Portrait of Umar Riaz

Umar Riaz

Software Engineer · Leicester, UK

Engineering dependable products for education and research

With more than ten years of full-stack experience, I deliver resilient software for universities, research teams, and enterprise partners. I love pairing structured problem solving with collaborative product thinking to turn requirements into high-quality releases.

My work spans PHP, Java, C#, and modern JavaScript frameworks. Whether I’m architecting metadata platforms, leading code reviews, or mentoring teammates, I stay focused on maintainability, measurable impact, and inclusive user experiences.

Core Skills

Java & Spring
PHP & CodeIgniter 4
C# & .NET
Python Automation
Angular & React
JavaScript & TypeScript
RESTful APIs & Integrations
DevOps & Cloud Deployments
UI/UX Collaboration
Accessible Design Systems

Experience Timeline

  • August 2023 - Present

    Technology Lead & Architect, Pluggin Ecosystem

    Designed and developed the Pluggin Ecosystem platform from scratch, enabling collaboration and impact measurement across 12 UK regions. Built scalable infrastructure to support community provisions, contractual links, and real-time analytics for public sector buyers and suppliers, driving local engagement and awareness.

  • March 2020 - Present

    Research Software Engineer, University of Leicester

    Designing and developing software solutions, shaping product roadmaps, reviewing code, and supporting a multidisciplinary engineering team.

  • January 2019 - December 2020

    Solution Developer, University of Leicester

    Delivered SharePoint SPFX solutions, Azure integrations, and modern web interfaces for student services while practising agile methodologies.

  • June 2014 - December 2017

    Freelance Developer

    Built bespoke projects from scratch, collaborating directly with clients and honing delivery, communication, and time management skills.