About Me

About Me

Posted
By Santtu Nykänen
5 min read
About Me

I’m Santtu Nykänen, a thirty-something full-stack developer from Helsinki, now based in Barcelona. My path to becoming a developer began in June 2017 with a simple decision to try an online programming course with a friend. After reading about the high demand for developers and driven by a natural competitive streak, I enrolled in Harvard’s CS50x course.

What started with creating a simple basketball game in Scratch turned into a passionate pursuit of programming knowledge. Even though the path to becoming employable seemed challenging, the joy of problem-solving and creating through code made every step worthwhile.

Basketball Game Screenshot My first programming project: a simple basketball game made with Scratch

After nearly two years of self-study and dedicated learning, I landed my first coding position in spring 2019. Since then, I’ve worked as a consultant on various projects, primarily using Python, Java, and JavaScript. In my free time, I continue to explore new technologies, recently diving into mobile development with Flutter.

Work Experience

Gofore

Full-Stack Developer (2022 - Present)

At Gofore, one of Finland’s leading digital transformation consultancies, I work as a full-stack developer consultant for various public and private sector clients. Gofore is known for its employee-first culture and expertise in digital services, employing over 1000 professionals across Europe.

  • Lead development of critical features for large-scale government digital services
  • Collaborate closely with UX designers and product owners to define technical solutions
  • Participate in agile ceremonies and technical planning sessions
  • Mentor junior developers and contribute to knowledge sharing within teams
  • Key technologies: Python (Django), Java (Spring Boot), JavaScript/TypeScript (React, Vue), Docker, Azure

Solidabis

Full-Stack Developer (2019 - 2022)

At Solidabis, a Finnish software consultancy specializing in custom software development, I worked on a variety of client projects ranging from healthcare to logistics systems. Solidabis is recognized for its deep technical expertise and personal approach to client relationships.

  • Designed and implemented full-stack web applications from the ground up
  • Developed RESTful APIs and integrated with third-party services
  • Implemented responsive UI designs and complex client-side functionality
  • Participated in code reviews and maintained high code quality standards
  • Key technologies: JavaScript (React, Node.js), Java, Python, SQL databases, Docker

Personal/Freelance Projects

Varastolista

Hospital Inventory Management System

A streamlined inventory management solution developed for the Hospital District of Helsinki to track and manage thousands of critical spare parts. This system replaced inefficient paper records with a digital database, significantly reducing search times and improving asset management.

  • CRUD application for managing spare parts inventory with comprehensive search capabilities
  • Features: Excel import/export, QR-code scanning for rapid part identification
  • Intuitive interface allowing technicians to quickly find parts during urgent repairs
  • Technologies: Python, Django, jQuery, PostgreSQL, Docker

Monitorimittari

Medical Display Luminance Measurement Tool

A specialized application for hospital engineers to ensure medical displays meet strict luminance standards for diagnostic accuracy. This tool automates what was previously a tedious manual process, ensuring consistent quality control for critical diagnostic equipment.

  • GUI application that streamlines the workflow for display luminance certification
  • Direct integration with LXscan spot luminance meter via USB for accurate readings
  • Automated Excel report generation for compliance documentation
  • Technologies: Python, PyQt5, PyInstaller

Borealis

LED Matrix Visualizer

A mesmerizing 64x64 LED matrix display system that brings dynamic visual content to life. This hardware/software project enhances the original Aurora system with quadruple the display size and expanded capabilities, creating an eye-catching programmable display for both practical and artistic applications.

  • Custom-built 64x64 LED matrix display (4x the original 32x32 design)
  • IR remote control interface with multiple visualization patterns
  • Features: clock display, custom animations, and programmable transitions
  • Technologies: C++, Arduino, LED matrix hardware

dopepod

Podcast Discovery Platform

A comprehensive podcast platform that simplifies podcast discovery and listening through an intuitive interface. This project combines powerful backend services with a responsive frontend to create a seamless podcast experience across devices.

  • Rich web application for discovering, organizing, and listening to podcasts
  • Integration with iTunes API for extensive podcast catalog access
  • Features: Genre-based browsing, smart playlists, subscription management
  • Technologies: Node.js, jQuery, Django, REST APIs, PostgreSQL, Celery, Redis, Scrapy, Docker, Flutter

Technical Skills

Programming Languages

  • Python: Django, Flask, PyQt5, FastAPI
  • JavaScript/TypeScript: React, Vue.js, Node.js, Express
  • Java: Spring Boot, Maven, JUnit
  • C++: Arduino development
  • SQL: PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server
  • HTML/CSS: Bootstrap, Sass/SCSS, Responsive design

Mobile Development

  • Flutter: Cross-platform mobile app development
  • React Native: Mobile UI development

DevOps & Infrastructure

  • Docker: Containerization and microservices
  • CI/CD: GitHub Actions, Jenkins
  • Cloud Platforms: Azure, AWS
  • Version Control: Git, GitHub, GitLab

Web Technologies

  • RESTful APIs: Design and implementation
  • GraphQL: API query language
  • Web Servers: Nginx, Apache
  • Frontend: Webpack, Babel, npm/yarn

Database Systems

  • Relational: PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite
  • NoSQL: MongoDB, Redis
  • ORM Tools: Django ORM, Prisma, Hibernate, JOOQ

Tools & Methodologies

  • Project Management: Jira, Trello, Agile/Scrum
  • IDE/Editors: VS Code, IntelliJ IDEA, Android Studio
  • Collaboration: Slack, Microsoft Teams
  • Design: Figma
  • Testing: Jest, Pytest, JUnit, Robot Framework

Education

Bachelor of Business Administration - Business Information Technology

Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (2018 - 2021)

  • Bachelor’s degree program focusing on software development and business
  • Practical application of IT skills through company collaboration
  • Part-time studies alongside work

Full Stack Open

University of Helsinki (Online, 2019)

  • Modern web development with JavaScript
  • React, Redux, Node.js, MongoDB
  • Building single page applications
  • REST APIs and GraphQL
  • TypeScript and React Native

Java Programming MOOC

University of Helsinki (Online, 2018)

  • Comprehensive Java programming course
  • Object-oriented programming principles
  • Data structures and algorithms
  • Test-driven development

CS50x - Introduction to Computer Science

Harvard University (Online, 2017)

  • Comprehensive introduction to computer science and programming
  • Topics covered: C, Python, SQL, Data Structures, Algorithms
  • Created a basketball game as first programming project
  • Final project: Web application development, original version of dopepod

Languages

  • Finnish (Native)
  • English (Fluent)
  • Spanish (Basic)

Contact

This post is licensed under CC BY 4.0 by the author.