG) and Server-Side Rendering (SSR) to achieve lightning-fast load times and optimal Core Web Vitals.

  • Global Deployment: Streamlined CI/CD pipelines for global delivery across Vercel, Netlify, Azure, and AWS Amplify, utilizing edge computing for reduced latency.

  • Design Systems: Developed and maintained comprehensive, reusable component libraries via Storybook to ensure cross-platform UI consistency.

  • Agile Leadership: Managed end-to-end QA, sprint planning, and task orchestration through JIRA and Azure DevOps.

  • Engineering Standards: Governed the Git-based release lifecycle, including rigorous code reviews and pull-request management to ensure production stability.

  • Knowledge Management: Authored technical documentation and onboarding frameworks to streamline developer integration and client operations.

  • Multi-Phased Roadmap: Authored long-term digital strategy plans, aligning technical execution with short-term wins and multi-year business goals.

  • Search & Social Optimization: Integrated SEO best practices and social media campaign triggers directly into the development lifecycle to maximize organic reach.

Projects

Phillips Jones

Creative Technologist

Phillips Jones

March 1, 2020 - Present

Building online presence for clients including campaign development, web design, web development, SEO strategy, social media management, motion graphics and video editing.

Projects

The Withering

The Withering

The 3rd feature I've produced and edited on. Sci-fi triller about an elderly woman who discovers a mysterious amulet that restores her youth by draining the life from those around her.
The Tie That Binds

The Tie That Binds

WATCH NOW! In the bleak confines of her solitary confinement, stirs a young woman by the name of Andrea. Suddenly jolted into consciousness, she finds herself caught in a cruel group of individuals.
Reasonable Doubt

Reasonable Doubt

WATCH NOW! Finished Top 5 in the YES WE CANNES challenge, advancing to screen at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Winning Best Performance by Rainy Armstrong and Nominated for Best Writing and Editing.
Together

Together

Won Best Poster in the 48 Hour Wisconsin Thriller competition.
Black Pumpkin

Black Pumpkin

Designed this poster for the feature horror film, Black Pumpkin. Starring Matt Rife. This was the project that introduced me the Kapow Intergalactic Film Festival.
This Side of Tomorrow

This Side of Tomorrow

Concept Poster I designed for the feature length action script I wrote.
Mirror Image

Mirror Image

Poster I designed that introduced me to Chris Freeman, Ed O'Ross, Anthony Clementi and Spain Willingham, Mirror Image. Not called, Dark Image. Not sure it was an improvement. But, anything to get distribution.
A Haunting in Massachusetts

A Haunting in Massachusetts

Concept poster for Director Chris W. Freeman's paranormal thriller, which eventually became Haunting of the Innocence, starring Judd Nelson.
Bloody Bobby

Bloody Bobby

Poster I designed for the horror movie Bloody Bobby. In 1988, Fall Creek Valley is turned upside down by the disappearance of 10 year-old Bobby Maxwell. Twenty years later, he seeks revenge...
The Weight

The Weight

Poster I designed for a 48hour film festival short I co-wrote and co-edited with Daniel J. Pico.
Like Minded Media Ventures

Senior Web Developer

Like Minded Media Ventures

April 1, 2021 - December 18, 2021
  • Technical Leadership: Spearheaded front-end development for Chris Evans’ civic engagement platform, A Starting Point, ensuring high availability and seamless user experiences.

  • React Architecture: Engineered robust, scalable web applications using React.js, prioritizing clean code, component reusability, and performance optimization.

  • Design Partnership: Collaborated closely with UI/UX designers to translate complex wireframes into elegant, responsive, and "pixel-perfect" interfaces.

  • Digital Growth Strategy: Developed and executed comprehensive SEO and social media strategies that significantly increased organic reach and user acquisition.

Projects

TVGla

Senior Web Developer

TVGla

September 1, 2013 - December 1, 2020
  • Full-Stack Development: Architected responsive, high-performance HTML5 websites powered by scalable CMS frameworks.

  • Immersive Technologies: Spearheaded AR/VR application development across diverse cross-platform environments.

  • Creative Strategy: Facilitated collaborative brainstorming sessions to drive innovative social media campaigns and brand engagement.

  • Team Leadership & Mentorship: Led cross-functional engineering teams, providing technical guidance and structured developer training programs.

  • Project Governance: Managed end-to-end project lifecycles, including precision resource estimation and strategic budgeting.

  • Stakeholder Management: Served as the primary technical liaison for high-level client interfaces, ensuring alignment between business goals and technical execution.

Projects

Trigger

Senior Web Developer

Trigger

March 1, 2011 - September 1, 2013
  • Entertainment Industry Web Development: Engineered and maintained high-traffic HTML5/CSS3 web experiences for major studio clients, supporting the global launch of blockbuster feature films and multi-media franchises.

  • Technical Leadership & Mentorship: Directed cross-functional development teams and spearheaded comprehensive developer training programs to ensure code quality and modern best practices.

  • Project Governance: Managed end-to-end project lifecycles, from precision resource estimation and scoping to final delivery.

  • Infrastructure & DevOps: Architected and deployed scalable infrastructure environments, ensuring 100% uptime during high-volume promotional cycles.

  • Strategic Client Liaison: Acted as the primary technical interface for studio stakeholders, translating creative visions into executable technical requirements.

Projects

Manifest Digital

Senior Web Developer

Manifest Digital

April 1, 2009 - December 1, 2010
  • Led team of developers, animators and designers creating interactive games, videos, banners, websites and micro-sites for entertainment clients promoting movies, video games and toys.

Projects

uPressplay

Web Developer/Designer/Video Editor

uPressplay

February 1, 2001 - December 1, 2010
  • Developed online entertainment network featuring short films and videos.

  • Produced and led post-production on independent films.

  • Scheduled and budgeted each film.

  • Composited green screen video, motion graphics and title design.

  • Designed promotional materials including posters, postcards, websites and social media pages promoting each project.

  • Accolades: 25 Official Selections, 5 Best-Of Wins and 1 Audience Choice award.

Projects

Education

Chicago Botanical Gardens

Chicago Botanical Gardens

Ornamental and Native Plants Certification : Annuals, Perennials, Evergreens, Small Flowering Trees, Landscape Design
March 1, 2025 - Present
Columbia College Chicago

Columbia College Chicago

B.A. Film and Video : Cinematography, Editing, Producing, Directing, Animation, Screenwriting
September 1, 1999 - June 1, 2001

Graduated with Honors.

Michigan State University

Michigan State University

B.A. Advertising : Graphic Design, Marketing, Journalism, Accounting, Art
September 1, 1990 - June 1, 1995