About Ben Butterworth

I’ve been building software since 2014, always driven by an obsession to solve real problems and a curiosity to learn about new technology. I primilary work on web technologies because it’s easy to reach people with just a URL. However, a lot of my projects have needed hardware integrations, so I’ve developed a temperamant to solving fullstack problems (software + hardware + networking + user needs). I learn best by building things, which has led me to apply technologies to real-world projects. I appreciate everyone who has helped me along the way. I’d love to catch up!

I’ve also worked on:

• computer vision and machine learning problems like face recognition for photo album recommendation,
• building HTTP/OpenAPI and gRPC APIs for mobile and web
• building libraries for embedded, web and mobile, including my own open source, push
• hardware integrations like IMUs, accelerometers, and thermal cameras for integrations with drones, and
• distributed systems and geospatial software, like realtime AI and video streaming for command and control
• installed servers at an MIT data center (picture below 😜️)

Tech stack

I’ve worked intensely and obsessively over the past 10 years, compressing a lot of learning into 10 years. Here’s list of some of the things I’ve used:

• Programming Languages and runtimes: Typescript, Node.js, Python, Rust, WebAssembly
  • Previously: JavaScript, Java, C/C++, Swift, Kotlin, Go, Dart, Lua
• AI & Machine Learning: Integrated APIs like OpenAI, ElevenLabs, and Anthropic Claude, plus experience with frameworks like PyTorch
  • Previously: TensorFlow
• Web Tech: React, TailwindCSS, TanStack, Astro, Zustand, Cesium, deck.gl
  • Previously: Next.js, Three.js, Redux
• Systems & Infrastructure: Kubernetes, Terraform, ArgoCD, AWS, GCP, Docker, Cloudflare
• Mobile, Desktop and IoT: Flutter, iOS/macOS, Android, and embedded systems with drones (Ardupilot, Mavlink)

Why Work With Me?

1. Mission-Driven: I’m motivated by projects that make a difference, whether they improve lives or help the planet. That also means the end-result is useful. I focus on building what matters and work extra hard to simplify things.
2. Learner: I’ve worked across many domains and can learn things efficiently. This means better stuff gets delivered quicker.
3. Debugger: I’m well known for my debugging and investigation skills: on Stack Overflow and at all the companies I’ve worked for.
4. Teacher: I enjoy working with smart, passionate, colleagues and accelerate their development

Personal ✈️️

I have been vegan since September 2018 and have always loved the planet (nature, outdoors, cycling).

Contact 📫️

• Email: [email protected] (this gets deactivated and replaced, check back for updates), or
• Feedback form: Submit the feedback form with your message

Talks/workshops I’ve given 🎙

I haven’t been giving talks or writing much recently because I’ve been focused on building.

• Talk: Preparing for CyberCenturion (links: slides)
• Talk: Adding offline support to Flutter apps, at DevFest London 2022 (links: slides, demo app)
• Talk: Docker and Docker Compose Basics, at Uncodebar in September 2022
  • with an additional guide on Docker Compose for running projects locally
• Workshop: Building a realtime app whilst learning Flutter Fundamentals (links: slides) at Flutter Festival in March 2022
• Talk: Push notifications in Flutter (links: recording, slides) at GDGDevFest in January 2022
• Talk: Anonymous video calling app (links: recording, slides) at JSMonthly in August 2021

Links 🔗

LinkedIn, GitHub, Mastodon, X, Bluesky, Buy Me a Coffee

• Stack Overflow

Feedback 🔧️

Do you work with me? Have you worked with me in the past? I’d appreciate feedback, even anonymous.

Resources

• Here’s a Google Docs template for your own CV. Open it and click “File > Make a copy”.