Hi there! 👋 I'm Joe Sheen, a Software Engineer based in Bristol. I work at Ocean Blue Software, where I'm focused on developing a Kotlin-based automation tool and testing suite to validate smart TV software and applications before they're submitted for certification. As part of the team, I contribute to streamlining workflows, improving efficiency, and ensuring higher-quality products. Want to know more about my professional background? Check out my CV:
Outside of work, I'm passionate about staying active, with running and gym workouts being my main focus. I also enjoy exploring Bristol's vibrant culture and experimenting with new technologies. In my downtime, you'll usually find me reading, listening to podcasts, or enjoying music. I love socialising and spending time with friends, whether it's grabbing a coffee of hanging out over the weekend. Weather it's tech, fitness, or personal growth, I'm always eager to learn and explore new areas.
I have a few personal projects & certificates which I have worked on in my own time (projects can also be found on my GitHub account).
1. Coursera - Kotlin for Java Developers: Completed 29 Sep 2025 | ~25 hours | Grade 100%.
2. GitHub Project - vault_rs: CLI tool for managing passwords | Strengthening Rust knowledge via secure, real-world coding | In Progress.
3. GitHub Project - zephyr: A journaling web application built using Ktor | Project to continue developing my Kotlin skills and solidify my understanding of core plugins within the Ktor ecosystem | In Progress.
4. Coursera - CompTIA Security+ Certification (701): Started 6 Nov 2025 | In Progress.
My full first name is Joseph (but I prefer Joe), and my last name is Sheen. Back at university, a course mate started call me "Shoe" - a mashup of my first and last names. I liked it, so it stuck.
Later on, I added "js" to the end. Those are my initials, but also the file extension for JavaScript source code, which felt pretty fitting for a software engineer.
When I was setting up this site, I wanted a domain that was short, unique, easy to share, and most importantly something I'd actually remember. After browsing around, I found that shoejs.co.uk was not only available, but also cheaper than something like joesheen.co.uk, so I went with it. Simple as that.
| # | Book Title | Author | Pages | Published | Start Date | End Date | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology | Chris Miller | 464 | 31 Aug 2023 | N/A | 1 Oct 2025 | 6.5/10 |
| 2 | Greenlights | Matthew McConaughey | 320 | 20 Oct 2020 | 3 Oct 2025 | 20 Oct 2025 | 7.7/10 |
| 3 | The Almanack of Naval Ravikant | Eric Jorgenson | 242 | 8 Sep 2020 | 23 Oct 2025 | 31 Oct 2025 | 7.3/10 |
| 4 | Human Compatible: AI and the Problem of Control | Stuart Russell | 384 | 30 Apr 2020 | 2 Nov 2025 | Reading | TBD |