Max Matthews
Applied AI Full Stack Javascript Developer. Mentor, Hacker, & Entrepreneur.
Pursuing full-time, part-time, or 1099 contract roles. In person, remote, or relocation.
Applied AI Full Stack Javascript Developer. Mentor, Hacker, & Entrepreneur.
Pursuing full-time, part-time, or 1099 contract roles. In person, remote, or relocation.
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.
Conversational AI Startup
Entrepreneurial senior full-stack JavaScript developer and technical leader with 10+ years of experience building, scaling, and shipping applications across startups, enterprise, and government.
Careers in Code Bootcamp
Led software education program operations, modernized curriculum with AI tools, and built student pipelines into tech careers.
Agentic AI CMS (content management system) for building conversational relationships.
AI-powered digital concierge demonstrating advanced RAG implementation and conversational storytelling
RESTful API for generating tailored content on the fly stored in headless CMS or generated using Gen AI.
6-month full-stack JavaScript bootcamp with modernized curriculum incorporating AI tools and APIs.