summary

I am a Senior Software Engineer with 10+ years of experience architecting systems using Node.js and Laravel, specialising in backend development, cloud infrastructure and DevOps automation. Proven track record in various engineering roles for clients across industries like fintech, healthtech, and regulatory compliance. I turn complex requirements into maintainable, high-performance systems through strategic architecture, clean code, automated testing and resilient deployments - paired with good documentation and mentorship. A core focus is ensuring technical outcomes directly align with business needs. Public projects reflect my commitment to innovation and continuous learning. Seeking fast-paced environments leveraging modern stacks and agile practices to solve high-impact problems—whether collaborating within teams or driving solo initiatives.

Skills

Languages

  • Node.js
  • Javascript
  • Typescript
  • PHP
  • Solidity
  • bash

Frameworks

  • Laravel
  • Express
  • Loopback
  • Serverless
  • Hardhat

Dev-Ops

  • AWS
  • Terraform
  • CI/CD
  • Github Actions
  • Vercel
  • Docker

Databases

  • MySQL
  • PostgreSQL
  • MongoDB
  • AuroraDB
  • DynamoDB
  • Redis
  • SQLite

Architectures

  • MVC
  • Microservices
  • Serverless
  • Client server
  • Event-driven
  • Monolith

Standards

  • Caching
  • ORMs
  • SOLID
  • ACID
  • Indexing
  • REST
  • OpenAPI
  • JWT
  • CLI

Work Experience (6)

Aug 2018 - Current
Contractor Software Engineer
Casa4 - own LTD (London, UK)

Provided contractor services through my own LTD, Casa4, in between other roles. The following is a list of the most notable projects, specialising in Laravel and Node.js. Involved both in team-based development and solo application building from design to deployment and maintenance.

  • Artetra (Node.js, React, ThreeJS, Solidity, Hardhat, Express, Postgres, MongoDB, AWS, Docker)

    As an Acting CTO, I was responsible with converting business requirements into project features by overseeing the application architecture. I managed a team of 3-4 developers and provided them with necessary assistance. The ecosystem consisted in a backend Express API which connected to blockchain a smart contract written in Solidity, a frontend React app which had a 3D part written in ThreeJS. The project was deployed to an AWS infrastructure using Docker.

  • ElectroRent (Laravel, MySQL, SQLite, Bash)

    As a Backend Engineer I worked on the API of a large tool renting platform built with Laravel. Responsibilities included designing and implementing new API endpoints, creating database migrations, building new features, debugging complex issues, and optimizing performance across critical application areas.

  • Aliat Optic (Node.js, Serverless Framework, Lambda, DynamoDB, AWS, MySQL, Laravel, DigitalOcean)

    As a Solution Architect I designed and developed an invoicing app, integrating external FTP data via AWS Lambda and DynamoDB. This application was successfully used in production for about 3 years with minimal maintenance, demonstrating reliability and efficiency.

  • Hurlingham Club (Laravel, Laravel Forge, Laravel Envoyer, MySQL, AWS, Docker)

    As a Backend and DevOps Engineer I led the migration of a large application from from a paid provider to the client's own servers. My responsibilities included provisioning the new infrastructure, setting up de CI/DC pipeline, updating the code from PHP5.5 to PHP8.1, updating all the dependencies to the latest stable versions, making sure no data was lost in the DB and creating diagrams to explain each step of the process to the stakeholders.

  • TicketTailor (PHP, MySQL, SQLite)

    As a Backend Engineer I worked on the API of the second largest ticketing application in Europe. Designed and implemented a testing framework using PHPUnit to automatically scan OpenAPI specs and validate each API endpoint, including all new additions. This significantly improved deployment times combined with strategically assigning tests to the appropriate level (unit, integration, acceptance). Also contributed by adding numerous endpoints to the client-facing API.

Oct 2020 - Aug 2022
Software Engineer
True Compliance (London, UK)

Contributed to the development of a cloud-based compliance management system, enhancing compliance tracking and reporting capabilities.

  • Developed the main API of the system and contributed to designing the ecosystem's serverless architecture, leading to a robust and scalable solution.

  • Created a reporting application that enabled non-technical stakeholders to preview any key metrics.

  • Developed various tools for interal use in VueJS, as well as admin dashboards in Laravel Nova for system performance monitoring and reporting.

  • Also built a bespoke real-time caching system that stores processed relational MySQL data into a MongoDB database controlled and accessed by a serverless API. The purpose is to vastly increase the speed for final users down to near instant results and reduce the load on the main database.

