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Ryan Felton
Verified Expert in Engineering
JavaScript Developer
Leawood, KS, United States
Toptal member since November 23, 2015
Bio
Ryan is a Facebook Innovation Award-winning leader and a highly technical software developer specializing in 0-1 product launches, AI integration, software-as-a-service, and eCommerce. Ryan is also a veteran, an MBA graduate, a private pilot, and a passionate software entrepreneur who has led the software engineering of three businesses from concept to acquisition.
Portfolio
UnitedHealth Group
Mobile, Mobile Apps, Mobile App Security, Mobile App Testing...
Q.ai
Leadership, Architecture, Business, Finance APIs, Ruby on Rails (RoR)...
Pulse Platform, LLC
Sidekiq, Redis, PostgreSQL, WordPress, Kotlin, Android, Swift, iOS, Angular...
Experience
- JavaScript - 18 years
- Ruby on Rails (RoR) - 14 years
- Full-stack - 11 years
- eCommerce - 10 years
- WordPress - 9 years
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) - 9 years
- Product Management - 7 years
- React - 4 years
Work Experience
Senior Director, Software Engineering
2021 - 2025
UnitedHealth Group
- Integrated pharmaceutical B2B capabilities with Optum Rx, streamlining prescription management and improving coordination between payers, providers, and pharmacy systems.
- Took ownership of an underwhelming legacy mobile application and led the end-to-end strategy, architecture, and execution of a full redesign and rebuild to deliver a best-in-class, consumer-grade mobile experience.
- Spearheaded the launch of a brand-new UnitedHealthcare mobile app recognized across the industry for innovation, usability, and performance, significantly boosting member satisfaction and engagement.
- Managed a high-performing, global team of 86 professionals, including engineers, product managers, UX designers, and QA, creating a unified vision and delivery model across multiple time zones.
- Managed a $22 million operating budget, aligning investments with strategic business goals and ensuring optimized resource allocation for maximum impact.
- Reduced feature delivery timelines by over 22% through agile transformation, CI/CD automation, and a culture of continuous improvement and ownership.
- Led the modernization of back-end and front-end systems with a focus on cloud-native technologies, ensuring the platform could scale to meet the needs of millions of users.
Technologies: Mobile, Mobile Apps, Mobile App Security, Mobile App Testing, Agile Software Development, Leadership, Team Leadership, Remote Team Leadership, Security, React, React Native, App Store, Google Play Store, Android, iOS, Figma, Strategy, Strategic Planning, Change Management, Budgeting, Capital Budgeting, Risk Modeling, Risk & Compliance, Compliance, SOC Compliance, HIPAA Compliance, HITRUST Certification, Cloud, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Firebase, Google Cloud, Analytics, Analytical Thinking, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Automation, CI/CD Pipelines, Complex Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Front-end, Business Strategy, REST APIs, Deployment, B2B, Next.js, eCommerce, Executive Leadership, Information Technology, Back-end
Fractional CTO | Lead Developer
2021 - 2021
Q.ai
- Guided the founder/CEO, bringing his vision of democratizing hedge funds by building a fully automated hedge fund tool, using machine learning to analyze and trade securities based on rapidly changing market conditions as a fractional CTO.
- Architected the overall system platform. Led the software engineering teams to build out the Ruby on Rails back-end API, connect to 3rd-party financial APIs, and develop the React Native mobile application.
- Implemented end-to-end testing and continuous delivery systems.
Technologies: Leadership, Architecture, Business, Finance APIs, Ruby on Rails (RoR), React Native, TypeScript, Full-stack Development, Full-stack, SQL, HTML, minitest, CTO, CSS, Fractional CTO, Finance, Technical Leadership, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Security, DevOps, Startup Consulting, Team Management, Fintech, ECMAScript (ES6), Data Architecture, Data Engineering, Front-end, Vue, Startups, CTO, Business Strategy, REST APIs, Deployment, B2B, Query Optimization, Databases, eCommerce, Executive Leadership, Information Technology, Stripe API, Back-end, API Integration, Web Development, Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
CTO | Lead Developer
2017 - 2020
Pulse Platform, LLC
- Led a team of globally distributed remote web, iOS, Android, and API developers, QA teams, UI and UX designers, and product managers to build an award-winning mobile and web HIPAA-compliant platform connecting doctors and patients.
