John Rae
Lead / Staff Engineer · Full Stack · Frontend · Atlanta, GA
Senior engineer with 10+ years building complex, production-grade web applications. Proven track record leading teams, architecting systems end-to-end, and shipping AI-powered features. Deep expertise in React, TypeScript, and Next.js with backend experience in Rails, Django, and Node. Comfortable spanning product, design, and engineering to deliver high-impact technology.
Leave it better than you found it
I live by the campsite rule. A confusing function I come across in a codebase, a user experience that feels clunky, a process that can be smoothed out — I will do my best to improve it. That instinct applies to everything big and small in the world around me.
I'm here to help, not manage
I see leadership as an opportunity to cultivate an environment where people flourish. That means clearing blockers, understanding personal goals so people can work on meaningful projects that grow their skills, and creating clear tickets with solid requirements that take the guesswork out of their day. Leading with the mindset of support rather than oversight creates an environment where people grow quickly and find more satisfaction in their work, resulting in an end product that's greater than the sum of its parts.
Whatever it takes to ship
I'm just as confident jumping into Figma to retool designs as I am hopping into the backend to write SQL or update controllers. I've worn many hats over the years and at the end of the day, I love to feel like I got something across the finish line, whatever that takes.
Real change happens collectively
I care deeply about civic engagement and believe that real change only happens when people collectivize and push together. I feel the most rewarded both professionally and personally when I can be helpful to others and make something better. I want to spend my days working on things that make the world a little bit better, every day.
Business-first thinking
I prioritize features that move the needle. Not everything is worth building, and knowing the difference is a skill. I think about users and business goals before I think about implementation.
Many hats, deep roots
I can run a standup, review a design, write a PR, and debug a production issue in the same day. My most recent role had me acting as both lead engineer and de facto designer. I'm comfortable in that space.
Technical depth
I go deep. React internals, browser rendering, audio synthesis, 3D graphics, analog electronics — when something interests me I don't stop at the surface. That curiosity shows up in how I solve problems at work.
Jan 2021 – Present
Congressional Data & Workflow Platform
Led frontend engineering for a govtech platform used daily by legislative staffers across the U.S. House, Senate, and caucuses including the Congressional Progressive Caucus and Democratic Whip Office. Spearheaded the migration from legacy ERB and SCSS to React and Tailwind CSS, significantly improving developer velocity and UI consistency across a large, complex codebase. Architected features end-to-end — from database schemas and Figma wireframes to PRDs, tickets, and implementation — collaborating closely with backend engineers. Established frontend patterns, accessibility standards, and testing conventions that were adopted across the team while mentoring engineers on best practices.
Jul 2025 – Apr 2026
AI Public Affairs Intelligence · Part-Time Contract
Architected an AI-powered document editor for public affairs professionals, building on React, Tiptap, and ProseMirror to create an intelligent, real-time editing experience. Integrated LLM APIs through a Django backend to power context-aware editor components, diving into AI development in a serious way. This role represented a focused foray into the intersection of AI tooling and complex rich-text editing — two domains that demand deep technical understanding of both browser internals and modern AI infrastructure.
Jun 2019 – Jan 2021
Application Development Agency
Managed a team of four frontend developers and two designers, overseeing delivery and code quality for clients including Deloitte and Emory University. Served on the company leadership team, contributing to engineering priorities and company direction. This role sharpened both technical leadership and people management skills — running standups, planning sprints, mentoring engineers, and writing production code every day while ensuring the team shipped high-quality work on tight agency timelines.
Jul 2018 – Jun 2019
Salesforce Implementation Partner
Led a full company rebrand from concept to execution — design system, logo, marketing site, and brand materials — demonstrating the ability to span design and engineering in equal measure. Developed custom Salesforce integrations and data flows to streamline internal operations, bridging the gap between business process needs and technical implementation.
Mar 2016 – Jun 2018
Application Development Agency
Built and maintained over 30 full-stack web and mobile applications using Rails, React, and React Native in a fast-paced agency environment. This formative period provided exposure to a wide variety of codebases and technology stacks, building the adaptability and architectural decision-making skills that would define the rest of my career. Mentored junior developers and contributed to project planning, scoping, and sprint coordination across concurrent client engagements.
2015
Coding Bootcamp · Fall 2015 Cohort
Intensive coding bootcamp where it all started. Pivoted into software engineering and discovered a deep passion for building things on the web. The program provided a rigorous foundation in frontend development and the confidence to dive headfirst into the industry.
1176 Compressor Clone
Hand-wired FET-based limiting amplifier. One of the most cloned studio compressors ever made.
Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Built a LDC mic from a capsule kit, custom PCB, and tube power supply.
Tube Amplifier Builds
Point-to-point wired guitar amplifiers. Transformers, output stages, bias, the whole thing.
Guitar Pedals
Clones of vintage pedals and expensive oddities, mostly done to avoid paying top dollar for simple gear.
Music Production
Writing, recording, and mixing original music. All the hardware projects were done to support the passion.