Christian CastillejoDesign Engineer
Christian Castillejo

I’m Christian.

I bridge code and design so you don’t have to choose between scalability and a great user experience.

Across 7+ years—from fast-paced startups in Dublin to architecting massive e-commerce ecosystems in Amsterdam—I’ve seen a recurring pattern: products break when design and engineering don’t speak the same language.

I operate in the hybrid space to fix this. I don’t just close tickets. I align technical reality with design intent, removing friction to deliver software that is robust, not just functional.

01

The Design-Code Bridge

I comfortably discuss React Architecture and Design Tokens in the same sentence. I translate design needs into component structures that engineers actually enjoy maintaining.

02

Product Vision

Clean code is useless if it solves the wrong problem. I question the 'why' before the 'how', prioritizing business value and user experience over just writing code.

03

Design Systems

I don’t believe in reinventing the wheel. I build systems that function as true infrastructure, allowing the team to ship faster without accumulating technical debt.

04

Engineering Rigor

Visual sensitivity doesn't mean lowering the engineering bar. I focus on strict TypeScript and stability, writing solid code that others can read, extend, and trust.

Career Path

View CV
Nectar StudioFounding Design Engineer
2024 - Present
GrandadoLead Frontend Engineer & Design Engineer
2020 - 2023
OGDFull Stack Engineer
2018 - 2020
Stack ShuttleFull Stack Engineer
2017 - 2018
IBTSoftware Engineer
2016 - 2017

Life beyond code

I’m driven by a genuine curiosity for how things work—whether that’s a complex software architecture or a permaculture garden. To keep my mind sharp and balanced, I rely on meditation and stepping away from the screen.

That same curiosity pushed me to backpack solo through Asia and the Americas for 18 months. Navigating the unknown with just a backpack taught me more about problem-solving than any job could. It made me comfortable with uncertainty and highly autonomous.

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Let’s build something that lasts.

I partner with teams that value technical craftsmanship and design integrity. If that sounds like your approach, let’s see if we are a fit.