Senior Engineering Contractor

I build software that ships and teams that thrive

Helping companies deliver complex software and fix struggling teams — fast.

23+ years professional software development
13+ years on world-class VFX tools
2× Academy Award-winning products
VFX+Games tools & engineering leadership
How I help companies
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Hands-on Development

Senior hands-on engineering for complex tools & systems

I join teams that need an experienced engineer now — unblock delivery, raise quality, and get releases out the door.

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Leadership & Coaching

Engineering leadership without hiring a full-time manager

I help teams that are stuck, overloaded, or burning out — improving delivery, clarity, and morale.

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I typically work with:
Studios shipping complex tools or internal platforms Teams under delivery pressure or technical debt Leaders who need senior support without a permanent hire
Chris Beckford

Hi, I'm Chris.

I help companies deliver complex software and fix the problems that stop teams from shipping.

I've spent over two decades building professional tools and internal platforms, including 13 years on large, long-lived products used by film and game studios around the world. My background spans senior engineering, system architecture, and engineering management.

When delivery starts to slip, it's rarely just a code problem. I step in to unblock teams, raise technical quality, coach leaders, and simplify processes — focusing on what actually helps teams deliver, not ceremony.

Engineering Manager / Senior Engineer C++ • Python • C# • Tools & Pipelines UK-based • remote / hybrid Certified Scrum Master

Let's talk

Whether you need code or coaching, an initial conversation costs nothing.

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UK-based • remote / hybrid options
Contract Development

Senior engineering.
Shipped.

Long-lived production code for tools, pipelines, and internal systems that teams rely on every day.

I've spent most of my career building tools and internal software — the kind of systems that other professionals rely on to do their work efficiently and safely.

As an Application Architect, senior engineer, and Engineering Manager, I've worked at every level — from deep in large C++ and Python codebases to setting technical direction and supporting teams.

I'm comfortable dropping into existing codebases, making sense of them fast, and leaving things cleaner than I found them.

C++ Python C# Tools Development Pipeline Architecture Large Codebases

🛠️ Tools & Pipeline Development

Internal tools, DCCs, automation, build systems

🏗️ Architecture & Technical Direction

System design, code review, technical leadership

🧹 Codebase Modernization

Legacy cleanup, refactoring, tech debt reduction

🤖 AI-Enhanced Workflows

Practical AI integration with realistic expectations

Need senior development help?

Let's discuss your technical challenges.

Get in touch
Teams & Process Consultancy

Fix the team.
Fix the flow.

Capable people, unnecessary friction. I help teams understand what’s actually getting in the way — and fix it.

I've led engineering teams through challenging deliveries, rebuilt struggling teams, and helped good teams become great. The technical work matters, but how people work together often matters more.

I'm a Certified Scrum Master, but I don’t believe process frameworks are goals in themselves.

My focus is on clarity, ownership, and sustainable delivery. Teams that understand their goals and trust each other tend to ship better software.

Certified Scrum Master Scrum Kanban Team Health AI Integration

👥 Interim Engineering Management

Step in, stabilize, set up for long-term success

🔧 Team Health & Culture

Psychological safety, growth, reducing friction

🔄 Agile Coaching & Process Improvement

Pragmatic frameworks that actually help delivery

📈 Delivery Flow & Predictability

Ship consistently without burning people out

🤖 AI Workflow Integration

Realistic AI adoption — strengths and limitations

Team struggling?

Let's figure out what's really going on.

Get in touch