Michael Oates

Software Developer

About Me

Graduating from a Bachelor of Computer Science at UQ in January 2027. Over eight years at Pro Drafting & Design, I've moved from drafting into IT and started writing software for the team. The biggest is a Django project-tracking app I built solo, now used by around 50 people across two firms. Outside work, I've shipped a Flutter card game to iOS and Android, and I run a Linux server at home that hosts a handful of side projects.

Technical Skills

Languages

  • Python
  • Dart
  • Java

Web & Frameworks

  • Django
  • HTMX
  • PostgreSQL
  • REST APIs
  • Nginx
  • Docker

Mobile

  • Flutter
  • iOS
  • Android
  • Firebase

Infrastructure

  • Linux
  • VPS deployment
  • WireGuard
  • DNS
  • Reverse proxy
  • Git

Platforms & Tools

  • macOS
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Microsoft 365 admin

Education

Bachelor of Science (Computer Science)
University of Queensland
Graduating Jan 2027

Focus areas: software engineering, data science, and cloud infrastructure.

Diploma of Building Design & Technology
Southbank Institute of Technology
Jan 2012 - Dec 2013

Projects

Project & Time Tracking Web App
Django 6, HTMX, PostgreSQL, Docker, Nginx, Backblaze B2

Solo-built full-stack platform for architecture and design firms. In production for two separate companies (~50 users). Passwordless magic-link auth (Resend), billable hours logging, budget tracking, PDF report generation, and Gmail OAuth integration. Containerised with Docker Compose, deployed behind Nginx with Backblaze B2 for file storage.

CAD Workflow Automation
Python, Windows

Internal tooling that automates setup and switching between CAD packages and client configurations, making software that was not designed to interoperate work smoothly together. Used daily across the drafting team.

Magic 10 to 1
Flutter, Dart, Firebase

Solo-built cross-platform multiplayer card game, published on the App Store and Google Play.

Self-hosted Linux Server
Linux, Docker, Nginx, AdGuard Home, Jellyfin

Personal server hosting michaeloates.me and Django side projects, plus a Jellyfin media stack behind a reverse proxy and AdGuard Home for network DNS filtering. Networking, DNS, TLS, and backups all handled myself.

Experience

IT Systems Officer
Pro Drafting & Design, Brisbane
Jun 2018 - Current

Design, build, and maintain internal software (Python automations and Django web apps) used daily by the drafting team. Provision and maintain the internal Windows server (WireGuard VPN, licence sharing, network shares) supporting a fully remote team. Deliver IT consulting to client firms, covering Microsoft 365 administration, networking, and endpoint support, alongside clear technical documentation.

Draftsman
Pro Drafting & Design, Brisbane
Apr 2016 - Jun 2018

Produced detailed design plans across multiple commercial projects in a multidisciplinary team.