About Me
I'm Zachary Ford — a systems engineer, full-stack developer, and father. My career is defined by a commitment to building robust, disciplined software. I combine low-level systems thinking with high-level product design to create tools that are reliable, performant, and built to last. I build with intention, document with discipline, and plan for the long term.
Who I Am
I'm a full-stack engineer based in Warwick, balancing professional development with raising three incredible kids. My technical expertise spans from systems programming in Rust to modern web architecture, always grounded in best practices for security and modularity.
Through my R&D lab, ZetoLabs, I explore distributed systems and offline-first architectures. I build secure infrastructure and resilient tools not just for technical elegance, but to ensure reliability in any environment. My ecosystem of projects—including SnapDock, NestKey, and TitanIX—serves as a proving ground for these architectural principles.
I prioritize sustainable engineering over hype. I am looking to bring this discipline to a team that values well-architected systems and long-term stability.
Engineering Philosophy
Artifact-Driven Development
I view every project as an artifact—a solution to a problem that requires clarity and documentation. I don't just write code; I build systems that are maintainable, well-documented, and designed to be understood by others.
Resilience & Local-First
I specialize in architectures that remain functional regardless of network conditions. By prioritizing local capability and data synchronization, I build software that is faster, more reliable, and respects the user's resources.
Scalable & Modular Design
Systems should adapt, not break. I design with modularity in mind, ensuring components can be upgraded or replaced without dismantling the whole. This approach reduces technical debt and allows applications to scale alongside business needs.
Technical Expertise
My work spans the full stack, with a focus on creating integrated ecosystems where every layer supports the next. I am comfortable working across the stack, from the metal up to the UI.
- Desktop & Application Development — Building performant, cross-platform applications (like SnapDock) that maintain state consistency and high availability.
- Systems Programming — Leveraging Rust for memory safety, high-performance engines, and automation layers.
- AI & Workflow Automation — Designing modular agents (ZIA) that enhance productivity while maintaining strict data governance controls.
- Infrastructure & DevOps — Managing secure home-lab environments, networking configurations, and deployment pipelines using Nginx, Docker, and virtualization.
My Professional Focus
In an era of rapid technological change, I focus on building tools that empower the user. I believe software should be transparent, efficient, and respect user privacy by design.
Whether I'm optimizing a backend for performance or designing a user interface for clarity, my goal is to deliver high-quality software that solves real problems without creating new dependencies.
I bring this same intentionality to any team I join—delivering code that is clean, systems that are secure, and solutions that drive value.
Overview
8+
Active Projects
Full Stack
Rust, JS, Python, DevOps
3
Future Engineers (Kids)