Hi, I'm Housni 👋
Tech Lead Full-stack Software Engineer. Former Prestashop Ambassdor. Golf ⛳️ And Chess ♟️ Lover.
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About

Hey there! I’m Housni BENABID, your friendly Moroccan web developer, spinning digital magic since 2010. I’ve got a knack for platforms like Laravel, Vue, WordPress, and Prestashop.

Whether it’s a tiny brochure site or a colossal online platform, I’ve tackled them all, from brainstorm to launch, including all the nitty-gritty development and testing bits. I’ve danced through various sectors, adapting like a chameleon. Besides my tech wizardry, I’m super organized and thrive working solo. If you need a reliable, efficient, and fun web development pro, look no further.

Let’s create something amazing together!

Work Experience

A

Apollo Scooters
Hybrid

August 2024 - Now
Full Stack Engineer in R&D

As a Full Stack Engineer in R&D at Apollo Scooters, I architected and delivered high-impact backend and frontend solutions that improved system performance, scalability, and developer velocity while significantly reducing infrastructure costs:

  • 1. Led the complete backend migration from legacy Lumen to Laravel 12, significantly modernizing the codebase.
  • 2. Refactored and optimized core systems, reducing server resource consumption by up to 90%.
  • 3. Designed and implemented a comprehensive, well-documented RESTful API to support seamless mobile development.
  • 4. Built and maintained a robust CI/CD pipeline using Microsoft Azure, automating unit testing and deployments for both frontend and backend applications.
  • 5. Developed hundreds of unit and feature tests to ensure code reliability and maintainability.
  • 6. Integrated PHPDoc documentation across the codebase to support static analysis with Larastan, enhancing code quality and developer onboarding.
  • 7. Migrated infrastructure from AWS EC2 to a self-managed dedicated server, configuring and securing all services manually (NGINX, Supervisor, SSL, firewall).
  • 8. Automated daily backup tasks using cron jobs triggered through Azure Pipelines.
  • 9. Developed advanced features such as real-time scooter tracking with Google Maps clustering in a custom-built React application.
  • 10. Built a dedicated React-based frontend tool for Customer Support, improving operational efficiency and end-user issue resolution.
G

Groove.CM
Hybrid

June 2022 - April 2024
Acting Director of Technology

As the Director of Technology at GrooveCM, my primary mission was to align the company's technical direction with our strategic goals. This involved a meticulous KPI-driven approach, setting various milestones and sub-milestones to ensure progress and accountability. The complexity of this task was amplified by the fact that we managed eight different applications.

The key milestones we focused on included:

  • 1. Code Refactoring and Upgrade to Laravel 10
  • 2. Data Migration from MySQL to MongoDB to efficiently handle large datasets that do not require relational operations
  • 3. Implementation of Single Sign-On (SSO) to enhance user experience and security across all applications
  • 4. Establishing CI/CD Pipelines to improve deployment efficiency and reliability
  • 5. Ensuring Code Quality with SonarQube to maintain high standards of code quality over time
G

Groove.CM
Remote

Sept 2020 - June 2022
Tech Lead

One of my main challenges as Project Captain of the funnel builder solution (GroovePages) was to maintain the progress speed of the department, while also trying to solve any pending issues that were slowing down progress.

I led a team of more than 10 highly skilled developers from different countries, which presented additional challenges due to the need to respect different time zones.

This experience allowed me to strengthen my leadership and project management skills, as well as my ability to work with diverse teams and effectively communicate and collaborate with team members from different cultural backgrounds.

G

Groove.CM
Remote

Sept 2019 - August 2020
Web developer

During my time as a web developer in the E-Commerce solution (GrooveKart) of GrooveCM, my main task was to deliver requested features to customers in a live environment, while adhering to all development standards.

Some of my responsibilities included building and maintaining custom websites and web applications, implementing custom features and functionality using PrestaShop, and working closely with the E-Commerce team to ensure that all projects were delivered on time and to the highest quality standards.

A

African Real Estate Investment Solutions (AREIS)

February 2017 - February 2018
Chief Technical Officer

Implemented a custom Kubernetes controller in Go to automate the deployment of MySQL and ProxySQL custom resources in order to enable 2,000+ internal developers to instantly deploy their app databases to production.

Wrote several scripts in Go to automate MySQL database failovers while maintaining master-slave replication topologies and keeping Zookeeper nodes consistent with changes.

1

1min30

January 2016 - April 2018
Web Developer

As a WordPress developer at 1min30, my job was to develop projects from scratch by taking designs from the design department and turning them into HTML and WordPress versions.

I used the ACF plugin for custom field management and ensured that all projects were delivered in a way that respected SEO and W3C guidelines.

This experience allowed me to strengthen my skills in WordPress development and project management, as well as my ability to turn design mockups into functional websites and applications.

2

21 Knowledge Morocco

April 2016 - February 2017
Lead Web Developer

As a lead developer at 21 Knowledge Morocco, my main task was to oversee the project development process from start to finish.

This involved working closely with the project manager and the development team to plan, design, and build custom websites and web applications using WordPress and PrestaShop.

I was responsible for ensuring that all projects were completed on time and to the highest quality standards, and for providing technical guidance and support to the team as needed.

This experience allowed me to hone my leadership and project management skills, as well as my expertise in WordPress and PrestaShop development.

Y

YM Solutions

January 2018 - April 2018
Web Master

During my time as a webmaster at YM Solution, I utilized my skills in HTML5, CSS3, Bootstrap, jQuery, PHP, and WordPress to design and develop various websites.

My main tasks included creating visually appealing and user-friendly websites that were both W3C and SEO compliant, as well as implementing custom features and functionality using a variety of programming languages and platforms.

I also played a key role in maintaining and updating the company's websites to ensure that they were functioning smoothly and effectively.

