Matthew Kitt

Principal Software Engineer | Frontend Architect | AI Engineering | Team Leader

mk@mkitt.net • GitHub

Summary

Principal engineer with 20+ years building large-scale web and mobile applications. Specializing in AI-powered automation, modern frontend architecture, and product development. Proven track record founding ventures, scaling teams, and delivering high-impact products for startups and global brands. Deep affinity for statically-typed languages and functional patterns; shipping AI-native engineering practices that change how teams work.

Experience

Homebot

Principal Engineer (2025 – Present)
Homeowner engagement platform for real estate and finance professionals. Driving Agentic First Enablement across the engineering organization while shipping AI product surfaces.

Contract Work

Engineering Consultant (2024 – 2025)
Working across fintech, behavioral education, and resource management clients, specializing in modernization and AI-powered automation.

• Architected and delivered greenfield Next.js and React Native applications for fintech clients
• Migrated legacy Redux/React Router codebase to modern Vite + Tanstack ecosystem, improving DX and reducing build times
• Built full-stack automation pipelines generating type-safe views from database schemas
• Designed infrastructure and frameworks enabling AI coding agents (Claude Code, Cursor, Copilot) for remote and local development workflows
• Created AI-powered workflows automating repetitive engineering tasks: test generation, documentation, feature scaffolding
• Integrated project management tools with AI agents to automate workflow orchestration
• Delivered internal tooling for content teams: automated content generation and knowledge-tree-to-quiz conversion for product owners
• Scaled team productivity through automation, enabling engineers to focus on high-value feature development

Technologies: TypeScript, Vite, Tanstack (Router, Query, Forms), Next.js, React Native, Mastra, Langchain, Anthropic/OpenAI SDKs

Vangst / PIKL

Principal Engineer (2020 – 2024)
Talent platform, incubating PIKL as a multi-tenant marketplace for temporary staffing.

• Drove a 175% MAU increase, helping secure Series B funding
• Migrated core application to a progressively enhanced, SEO-friendly platform
• Implemented key features: faceted search, social interactions, learning modules, job boards
• Built internal recruiter tools for candidate reviews, job assignment, and job syndication
• Delivered data-driven insights to leadership for future roadmap decisions
• Mentored engineering teams on TypeScript, React, Next.js, and GraphQL best practices

Technologies: TypeScript, React, Next.js, GraphQL, Tailwind, Cypress, Vercel

Highwing

Principal Engineer (2018 – 2020)
Commercial insuretech platform connecting brokers and carriers.

• Designed and developed marketplace features for analytics, faceted search, and messaging
• Set up DevOps pipelines (GitHub Actions, Terraform) deploying to AWS infrastructure
• Built prototypes for investor pitches and market-fit validations
• Landed major broker partnerships, contributing to successful Series A funding

Technologies: TypeScript, React, Apollo, GraphQL, Emotion, Storybook, Cypress, AWS

Muve Health

Principal Engineer (2017 – 2018)
Technology-enabled healthcare delivery organization specializing in surgical care.

• Architected internal software and marketing platform solutions for clinical workflows
• Built scalable React, Apollo, and GraphQL ecosystems
• Mentored team members in modern frontend development and process best practices

Technologies: Flow, React, Apollo, GraphQL, Emotion

Ello

Co-Founder / Product Development Lead (2013 – 2018)
A global community of artists dedicated to creative excellence.

• Co-founded and built an open-source, highly scalable creative platform
• Architected the React/Redux/Flow frontend and Ruby/PostgreSQL backend on AWS supporting millions of users
• Drove product vision, UX, and feature roadmap for a global creative community
• Guided funding rounds, leadership decisions, and team growth from 7 to 30+
• Achieved international press coverage and viral, rapid user acquisition

Technologies: React, Redux, Flow, Ruby, PostgreSQL, AWS

Mode Set

Partner / Development Director (2011 – 2015)
A software consultancy specializing in web and mobile applications.

• Operated as a founding partner, directing frontend architecture and business operations
• Hired and led cross-functional teams across concurrent client engagements
• Consulted on strategic initiatives for clients including Ello, Google, Qdoba, Cirrus MD, Inspirato, Coraline, and Pinnacol Assurance

Technologies: JavaScript, Ruby, iOS Development

Factory Labs

Developer → VP of Interactive Services (2005 – 2011)
A full-service agency creating digital experiences and marketing solutions.

• Orchestrated complex marketing and application-driven projects for global brands
• Led strategic architecture, process refinement, and mentorship of development staff
• Clients included Audi USA, The North Face, Oakley, Vans, Callaway, Paramount, Sony, Airwalk, Beatport, Brine, and Rawlings
• Rapid scaling from 20 to 150 staff and $3M to $60M in revenue, leading a 20-person engineering team

Technologies: ActionScript, Flash, JavaScript, PHP, MySQL

The Firm Graphics

Developer / Interaction Designer (2001 – 2005)
Boutique design shop focused on music industry and interactive broadcasting.

• Constructed interfaces, animations, and interactive web experiences
• Established technical frameworks for rapid product delivery
• Clients included The Criterion Collection, Turtle Wax, Italy by Vespa, and Insomniac Events

Technologies: ActionScript, Flash, JavaScript, PHP, MySQL, Cinema 4D

Skills

• AI & Automation: AI-powered workflows, LLM integration (Anthropic, OpenAI), agentic systems, Mastra, Langchain, AI-assisted development infrastructure
• Frontend Architecture: TypeScript, React, Next.js, Vite, Tanstack (Router, Query, Forms), GraphQL, Redux, modern ECMAScript
• Type Systems & Patterns: Type-driven development with TypeScript and Zod, functional and immutable patterns, schema-first APIs
• Leadership & Mentorship: Strategic decision-making, agile process, team coaching, cross-functional collaboration
• DevOps & CI/CD: AWS, GitHub Actions, Terraform, Cypress
• Craft & Tooling: Neovim, custom dev environments, automated linting/formatting toolchains

Education

Rochester Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Fine Arts – New Media Design