Clayton Leonard Cook
Software EngineerI'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
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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
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Quality Assurance Lead for Senior Capstone Project
-
President of Cardinal Robotics Club
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Vice President of Google Developer Student Club
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Member & Workshop Leader for Association of Computer Machinery
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Coach for Science Olympiad
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Computer Science Department Coding Competition
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