Ivan ZugecContact me

Senior full-stack developerIvan Zugec

18+ years building Drupal platforms for government and corporate clients. PHP, JavaScript and DevOps.

Split, Croatia (EU citizen) · English (native), Croatian (A2)

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Ivan Zugec

Summary

Senior developer with 18+ years building Drupal platforms for government and corporate clients. Full stack across PHP, JavaScript (React, Next.js, Vue.js), and the DevOps side, including Docker, Lagoon, and CI/CD.

Led technical teams and delivered platforms for Australian Government agencies, including Transport for NSW and the Department of Finance. Deep experience with GovCMS, headless Drupal, and modern front end frameworks.

For the past year, Claude Code and Codex have been part of the day-to-day workflow. Each feature starts with a spec, built in a “grill me” session where the agent questions every requirement and edge case.

A second model reviews the spec before any code is written, and the agreed spec is then implemented.

Core competencies

  • Full-Stack Development (PHP/JavaScript)
  • Drupal Architecture (7/8/9/10/11)
  • Headless CMS
  • React & Next.js
  • DevOps (Docker/Lagoon)
  • Technical Leadership
  • Government Sector Experience
  • Agile/Scrum
  • API Development
  • Client Relations

Technical skills

Backend Development

  • PHP
  • Drupal (7/8/9/10/11)
  • Symfony
  • MySQL
  • REST APIs
  • GraphQL
  • JSON:API
  • Composer
  • Drush
  • Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)

Frontend Development

  • JavaScript (ES6+)
  • React
  • Next.js
  • Vue.js
  • HTML5
  • CSS3/SASS
  • Webpack
  • TypeScript
  • Node.js

DevOps & Infrastructure

  • Docker
  • Lagoon
  • Acquia Cloud
  • GovCMS
  • CI/CD Pipelines
  • Git
  • GitLab
  • GitHub
  • AWS

Development Practices

  • Agile/Scrum
  • Code Reviews
  • PHPUnit
  • Jest
  • Behat
  • Accessibility (WCAG)
  • Performance Optimization

Experience

Morpht

2014 – Present

Senior Developer

Sep 2024 – Present · Remote

  • Manage and maintain portfolio of GovCMS (Australian Government Drupal platform) sites for government clients using Lagoon, Docker, and CI/CD pipelines.
  • Lead Drupal site rebuilds to the GovCMS platform involving custom module development, database optimization, and React component integration.
  • Implemented BackstopJS for visual regression testing across portfolio of 15+ Drupal sites, maintaining upgrade reliability and minimizing bugs during platform updates.
  • Implement accessibility improvements and WCAG 2.1 compliance across government websites.
  • Helped develop Morphos, a new Drupal theme using single directory components (SDC), built with Tailwind CSS and daisyUI.
  • Lead developer on the Convivial Gov Site Template, which integrates the Morphos theme and the Canvas module.
  • Migrated the Convivial for GovCMS platform from Bootstrap to the Morphos theme, using SDCs and Paragraphs.

Senior Drupal Developer (contract)

Apr 2018 – Jun 2018 · Sydney, Australia

Senior Developer

Jan 2014 – Jul 2015 · Sydney, Australia

  • Managed distributed team of 5 developers/designers across Australia and Europe using Agile/Scrum methodology.
  • Technical lead for state and federal government Drupal projects, working directly with stakeholders to gather business requirements and translate them into technical specifications.
  • Developed websites on the Acquia Cloud platform with automated deployment pipelines.

Projects

Morphos repository on GitHub
Morphos

Helped develop a new Drupal theme using single directory components (SDC), built with Tailwind CSS and daisyUI.

  • Drupal
  • Tailwind CSS
  • daisyUI
Convivial for GovCMS home page
Convivial for GovCMS

Migrated the platform from Bootstrap to the Morphos theme, using SDCs and Paragraphs.

  • GovCMS
  • Drupal
  • Paragraphs
  • Tailwind CSS
  • daisyUI

WebWash

2012 – Present

Owner / Senior Drupal Consultant

Aug 2012 – Present

  • Offer comprehensive Drupal consulting services including architecture planning, custom module development, and performance optimization.
  • Mentor web developers on modern Drupal development practices, PHP best practices, and JavaScript framework integration.
  • Develop and manage Drupal training tutorials and videos covering topics from basic site building to advanced API development.
  • Run weekly Drupal live streams demonstrating real-world problem solving and best practices.

