Athena - marketing technology integration
Built a shared integration layer for OneTrust, PostHog and Singular across Jagex websites and the Launcher, eliminating duplicated implementation work across 15 technology teams.
CV
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Alasdair Macrae
Email: ************
Website: www.alasdairmacrae.co.uk
Phone: ************
Personal details:
- Nationality:
- British
- Location:
- West Suffolk, UK - willing to commute to London.
- Driving Licences:
- Full car and motorbike
Profile:
Senior front-end engineer with 13 years' experience, building high-quality digital experiences for global gaming communities. Specialist in React, Next.js, TypeScript, design systems and animated interfaces, with experience coordinating complex launches across more than 50 customer-facing and internal systems. Looking to apply the same combination of engineering, visual craft and player-focused thinking to opportunities across the world.
Skills:
- Frontend: JavaScript, TypeScript, React, Next.js, HTML, CSS, animation, SVG
- Platforms: Node.js, Express, Contentful, Java, PHP, MySQL
- Design Systems: Storybook, component libraries, design tokens, atomic design
- Testing: Vitest, Jest, Storybook automation tests, Axe Testing, Chromatic integrations, UpTime monitoring
- Quality and delivery: GitHub actions, BitBucket Pipelines, consent management, mentoring, vendor coordination
- Marketing tooling: PostHog, GA/GTM, Singular, A/B testing
- Web compliance: OneTrust, CookieBot, Google Consent Mode
Commercial projects:
RuneScape and Jagex rebrand
Implemented and coordinated a brand refresh and update across Jagex's entire ecosystem that included a simultaneous launch of over 50 systems including websites, apps, billing systems and internal tooling. I undertook the majority of the code changes and then planned and ran a seamless launch that completed on schedule to high praise from senior management.
RuneScape & Old School RuneScape Community App
Built a multi-tenant Next.js app to support community immersion for RuneScape and Old School RuneScape with accompanying Storybook design system.
The system includes HiScores, Polls and other systems that encourage players to return and immerse themselves in the games.
Jagex Design System
Constructed a large design system using React/Next.js and Storybook.js to style and maintain consistent branding across all Jagex Publishing Platform products including websites and apps.
The system covers all areas of visual implementation including colours, animation, typography, sizing, components and is all structured using atomic design principles.
Jagex Launcher
The Jagex Launcher is an application that is used to run all Jagex products. I was responsible for maintaining the design system integration that delivered the visual aesthetics and functionality for the front-end as well as event tracking and consent compliance.
RuneScape News
Rebuilt the RuneScape news system using Java and FreeMarker hosted on proprietary technology to work better on modern browsers and be ready for the launch of RuneScape Mobile improving article engagement by over 40%.
Jagex Corporate website
The corporate website for Jagex Games Ltd. This site content was powered by Contentful CMS and later migrated to a fixed, code-driven version. The site is driven via Express with EJS for page templating.
RuneFest
RuneScape and Old School RuneScape's player event runs most years and requires a large input from teams across the studio. For this event I have built multiple versions of this site on many different tech stacks.
I also built my first ever Progressive Web App for RuneFest 2017 that was used to assist players throughout their visit to the event.
RuneFest Panel
At RuneFest 2018 other team members and I hosted a talk on one of the stages at the event explaining the work that goes into managing Jagex's web services.
Personal projects:
JS Weather Station
I built a web app to read live data from my Netatmo Weather station. The data from the station is read and used to adjust an SVG graphic using CSS animations and transformations.
Cambridge Cangaroos website
I constructed a website to advertise, administrate and provide performance analysis tools for my local trampoline club.
Employment history:
Senior Web Engineer
Jagex Games Ltd - January 2020 to present
- Constructing and maintaining cross-departmental design systems used by multiple teams
- Implementing new tech stacks to replace legacy proprietary systems
- Supporting junior engineers in their professional development
- Coordinating outsourced teams on collaborative projects
- Ensuring consent compliance on all Jagex services
Senior Web Developer
Jagex Games Ltd - April 2018 to January 2020
- Led development of RuneScape and Jagex web platforms
- Mastered proprietary languages to maintain and modernise legacy web systems
- Supported junior developers in their professional development
- Worked closely with game teams to deliver engaging player-focused web experiences
Web Developer
Jagex Games Ltd - July 2014 to April 2018
- Maintained and enhanced websites across the Jagex product portfolio
- Delivered player-focused web experiences across multiple frameworks
- Supported other Jagex initiatives, including festivals, recruitment and third-party acquisitions
Junior Web Developer
Jagex Games Ltd - July 2013 to July 2014
- Built supporting pages for the RuneScape 3 release
- Supported game-client-dependent interfaces for the in-browser Java applet
Software Tester
Jagex Games Ltd - November 2012 to July 2013
- Ensured the quality of Jagex web-based releases
- Built and maintained tools supporting the QA process
QA Engineer
PKR Technologies Ltd - June 2012 to November 2012
- Implemented automation tools for testing all PKR product flows
- Coached QA colleagues in automation testing
QA Tester
Jagex Games Ltd - May 2011 to June 2012
- Performed exploratory, destructive and scheduled testing of Jagex games including Stellar Dawn, RuneScape and Transformers Universe.
- Built and organised test scripting software for all studio QA teams.
- Led the migration from proprietary ticket-management software to Jira
Technical Level Designer
Codemasters - February 2011 to May 2011
- Placed splines and assets on F1 2011 tracks
- Optimised AI racing lines using 3D Studio Max
- Identified and communicated improvements to game mechanics
QA Technician
Codemasters - October 2010 to February 2011
- Tested online and network components of Operation Flashpoint: Red River ahead of release
- Completed multiplayer playthroughs to confirm build stability
- Installed builds on console dev kits to ensure feature platform parity
QA Tester
RealTime Worlds - March 2010 to October 2010
- Performed exploratory and scripted testing of APB
- Led benchmark testing of builds to verify stability
About me:
Outside of work I am a former national trampolinist and current Level 4 Trampoline Coach for the Cambridge Cangaroos Trampoline Club. I also casually enjoy squash and travelling.
If that was not enough time on the ground I am also a rollercoaster enthusiast having travelled to theme parks all over the world!
I am able to work efficiently both on-site and remotely and am a firm believer in building strong workplace relationships.