Benjamin Luke Frost

Now

• Software Developer at ICENI Limited, building client sites, web applications, integrations and automation tools.
• Master of Science, Computer Science at the University of Colorado Boulder, in progress and due to finish in 2027.

Experience

1. Oct 2023 to present

   Software Developer

   ICENI Limited, Christchurch

   Building high-performance static sites, web applications, tools and integrations for a range of clients using Python, TypeScript, Astro and other technologies.

   • Develop new websites and functionality, automate existing processes and connect different systems.
   • Manage client sites in a shared monorepo, with automated builds and deployments through Git-based CI/CD workflows.
   • Set up Directus as a headless CMS, hosted on Hetzner servers, for selected clients.
   • Work directly with business owners and clients to troubleshoot technical problems and find practical solutions.
   • Review websites for security, performance, compliance and insurer requirements, then implement the changes or provide clear recommendations.
   • Still occasionally take on video, 3D animation, HTML5 advertising and graphic design work when needed.

2. Jun 2021 to Oct 2023

   Digital Content Creator and Web Support

   ICENI Limited, Christchurch

   Created digital content while providing web support for clients, gradually moving into software development.

   • Created video, static image and HTML5 advertising content.
   • Updated and maintained WordPress, Squarespace, Wix and Shopify sites, troubleshooting issues, adding content and making changes.
   • Worked with developers where more technical work was required.

3. Nov 2015 to Nov 2019

   Customs Officer

   New Zealand Customs Service, Christchurch

   Worked in a regulated, high-volume environment assessing passengers, goods and documentation against New Zealand customs and immigration requirements.

   • Analysed information, identified inconsistencies and risk indicators, and worked with sensitive data.
   • Made decisions under time pressure and explained requirements clearly to members of the public and other stakeholders.

Alongside that

Run alongside full-time work or study rather than instead of it. Between late 2016 and 2019 all three of these overlapped the Customs role.

1. Nov 2016 to present

   Founder, Editor and Developer

   Garage Dreams

   Built and ran an automotive website and YouTube channel focused on car history, buying advice and enthusiast vehicles. Now largely automated.

   • Handled research, writing, video production, editing, 3D modelling and animation, and website development. Several videos reached close to half a million views.
   • Rebuilt the website as an Astro static site and developed an automated publishing system around the existing articles and buyer's guides.
   • Run the system on a Raspberry Pi using a local Gemma 4 E4B language model to draft articles, with additional review from Claude and Codex before publication.
   • Built automation for scheduled generation, content checks, deployment, monitoring, image generation and GitHub notifications.
   • Use the project as a test bed for local AI, automation and AI-assisted development workflows.

2. Dec 2016 to Jun 2021

   Freelance Graphic Designer, Video Producer and Web Support

   Self-employed

   Created and delivered video, design, written content and website work for a range of clients.

   • Supported WordPress, template-based and Shopify websites, often working directly with clients to troubleshoot problems or coordinate technical changes.

3. Apr 2013 to 2016

   Founder and Editor

   3D Printer Plans

   Founded and developed an educational website covering 3D-printing technology, producing technical content and managing the site before it was later sold to an international buyer.

Education

1. 2025 to 2027 in progress

   Master of Science, Computer Science

   University of Colorado Boulder

2. 2013 to 2016

   Bachelor of Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering

   CPIT / Ara Institute of Canterbury

Selected achievements

• Robotics and embedded systems Ongoing

  Personal projects include a self-balancing robot using C++ and an STM32 board, robotic arm work, control systems and computer vision experiments.

• RoJuster® orthopaedic device 2014–2016

  Helped design and prototype the device during my engineering studies using CAD and 3D printing. It went into production and is now in clinical use.

• Gordon Fairweather Trust Award 2014

  Awarded for the 3D-printing work that contributed to development of the RoJuster.

Technical

Languages

Python, TypeScript, JavaScript, C++, HTML, CSS

Web and CMS

Astro, Directus, WordPress, Shopify

Platforms

Git, GitHub, Hetzner, Raspberry Pi

Practice

APIs and integrations, automation, local language models, AI-assisted development workflows using Claude Code, Codex and OpenCode

Projects

Each of these has a devlog attached recording how it actually went.

• Automating Garage Dreams Turning an old car site into one that writes itself
• Self-balancing robot A two-wheeled robot built to learn robotics
• Where the Action Actually Happens at F1 GPs Corner-by-corner race data, so a ticket buys you something worth watching
• Client site platform One component library, several client sites, and the release discipline that keeps them apart
• Static Shopify storefront A shop that loads like a brochure site, using a store the client already pays for

Also

• New Zealand citizen with a full New Zealand driver licence.
• English, and conversational Japanese with ongoing study.
• Robotics, mountain biking, bouldering, hiking and scuba diving.