Mathys (TJ)
Van Heerden
Full Stack Developer & SAP Certified Associate Integration Developer with 4+ years of cross-disciplinary experience spanning enterprise integration, industrial automation, and modern web delivery.
The person behind the code
Full Stack Developer and SAP Certified Integration Developer, currently building production systems at Robotic System Solutions while completing a Bachelor of Computing (NQF Level 8) with 9 distinctions.
My background spans three continents and three disciplines: enterprise software integration (SAP CPI, Node.js, Supabase), modern web delivery (React, TypeScript, Capacitor), and industrial automation (Kawasaki robotics, Allen-Bradley PLCs). I've built SAP integration flows serving 150+ employees, programmed 100+ industrial robots on Ford Motor Company production lines, and shipped consumer apps to the Google Play Store.
Outside of code, I'm multilingual (English, Afrikaans, Spanish), competed in rugby, cricket, and baseball across three countries, and volunteered as an English teacher in rural New Delhi.
Professional journey
Full Stack Developer
Robotic System Solutions (Pty) Ltd
Krugersdorp, South Africa
- Promoted from Junior Web Developer into a full stack engineering role spanning internal tooling, client deliverables, and integration between web platforms and operational automation systems.
- Owning frontend and backend delivery across the company's web application portfolio, contributing to architecture decisions, code reviews, and technical mentorship.
- Bridging web and industrial automation by applying prior Kawasaki robotics and PLC experience to design web interfaces and APIs that interact with operational systems on the manufacturing floor.
SAP Integration Developer Intern
EPI-USE
Pretoria, South Africa
- Developed 4 SAP CPI integration flows for automated compensation letter generation, reducing manual processing time by 80% and serving 150+ employees using Groovy scripting and XSLT transformations.
- Built end-to-end Workday synchronization application using SAP Fiori frontend and Node.js CAP services backend, enabling real-time HR data integration via OData APIs.
- Engineered SuccessFactors to SharePoint pipeline via Microsoft Graph API, automating document storage and reducing manual file handling by 90%.
- Designed Apache NiFi ETL flows for processing password-encrypted Excel attachments from Gmail with automated data validation and transformation.
- Earned SAP Certified Associate Integration Developer certification during the internship, validating production-grade CPI competency.
Junior Robotic Programmer
Robotic System Solutions (Client: Ford Motor Company via Defalca)
Pretoria, South Africa
- Programmed 100+ Kawasaki industrial robots across multiple Ford Motor Company production lines, ensuring precise automation sequences for vehicle assembly.
- Integrated Allen-Bradley PLCs with Coherix Predator3D vision systems, enabling real-time 3D quality inspection and reducing defect rates on assembly lines.
- Optimized robot cycle times for Twinsaver manufacturing client, improving production throughput and operational efficiency.
- Performed independent on-site troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and system commissioning across multiple manufacturing facilities.
Data Capturer
Platinum Life
Pretoria, South Africa
- Captured and verified client data with high accuracy standards, maintaining strict data confidentiality and regulatory compliance.
"Mathys consistently demonstrated professionalism, dedication, and a strong aptitude for learning and applying new concepts. He helped with contributions to projects and showed a solid understanding of technical principles. Mathys approached tasks with care and attention to detail, and his collaborative attitude made him a valued member of the team."— Dirk Naude, Associate Manager at EPI-USE View Reference Letter
Technical toolbox
Frontend
Backend
Data & Cloud
Automation & DevOps
Things I've built
HerdSync
Production livestock tracking and management platform for South African farmers. Full SEO strategy, Data Safety compliance, and SA-targeted long-tail keyword optimization.
FuelWatch SA
Crowdsourced fuel price comparison mobile app with dark HUD aesthetic. A 60/40 weighted scoring algorithm balances price and distance, backed by PostGIS geospatial queries and Firebase push notifications.
FEROX Performance
Co-Founder & CTO of a pre-workout supplement brand. Leading technical strategy, Shopify storefront development, product data architecture, and digital marketing infrastructure.
Marketing System Desktop
Electron & Supabase desktop app featuring LinkedIn, Google Maps, and website scrapers; email verification via Abstract API; and a Mailgun-based bulk email campaign system with deliverability tracking.
CodeBuddy
AI-powered teaching assistant for first-year programming courses, using machine learning to provide personalised, context-aware coding guidance and feedback to students.
Credentials
SAP SE
SAP Certified Associate
Integration Developer
Production-grade competency in SAP Cloud Platform Integration (CPI), earned during a year-long enterprise integration internship at EPI-USE, Pretoria.
Academic foundation
Bachelor of Computing (NQF Level 8)
Belgium Campus iTversity
Pretoria, South Africa
Key Coursework: Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Business Intelligence (CRISP-DM), Database Development, Software Engineering, Web Development, Information Systems, Project Management, Statistics, Abstract & Linear Algebra.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
The British International School
New Delhi, India
Internationally recognised programme completed while living abroad in New Delhi, building a foundation of analytical thinking and cross-cultural adaptability.
Beyond the code
Three Continents
Lived and worked across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, building an adaptable cross-cultural perspective that shapes how I collaborate and problem-solve.
Multilingual
Fluent in English and Afrikaans, conversational in Spanish. IB education in New Delhi deepened global awareness and academic rigour.
Community
Volunteer English teacher in rural New Delhi. Organized NGO sports events. The belief that technology should serve people extends far beyond the screen.
Athletics
Competitive rugby, cricket, and baseball. Played varsity baseball in Dubai and Abu Dhabi — the discipline and teamwork transfer directly to engineering.