- Inherited a team using older technologies, couldn't achieve scale, and had not adopted standard Agile software development practices.
- Led the team's technical adoption of upgrading to the latest version of Angular.
- Added monitoring, crash monitoring, and performance optimizations to the back-end Ruby on Rails API and implemented 100% unit test coverage and end-to-end test coverage using Capybara and RSpec.
- Re-architected the data model within PostgreSQL to optimize logical data storage and utilized foreign key constraints to ensure data integrity.
- Added Redis as a data store and caching layer and Sidekiq Pro for asynchronous multithreaded background workers to send emails, push notifications, and generate PDF reporting.
Technologies: Sidekiq, Redis, PostgreSQL, WordPress, Kotlin, Android, Swift, iOS, Angular, Ruby on Rails (RoR), TypeScript, React, Full-stack Development, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Full-stack, SQL, HTML, minitest, CTO, CSS, Fractional CTO, Finance, Technical Leadership, DevOps, Startup Consulting, Team Management, Docker, Data Architecture, Data Engineering, Front-end, Mobile Apps, Startups, CTO, Business Strategy, Tailwind CSS, REST APIs, Deployment, B2B, Query Optimization, Databases, eCommerce, Executive Leadership, Information Technology, Stripe API, Back-end, API Integration, Web Development, Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
Adjunct Instructor
2017 - 2018
Trilogy Education Services
- Taught in-person and virtual classrooms of 30+ students for a six-month intensive bootcamp to equip them with the key skills for full-stack web development.
- Taught students how to set up their computers as a development environment, work with GitHub, write code locally, collaborate with peers using GitHub pull request reviews, and deploy their code to production sites on Heroku.
- Had a 97% graduation rate and a 86% job placement rate within the first three months of graduation, proving the education students gained in this program was effective in landing them their ideal job in software development.
Technologies: Homebrew, GitHub, MySQL, Express.js, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Node.js, React, Full-stack Development, Full-stack, SQL, HTML, CSS, Technical Leadership, Data Architecture, Data Engineering, Front-end, REST APIs, Back-end, API Integration, Web Development
Lead Developer
2016 - 2016
Checkmate, Inc.
- Led a team of developers from concept to the successful launch of the Checkmate iOS app and Ruby on Rails back-end application, building out the eCommerce solution for restaurants' integration for reservations, ordering, and payment.
- Mentored the team and built out a secure and scalable solution that seamlessly allowed the iOS app to interact directly with the restaurant's point-of-sale platform, the Stripe API for payment processing, and Facebook and Twitter API for social sharing.
- Built the back-end API and connected to restaurant APIs from concept to launch in less than 90 days.
Technologies: Point of Sale, X (formerly Twitter) API, Facebook API, Stripe API, PostgreSQL, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Ruby, Full-stack Development, Full-stack, SQL, HTML, CSS, Finance, Technical Leadership, DevOps, Startup Consulting, Team Management, Docker, Data Architecture, Data Engineering, Front-end, Mobile Apps, Startups, REST APIs, Deployment, Query Optimization, Databases, eCommerce, Back-end, API Integration, Web Development, Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
CTO
2015 - 2015
Penrose Senior Care Auditors
- Leveraged my talents as not only as senior developer but also helped to clearly understand the founders' vision for their product and translate that into a beautiful application. Together we delivered an amazing mobile-friendly MVP.
- Built a Ruby on Rails web application and implemented Stripe's credit card payment processor to charge the client monthly for use of the service.