This experience allowed me to further enhance my web design and development skills, as well as my ability to deliver high-quality web projects on time and within budget.

S

S-Koncept (Wikhotel 360)

June 2013 - December 2014
Web Designer

As a web designer at S-Koncept, I had the opportunity to work on various projects where I utilized my skills in HTML5, CSS3, Bootstrap, jQuery, and PHP.

Some of my responsibilities included designing and building responsive websites and web applications, as well as implementing custom features using JavaScript and PHP.

I also worked closely with the development team to ensure that the end products met the clients' needs and expectations.

This experience allowed me to enhance my abilities in web design and development, as well as my teamwork and communication skills.

Skills

Tech Leadership
Laravel
Vue
React
Typescript
MySQL
MongoDB
Docker
Kubernetes
Wordpress
Prestashop
My Projects

Check out my latest work

I've worked on a variety of projects, from simple websites to complex web applications. Here are a few of my favorites.

BaliBestOf

BaliBestOf

BaliBestOf is a cutting-edge online booking platform developed with Laravel, Vue, and AWS. It offers users a seamless experience for discovering and booking the best attractions and accommodations in Marrakech, combining robust backend functionality with a user-friendly interface and cloud-based reliability.

Laravel
Vue
Vite
TailwindCSS
Stripe
AWS
Ultra PC

Ultra PC

Designed, developed the whole the E-commerce website from scratch. Made also some custom plugins for local payment gateways.

Prestashop
Symphony
Bootstrap
Last Medium Articles

Sharing knowledge is the seed of growth

I love writing articles to share knowledge, spark ideas, and grow through the feedback I receive from others.

Automate Your Laravel + React + Meilisearch Setup from Scratch

Automate Your Laravel + React + Meilisearch Setup from Scratch

Setting up a Laravel server from scratch can be tedious, especially when you’re managing multiple projects, environments, or clients. As developers, our time is better spent writing application code, not configuring NGINX blocks or restarting services manually...

Laravel
React
Meilisearch
Shell
Automation
Laravel 11 JWT Authentication: A Step-by-Step Guide with Asymmetric Keys

Laravel 11 JWT Authentication: A Step-by-Step Guide with Asymmetric Keys

Due to the specific requirements of your SaaS application, you might need more control over the authentication features. While Laravel offers robust authentication packages such as Sanctum, there are scenarios where you may prefer to implement custom authentication logic...

Laravel
Jwt
Security
Migrating a 7-Year-Old WordPress Business to Laravel - A Technical Deep Dive

Migrating a 7-Year-Old WordPress Business to Laravel - A Technical Deep Dive

Migrating a long-standing WordPress site to a more robust framework like Laravel paired with Vue/Vite for a single-page application (SPA) presents numerous challenges and opportunities...

Laravel
Wordpress
Tailwind Css
Single Page Application
Vuejs
Right Approach for SEO: Vue/Vite SPA with Server-Side Rendering vs. Laravel with Vite/Vue

Right Approach for SEO: Vue/Vite SPA with Server-Side Rendering vs. Laravel with Vite/Vue

When it comes to developing a modern web application with a focus on Search Engine Optimization (SEO), developers often find themselves at a crossroads, choosing between a Vue/Vite Single Page Application (SPA) with server rendering features...

Laravel
Vuejs
SEO
Single Page Application
Awards and Volunteering

Feel the recognition and give back to the community

Winning awards has been exhilarating, validating my hard work and fueling my passion. Each accolade inspires me to push boundaries and strive for excellence, making every achievement even more rewarding.

  • M

    Merit for Commendable SitesMerit for Commendable Sites

    AWWWARDS - 27309

    This is to certify that this website has received recognition from the Chiefs, Professionals and Tribe of the Awwwards community as an example of skills and creativity in web design.
  • F

    First Ambassador in Morocco

    Prestashop

    As the first Prestashop ambassador in Morocco, I was dedicated to spreading the word about this technology to business owners in the country. My goal was to help as many people as possible understand the benefits of using Prestashop as a solution for their online stores and e-commerce needs.
Certificates

I love learning new stuff

My love for continuous learning has always inspired me to seek out new challenges and expand my skill set, ensuring that I stay at the forefront of my field.

  • G

    GitLab CI: Pipelines, CI/CD and DevOps for Beginners

    Udemy - UC-fe7d2d82-54b7-4009-a48a-b2c68589657f

    This certificate above verifies that Housni Benabid successfully completed the course GitLab CI: Pipelines, CI/CD and DevOps for Beginners on 06/14/2024 as taught by Valentin Despa, Valentin Despa.
  • G

    Go: The Complete Developer's Guide (Golang)

    Udemy - UC-ef942374-9a20-4f45-8c5d-a94dfdfb20c2

    This certificate above verifies that Housni Benabid successfully completed the course Go: The Complete Developer's Guide (Golang) on 04/15/2023 as taught by Stephen Grider.
  • M

    MongoDB - The Complete Developer's Guide 2024

    Udemy - UC-8afff333-1795-4943-a861-89756bf5eddf

    This certificate above verifies that Housni Benabid successfully completed the course MongoDB - The Complete Developer's Guide 2024 on 04/27/2023 as taught by Academind by Maximilian Schwarzmüller, Maximilian Schwarzmüller.
  • T

    TypeScript Essential Training

    10808a8ef7f...

    In this course, Jess Chadwick teaches you how to leverage the full power of the TypeScript language in your JavaScript applications. Revisit some of the JavaScript fundamentals before turning to the data types, classes, generics, modules, and decorators that are unique to TypeScript.
Contact

Get in Touch

Want to chat? Just shoot me a dm in LinkedIn and I'll respond as soon as I can. I will ignore all soliciting.