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Willem Smith — Full-Stack Developer

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About

I am a full-stack software developer with a BSc in Information Technology from North-West University. I am currently a Full-Stack Developer at Thoughtware (Pty) Ltd, where I independently own major feature areas of a production point-of-sale platform end-to-end — React Native frontend, FastAPI backend, and MSSQL data layer — with a focus on real-time systems, API design, and reliability engineering.

I architected and led development of a POS ecosystem from scratch: the core POS application plus companion apps for customer display, manager reporting, and back-office administration, all sharing one FastAPI/MSSQL backend. Alongside product work, I designed an AI context infrastructure that gives developers and AI agents structured, source-verifiable knowledge about a large multi-service codebase.

I care about software that is technically sound and intuitively designed, and I am drawn to real-time systems, clean architecture, and automation. My goal is to keep expanding my technical depth while building solutions that help shape South Africa's evolving tech landscape.

Experience

Apr 2026 – Present

Thoughtware (Pty) Ltd

Full-Stack Developer

Architected and built a point-of-sale ecosystem from scratch — the core POS app and four companion apps — over roughly 4.5 months.

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Johannesburg, South Africa

React Native · React · TypeScript · Vite · Python · FastAPI · SQLAlchemy · MSSQL · WebSockets · JWT · AsyncStorage · ESC/POS

Designed and led development of the core POS app and four companion apps: Customer Display System, Manager Dashboard, and Back Office built from scratch, and the Kitchen Display System extended with new capabilities.

  • Built the core POS application solo: order/payment flow, floor plan and table management, staff/PIN permissions, offline-resilient sync, and a full first-run setup wizard.
  • Designed the real-time layer end to end: JWT auth with automatic token refresh, and a WebSocket event bus (FastAPI + asyncio) broadcasting live table/order state to every connected POS terminal, kitchen display, and customer display.
  • Engineered a two-phase commit and startup reconciliation job to close a data-loss window on payment completion — scoped and delivered independently once the failure mode was identified in production.
  • Built three companion apps from scratch: a customer-facing display app (live order mirroring, scan-to-pay via hosted card checkout, email receipts), a manager reporting dashboard (sales/insights analytics, staff and payment-method breakdowns), and a back-office admin hub (React/Vite/TypeScript) for menu, pricing, and margin management, including a data-migration path from a legacy POS system.
  • Extended an existing kitchen display system with new real-time and recovery features: WebSocket reconnect hardening, hidden-order recall with search, and a dedicated kitchen-ticket print format.
  • Contributed the POS-facing feature set to a shared FastAPI/MSSQL backend, including the combo/discount engine, seat-level billing, shift management, and the real-time event API.
Aug – Oct 2025

Tecwise

Junior Developer (Part-Time)

Contributed to the ongoing development of a multi-tenant Electronic Dealer Portal built on a Frappe-based ERPNext system, used by multiple automotive dealerships across South Africa.

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Centurion, South Africa

Worked closely with senior engineers to enhance both backend and frontend functionality, using Python, JavaScript, and HTML to deliver stable, user-friendly solutions aligned with business workflows.

  • Implemented backend logic and frontend updates to improve usability and performance.
  • Supported modular, reusable code design to ensure scalability across multiple tenants.
  • Assisted in restoring and refining legacy features, ensuring compatibility with modern systems.
  • Collaborated in an Agile development environment, using Git and Visual Studio Code to track progress and maintain code quality.
Dec 2022 – Jan 2023

Premium Ideas

Data Capturer

Part of a team that migrated data from a legacy system to a new operational platform.

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Midrand, South Africa

  • Collaborated with a small team to transition from an outdated system to a new operational workflow, completing the changeover ahead of schedule.

Skills

Languages & Databases

  • Python
  • TypeScript
  • JavaScript
  • SQL
  • MSSQL

Frameworks & Tools

  • FastAPI
  • React Native
  • React
  • Vite
  • SQLAlchemy
  • Git / GitHub

Integration & Architecture

  • REST APIs
  • JWT Authentication
  • WebSockets
  • Microservices

AI & Automation

  • Claude AI
  • AI-Assisted Development
  • Agentic Workflows
  • Model Context Protocol (MCP)
  • Prompt Engineering

Projects

Thoughtware POS Ecosystem

A production point-of-sale ecosystem I architected and built from scratch at Thoughtware over ~4.5 months: a core POS app plus companion apps that share one FastAPI/MSSQL backend.

React Native · React · TypeScript · Vite · Python · FastAPI · SQLAlchemy · MSSQL · WebSockets

Commercial project — source code is private.

AI Context Infrastructure

A persistent AI context layer for a multi-repository SaaS ecosystem (8 applications, ~90 API routes) that gives developers and AI agents structured, source-verifiable knowledge to reason about dependencies, business logic, and change impact.

Claude AI · Agentic Workflows · Model Context Protocol (MCP) · Prompt Engineering

Gravity Plastics — Client Website

A full commercial website built for a South African plastics manufacturer, developed with Next.js and React:

Real-Time Chat App

A full-stack group project — a real-time messaging application with group and private channels.

Node.js · Socket.io · JavaScript

The live demo is hosted on a free tier and may take ~30 seconds to wake on first load.

Currently Building

Stash — Personal Budgeting App In development

A private, offline-first budgeting app for iOS and Android. Everything lives on the device by default; cloud backup is opt-in.

React Native · Expo (SDK 57) · TypeScript · Supabase · Reanimated · react-native-svg

Caddy AI — Golf Swing Analysis In development

A mobile app that analyses a recorded golf swing frame-by-frame and returns AI-generated coaching feedback plus a follow-up coach chat.

Expo React Native · FastAPI · SQLAlchemy · PostgreSQL · Anthropic API · ffmpeg · Next.js

Certifications 11

Click any certificate to view it.

Claude Certified Developer — FoundationsAnthropic Passed — Sept 2026

Education

BSc Information Technology

North-West University

2022 – 2025 · Potchefstroom

Three-year degree covering software development, databases, systems analysis & design, computer networks, and software project management.

Software Development Databases & SQL Systems Analysis Networks Project Management

National Senior Certificate

Leeuwenhof Academy

2017 – 2021 · Independent Examinations Board (IEB)

IEB matric with a Bachelor's-degree pass (university exemption).

IEB Bachelor's Pass

Languages

Strengths

Analytical Thinking

Breaks down complex systems methodically to reach clear, actionable insights.

Problem-Solving

Resourceful and solution-focused when tackling technical or business challenges.

Attention to Detail

Delivers clean, reliable work with consistent focus on accuracy.

Systems Thinking

Strong architectural analysis and a clear view of how components interact.

Fast Learner

Quickly picks up new tools, frameworks, and technologies.

Team Collaboration

Works effectively with both technical and business stakeholders.

Contact

Reach out to me through the platforms below:

willem.smith222@gmail.com LinkedIn GitHub
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