- Created a mobile-friendly web app and PhoneGap native iOS app so that auditors can perform their audits while on site, providing instant feedback to their clients on the wellness of their loved one.
- Implemented extensive integration tests that allowed me to implement continuous delivery so that bugs could be identified, fixed, and automatically deployed in only minutes.
- Set up a Heroku pipeline for rapid QA, story acceptance, and production deployments.
- Won AARP's Innovation@50+ LivePitch for the Penrose Senior Care Auditors platform on April 27, 2016.
Technologies: PostgreSQL, RSpec, Stripe, jQuery, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Ruby, Full-stack Development, Full-stack, SQL, HTML, CTO, CSS, Fractional CTO, Finance, Technical Leadership, Team Management, Data Architecture, Data Engineering, Startups, CTO, Business Strategy, Deployment, B2B, Executive Leadership, Stripe API, Back-end
CTO
2014 - 2015
OneHQ
- Upgraded multiple web applications in their SOA from Rails 3 to Rails 4.
- Spearheaded the transformation of deployment for our web applications to continuous delivery for all apps in our SOA utilizing Rspec, Capybara, Factory Girl via third-party integrations with GitHub, TravisCI, CodeClimate, and Engine Yard.
- Implemented stunning interactive big data visualizations utilizing d3.js.
- Built and launched our iOS and Andriod smartphone applications implemented via PhoneGap framework.
- Implemented multiple API-based integrations with third-party products such as ZenDesk, Constant Contact, Pivotal Tracker, and more.
Technologies: Authorization, Authentication, CAS, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), D3.js, jQuery, RSpec, PostgreSQL, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Ruby, Full-stack Development, Full-stack, SQL, HTML, CTO, CSS, Fractional CTO, Technical Leadership, Team Management, Data Architecture, Data Engineering, CTO, Business Strategy, Deployment, B2B, Executive Leadership, Back-end
VP of Technology and Product
2010 - 2014
BLiNQ Media
- Established the product vision, strategy, and development in creating the product Local LiFT, which launched in under six months and won the Facebook PMD Innovation Award in Oct 2013.
- Built Facebook's first ever third-party ad management platform that created multi-variant social ads for their Facebook Ads API before it was publicly released.
- Implemented a custom in-house ad optimization algorithm that systematically determined winners and losers for advertising campaigns and make budgeting, day-parting, and other optimization decisions based on that that intelligence.
- Developed a brand analysis algorithm and application that would allow big brands to evaluate their Facebook social presence against that of their competitors, find overlaps, and discover new keywords and demographics for optimal targeting all without spending a single dollar.
- Upgraded the entire SOA stack from Rails 2 to Rails 3 and then Rails 4 as well as switching from Resque to Sidekiq, which delivered nearly 8x in performance improvements.
Technologies: Facebook Open Graph API, Engine Yard, Resque, Sidekiq, MySQL, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Ruby, OAuth 2, Facebook Connect, Facebook Ads API, Full-stack Development, Full-stack, SQL, HTML, CSS, Startup Consulting, Team Management, Data Architecture, Data Engineering, Business Strategy, Query Optimization, Databases, Executive Leadership, Back-end
Founder
2005 - 2010
Calculated Combustion
- Built a custom marketplace for the biotechnology industry using Merb, DataMapper, and Solr Search.
- Helped found the Ruby Midwest conference, creating an amazing conference for people passionate about Ruby to network and learn in the heart of the Midwest. Organizer of KC Ruby.
- Built an in-image and in-screen advertising platform, driving brand engagement for advertisers. The patented in-image ads are overlaid on editorial photos where a user's attention is actively focused, creating higher viewability and engagement, to a better consumer experience.
- Built a social management dashboard that connected to Facebook and Twitter for compliance-based content creation, multi-network engagement and listening, and reporting.
- Built a revolutionary knowledge e-learning service which dramatically increased retention and learning speed.
