Luke McDonald
Software Engineer with a Product Mindset and an Eye for Design
- Website
-
https://lukemcdonald.com -
thelukemcdonald@gmail.com
Senior software engineer with a front-end focus and full-stack flexibility. I specialize in building performant, accessible, and maintainable web interfaces using modern tools like React and TypeScript, while also being comfortable working across backend systems with PHP, Node.js, GraphQL, and SQL. With over 15 years of experience — including as a tech lead and business owner — I bring more than just technical skills. I understand how design, development, and product goals intersect. I've led component library architecture, shipped cross-functional tools, mentored engineers, and helped scale both startups and established teams. I thrive in roles where thoughtful UI meets practical engineering.
Skills
- React
- JavaScript
- TypeScript
- HTML5
- CSS3
- Accessibility (a11y)
- GraphQL
- PHP
- Node.js
- Design systems
- Component Libraries
Experience
- Role
- Staff Software Engineer
- Company
- @ ZenBusiness
- Date
- Tech Lead across four full-stack teams (L2–L4), supporting engineers working on customer purchases, checkout, payments, experimentation, and observability.
- Lead runahead work for major features — scoping requirements, drafting tickets, and aligning architecture to reduce blockers and keep projects moving.
- Write and review production code daily, with a focus on clean, accessible, and maintainable solutions across front-end and full-stack workflows.
- Implemented and managed LaunchDarkly feature flags and experiments across customer flows, supporting controlled rollouts and data-driven decisions.
- Helped implement internationalization (i18n) across the app using POEditor and translation workflows, supporting future localization and global readiness.
- Serve as the primary technical liaison for the Core Web Experience group, representing team interests in cross-functional planning while shielding engineers from unnecessary context switching.
- Architected and launched ZUI — a scalable internal component library built on MUI — reducing dev time and improving design consistency across the org; transitioned maintenance to a dedicated team.
- Implemented cursor rules to improve AI behavior and maintain consistent UX patterns across apps.
- Guide the migration of legacy micro-frontends into unified systems, improving performance, consistency, and maintainability.
- Review code across 15+ repositories, mentoring engineers and reinforcing best practices for accessibility, performance, and long-term clarity.
- Role
- Senior Software Engineer
- Company
- @ Fellowship of Christian Athletes
- Date
- Led a team to build an internal tool on a new Snowflake data lake, delivering ahead of a tight deadline.
- Refactored a React codebase to adopt TypeScript, improving type safety and maintainability.
- Created shared UI components and branding elements using Tailwind and WordPress, ensuring consistency across internal tools.
- Helped define engineering standards across TypeScript and WordPress projects, streamlining developer onboarding and team workflows.
- Role
- Senior Software Engineer
- Company
- @ ZenBusiness
- Date
- Built and maintained reusable React components in JavaScript and TypeScript, accelerating front-end development and code reuse.
- Led integration of a chatbot microservice using React and GraphQL, improving customer support automation.
- Collaborated with designers to implement updated branding across web properties, improving visual consistency and UX.
- Designed a microservice database schema to support new account features, enhancing API performance and data structure clarity.
- Refactored legacy components for modern responsiveness and accessibility, improving usability across devices.
- Mentored engineers on HTML semantics, accessibility, and UI best practices.
- Role
- Full-stack Developer, Business Partner
- Company
- @ Blazer Six, Inc
- Date
- Co-founded and helped grow AudioTheme and Cedaro into sustainable businesses, supporting a team of three full-time employees.
- Built and maintained full-stack web solutions using JavaScript, PHP, WordPress, and React.
- Developed custom design systems and component libraries for WordPress themes and plugins, improving UX consistency and developer efficiency.
- Led end-to-end product development — from idea to launch — including development, marketing, sales, and customer support.
- Automated deployment, version control, and support processes to streamline internal workflows and improve product velocity.
- Built and sustained a 10+ year partnership with WordPress.com, supporting long-term product visibility.
- Managed day-to-day business operations, including billing, partnerships, and performance tracking.
- Role
- Web Designer and Developer, Owner
- Company
- @ CELTIC7 Studio
- Date
- Self-taught developer who launched and ran an independent web development studio serving clients across industries.
- Built custom websites and web apps using HTML, CSS, PHP, and WordPress; earlier projects included Flash.
- Partnered with WordPress.com to provide long-term theme and plugin support.
- Delivered projects for high-profile clients including the University of Iowa, Iowa Wrestling, Finkbine Golf Course, and former Iowa Hawkeyes turned NFL players Nate Kaeding and Robert Gallery, as well as Greg Miller for the Outdoor Channel.
Awards & Accomplishments
- Hackathon Team Lead – CMD+K menu — ZenBusiness (2023-11)
- Hackathon Winner – Salesforce integration (Vue 3) — ZenBusiness (2022-10)
- Hackathon Runner-up – Support ticket automation — ZenBusiness (2022-02)
Education
- Bachelor of Science, B.S.Graphic Comm. and Multimedia — Minnesota State University, Moorhead, MN
- General StudiesComputer Information Systems — University of Mary, Bismarck, ND
Personal
- High school wrestling coach and FCA study leader
- Homeschooling parent
- Grew up attending a one-room schoolhouse
- Former shepherd