Lead Backend Software Engineer & Cloud Architect
Ibuildsystemsthatscale. Full stop.
Lead Backend Engineer & Cloud Architect, Philadelphia Inquirer. I design and deploy production infrastructure, data platforms, and AI/ML pipelines that handle millions of requests and petabytes of data.
Building systems, rolling BJJ, exploring AI
About Me
Most people don't pivot from running a precious metals business to leading backend engineering at a major media company. But most people don't build production systems that serve millions of readers daily, either.
After a decade in strategic communications and business operations, I made a calculated bet during COVID: teach myself full-stack development through a MERN bootcamp, then get my hands dirty with real code. Three and a half years later, I'm architecting cloud infrastructure and data pipelines at the Philadelphia Inquirer, designing systems that ingest, process, and serve content at scale.
My unconventional path gives me something most engineers don't have: deep business context. I understand both the technical requirements and the strategic implications. Whether I'm optimizing database queries, containerizing microservices, or building ML pipelines, I'm solving real problems that move the needle.
Currently expanding into data engineering and AI/ML because the future of backend is data-driven, and I'm building it.
When I'm not engineering systems, you'll find me on the mats training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, here with Professor Fred Silva at Lucas Lepri Jiu Jitsu Academy in Charlotte, NC. The discipline, problem-solving, and continuous improvement translate directly to how I approach code.
Tech Stack
Languages & Frameworks
Core development stack
Cloud & Infrastructure
Platforms & DevOps
Data Engineering
Pipelines, messaging & databases
Enterprise & Integration
CRM, automation & AI
What I've Built
Production systems powering digital media at scale, from serverless data pipelines to AI-powered applications over decades of content.
Email Service Provider Migration
Migrated the Philadelphia Inquirer's ESP from Salesforce Marketing Cloud to Marigold SailThru. Architected data pipelines integrating Salesforce Service Cloud for seamless subscriber management.
$100K+ annual savings • Zero subscriber data loss
Enterprise production system
Serverless ETL Platform
Built serverless ETL on AWS using Serverless Framework with S3, Lambda, EventBridge, SQS, and DynamoDB, replacing legacy billing systems with scalable, event-driven architecture.
75% cost reduction • 50% less manual workload
Enterprise production system
AI/RAG Historical Archive
Built a privately-hosted AI/RAG application over the Philadelphia Inquirer's proprietary historical archive (1977-present), enabling intelligent search and content discovery across decades of journalism.
45+ years of searchable archive • Private hosting
Enterprise production system
ETL Pipeline Reengineering
Reengineered legacy Informatica ETL pipelines in Python/PySpark, achieving 50% greater resilience and eliminating expensive proprietary tooling.
$120K/year savings • 50% more resilient
Enterprise production system
Internal HR Chatbot
Built a Slack-based RAG chatbot using OpenAI API for internal HR queries: employee handbook, PTO policies, org charts, reducing HR ticket volume.
Slack-native • Real-time RAG responses
Enterprise production system
Full Stack GRC Platform
Designed and built a governance, risk, and compliance platform at Longevity Consulting using React, Django, FastAPI, GraphQL, and AWS FarGate.
Full stack • Enterprise GRC
Enterprise production system
How I Got Here
Lead Backend Software Engineer
Sep 2022 - PresentThe Philadelphia Inquirer
- ▸Spearheaded ESP migration from Salesforce Marketing Cloud to Marigold SailThru; architected end-to-end data pipelines with Salesforce Service Cloud, delivering one month ahead of schedule, $100K+ annual savings
- ▸Led migration off Informatica ETL by reengineering pipelines in Python/PySpark, 50% more resilient, $120K/year savings
- ▸Architected serverless ETL pipelines on AWS (Serverless Framework) with S3, Lambda, EventBridge, SQS, DynamoDB, replacing legacy subscription/billing systems, enabling real-time Salesforce-to-SailThru sync via event-driven architecture
- ▸Developed privately-hosted AI app enabling chat-based RAG over proprietary historical archive (1977-present)
- ▸Integrated internal HR chatbot with OpenAI API for Slack-based RAG access to handbook, PTO, performance goals, org charts
- ▸DevSecOps best practices to minimize Salesforce-induced outages and bot attacks; optimized checkout flow increasing conversion 12% YoY
- ▸Led migration from legacy print subscription management to cloud-first serverless solution, cutting operational costs 75% and manual workload 50%
Software Engineer
Aug 2021 - Sep 2022Longevity Consulting
- ▸Architected full stack GRC platform with React, Django, FastAPI, GraphQL, serverless on AWS FarGate, CICD pipelines
- ▸Led globally distributed agile team through full SDLC
- ▸Developed RPA solutions using UiPath Studio saving $3K+/employee/year
- ▸Assisted US Dept. of Education in Drupal 7 to 9 migration, AWS/GovCloud compliance, PIV/SAML auth
Instructor & Career Coach
Dec 2021 - Dec 2022Nucamp Coding Bootcamp
- ▸Taught 4-5 week cohorts of up to 12 web dev students, 4-hour live workshops weekly
Software Engineer
Jul 2021 - Oct 2022Loxe Inc
- ▸Built decentralized mediation platform on Cardano blockchain
- ▸React + Tailwind frontend, GraphQL, crypto wallet integration (CCVault, Nami, Flint), KYC via SumSub
IT Project Manager
Sep 2011 - Aug 2021Asset Strategies International
- ▸Designed secure services with C# and SQL
- ▸Orchestrated CRM/eCommerce integration (HubSpot, Shopify) with proprietary workflow sync
- ▸Managed database migration from proprietary system
Education & Certifications
UW-Madison · Nucamp · AWS
- ▸BA Public Relations, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- ▸Full Stack Web & Mobile Development Certificate, Nucamp
- ▸Python Data Structures & Algorithms, PostgreSQL with Python, & DevOps Certificate, Nucamp
- ▸AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate
- ▸AWS Certified Data Engineering Associate
- ▸AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
Let's Build Something
I'm always interested in challenging backend problems, cloud architecture discussions, and opportunities to build systems that scale. Whether you're looking to optimize your infrastructure, design data pipelines, or need someone who can translate business requirements into robust technical solutions.
Currently based in: Charlotte, NC · Open to: Remote collaboration, consulting, interesting full-time opportunities
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