Technologies: Unobtrusive JavaScript, XML, Apache Solr, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Ruby, SQL, HTML, Data Architecture, Data Engineering, Back-end
Senior Software Engineer
2005 - 2008
Scientist.com
- Contributed to the secure B2B digital marketplace connecting biotech and pharmaceutical companies with CROs and specialty chemical suppliers for outsourced R&D services.
- Developed catalog ordering workflows, RFQ systems, and milestone-based project tracking for custom synthesis and complex scientific engagements.
- Implemented NDA/CDA contract automation and cheminformatics search capabilities to streamline the procurement of custom chemistry services.
Technologies: Ruby, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Databases, eCommerce, Stripe API, Back-end
Senior Software Engineer
1998 - 2005
Integrated DNA Technologies
- Led the development of IDT's eCommerce platform supporting global genomic research, enabling streamlined ordering of DNA/RNA oligos, CRISPR tools, and gene fragments across academic, diagnostic, and pharmaceutical sectors.
- Designed scalable systems for B2B partnerships and pharmaceutical clients, including bulk ordering, inventory controls, and international distribution logistics.
- Collaborated with scientific and business teams to ensure platform compliance with biosafety and regulatory standards while expanding into emerging markets like agriculture, genomics, and NGS.
Technologies: .NET, Microsoft, Microsoft Visual Studio, Databases, eCommerce, Back-end
Project History
Checkmate
https://www.itsacheckmate.com/solutions/web-app-orderingBuilt out the back-end API that connected to multiple restaurant point-of-sale APIs for single-source reservation management, ordering, loyalty, and rewards (https://www.itsacheckmate.com/integrations).
BLiNQ Media | Local LiFT
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blinq-media-wins-facebook-preferred-marketing-developer-innovation-award-227095661.htmlLocal LiFT is truly one of a kind. No other solution can provide this kind of automated ad creation with local-level, market-specific targeting. Retailers, consumer packaged goods makers, and shopper marketing teams have been looking for an effective solution that delivers local reach with both scale and efficiency.
Obsidian Portal
I was the co-founder of this niche social network. My co-founder was well aware of the problem GMs faced with Tabletop RPG, in which the game information is stuck in their notebook. We replace the notebook with an online planning, wiki, and social network for gamers willing to pay a monthly subscription for the service. Can you imagine having to pay $5/month for Facebook? Well, we found an audience that loved to pay us monthly for the service. In fact, the service was so loved we won a Gold ENnie Award at GenCon every year I was a member of the team.
GumGum | In-image Advertising Platform
http://techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/gumgum-launches-new-image-licensing-platform/Built an in-image and in-screen advertising platform, driving brand engagement for advertisers and increased revenue for publishers across every screen. This project was tricky because it had to load JSON and ad images from a third party after the image on the page had already been rendered. We accomplished this utilizing JSONP to overcome the cross-domain restrictions and deliver these patented in-image ads.
Second and Delware
https://tour.122delaware.com/Built a full-stack Ruby on Rails, jQuery, and Modernizr with SVG images and Pano2VR 3D renderings to deliver a 3D virtual real estate website to all potential customers to visualize the interior and exterior views from within their select unit. Customers are given several simple sliders, allowing them to select their preferences, and a custom algorithm sorts through all available units to find the optimal unit for that customer. Availability, pricing, and reservation data are synchronized through a 3rd-party integration with RealPage.
Dreamcatcher Real Estate Co.
https://search.taosnewmexico.com/Built a powerful real estate search tool to search all MLS listings for single-family homes, land/lots, commercial, and multi-family real estate available with customizations specifically targeted for real estate for sale within the Northern New Mexico region. Custom integration with Google Maps and Bootstrap to provide visualization of each property available within the region.
UnitedHealthcare Mobile
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/unitedhealthcare/id1348316600The UnitedHealthcare mobile application helps millions of members manage their health benefits, find care, view claims, and access digital ID cards. I took ownership of an outdated, underperforming app and led a full redesign, rebuild, and rearchitecture, implementing a mobile-first strategy to deliver a modern, user-friendly experience. I led a global team across engineering, product, and design, integrating AI-powered features. Under my leadership, the app became the #1 medical app in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, earning top rankings for usability and reliability. I also introduced AI-assisted coding practices to speed up development and improve quality, helping transform mobile engagement for UnitedHealthcare members.
