Scott
Lou

Software Engineer

Web Developer

Certified Sitecore Developer

Data Analyst

Cloud Hosting Specialist

Senior Backend Engineer with 10+ years of experience building APIs, event-driven systems, and cloud-native platforms using C#/.NET and AWS. Proven experience designing and operating serverless architectures with Lambda, Step Functions, EventBridge, and SQS/SNS. Strong track record in microservices modernisation, CI/CD, and cross-platform integrations. Passionate about building secure, scalable systems and contributing to products that improve financial outcomes for Kiwis.

Contact Me

About Me

My story

I’m a Senior Backend Developer based in Auckland, New Zealand, with over 10 years of experience delivering secure, scalable, and high-quality software solutions. I specialise in C#, .NET/.NET Core, REST APIs, cloud-native architectures, and full-stack web development using Blazor, React, HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript.

Currently at thl Digital (NZX: THL), I design and maintain AWS microservices and MongoDB-based solutions for tourism platforms serving the ANZ and US markets. I lead initiatives to modernise legacy systems, upgrade over 70 microservices from .NET 4.5 to .NET 6, and ensure high-quality production-ready releases.

I have extensive experience across web development, data engineering, cloud computing, and marketing automation, combining technical expertise with a strong focus on usability, performance, and business impact. I enjoy collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions that meet both user and business needs.

Residence: New Zealand
Address: North Shore, Auckland

Services

What I Do

Economic
Science

Economics is a social science concerned with the production, consumption of goods and services.

Marketing
& Advertising

Advertising Management though is a complex process of employing various media to sell a product or service.

Web
Development

The web development process includes: web design, web content, client-side / server-side scripting and network security configuration.

Music
Writing

Sheet music is the basic form in which Western classical music is notated so that it can be learned and performed by solo singers.

Game
Development

Come Up With a Game Idea. An idea is the first thing that comes to mind when a game is being described before creating.

Photography
& Video

Sessions. If you are a photographer that spends most of the time in a portrait studio, you can charge for your session.

Pricing

My Plans

Basic

$ 39 hour

Web Development
Advetising
Game Development
~~Music Writing~~
~~Photography~~

Buy Now

Premium

$ 59 hour

Web Development
Advetising
Game Development
Music Writing
Photography new

Buy Now

Ultimate

$ 79 hour

Web Development
Advetising
Game Development
Music Writing
Photography new

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Experience

Working with

2022-Present

Senior Back End Developer
thl digital

Design, develop, and maintain scalable REST APIs and backend services for business-critical financial and pricing systems, including multi-currency pricing, tax calculations, promotional discounting, and audit-compliant workflows.
Own solutions end-to-end across the SDLC, including architecture design, development, CI/CD, monitoring, and production support in a cloud-native environment.
Designed and delivered an end-to-end AWS serverless automation solution (flex-export) using Step Functions, Lambda (C# and Python), and EventBridge Scheduler, eliminating manual processes and enabling reliable scheduled data exchange.
Built and operated event-driven systems using SQS and SNS, improving scalability, fault tolerance, and service decoupling across distributed applications. Delivered a D365 integration solution using Azure Logic Apps and App Services, enabling reliable cross-platform data exchange between financial and operational systems.
Led the modernisation of 70+ microservices from .NET Framework 4.5 to modern .NET platforms, significantly improving performance, security, and operational reliability.
Built and operated cloud-native services on AWS (ECS, Step Functions, SQS, SNS), supporting high-availability workloads with strong observability and monitoring practices.
Monitored and optimised system performance using New Relic, including alerting, incident response, and performance tuning.
Troubleshot and resolved complex production issues, ensuring system stability, reliability, and scalability.
Mentored developers and promoted best practices in API design, software engineering, and secure coding principles.

2021-2022

.NET Developer
Canon New Zealand

Developed and maintained .NET-based APIs and backend applications supporting internal and external business systems.
Designed and optimised MS SQL Server data models and queries, improving performance and data integrity across business workflows.
Supported production systems in a BAU environment, ensuring system stability, monitoring, and incident resolution.
Improved delivery processes using Azure DevOps pipelines, enhancing deployment reliability and release consistency.
Migrated on-premises Solr (enterprise-search platform) to cloud solution swiftly without any downtime.
Enhanced system observability through New Relic dashboards and alerting, improving issue detection and response times.
Provided onboarding training and local development environment setup for new developer.

2014-2021

Developer - Data Engineer
Centurion DMP / Norcross Group

Develop and maintain data standards, policies and data collection procedures related to data management activities.
Work with clients on cross media marketing campaigns and data analytics projects.
Maintain existing web applications and provided internal and external technical support.
Develop and manage weekly marketing emails for the company.
Demonstrate knowledge of Company products, services and procedures and the ability to apply this knowledge when answering technical queries and requests from customers.
Communicate across different departments and Managing Director regarding project status, opportunities of improvement etc.

2012-2014

Web Programmer/ Data Analyst
ActionHQ Ltd

Microsoft ASP.NET with C# web application programming and maintenance.
DM and eDM Cross Media campaign development using XMPie and ExactTarget.
HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, API, SQL server, web hosting and database management.
Collaborate with marketing and design team to develop responsive websites.
Track campaign results using Google Analytics and StatCounter.
Maintain company website built on Umbraco CMS.

Education & Certification

Completed at

2009-2012

Massey University
Auckland

Bachelor of Information Sciences
Major in
Information Technology

2023-2024

thl digital
Auckland

MongoDB DEV400: Developer Extension
MongoDB MDB200: Optimisation and Performance
MongoDB MDB100: Database and Security

2022

Canon New Zealand
Auckland

Certified Sitecore® Experience Solution 9 Developer

2010-2011

Microsoft Imagine Cup 2011
Auckland

Global software development competition for university students

Top 20 team in New Zealand

Coding Skills

Developing on

90%

.NET/.NET Core
90%

C#
90%

MVC, REST API
85%

MS SQL, NoSQL
90%

HTML, CSS
90%

JavaScript, AngularJS
85%

Azure DevOps, TeamCity
90%

WordPress, WooCommerce
90%

New Relic, Cloud Computing

Digital Skills

Design and Marketing ability

Website Design & Construction

WordPress, Adobe Dreamweaver & MS Visual Studio

90%
Adobe Creative Suite

Including InDesign, Photoshop and Acrobat Pro

90%
Marketing Campaign & Automation

XMPie, MindFire Studio & DirectSmile

85%
Email Marketing

XMPie ExactTarget, MailChimp

85%

Language Skills

Reading and writing

English

100%
Chinese

100%

Reviews

What customers say

Joseph Mackey

Architect

Excellent all around! What stood out most was Jake's excellent service. He made sure our order was placed in time, even though we were ordering on a holiday.

Laura Owens

Designer

Excellent all around! What stood out most was Jake's excellent service. He made sure our order was placed in time, even though we were ordering on a holiday.

Olivia Riley

CEO

Excellent all around! What stood out most was Jake's excellent service. He made sure our order was placed in time, even though we were ordering on a holiday.

Javier Parker

Developer

Excellent all around! What stood out most was Jake's excellent service. He made sure our order was placed in time, even though we were ordering on a holiday.