Salsa Digital

2020 – 2025

Senior Developer and Presales Technical Lead (part-time contract)

May 2025 – Sep 2025 · Remote

  • Deliver presales technical support and project estimation for complex Drupal sites, including architecture planning and technology stack recommendations.
  • Built one-click CivicTheme integration for GovCMS (Australian Government Drupal platform) using PHP, Composer, and automated testing with PHPUnit.
  • Produce and update video training materials for GovCMS platform, covering site building, theming, and module development workflows.
  • Provide technical consultation on Drupal architecture, performance optimization, and scalability solutions.

Technical Team Lead

Jun 2020 – Feb 2021 · Sydney, Australia

  • Tech lead on Global Alumni (GovCMS8/Drupal 8).
  • Tech lead on a group of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade sites (GovCMS8/Drupal 8).
  • Tech lead on the GovCMS Application Support team, resolving complex technical issues and implementing monitoring solutions.
  • Produced comprehensive video training material for GovCMS8 (Drupal 8) covering site building, theming, and module development.

Transport for NSW

2017 – 2024

Senior Software Engineer

Jul 2022 – Jun 2024 · Sydney, Australia

  • Maintained portfolio of headless Drupal 10 websites with React/Next.js frontends, GraphQL/JSON:API integration, and AWS infrastructure serving millions of monthly visitors.
  • Tech lead on Drupal 9 to 10 upgrade for 15+ sites, including PHP 8.x compatibility updates, deprecated code remediation, automated testing implementation with PHPUnit, and performance optimization.
  • Implemented custom REST API endpoints and GraphQL schemas for seamless frontend-backend integration.
  • Collaborated with React development team to optimize API response times and implement efficient data caching strategies.

Software Engineer

Aug 2019 – Feb 2020 · Sydney, Australia

  • Maintained portfolio of Drupal 8 websites for TfNSW including ridetolive.nsw.gov.au with custom PHP modules and Vue.js-based interactive components.
  • Worked within Docker-based development environments with component-driven design and automated deployment pipelines.

Software Engineer

Jul 2018 – Feb 2019 · Sydney, Australia

Senior Drupal Developer (contract)

Jan 2017 – Sep 2017 · Sydney, Australia

  • Developed and managed transportnsw.info, high-traffic Drupal 8 website serving 2M+ monthly visitors.
  • Integrated journey planning functionality with frontend team using REST APIs.
  • Developed a booking widget using React, Webpack and ES6, integrated with Drupal backend via JSON API.

Projects

transportnsw.info home page
transportnsw.info

2017

High-traffic Drupal 8 website serving 2M+ monthly visitors, with journey planning over REST APIs and a React booking widget.

  • Drupal 8
  • React
  • Webpack
  • JSON:API
transport.nsw.gov.au home page
transport.nsw.gov.au

2018

Part of a portfolio of high-traffic Drupal 8 websites, with custom modules for business logic and third-party API integrations.

  • Drupal 8
  • PHP
  • Docker
Ride to Live home page
ridetolive.nsw.gov.au

2019

Drupal 8 website with custom PHP modules and Vue.js-based interactive components.

  • Drupal 8
  • PHP
  • Vue.js

Department of Finance

2021 – 2022

Senior Drupal Developer

Mar 2021 – Jun 2022 · Sydney, Australia

  • Upgraded Directory.gov.au from Drupal 7 to Drupal 9 including custom module migration (500+ hours of development), theme refactoring with modern CSS, and MySQL database optimization.
  • Developed custom migration scripts using Drupal Migrate API to transfer 10,000+ content items while preserving data integrity.
  • Worked directly with GovCMS Technical Product Owner to implement platform best practices and security hardening.

Projects

Directory.gov.au home page
Directory.gov.au

2021

Drupal 7 to Drupal 9 upgrade, including custom module migration and a migration of 10,000+ content items with the Migrate API.

  • Drupal 9
  • PHP
  • Migrate API
  • MySQL

Technocrat

2019

Senior Drupal Developer (contract)

Apr 2019 – May 2019 · Sydney, Australia

  • Migrated Energy Rating to GovCMS 8 SaaS platform, replicating existing functionality using custom Drupal modules and Migrate API.

Projects

Energy Rating home page
Energy Rating

2019

Migrated to the GovCMS 8 SaaS platform, replicating existing functionality with custom Drupal modules and the Migrate API.

  • GovCMS 8
  • Drupal 8
  • Migrate API

Data Republic

2017 – 2018

Senior Drupal Developer (contract)

Sep 2017 – Mar 2018 · Sydney, Australia

  • Developed a data sharing marketplace platform using Drupal 8 for the Department of Finance, Services and Innovation with custom PHP modules, and REST APIs.
  • Built custom data migrations from CKAN (open data platform) instance into Drupal using Migrate API.

