Andy is available for hire
Hire AndyAndy Smith
Verified Expert in Engineering
Software Engineer and Developer
Tecumseh, MI, United States
Toptal member since May 5, 2026
Bio
Andy is a senior engineer and founder with 20+ years of expertise across desktop, web, back-end, and AI platforms. He excels in soloing production systems end-to-end and advising CIOs, CTOs, and boards on engineering strategy. Now focused on multi-agent AI and LLM platform architecture, Andy is an expert in legacy rescue, performance, and modernization. He is also a public voice in agentic AI, with a developer-focused YouTube channel on Microsoft Autogen, featured by the official Autogen team.
Portfolio
Evolve Strategies
AI Integration, Retrieval-augmented Generation (RAG), Cursor AI...
Snowy Road Consulting, LLC
AI Integration, Cursor AI, Codex, Claude Code, OpenAI API, C#, Blazor...
Shinzen Young
OpenAI API, AutoGen, Zep, LiveKit, Retrieval-augmented Generation (RAG), Python...
Experience
- Software Development - 20 years
- Pair Programming - 18 years
- C# - 10 years
- Blazor - 5 years
- LLM Integration - 3 years
- Agentic Coding - 3 years
- AI Integration - 3 years
- AI Agent Orchestration - 2 years
Preferred Environment
Windows, MacOS, Slack, Discord, Cursor AI, Codex, Claude Code
The most amazing...
...thing I've done is to create a Python-based YouTube series on Autogen. The Autogen team themselves featured one of my tutorials on their official Discord!
Work Experience
Technical Architect & Project Lead
2024 - PRESENT
Evolve Strategies
- Created database-driven survey engine; add content by data, not code.
- Embedded RAG chatbot for context-aware in-product answers.
- Architected thin, purposeful features that reduce friction for users and maintainers.
Technologies: AI Integration, Retrieval-augmented Generation (RAG), Cursor AI, LLM Integration, C#, Blazor, Azure, AI-assisted Development, Agentic Engineering
Co-founder & Principal Consultant
2024 - PRESENT
Snowy Road Consulting, LLC
- Co-founded boutique consultancy focused on scalable, compliance-aligned platforms.
- Led architecture and hands-on delivery for Evolve Strategies.
- Embedded AI assistance directly into user workflows.
Technologies: AI Integration, Cursor AI, Codex, Claude Code, OpenAI API, C#, Blazor, AI Agents, AI-assisted Development, Agentic Engineering
AI R&D Strategist
2023 - PRESENT
Shinzen Young
- Prototyped agentic coaching and retrieval features with Autogen and OpenAI.
- Presented the MVP plan to the board and secured approval.
- Created a cross-platform app version with agentic coding, using Expo as a core technology.
Technologies: OpenAI API, AutoGen, Zep, LiveKit, Retrieval-augmented Generation (RAG), Python, Expo, ElevenLabs Solutions, Next.js, AI-assisted Development, Agentic Engineering
Founder & Principal Consultant
2021 - PRESENT
Kalimba Consulting, LLC
- Offered independent consulting through Kalimba, focused on AI features and .NET/Azure modernization.
- Offered writing-first, async style. Shipped safely with tests, feature flags, and small experiments.
- Engaged with clients such as Twin Vee/Wizzbanger, Revver Digital, and Auralab Technologies.
Technologies: Agentic Coding, Context Engineering, Prompt Engineering, AI Agent Orchestration, Codex, Claude Code, Cursor AI, OpenAI API, Anthropic, X.ai API, Gemini API, Agentic Workflow Design, LLM Integration, AI Product Strategy, Blazor, C#, Azure, Azure DevOps, Azure AI Studio, Technical Writing, Mentorship & Coaching, Executive Consulting, Code Review, