Alaa Haddad
Drupal Architect | Senior Developer | Technical Lead
Austin, TX | |
Drupal.org Profile | LinkedIn | Portfolio
Professional Summary
Senior Drupal Architect and Full-Stack Developer in web development since 2005, specializing in Drupal. Proven expertise in enterprise architecture, custom module development, performance optimization, and leading development teams. Author of Drupal modules and themes, listed on my drupal.org profile. Skilled in architecting scalable solutions, implementing complex integrations, and delivering high-performance websites for government agencies, enterprise clients, and small businesses.
Core Competencies
- Drupal Expertise: Architecture, Custom Module Development, Theme Development (Twig), Site Building, Performance Optimization, Migrations (D7→D8→D9→D10→D11)
- Backend Development: PHP 8.x, MySQL/PostgreSQL, REST/GraphQL APIs, Symfony Components, Dependency Injection, Service Containers
- Frontend Development: HTML5, CSS3/Sass, JavaScript (ES6+), Vue.js, React, jQuery, Responsive Design, WCAG Accessibility
- DevOps & Infrastructure: Git, Composer, Drush, Docker, CI/CD, Acquia Cloud, Pantheon, AWS, Varnish, Redis, Performance Tuning
- Leadership: Technical Team Leadership, Code Review, Architecture Planning, Mentoring, Client Communication, Project Estimation
Open Source Contributions
Active Drupal community contributor, with projects on Drupal.org:
Themes
- W3CSS Theme (d8w3css) - Responsive base theme using W3.CSS framework
- Solo Theme - Minimalist, performance-focused theme for content-heavy sites
- Amun - W3CSS sub-theme for business websites
- Amunet - W3CSS sub-theme optimized for blogs and portfolios
- Anhur - W3CSS sub-theme for corporate sites
Modules - Core Functionality
- W3CSS Paragraphs - Pre-configured paragraph bundles for rapid site building
- Paragraphs Bundles - Reusable paragraph configurations and templates
- PB Import - Import/export paragraph bundle configurations
- Solo Utilities - Helper functions and utilities for Solo theme
- Solo Copy Blocks - Block duplication and management tools
- Reference Blocked Users - User reference field with blocked user filtering
- Module Matrix - Visual module dependency management
- Selectify - Enhanced select field widgets with search functionality
- Utilikit - Collection of utility functions for developers
Modules - Performance & Caching
- Acquia Purge Varnish - Varnish cache purging for Acquia Cloud hosting
- Cloudflare Purge - Automated Cloudflare cache invalidation
Modules - Views Vanilla JavaScript (VVJS) Suite
Framework-agnostic, accessible UI components built with vanilla JavaScript:
- VVJA - Accordion - Accessible accordion/collapsible content
- VVJC - 3D Carousel - 3D rotating carousel with touch support
- VVJB - Basic Carousel - Lightweight, performant image carousel
- VVJF - 3D FlipBox - Interactive 3D card flip animations
- VVJH - Hero - Full-screen hero sections and banners
- VVJL - Lightbox - Accessible image and media lightbox
- VVJP - Parallax - Smooth parallax scrolling effects
- VVJR - Reveal - Content reveal animations on scroll
- VVJS - Slideshow - Full-featured slideshow with transitions
- VVJT - Tabs - Accessible tabbed content interfaces
Professional Experience
Lead Drupal Developer
Publicis Sapient (NIH Websites) | Remote | March 2021 – Present
- Lead front-end and back-end development teams for National Institutes of Health (NIH) public-facing and internal websites serving millions of users
- Architected and executed Drupal 9 to Drupal 10 core upgrades across multiple enterprise-scale government websites with zero downtime
- Modernized UI/UX design system, redesigning page layouts, creating reusable component blocks, and implementing accessibility improvements achieving WCAG 2.1 AA compliance
- Developed custom modules, security patches, and Drupal hook implementations for specialized NIH content workflows and data handling requirements
- Established coding standards, conducted code reviews, and mentored junior developers in Drupal best practices
- Optimized site performance achieving 90+ Lighthouse scores through strategic caching, database query optimization, and asset optimization
- Managed deployment pipelines, configuration management, and multi-environment workflows using Git, Composer, and CI/CD automation
Owner & Principal Consultant
Flash Web Center, LLC | Austin, TX | 2009 – Present
- Provide Drupal architecture, development, theming, and consulting services to 100+ clients across diverse industries
- Architect and develop custom Drupal solutions from initial planning through deployment and ongoing maintenance
- Specialize in Drupal 7/8/9/10/11 site building, custom module development, advanced theming, and complex migrations
- Design and implement e-commerce solutions using Drupal Commerce with payment gateway integrations and custom workflows
- Create and maintain open-source Drupal modules and themes, published on Drupal.org
- Perform website performance audits and optimization, achieving 50-300% speed improvements through caching strategies, code optimization, and infrastructure tuning
- Provide ongoing Drupal maintenance, security updates, and technical support ensuring 99.9% uptime for client websites
- Develop WordPress/WooCommerce solutions when project requirements favor that platform
Full Stack Drupal Developer
Signature Consultants | Dallas, TX | August 2020 – March 2021
- Updated Drupal core (8 and 9) for enterprise client websites while maintaining backward compatibility with custom modules
- Architected and developed headless/decoupled Drupal implementations using Vue.js for frontend, exposing Drupal as a content API
- Created custom Drupal modules implementing complex business logic, third-party integrations, and custom content workflows
- Maintained and upgraded contributed modules, creating patches when necessary and contributing fixes back to Drupal.org
- Troubleshot production issues, optimized database queries, and resolved performance bottlenecks under tight deadlines
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams using Agile methodologies and Git-based workflows
Senior Drupal Developer/Themer/Architect
Hart Energy | Houston, TX | August 2013 – October 2019
- Led architectural planning and execution of converting five legacy PHP subscription websites to Drupal 7, consolidating into unified Drupal 8 platform
