Mladen Gorchev
Front-End Engineer
About
Front-end engineer with over 10 years of experience building and shipping production websites, web applications, and ecommerce platforms. Strong foundation in JavaScript (ES6+), React, and front-end performance and accessibility (WCAG), with hands-on platform expertise in Shopify (Liquid, Storefront API, AJAX API, GraphQL) and WordPress (custom themes, Gutenberg blocks). Experienced working in agency, in-house, and freelance environments alongside design, marketing, and product teams. Strong track record of third-party API integrations, technical SEO, CI/CD workflows, and delivering scalable, maintainable solutions.
Technical Skills
Front-End Engineering
Ecommerce & CMS Platforms
Integrations & Tooling
Design (Background)
- HTML5
- CSS3
- SCSS/SASS
- JavaScript (ES6+)
- React
- Flutter (Dart)
- Tailwind CSS
- Accessibility (WCAG)
- Performance Optimisation
- Technical SEO
- Shopify
- Liquid
- Storefront API
- AJAX API
- GraphQL
- Shopify CLI
- Custom Themes
- CRO & A/B Testing
- WordPress
- Gutenberg (Dynamic Blocks)
- ACF
- REST APIs
- Contentful
- Netlify
- Stripe
- Git
- GitHub
- CI/CD (GitHub Actions)
- NPM
- Google Search Console
- Claude Code
- Copilot
- Figma
- Sketch
- Balsamiq
- Adobe XD
- Photoshop
- Illustrator
- After Effects
- Wireframing
- Prototyping
- Information Architecture
Experience
Front-End Developer
Freelance
Independent front-end development alongside my full-time role, delivering Shopify ecommerce builds, technical SEO, and performance work for clients.
- Lavender Hill Clothing — SEO and performance audit identifying 56,500 duplicate pages and 233,000 unindexed pages; implementing hreflang fixes, canonical tag audit, and mobile performance optimisation (score 59 → 75+ target)
- OBD2EU — full Shopify ecommerce build with custom theme, product integrations, and responsive front-end
- Bosque Plants — Shopify storefront with custom theme and conversion-focused UX
Front-End Developer & UX/UI Designer
Propertybox / FocalAgent
Responsible for end-to-end front-end development and web design across WordPress sites, a React web app, and Flutter mobile applications. Combined technical implementation with visual design and UX thinking.
- Designed and built Vixel video platform with React implementation, full visual design, and UX/UI decisions
- Developed design systems, component libraries, and documentation for consistency across products
- Designed and built bespoke WordPress sites with custom themes, Gutenberg blocks, and full visual design
- Developed dynamic (server-rendered) Gutenberg blocks with PHP render callbacks and ACF, giving editors flexible, reusable page layouts
- Built a Stripe-integrated signup flow as a custom Gutenberg block, combining PHP and JavaScript
- Applied SEO best practices and performance optimisation across all digital properties
- Led UX redesign of Estate Agent Hub with user research, wireframes, and high-fidelity prototypes
- Managed CI/CD workflows, hosting, DNS, SSL, and deployment for all web properties
Front-End Developer & UX/UI Designer
WeMakeWebsites Agency
Agency role delivering bespoke e-commerce websites for high-profile brands. Complete design-to-build workflow from initial research through final implementation.
- Implemented bespoke Shopify themes using Liquid, HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript
- Designed responsive Shopify storefronts with focus on conversion-oriented UX patterns
- Delivered conversion-focused UX patterns and A/B testing support across client projects
- Integrated Contentful (headless CMS) and Netlify for content management and deployment workflows
- Created wireframes, user flows, and high-fidelity visual designs in Sketch and Figma
- Worked directly with clients as key point of contact throughout projects
- Notable clients: Kitri Studio, Penguin Books, Hummingbird Bakery, Lavender Hill Clothing
Full Stack Developer
CAD2B Ltd.
- Designed and built company website, CMS, blog, and forum from scratch using Ruby on Rails
- Integrated Google Maps API, Analytics, and MailChimp email templates
- Managed hosting, SSL, and server configuration on DigitalOcean
Front-End Developer
Fathom Group
- Converted designer mockups into responsive HTML5/CSS3/JavaScript in .NET environments
- Built Ruby on Rails systems including jobs boards, blogs, and CMS platforms
- Collaborated with designers to preserve UX intent in implementations
UI/UX Designer & Developer
Camplight
- Designed user interfaces for web and iOS/Android applications
- Produced wireframes, user flows, and high-fidelity mockups for stakeholder review
Earlier roles:
- UX/UI Designer — Media Sand-Box Ltd. (March 2012 – December 2012)
- Front-End Developer — Alkuvoima East (August 2011 – January 2012)
- Graphic & UX/UI Designer — GNET Ltd. (June 2011 – August 2011)
Let's work together
Interested in collaborating? I'm currently open to freelance projects and full-time opportunities.