Clayton Leonard Cook

Software Engineer

I'm a passionate software engineer with a Bachelors in Computer Science and over five years of experience architecting author-friendly, front-end applications using modular components, dynamic styling systems and seamless third-party integrations. Proficient in HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript, I harness tools like React, Next.js, TypeScript, Storybook, and Docker to build scalable, maintainable solutions for diverse clients. Career highlights include guiding my college team at our NASA Lunabotics competition and sharpening my web-development expertise at Cellar Door, where I partnered with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality, client-facing projects.

Experience

Cellar Door @ Garanimals & Easy-Peasy

- Present

Architected and maintained a Next.js platform that empowered non-technical teams to author rich content and drive direct-to-consumer sales which has serviced more than 50,000 users. I helped lay the project's foundational architecture, worked in close collaboration with our lead designer via Figma, interfaced with Drupal CMS for content management and integrated Shopify's Storefront API for e-commerce functionality. On a daily basis, I enhanced performance by optimizing network requests, refactored repeated logic into custom React hooks and delivered on new features.
[Next.js, React, HTML5, CSS3, TypeScript, SASS, Storybook, Drupal CMS, Shopify Storefront API, Git]

Campbell Ewald @ Everbank

Developed a Next.js front-end driven by Contentstack CMS to enable content authors and maintained strict designs. I developed a library of reusable React components that dynamically rendered CMS-sourced data in alignment with design mockups, and engineered promise-based query helpers which logged errors for insight without interrupting CI builds. Collaborating closely with Everbank's internal security and infrastructure teams, I navigated complex authentication layers and adhered to stringent confidentiality protocols, ensuring a secure, maintainable codebase that empowered stakeholders to iterate on content with confidence.
[Next.js, React, HTML5, CSS3, TypeScript, SASS, Storybook, Contentstack CMS, Git]

Cellar Door @ Beef Jerky Experience

As the sole developer, I built a cross-platform React Native application that brought their brand to life on mobile devices. Leveraging Figma designs, I crafted a suite of reusable components with responsive layouts to ensure visual consistency and smooth user experiences across iOS and Android. To streamline delivery, I implemented Expo-based CI pipelines, automating builds and deployments so we could quickly iterate on features and push updates.
[Expo, React Native, TypeScript, Styled-Components, Storybook, GraphQL, Git]

Cellar Door @ Factimize

Stepping into a mature React codebase, I tackled performance bottlenecks in Factimize's data visualizer which had significant lag under heavy data loads. I conducted a deep analysis of rendering inefficiencies and optimized critical sections. Through strategic code modularization and targeted performance profiling, I reduced frame drops and elevated the maximum visible data points, delivering a more responsive user experience without a full rewrite of the legacy system.
[React, HTML5, CSS3, TypeScript, SASS, Material UI, GraphQL, Git]

Cellar Door @ Peloton & Precor

Joining an established React platform, I enabled Peloton & Precor's marketing teams to author and update site content via Contentful CMS while maintaining strict adherence to established brand guidelines. I partnered closely with QA to elevate both visual fidelity and semantic accuracy, crafting reusable React components that reinforced accessibility and consistency across the application. Notably, I spearheaded the development of the International Offices page: architecting a Google Maps integration styled with brand-aligned colors, and designing interactive markers and info panels to showcase global locations.
[Next.js, React, HTML5, CSS3, TypeScript, SASS, Styled-Components, GraphQL, Storybook, Contentful, Git]

Onflo @ DirectKey

As a contract front-end engineer for DirectKey, I designed and implemented a brand-aligned marketing page to showcase their product and drive user engagement.
[HTML5, CSS3, Git]

Onflo @ Perfect Landing Rentals

Gained hands-on React experience by architecting and implementing CRUD dashboard features for Perfect Landing Rentals' admin portal.
[React, HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, Git]

Education

Bachelors in Computer Science @ Saginaw Valley State University

While earning my degree, I sustained a 3.5 GPA and excelled in advanced algorithms, data structures, and systems courses. Immersed in the department's collaborative culture, I co-hosted peer study groups and knowledge-sharing workshops. Leveraging those connections, I led our NASA Lunabotics team through the full lifecycle of designing, fabricating, and programming a remote-controlled rover, culminating in competition at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. I further broadened my technical knowledge by attending the Google Developer Festival in Detroit, where I absorbed lectures on emerging technologies and frameworks. Beyond academics, I served as President of the Cardinal Robotics Club, Vice President of the Google Developer Student Club and volunteered with our Association of Computer Machinery chapter to mentor high school students in coding competitions.

Projects

Neuraception

- Present

As Cofounder and CTO, I collaborate with my team to create full-stack, locally hosted systems that log business data, leverage machine learning for process optimization and deliver real-time statistical insights via intuitive front-end dashboards.
[Next.js, React, HTML5, CSS3, TypeScript, SASS, Storybook, Prisma ORM, Python, Docker, Git]

Plato's Layout Optimization Tool

As Quality Assurance Lead, on my capstone project, I guided my team members to ensure quality and contributed over 150,000 lines of front-end code to drive feature development.
[Blazor, Bootstrap, Playwright, ASP.NET, MSSQL, Docker, Git]

Momo

Developed a locally hosted desktop music player using Tauri, React, and Rust to deliver a native-style listening experience for my independent study.
[Tauri, React, HTML5, CSS3, TypeScript, SASS, Storybook, Rust, Git]

Communalists

Volunteering as a front-end developer, I architect and enhance mutual-aid dashboards, building new features and intuitive interfaces that streamline collaboration and support community outreach.
[Next.js, React, HTML5, CSS3, TypeScript, SASS, Storybook, Firebase, Git]

Pantry

Developed a React, single-page application backed by Firebase to create and synchronize online grocery lists in real time.
[React, HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, Firebase, Material UI, Git]

Dinr

Collaborated with a small team to create a React application, backed by Firebase, that enabled users to discover and RSVP local food events.
[React, HTML5, CSS3, TypeScript, Firebase, Git]

Activites & Accomplishments