Jo Sprague
Building multi-platform apps for diverse audiences for 15+ years. Dual EU/US citizen working remotely.

Project Highlights

Streamlined NASA Deployments
Jul 2017 Feb 2018
  • Spearheaded a project to streamline QA and deployment processes, automate browser tests and containerize the app, reducing weeks of expensive manual work into a minutes-long automated process on AWS, dramatically reducing time and costs
  • Mentored two less-experienced developers, providing constructive code reviews and guidance, supporting them to do their best work
  • Designed and developed a new feature for navigating satellite imagery and tracking natural disaster events, improving user access to critical data
Visualized Global Climate Impact
Jul 2021 Dec 2024
  • Led development of Picturing Our Future, an app for visualizing global sea level rise predictions, using Next.js with a hybrid rendering approach leveraging both server-side rendering and client-side rendering
  • Architected a system using d3.js and SVG to automate the generation of climate data infographics distributed by major media organizations in the US
  • Led front end development of an innovative cross-platform mobile app with Expo and React Native for 3D sea level rise mapping with Google Maps.
Empowered Disaster Response
Oct 2019 Dec 2019
  • Translated updated branding guidelines and designs from Zeplin into a responsive front end.
  • Updated the front end of a legacy Python/Flask app using JavaScript, React and MapboxGL.
  • Added features to allow users to create and manage mapping campaigns, improving the app's usability and functionality.
  • Updated the Python/Flask backend to support new features, adding REST API endpoints.
Streamed Space Station Data
Jun 2014 Jun 2017
  • Built a React/d3 app to stream real-time data from the International Space Station.
  • Integrated with Space Tango's REST API to get the latest data from the ISS.
  • Added features to allow users to visualize data from their experiments aboard the ISS.
Cultivated Authentic Connections
Dec 2016 Jan 2025
  • Designed and built several prototypes for the game, including physical cards and a mobile app.
  • Organized and hosted events to playtest the game and get feedback from players.
  • Worked with manufacturers to produce and sell hundreds of card decks.
  • Built a Shopify store for global distribution.
  • Managed social media accounts and a blog to promote the game and connect with players.

Past Roles

Senior Front End Engineer
Jul 2021 Dec 2024
Remote
  • Led development of an app for visualizing global sea level rise predictions using Next.js with a hybrid rendering approach leveraging both server-side rendering and client-side rendering
  • Architected a system using d3.js and SVG to automate the generation of climate data infographics distributed by major media organizations in the US
  • Led front end development of an innovative cross-platform mobile app with Expo and React Native for 3D sea level rise mapping with Google Maps
Senior Software Engineer
Jun 2020 May 2021
Remote
  • Created a custom ETL tool for nutrition data processing, optimizing data management workflows using Python and Node.js
  • Automated Amazon MTurk tasks for product data validation, improving efficiency and accuracy
  • Built tools for nutrition scientists, facilitating data management and analysis using React, Python and MongoDB
Senior Software Engineer
Jul 2018 Aug 2019
Remote
  • Optimized front-end performance for Verizon's nationwide digital billboard software, reducing technical debt and resolving memory leaks
  • Increased unit test coverage and refined CI/CD processes, enhancing code quality and reliability of the advertising platform
Full Stack Engineer
Jul 2017 Feb 2018
Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
  • Spearheaded a project to streamline QA and deployment processes, automate browser tests and containerize the app, reducing weeks of expensive manual work into a minutes-long automated process on AWS, dramatically reducing time and costs
  • Mentored two less-experienced developers, providing constructive code reviews and guidance, supporting them to do their best work
  • Designed and developed a new feature for navigating satellite imagery and tracking natural disaster events, improving user access to critical data
Full Stack Engineer
Jun 2014 Jun 2017
Remote
  • Enhanced developer productivity by creating developer tools, build scripts, CLIs, and chatbots for our team
  • Built a React/d3 app for Space Tango, enabling real-time data streaming from the International Space Station
  • Responsible for migrating a monolithic Ruby app to Node.js micro-services for high-profile clients like Bon Jovi and UFC
Independent Software Consultant
Jan 2008 May 2014
Remote
  • Led development of a project to re-brand a React/Python/Flask app for the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team
  • Developed open-source JavaScript/TypeScript libraries and plugins for Webpack, WordPress and more
  • Built accessible and internationalized responsive websites for various clients

Skill Sets

  • Front-End Development (Specialist)

    JavaScript, TypeScript, ES6, React, React Native, Vue, Next.js, Tailwind CSS, GraphQL, CSS, SASS, HTML, Redux, Vuex, webpack, Babel, GatsbyJS, WCAG Accessibility, ESLint, a11y, i18n

  • Technical Leadership (Expert)

    Code Reviews, Mentoring, Team Leadership, Project Management, Technical Hiring, Team Building, Communication, Conflict Resolution, Stakeholder Management, Technical Writing, Public Speaking, Event Organization, Workshops, Nonviolent Communication

  • Full-Stack Development (Expert)

    Node.js, Python, PHP, Ruby, Express, Flask, Django, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Prisma, Docker, Heroku, AWS

  • Testing and Performance (Expert)

    Jest, Mocha, Selenium, Browserstack, Performance Optimization, Unit Testing, Automated Testing, CI/CD

  • Data Visualization (Expert)

    d3.js, Mapbox, OpenLayers, GIS, SVG, Canvas

  • Other (Expert)

    UI/UX, Graphic Design, Technical Writing, SEO, Public Speaking, Figma, git, Docker, GitHub Actions, REST APIs

Spoken Languages

  • English — Native
  • Spanish — Fluent
  • Hungarian — Advanced

Education

Communication (Bachelor's Degree)
Sep 2006 May 2010

  • Minor in Computer Science, Global Business and Graphic Design