  • ↪ Technologies: Laravel, Laravel Nova, Laravel Vapor, AWS, SQS, VueJS, Node.js, Serverless Framework, Lambda, CLI, Bash

Oct 2018 - Oct 2019
Software Engineer
Skin Analytics (London, UK)

Designed and developed main applications and maintained AWS infrastructure, contributing to the company's mission of improving skin health.

  • Led the migration from a NoSQL database (CouchDB) to a relational database (MySQL), resulting in an 11x speed increase without affecting the frontend or user experience. This was achieved by a series of steps, including, creating scripts and processes for provisioning a new server, exporting the CouchDB records, normalising the data, importing it into the newly created server and database, then finally running a series of checks to ensure consistency.

  • ↪ Technologies: Node.js, Express.js, TypeScript, CouchDB, AWS, Loopback, pm2, Angular

Feb 2017 - Jun 2018
Application Developer / Dev-Ops
Woooba (London, UK)

Sole Backend Engineer responsible for designing, developing, and supporting client applications, driving business growth.

  • Developed and maintained nationwide educational platforms, enhancing the learning experience for thousands of users.

  • Built a comprehensive financial management application with Laravel and Vue.

  • Managed all DigitalOcean droplets with a CI setup ensuring reliable and efficient deployment processes.

  • ↪ Technologies: Laravel, DigitalOcean, Laravel Forge, MySql, VueJS

Nov 2015 - Nov 2016
PHP Application Developer
iQU Group (Amsterdam, NL)

Marketing solutions for game developers.

  • Created complete APIs from start to end as well as libraries which were used by my colleagues. Besides the backend work, I also built an AngularJS client to consume one of the APIs.

  • Worked on a smaller mobile monitoring project built with Java and PipelineDB.

  • ↪ Technologies: PHP, Laravel, Symfony, API, MySQL, Git, Docker, CLI, PhpUnit, AngularJS, Java

Oct 2014 - Nov 2015
PHP Application Developer
Project 89109 (Amsterdam, NL)

Online dating services.

  • As a junior PHP developer working on a bespoke MVC framework, I was responsible for creating new features, fixing bugs, and maintaining the codebase.

  • ↪ Technologies: PHP, API, MySQL, CLI, Git, JS, jQuery.

Projects (5)

Recspenses
https://www.github.com/iosifv/recspenses/

A production-ready financial web application to calculate recurring monthly expenses. Initially started as a training project to practice my full-stack skills. Features include: a simple UI, multi-currency support including cryptocurrencies and an intuitive tagging system for expense labeling.

I used the "T3 Stack" which is a web development stack made focused on simplicity, modularity, and full-stack typesafety. The full technology list is: NextJS, tRPC, TypeScript, Node.js, Clerk, Drizzle ORM, PostgreSQL, Tailwind CSS, Vercel, GHA

CLI Path
https://iosifv.github.io/cli-path/

Created a CLI tool to check Google Maps API directions, with saved locations, authentication, and a custom serverless API layer to simplify token management - built for training, touching multiple technologies: Node.js, Serverless Framework, AWS, Auth0, OpenAPI, VHS, npm, GHA

Casa4 website
https://casa4.co.uk/

An overengineered personal website built for learning purposes. Themed with Hugo, built with Terraform and Cloudfront, deployed to AWS S3 with Github Actions.

T3 (Terminal Toolbelt Two)
https://www.github.com/iosifv/t3/

Inspired by the naming of Amazon's S3, I built T3 to resemble a framework for improving a terminal user's experience. Features include: an install script, platform selection (osx, ubuntu) specific scripts as well as agnostic ones, multi-machine installs. The interface is powered by charmbracelet/gum, a Terminal UI framework written in Go.

Hidden Hash (Cluj-Napoca, RO)

Personal business dealing with mining cryptocurrencies. Worked on Business model, legal compliance, hardware setup, software & security optimization/tweaks/updates, Performance fine tuning with various Bash, Batch or PowerShell scripts.

Education (2)

2012 - 2010
Masters
Management and Business Engineering
Technical University of Cluj-Napoca
  • Operations Management
  • Business Analytics
  • Marketing Fundamentals
  • Human Resource Management
  • Operations Management
2004 - 2009
Bachelor of Engineering
Computer Science
Technical University of Cluj-Napoca
  • Object-oriented programming
  • Data Structures and Algorithms
  • Advanced Databases
  • Computer Networks
  • C++
  • Java
  • .NET
  • SQL
  • Lisp
  • Prolog
  • Xilinx
  • Assembly
  • x86 processor
  • Electronics
  • Physics
  • Mathematics

Interests

Hobbies

  • Motorcycles
  • Photography
  • Chess
  • HiFi Audio
  • Boxing