Hello, World!
I'm Matteo Tanca, a Software Architect and hands-on Tech Lead with 15+ years of professional development experience across various industries (Gaming, Entertainment / Social Media, AdTech) and tech stacks.
For the past 8 years I have led and managed multiple development teams, both in-house and remote.
Today, my primary focus is Rust backend development, though I also have extensive professional experience in JavaScript and TypeScript.
When I am not developing software, you'll likely find me playing or exploring with my young family.
In the past, I'd have been reading, getting lost in nature, or playing tennis :)
About me
I grew up in Sardinia, then moved to Pisa for my university studies. After completing my master's degree, I worked in Italy for a few years, then won a full scholarship to attend the M.Sc. in Interactive Entertainment Technology at Trinity College, Dublin. My career then brought me to London, where I lived and worked for over 10 years.
In August 2023, I moved back to Sardinia with my family. I currently work at Matchday, building game backends in Rust.
- Location:London, UK
- Nationality:Italian (UK settled status)
- Interests:Cinema, Tennis, Reading, Photography, Fitness
- Studies:M.Sc. Interactive Entertainment Tech, M.Sc. Computer Science, B.Sc. Computer Science
Skills
Backend
Rust
Node.js (JavaScript / TypeScript)
Java
Python
Frontend
JavaScript (vanilla)
React
TypeScript
DB / Data Stores
PostgreSQL
MySQL
Redis
DevOps / Infrastructure
AWS
GCP
GH Actions / Bitbucket Pipelines
Jenkins
Mobile
Android (Java)
Android (Kotlin)
Other
VR (UE4 - Blueprints and C++)
Game Development (C#)
Voice UI (Alexa, Google Assistant)
Work
Matchday
Jul 2023 -Backend Lead
Key responsibilities
- Design and implementation of a multi-service, low-latency game backend (100% Rust)
- Technical leadership and mentorship of a fully remote team (7 people)
- Design and implementation of K6 E2E and load testing suites
- Collaboration with Product and Design to distill feature specs into actionable technical plans
Technology / Stacks
- Deployment: AWS (EKS)
- Data: PostgreSQL, Redis, OpenAI API
- Monitoring and Testing: Grafana, AWS CloudWatch, K6
Quintesse (Vibrant Media)
Jun 2021 - April 2023Technical Lead
Key responsibilities
- Line management of a team of 5
- Design and implementation of high-performance, highly-scalable services in Rust and Node.js
- Design and implementation of custom orchestration and auto-scaling solutions for services deployed across different cloud providers (AWS, GCP, DO)
- Java (Spring) backend programming
- Python (Flask) backend programming
- Technical documentation
- Occasional client-side JavaScript development (vanilla and React)
Technology / Stacks
- Deployment: AWS (EC2, ECS), GCP (Compute Engine) and Digital Ocean (droplets)
- Data: MySQL, Redis, Kinesis
- Monitoring: AWS CloudWatch, Chronograf, kapacitor, telegraf, InfluxDB
Code Aplenty LTD
Jul 2018 - Dec 2021Director
Key responsibilities
- Software consultancy services
- Mobile app development
Vibrant Media
Sep 2018 - May 2021Software Development Consultant [Contract]
Key responsibilities
- Design and implementation of highly-scalable, fault-tolerant, high-performance frontend services in Node.js and Rust
- Design and implementation of client-side JS libraries
- Integration with third-party client services and APIs
- Technical documentation
- Occasional Python and Android Java development
Technology / Stacks
- Deployment: AWS (EC2, ECS), GCP (Compute Engine) and Digital Ocean (droplets)
- Data: MySQL, Redis, Kinesis
- Monitoring: AWS CloudWatch, Chronograf, kapacitor, telegraf, InfluxDB
itcher
Mar 2014 - Jul 2020Head of Technology [Contract]
Jul 2018 - Jul 2020Key responsibilities
- Management of itcher IT infrastructure (deployment, optimisation and cost-reduction measures)
- Informing the company' technology strategy
- Coordination of off-shore development teams for all main itcher platforms (web, Android, iOS)
- Design of the itcher B2B integration API
- Technical know-how across all discussions with prospective partners and B2B API clients
- Hands-on development across Android, web and Voice UI platforms
Technology / Stacks
- Deployment / target platforms: AWS, GCP, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Android, iOS
- Data: MySQL, Redis, DynamoDB
- Languages: JavaScript, Java, PHP
Lead Full Stack Developer
Aug 2017 - Jul 2018Key responsibilities
- Leading both front-end and back-end web development (desktop and mobile)
- Management of off-shore development teams in Bulgaria and Ukraine
- Front-end development (HTML5, CSS, JavaScript)
- Back-end development (PHP/Yii)
- Project management
- Third-party SDK integrations
- B2B Integration Architecture Design
Technology / Stacks
- Deployment: AWS
- Data: MySQL, Redis, DynamoDB
