Ryan Hellyer

14+ yrs in full-stack dev with PHP & JavaScript. Launched many high-impact open-source projects, one with 70K+ users. Initial hire at Strattic, acquired by Elementor in 2022. Specialist in Laravel, WordPress, Jamstack, security and web performance.

Contact👤

Email: ryan@hellyer.kiwi

Phone: +49 1745390977

Portfolio site: geek.hellyer.kiwi

Personal site: ryan.hellyer.kiwi

Ryan Hellyer

Experienced Software engineer

Professional Experience💼

  1. Independent Laravel Development | 2017 — present
    • Application Architecture: Architected and maintain full-stack Laravel apps: Spam Destroyer (security) and a CV management platform.
    • Laravel-WP Integration: Authored Stale Cache, porting Laravel’s caching architecture to WordPress for enterprise-level performance.
    • Modern PHP: Leveraged Eloquent ORM and Blade templating to build specialized tools for security and performance optimization.
  2. Syde | Software Engineer | 2023 — present Engineered large-scale corporate websites, implementing modern PHP practices including PSR container systems, dedicated service classes, and comprehensive unit testing.
  3. Elementor / Strattic | Senior Engineer | 2018 — 2023 Initial hire, built framework for WordPress-to-static conversion using PHP and JavaScript. Specialised in Jamstack and search. Company acquired by Elementor in 2022.
  4. Varnish Software | WordPress consultant | 2017 Revamped Varnish Software's corporate website. Developed performance metrics for caching solution.
  5. Varnish Software | WordPress consultant | 2017 Offered specialized WordPress skills to overhaul Varnish Software's corporate website. Created performance evaluation instruments for their caching solution.
  6. Crowd Favorite Europe / Forsite Media | Senior engineer | 2014 — 2017 Created security software for use within the banking sector, created WordPress plugins and themes for large scale corporate websites.
  7. ComicJet | Founder | 2015 — 2022 Operate own enterprise. Developed a language-learning tool through comic reading. Responsible for design and full execution. Website: https://comicjet.com
  8. Forsite Media | Senior Engineer | 2014 — 2015 Developed security tools for the banking sector, commercial plugins for WordPress, and built large scale corporate websites.
  9. 10up | WordPress Engineer | 2013 — 2014 Led security audits for Fortune 500s; optimised high-traffic corporate sites.
  10. 10up | WordPress Engineer | 2013 — 2014 Conducted security auditing for various Fortune 500 companies and implemented high-performance versions of corporate sites with high traffic volume.
  11. Metronet | Senior Developer | 2012 — 2013 Developed open-source WordPress plugins, Facebook apps, corporate sites; spoke at industry events.
  12. Metronet | Senior Developer | 2012 — 2013 Developed open-source WordPress plugins, Facebook apps/pages, created corporate websites, and presented at industry conferences.
  13. WP Paintbrush | Co-owner | 2012 Collaborated with Instinct Entertainment to develop WP Paintbrush, an enhanced version of my earlier theme generator for WordPress.
  14. Automattic | 2011 Provided various security reports and recoded the WordPress.com Z-Bench theme.
  15. PixoPoint | Owner operator | 2011 Created the first full-scale page/theme design editor for WordPress which later became the base for WP Paintbrush.
  16. University of Otago | Lab demonstrator | 2001 to 2002
  17. St Kilda Service Station | Sole charge shop attendant | 1999 — 2000
  18. Burnside Service Station | Sole charge shop attendant | 2001
  19. St Kilda Service Station | Sole charge shop attendant | 1999 — 2000
  20. Rooftops Restaurant | Assistant chef | 1998
  1. PixoPoint | Owner operator | 2011 Created the first full-scale page/theme design editor for WordPress which later became the base for WP Paintbrush.
  2. University of Otago / University of Calgary | Research scientist | 2003 — 2011 Applied computer modeling (Density Functional Theory) to predict novel coordination complex structures and analyze plant material extraction methods.

Community & Open Source🛠️

  1. WordPress Core & Plugin Development: Contributed security and code fixes to WordPress core, Yoast SEO, AISEO, JetPack, Gravity Forms and WooCommerce. Authored 41 public plugins (16 actively maintained) with over 100,000+ active installations, including Disable Emojis (70k+) and Unique Headers (20k+).
  2. Community Scaling & Leadership: Founded and led diverse organizations, managing staff and engagement guidelines. Successfully scaled Free Advice Berlin (8k to 30k members), Berlin Hikers (2k to 11k members), and the Dunedin Ice Hockey League (10x growth).
  3. Technical Authorship & Speaking: Long-standing contributor to industry-leading publications including WP Tavern, WP Garage, and WP Realm (2007–Present). Served as an organizer for WordCamp Europe 2019, WordCamp Norway, and scientific symposia.
  4. Strategic Growth: Founded the Berlin Coworking Club (2,900+ members) and the Undiecar League (2,000+ competitors), focusing on community governance and sustainable engagement.

Education🎓

  1. Master of Science | University of Otago | 2001 — 2002 Conducted research using computer modeling (Density Functional Theory) to predict the structures and stability of new coordination complexes. Published multiple research papers on the synthesis of new coordination complexes.
  2. Bachelor of Science | University of Otago | 1998 — 2000