Software Engineer
I'm Edward Ma, a software engineer based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I've spent more than eight years working across web development, databases, analytics, and e-commerce.
These days, I mostly work in React and TypeScript, building features, fixing problems, and improving applications people already rely on.
I'm available for part-time freelance, contract, and consulting work.
React · TypeScript · JavaScript · .NET · SQL
Selected work
01
I build and improve the web applications people use every day.
My recent work has focused on existing web applications. I build new features, understand older parts of a system, and track down issues when something doesn't behave as expected.
For more than four years, I've worked primarily with React, TypeScript, and JavaScript, alongside PHP backend developers. I use Sentry to investigate production issues and TeamCity to configure, update, and troubleshoot CI/CD pipelines. My experience includes Redux state management, Pendo integrations, and Claude Code in my development workflow.
I enjoy this kind of work because solving a problem usually takes more than writing code.
02
I focused on making sure the data told a story.
At Modest Tree, I built custom analytics and web tracking within an existing backend system using .NET, StatsD, InfluxDB, and Flux to support that story.
The system collected the data; then I ran Flux queries to process it, turn it into metrics, and make it available to the frontend. I also helped frontend developers implement tracking with JavaScript and Angular, including Google Analytics integration, so that the data could be used consistently across the system.
It gave me a better understanding of how different parts of a system work together to make data useful.
03
The Curling Store · 2018 · Early Career
A website built to reflect how a business actually works.
Early in my career, I worked with a web designer to build a heavily customized LemonStand e-commerce website for The Curling Store, a local curling equipment retailer, to reflect how the business actually worked.
I communicated directly with the business owner to understand what they needed and took primary responsibility for the mobile layout, helping the site reflect their business and their users.
I still remember this project because it reinforced something important: understanding the people using a website matters as much as understanding the business behind it.
View original storefront (2018 archive) ↗
04
I took an idea and worked through how to build it.
As co-founder and CTO of Bursity, I helped turn an idea into a working MVP connecting students with financial awards.
I handled system design, database architecture, documentation, prototyping, AWS infrastructure, and coordination with three summer students. I also worked on system analysis and database development, translating business requirements into technical systems.
It taught me a lot about making technical decisions when time, resources, and requirements change.
Services
I work best with teams and businesses that need someone to understand an existing problem and help move it forward.
01
Building features and improving interfaces in existing React applications.
02
Understand established codebases, make changes carefully, and keep development moving.
03
Connect frontend and backend functionality, work with APIs, and solve problems across application layers.
04
Investigate unexpected behaviour, track down errors, and work toward fixes that address the underlying issue.
05
Implement tracking, connect services, and make application data more useful.
06
Write queries, work with databases, and support reporting, data migration, and application features.
About
Over the years, I've worked in several areas of software development, from frontend applications and backend systems to databases, analytics, and e-commerce.
For the past four years, I've focused mainly on frontend development, where I understand existing systems, build features, investigate bugs, and figure out how to make things work better.
I'm naturally curious about how things fit together, so I ask questions, understand the constraints, and find a practical way forward.
Outside of work, I spend a lot of time connecting people and supporting community initiatives here in Halifax, which reflects the same interest in bringing things together.
Community
Monthly Cybersecurity Speaker Series
I host the monthly speaker series for DEF CON Halifax (DC902), bringing Halifax's cybersecurity and technology communities together to share what they're working on, what they've learned, and their experiences. DC902 is an official DEFCON community group.
Learn moreConnector Program
I'm part of the Halifax Partnership Connector Program, where I help people make connections and find their footing in Halifax's professional community.
Learn moreContact
If you need help with an existing application, a new feature, or a technical problem, I’d be happy to chat.
Tell me a little about what you're working on, and we’ll see whether I’m a good fit.