Resume

Giannis Ftaras

Building projects for the future.

I am a passionate Software Developer with several years of experience building PHP applications.

01.
About Me

Hi! I am Giannis and I love building projects that belong in the future with creative ideas! I am based in Thessaloniki, Greece and I started application development back in 2002 with C++ and VB (.NET). A few years later, I discovered the beauty of the internet and immediately saw the potential in it. That's when I started web development & engineering using PHP, HTML, CSS and Javascript.

My code tactics include OOP (Object Oriented Programming), security conscious development, great documentation and raw code without the usage of additional frameworks. The past couple of years I also took interest in information security, which managed to greatly improve the efficiency, scalability and security practices of my coding skills.

Here are a few technologies I’ve been working with recently:

  • PHP
  • Git
  • Google Cloud
  • DevOps
  • MySQL
  • Laravel
Giannis Ftaras

02.
Where I've Worked

Senior PHP Full Stack Enginner @ Better Collective

June 2022 - Present

Responsibilities:

  • Translate mockups to fully functional & pixel perfect features
  • Work closely with designers, developers & other stakeholders to define technical requirements
  • Ensure Cross device/browser compatibility and responsiveness
  • Design and implement new features
  • Refactor codebases to improve stability, performance and security

Senior PHP Developer & DevOps Engineer @ Readnet Publications

March 2020 - June 2022

Responsibilities:

  • PHP back-end & front-end development
  • Cloud instances deployment & management
  • Design and implementation of future projects
  • Systems development life-cycle management

Achievements:

  • Implement Enterprise grade network enginneering with scalability in mind
  • Migrate third-party integrations to self-hosted services
  • Automate cloud-hosting services balancing availability and cost efficiency

Webmaster & IT Department Manager @ PoliSafety GP

January 2017 - February 2020

Responsibilities:

  • Server management and security auditing
  • Web application development
  • Local network maintenance and development

Achievements:

  • IT Department productivity increased 80% in a span of 6 months
  • Web application traffic increased 30% in a period of 6 months

IT Department Enginner @ Bar Association of Thessaloniki

September 2014 - July 2015

Responsibilities:

  • Computer hardware maintenance
  • Application development and maintenance
  • Ensure local network functionality and expansion

Application Developer & Security Auditor @ First Instance Court of Thessaloniki

March 2014 - September 2015

Responsibilities:

  • Development and maintenance of the main network
  • Central database monitoring and network security auditing
  • Application development and maintenance

Achievements:

  • Network and application instabilities reduced 15% in a span of 6 months

03.
Things I've Built

Smart Things API

A PHP wrapper for the Samsung Smart Things API in order to build custom integrations and control your home devices.

  • PHP
  • GuzzleHTTP
  • REST API
  • OAuth2

DST Certificate Fix

A Windows desktop application to fix an error caused by the DST Root CA X3 certificate expiration in 2021.

  • C#
  • Windows

General Electric API

A PHP wrapper for the General Electric / SmartHQ API which allows you to build custom integrations and control smart appliances in your home.

  • PHP
  • GuzzleHTTP
  • REST API

Kithara (Guitar) Saver

A Chronium extension which allows you to save guitar sheet tabs directly to your PC without the need to copy/paste text.

  • Chronium Browsers
  • JS
  • Service Workers

Speedex Courier API

A PHP wrapper for the Greek Speedex courier company designed to allow you to directly track your packages and see other relevant information.

  • PHP
  • SOAP API

04-a.
What I've Studied

Computer Engineering @ Delta Thessaloniki PIVT

October 2010 - June 2012

Troubleshooting electrical circuits using fault detection methods, basic to advanced usage of modern and older Operating Systems, structure and protocols of networks - are some of the main and most important topics in a two year learning curve.

Indicative study courses:

  • Electronic Devices and Computer Engineering
  • Network Infrastructures
  • Elements of Technology Engineering & Electronic Provisions
  • Microprocessor Architecture
  • Digital & Analog Electronics
  • Operating Systems (Windows, Windows Server, Linux, MS-DOS)
  • Programming languages (C++, Assembly)

04-b.
Certifications

Security Aware Programmer @ Certified Secure

August 2024

  • Information Security
  • Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
  • Threat & Vulnerability Assessment

Professional Scrum Master I @ Scrum.org

February 2024

  • Project Management
  • Agile Project Management
  • Agile Methodologies

Google Cloud Infrastructure Modernization

January 2022

  • Compute Engine management
  • Kubernetes principals & deployment
  • Networking fundamentals & Load Balancing

Cloud Computing Concepts @ University of Illinois

July 2015

  • Orientation, Introduction to Clouds, MapReduce
  • P2P Systems
  • Key-Value Stores, Time, and Ordering
  • Classical Distributed Algorithms

Network Security & Cryptography @ Stanford University

September 2014

  • Secure Network Infrastructure
  • Cryptography primitives
  • Corporate software security
  • Software security & debugging

European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)

June 2006

  • IT & Telecommunications best practices
  • PC and file management
  • Office suite usage

04-c.
Languages I Speak

Greek: Native language

English: Proficient (Certified)

French: Mediocre

04-d.
What I Can Do

  • Application development using Visual Basic & C# (.NET Framework / .NET Core)
  • Server Administration with Apache, Nginx and IIS on Linux & Windows
  • Technical and analytical skills on problem solving
  • Network Administration
  • PC software and hardware troubleshooting
  • Image editing and processing: Adobe Photoshop
  • Audio editing, mixing, recording and mastering using Adobe Audition
  • Video editing and production on Sony Vegas
  • Music composition, production & arrangement using FL Studio
  • Assets and demo creation on Unreal Engine 4/5

04-e.
I Like

  • Application & Network security
  • Penetration Testing
  • Script & automation development
  • Socializing
  • Watching movies
  • Playing music
  • Reading tech stuff

05. Say Hello

Get In Touch

Although I’m not currently looking for any new opportunities, my inbox is always open. Whether you have a question or just want to say hi, don't hesitate and send me a message!

Send a Message