Education
2009 - 2011
MBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation
University of Missouri Kansas City - Kansas City, MO, USA
1998 - 2001
Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science and Mathematics
University of Iowa - Iowa City, IA, USA
Certifications
APRIL 2022 - PRESENT
Private Pilot Certificate
Federal Aviation Administration
Skills
Libraries/APIs
Facebook API, jQuery, Sidekiq, Facebook Open Graph API, Facebook Ads API, REST APIs, Stripe, React, ThinkingSphinx, Social APIs, Resque, Selenium WebDriver, Underscore.js, Node.js, Vue, Stripe API, X (formerly Twitter) API, Modernizr, Google Maps, D3.js, Backbone.js
Tools
Git, GitHub, Facebook Connect, RSpec, Homebrew, Claude, Apache Solr, Multiple Listing Services (MLS), Adobe Illustrator, NGINX, Apache, Passenger, Adobe Photoshop, Terminal, Figma, Microsoft Visual Studio
Languages
JavaScript, Ruby, HTML5, Haml, HTML, CSS, CSS3, SQL, TypeScript, ECMAScript (ES6), XML, Swift, Kotlin, SCSS, CoffeeScript
Frameworks
Bootstrap, Capybara, Factory Girl, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Selenium, AngularJS, Angular, minitest, Tailwind CSS, OAuth 2, Express.js, PhoneGap, Slim, React Native, Ruby on Rails 7, Ruby on Rails 3, .NET, Next.js
Paradigms
Test-driven Development (TDD), Agile Software Development, Continuous Integration (CI), Scrum, Unit Testing, Continuous Deployment, B2B, Continuous Delivery (CD), Service-oriented Architecture (SOA), Kanban, DevOps, Unobtrusive JavaScript, Change Management, HIPAA Compliance, Automation, Mobile Development, Penetration Testing
Platforms
MacOS, Engine Yard, Heroku, Docker, DigitalOcean, Ubuntu, Linux, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Amazon EC2, WordPress, Shopify, Mobile, iOS, Android, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Firebase, Microsoft
Storage
JSON, Redis, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Databases, MongoDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Google Cloud
Other
CTO, Leadership, Stripe Payments, Full-stack, Lean Startups, SaaS, Ajax, Lean Development, Product Management, Product Development, Lean Canvas, Software Development, Story Carding, Integration Testing, Capybara-Webkit, APIs, Software, Software Consulting, Front-end Development, eCommerce, Architecture, API Integration, Full-stack Development, Fractional CTO, Technical Leadership, Startup Consulting, Team Management, Front-end, Startups, CTO, Deployment, Query Optimization, Executive Leadership, Information Technology, Back-end, Web Development, Real Estate, Social Media Optimization, Open Source, Ad Optimization, Digital Advertising, Ruby Gems, Software Architecture, Finance, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Security, Fintech, Mobile Apps, Data Architecture, Data Engineering, Business Strategy, Cursor AI, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), CAS, Authentication, Authorization, Point of Sale, SOAP, SVG, Virtual Reality (VR), Digital Media, Digital Marketing, Puma, Business, Finance APIs, Computer Science, Mathematics, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, CFO, Aviation, Aerospace & Defense, Mobile App Security, Mobile App Testing, Team Leadership, Remote Team Leadership, App Store, Google Play Store, Strategy, Strategic Planning, Budgeting, Capital Budgeting, Risk Modeling, Risk & Compliance, Compliance, SOC Compliance, HITRUST Certification, Cloud, Analytics, Analytical Thinking, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), CI/CD Pipelines, Complex Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Mobile App Development, App Store Connect, Mobile Applications
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