Aidan McKenna
Verified Expert in Engineering
Full-stack Developer
Portalegre, Portugal
Toptal member since March 30, 2026
Aidan is a hands-on senior full-stack developer with 20+ years of experience building, shipping, and maintaining multiple live software products. He has been fully responsible for architecture, implementation, databases, testing, deployment, and production support across platforms. He has deep expertise in C #, .NET, C++, SQL, back-end APIs, and practical end-to-end delivery.
Portfolio
Experience
- Full-stack Development - 20 years
- Databases - 20 years
- SQL - 20 years
- C# - 10 years
- .NET - 10 years
- C#.NET - 10 years
- Fastify - 2 years
- TypeScript - 2 years
Preferred Environment
Visual Studio, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), JetBrains Rider
The most amazing...
...thing I’ve developed is commercial software used by thousands of customers across desktop, mobile, consoles, back end, and web.
Work Experience
Founder | Architect | Lead Engineer
ACWorld
- Built a companion ecosystem including a Windows app, back-end services, and a web platform for an esports racing community.
- Delivered the system end-to-end across client application, API, database, and deployment workflow as the sole engineer.
- Built and maintained the app, website, server, back end, and infrastructure supporting a live community of esports players.
Founder | Architect | Lead Engineer
GrassGames
- Built and shipped multiple commercial software products used by thousands of customers across desktop, mobile, and console platforms, from initial development through release and long-term support.
- Managed end-to-end delivery across architecture, coding, testing, deployment, distribution, and production operations.
- Built and operated back-end, web, and commercial infrastructure for software distribution, production operations, and ongoing customer-facing delivery.
Chief Technical Officer
Icon.X World
- Delivered the full platform as the sole engineer, covering front-end, back-end, infrastructure, testing, deployment, and production support.
- Designed and implemented a platform for an esports racing community, covering the app, website, back-end, database, and live operations.
- Created and implemented Web3 platform components, including blockchain integration and smart contract-related systems.
Senior Programmer
Virtual CTO
- Developed a SIM top-up system that was deployed successfully and generated strong commercial results at Heathrow Airport.
- Designed and implemented the system end-to-end, covering application logic, database work, deployment, and live operational support.
- Supported the system in production, handling fixes, improvements, and operational reliability.
Experience
Solitaire 3D
https://www.grassgames.com/solitaireAC World
https://acworld.netQuiz Back-end API
The project also included a React-based test front-end client for exercising endpoints and verifying behavior during development.
My involvement covered the technical design and hands-on implementation of the system, with particular focus on a clean back-end architecture, reliable data handling, and practical integration between the API and database layers.
This project demonstrated my ability to build a modern PostgreSQL-backed application using current JavaScript/TypeScript tooling and to take a back-end system from setup through working implementation.
Dictator
The app integrates Whisper for high-accuracy transcription (STT) and Piper for fast, natural voice synthesis (TTS), enabling two-way voice interaction while preserving user privacy and reducing cloud dependency.
I handled the full implementation lifecycle, including local model integration, desktop UX flow, audio pipeline behavior, packaging, and practical performance tuning for smooth day-to-day use on consumer hardware.
Track Rider
The concept was to let users train and compete on famous motorsport circuits, combining fitness hardware integration with interactive simulation. My work included BLE device discovery, GATT service handling, real-time subscription to cycling speed/cadence and power measurements, device reconnect flows, and the surrounding app/game interface.
Table Tennis Pro
https://www.grassgames.com/ttproAC World Companion App
https://acworld.net/companion-appEducation
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science
Dublin City University - Dublin, Ireland
Skills
Libraries/APIs
REST APIs, Auth, API Development, JSON API, React, Node.js, Windows Forms (WinForms), Stripe, Three.js, WebGL, Twilio API, Entity Framework, React Native for Web, Stripe API
Tools
Visual Studio, Apache, Xcode, Git, JetBrains Rider, C#.NET WinForms, ChatGPT, Claude, Claude Code, Codex, GitHub, TestFlight, Expo, MSBuild, Prisma, Blender, 3ds Max, Autodesk 3ds Max, Figma
Languages
C++, SQL, C#.NET, PHP, TypeScript, C#, Lua, Perl, CSS, HTML, Python, Rust, JavaScript, XAML, Solidity, Kotlin
Frameworks
Fastify, Monogame, .NET, Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), React Native, Next.js, .NET MAUI, Tailwind CSS, ASP.NET, Windows Credential Framework, Blazor
Paradigms
Desktop App Development, Testing, REST, Cross-platform, Hosting, Mobile Development, Gamification, Back-end Architecture, UI Design, UX Design, Mobile App Design, Windows App Development, Event-driven Architecture, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Unit Testing
Platforms
Visual Studio Code (VS Code), Microsoft, MacOS, iOS, Android, Windows Desktop, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Blockchain, Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs), Ethereum, Twilio
Storage
Databases, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Database Architecture, Microsoft SQL Server, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), SQLite
Industry Expertise
Web Design
Other
Architecture, Design, Full-stack Development, JSON REST APIs, Full-stack, Desktop App, Desktop App Design, Mobile Apps, Mobile App Development, Android App Development, iOS App Development, Front-end, Front-end Development, User Experience (UX), API Integration, User Interface (UI), APIs, Security, Aesthetics, Animation, Technical Architecture, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Product Management, Back-end, Back-end Development, Startups, Payment Gateways, RESTFul APIs, Software Architecture, Coding, App Store, Software Development, Debugging, Web Development, Mobile First, Cross-platform App Development, Google Play Store, Cursor AI, Game Development, 2D Games, Creative Concept Development, Layered Animations, Product Mindset, Motion, User Roles, Online Ordering, HTTP, Scalable Web Services, Technical Leadership, Games, Gaming, UI Animation, App Store Acceptance Process, Game Design, Back-end Performance, Platforms, Windows Desktop Software, Algorithms, Solana, Web3, CI/CD Pipelines, Real-time Data, Blockchain & Cryptocurrency, Payment APIs, Legacy Code, IT Security, Stripe Terminal, Artificial Intelligence (AI), AI Tools, Google Antigravity, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Geometric Modeling, Third-party APIs, Payments, Figma to React, Performance Optimization, AI-generated Code, Webhooks, eCommerce, Vite, Web Applications, Cloud Platforms, Middleware, Scalability, Auditing, Random Number Generation, 3D Games, Casinos & Gaming, System Administration, Cryptocurrency, Smart Contracts, Workflow, AI Integration, Cloud Infrastructure, API Backwards Compatibility, Authentication, Application Modernization, Document Processing, PDF, Windows 10, Windows 11, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), ERC-20, Large Language Models (LLMs)
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