IAG

2015 – 2016

Senior Analyst Programmer, Drupal Developer (contract)

Nov 2015 – Dec 2016 · Sydney, Australia

  • Technical lead for two brand websites built in Drupal 7/8, managing code quality, architecture decisions, and deployment processes.
  • Developed custom modules for complex insurance product displays and quote generation workflows.
  • Part of development team that built an insurance application form using React with complex validation logic and multi-step workflow.

Digilante

2015

Web Developer (contract)

Aug 2015 – Oct 2015 · Sydney, Australia

  • Developed Drupal websites for an ASX listed company with custom PHP development and responsive theming.
  • Built developer workflow for syncing databases across environments using Drush and custom bash scripts.
  • Developed technical specifications for Drupal projects including architecture diagrams and API documentation.

Sitback Solutions

2012

Senior Technical Developer

Feb 2012 – Aug 2012 · Sydney, Australia

  • Developed multi-site Drupal platform for managing 50+ car dealer websites with custom PHP modules and automated provisioning.
  • Configured Aegir platform for managing and provisioning Drupal websites at scale.
  • Technical lead on the Subaru BRZ online project which enabled direct vehicle purchases through the website (using Drupal Commerce on Drupal 7), first of its kind in Australia, including payment gateway integration and inventory management.

Projects

Subaru BRZ online ordering page
Subaru BRZ online

2012

Direct vehicle purchases through the website, the first of its kind in Australia, with payment gateway integration and inventory management.

  • Drupal 7
  • Drupal Commerce

CrossFunctional

2010 – 2012

Drupal Consultant

May 2010 – Jan 2012 · Sydney, Australia

  • Technical lead for UNSW's teaching portal website with custom module development.
  • Lead Drupal Developer for Drupal 6 Taronga Zoo website.
  • Performed code audits and security checks for client Drupal websites.
  • Integrated Drupal with proprietary CRM software using custom REST API development.

Projects

Taronga Zoo home page
Taronga Zoo

2010

Lead Drupal developer on the Drupal 6 Taronga Zoo website.

  • Drupal 6
  • PHP

Express Media Group

2009 – 2010

Senior Drupal Developer

Feb 2009 – May 2010 · Sydney, Australia

  • Migrated high traffic 4WD Action website to Drupal 6, handling 500K+ monthly pageviews with performance optimization.
  • Developed community websites for major craft magazine publications.
  • Developed standardized Drupal installation profile for rapid website deployment.

Neubreed Design Pty Ltd

2007 – 2009

Web Developer

Oct 2007 – Jan 2009 · Sydney, Australia

  • Maintained and supported multiple Drupal 6 websites with custom module development.
  • Developed websites using Symfony 1.x PHP framework.

Speaking

  1. Mar 2024

    Build Forms in Drupal using Webform

    DrupalSouth Sydney 2024 · Session

    Watch on YouTube

  2. Apr 2023

    Understanding the Fields System in Drupal

    DrupalSouth Wellington 2023 · Session

    Watch on YouTube

  3. Nov 2019

    Learn and Contribute to Open Source by Writing Blog Posts

    DrupalSouth Hobart 2019 · Session

    Watch on YouTube

  4. Dec 2018

    Media Management in Drupal 8

    DrupalSouth Canberra 2018 · Session

    Watch on YouTube

  5. Mar 2015

    Power to the Editors, Introducing the Paragraphs module

    DrupalSouth Melbourne 2015 · Shared presentation

    Watch on YouTube

  6. Nov 2014

    Client vs Site Builder (Using Paragraphs)

    Drupal Camp Sydney 2014 · Shared presentation

  7. Jan 2011

    Fields in Core: How to create a custom field

    Drupal Downunder Brisbane 2011 · Session

    View slides

  8. Sep 2008

    Build-A-Site Workshop

    Drupal Camp Australia 2008 · Workshop

    Event page

Videos on WebWash

I make these videos to stay on top of the latest trends in Drupal and the wider CMS world, and because I like teaching people. Live streams are my favourite: there's no second take, you just get in and do it.

Certifications and education

Certifications

  • Acquia Certified Developer - Drupal 7Acquia · May 2014
  • Certified ScrumMasterScrum Alliance · Dec 2014 - Dec 2018

Education

  • Certificate IV Information Technologies (Web Design)TAFE Western Sydney Institute, Australia · 2003
  • Diploma Information Technology (Network Engineering)TAFE Western Sydney Institute, Australia · 2002

Languages

  • EnglishNative speaker
  • CroatianA2 level

Hiring, or have a project in mind?

Get in touch and tell me about the role or what you're building.

Contact me