- Architected enterprise-scale multi-site Drupal infrastructure supporting 50,000+ subscribers and 100,000+ monthly visitors
- Designed and implemented custom subscription management system with complex access controls, paywall logic, and payment processing
- Developed custom themes using Twig templating, responsive design principles, and accessibility best practices
- Created 15+ custom modules for specialized business requirements including content syndication, user management, and reporting
- Managed deployments on Acquia Cloud and Pantheon hosting platforms, establishing automated deployment pipelines and configuration management workflows
- Optimized site performance using Varnish caching, Redis, database tuning, and New Relic monitoring, reducing page load times by 60%
- Utilized Drush and Git for efficient development workflows, automated deployments, and configuration synchronization
- Administered MySQL databases, performing query optimization, indexing strategies, and backup procedures
- Troubleshot production issues using New Relic APM, identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks in modules, themes, and caching layers
Drupal Architect/Themer/Developer
Patient Conversation Media | Austin, TX | September 2011 – October 2012
- Led complete Drupal 6/7 development lifecycle for four health and wellness websites targeting consumer audiences
- Architected site structure, content types, taxonomies, views, and custom functionality for optimal content management and user experience
- Developed custom themes implementing responsive design, cross-browser compatibility, and mobile-first approaches
- Created custom modules for specialized health content workflows, user engagement features, and third-party API integrations
- Implemented advanced Views configurations for content displays, filtering, and dynamic page generation
- Managed version control with Git and utilized Drush for efficient command-line site management
- Performed MySQL database administration, optimization, and custom query development
- Resolved complex technical challenges related to module conflicts, caching issues, and performance optimization
Senior Web Developer/Designer
Image Microsystems | Austin, TX | February 2010 – October 2010
- Built responsive front-end interfaces for .NET enterprise inventory management application used across multiple business units
- Developed HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and jQuery components integrated with C# and VB.NET backend in Visual Studio 2008
- Created marketing materials, designed promotional campaigns, and provided strategic marketing recommendations
- Maintained and enhanced company website, improving user experience and implementing new features
Previous Experience
Flash Developer | Ignite! Learning Inc | Austin, TX | January 2010 – February 2010
- Developed interactive educational features for elementary school learning application using ActionScript 2.0
Web Designer & Developer | Aplus Web Image | Overland Park, KS | September 2007 – March 2009
- Managed 3,000+ active client websites, processing 20-25 daily update requests with 24-hour turnaround
- Designed and developed 10-15 custom website templates daily using HTML, CSS, Flash, and Adobe Creative Suite
- Customized e-commerce stores on osCommerce, Zen Cart, and Pinnacle Cart platforms
- Provided exceptional customer service, technical support, and consultation to diverse client base
Technical Skills
Drupal
Drupal 6/7/8/9/10/11 • Site Building • Custom Module Development • Theme Development (Twig) • Views • Paragraphs • Configuration Management • Migrations • Drush • Composer • Multisite Architecture • Drupal Commerce • Entity API • Plugin System • Service Container • Dependency Injection • Hooks & Events • Performance Optimization
Backend Development
PHP 8.x/7.x • MySQL • PostgreSQL • RESTful APIs • GraphQL • Symfony Components • Object-Oriented Programming • Design Patterns • MVC Architecture • Debugging & Profiling
Frontend Development
HTML5 • CSS3 • Sass/SCSS • JavaScript (ES6+) • Vue.js • React • jQuery • Twig Templating • Responsive Design • Mobile-First Design • WCAG 2.1 Accessibility • Cross-Browser Compatibility • Progressive Web Apps
DevOps & Tools
Git • GitHub • Bitbucket • Docker • CI/CD Pipelines • Acquia Cloud • Pantheon • AWS • Linux/Ubuntu • Apache • Nginx • Varnish • Redis • Memcached • New Relic • Webpack • Gulp
Design & Creative
Adobe Photoshop • Illustrator • Fireworks • InDesign • Figma • Sketch • UI/UX Design Principles • Wireframing • Prototyping
Additional Technologies
WordPress • WooCommerce • Visual Studio • ASP.NET • C# • VB.NET • ActionScript • XML • AJAX • JSON • API Integration
Education & Professional Development
- Bachelor of Arts, Economics & Political Science | Cairo University, Egypt | 1996
Professional Certifications & Training
- Visual Basic 2005 Programming | Johnson County Community College | 2007
- ASP.NET Advanced Development | Johnson County Community College | 2007
- ASP.NET Fundamentals | Johnson County Community College | 2007
- XML Development & Standards | Johnson County Community College | 2006
- JavaScript Programming | Johnson County Community College | 2006
- Flash Development (ActionScript) | Johnson County Community College | 2006
- Flash Design & Media Development | Johnson County Community College | 2006
- Dreamweaver Website Development | Johnson County Community College | 2006
- Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) | Johnson County Community College | 2006
- HTML & Web Page Design | Johnson County Community College | 2006
Professional Websites
- AlaaHaddad.com - Personal portfolio and blog
- FlashWebCenter.com - Business website and client showcase
- WebDesignerInAustin.com - Local services and case studies
- DrupalCare.com - Drupal maintenance services
- UnitedStarsOfAmerica.com - Featured client project
Professional Attributes
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail
- Excellent communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences
- Proven ability to lead projects, manage timelines, and deliver results
- Self-motivated with ability to work independently or as collaborative team member
- Committed to continuous learning and staying current with emerging technologies
- Bilingual: Fluent in English and Arabic
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