Google Action / Alexa Skill Developer
Oct 2016 - Jul 2018Key responsibilities
- Design and implementation of itcher voice interface (for both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa)
- Liaising with Google's team during participation to the Actions Early Access Program and following initiatives (itcher UI was featured in talks at Google IO 2017 and 2018, as well as their stand at CES 2019)
- Iterative refinement and implementation of new features based on user analytics and feedback
Technology / Stacks
- Languages / frameworks: JavaScript, Node.js, API.AI
- Deployment: GCP (Flex Engine, Datastore)
- Monitoring: Dashbot.io, VoiceLabs
Lead Android Developer
Sep 2015 - Jul 2018Key responsibilities
- Architectural design of the itcher Android app, since its inception up to v3
- Leading the Android development team (both in-house and off-shore resources)
- Hands-on development of many core features of the app, as well as backend and third-party API integrations
- Design of the automated testing framework (Espresso + UIAutomator tests running on AWS Device Farm)
- App enhancement based on up-to-date Android development best practises
- Detailed technical documentation to guide itcher iOS development
Technology / Stacks
- Languages: Java, Kotlin
- Monitoring: Firebase Analytics
Lead Frontend Developer
Mar 2015 - Aug 2017Key responsibilities
- Leading frontend development team for itcher.com (desktop and mobile)
- Single-page-app SEO
- Analytics and third-party SDK integration
- Occasional backend development
Technology / Stacks
- Languages / frameworks: HTML5, JavaScript, jQuery, CSS, PHP/Yii
Senior Developer
Mar 2014 - Feb 2015Key responsibilities
- Frontend development for itcher.com
- Hybrid mobile development (Cordova/PhoneGap)
- Cordova native plugin development for both Android and iOS
- Single-page-app SEO architecture and implementation
- Occasional backend development
Technology / Stacks
- Languages / frameworks: HTML5, JavaScript, jQuery, CSS, PHP/Yii, Java, Objective-C
We R Interactive
Jan 2013 - Mar 2014Software Developer
Key responsibilities
- Full stack development (PHP + JavaScript/jQuery) of Lyroke, at the time one of the most popular free music games on the market
- Integration of third party technologies (e.g., Tapjoy, SupersonicAds, Facebook OG)
- Development of content management and administration tools for the game
- Mobile hybrid development (Cordova / PhoneGap framework)
- Cordova native plugin development, for both Android (Java) and iOS (Objective-C)
Technology / Stacks
- Languages / frameworks: HTML5, JavaScript, jQuery, CSS, PHP, Java, Objective-C
- Data storage: MySQL, Cassandra
Self-employed
May 2010 - Aug 2011Freelance Software Developer
Key responsibilities
- Web development for small businesses and organizations
- Android development for small businesses
Technology / Stacks
- Languages / frameworks: HTML5, JavaScript, jQuery, CSS, PHP, Java
Università di Pisa - Dip. Informatica
Sep 2009 - Feb 2010Researcher [Contract]
Key responsibilities
- Development of software adaptors to enable the interoperability within different P2P service middlewares
Technology / Stacks
- Languages / frameworks: Java, JXTA, SMEPP
Artematica
Apr 2009 - Aug 2009Junior Programmer
Key responsibilities
- Game development of Circus (Wii party game published by 505 Games)
- Virtools scripting
Technology / Stacks
- Languages / platforms: Nintendo Wii, Virtools, C++
Publications
A. Brogi, R. Popescu, M. Tanca
Design and Implementation of Sator: a web Service Aggregator
ACM TOSEM (Transactions On Software Engineering and Methodology) volume 19, issue 3, 2010
M. Tanca
From JXTA to SMEPP. A service-oriented adaptation methodology
VDM Verlag, Sept. 2009. ISBN 978-3-639-19623-8
Education
M.Sc. in Interactive Entertainment Technologies (IET)
Trinity College Dublin•2011 - 2012
Grades: top-3 dissertation, top-5 coursework marks
Laurea Specialistica in Informatica (2-year M.Sc. in Computer Science)
Università di Pisa•2006 - 2008
Voto finale: 110/110 cum laude
Laurea Triennale in Informatica (B.Sc. in Computer Science)
Università di Pisa•2002 - 2006
Voto finale: 110/110
Seminars
Personal projects
Here are some interesting personal and academic projects I currently work on, or have developed in the past.
2D/3D Fluid Simulator
A grid-based 2D/3D Navier-Stokes fluid simulator implemented in C++/OpenGL, with shader-based volume rendering and offline rendering capabilities.
Wormings
Final project for the GUI Development module, developed in C# / DirectX. A clone of the classic Lemmings game, with graphics similar to Worms 2.
Contact me
If you'd like more info about any of the listed projects, or have an idea or a job offer you want to discuss, please get in touch.
- Github
- sardusmatt
- matteotanca
Original template by Tim Baker