Max Matthews

I'm Max Matthews, a senior full-stack JavaScript developer and CTO with over a decade of experience turning ideas into reality—whether that's building AI-powered conversational systems for enterprise clients, scaling startups from zero, or mentoring the next generation of developers. My career has been defined by a bias toward action: rapid prototyping, iterative improvement, and shipping products that solve real problems. I bring technical depth in React, Node.js, and cloud infrastructure alongside leadership experience in hiring, mentoring, and guiding technical strategy. Every project I touch, from RAG-powered chatbots to remote patient monitoring systems for the VA, gets the same treatment: clear requirements, agile execution, and a relentless focus on delivering value.

Syracuse has been home for over a decade now, ever since I stayed after finishing my time at Syracuse University. While half my career has been remote, I'm open to relocation opportunnites. My dog Stella has been my constant companion through most of that journey, and when I'm not coding or leading technical strategy at tuzag, you'll find me knee-deep in a DIY project on my house or helping a friend troubleshoot theirs. I approach everything—whether it's software architecture or home renovation—through the lens of the software development lifecycle: plan, build, test, iterate, and ship.

I thrive in environments where I can wear multiple hats, bridge the gap between technical execution and business strategy, and empower teams to do their best work. Whether I'm integrating third-party LLMs, modernizing bootcamp curricula with AI tools, or validating product-market fit with rapid prototypes, my goal is always the same: build something that matters, ship it fast, and make it better along the way.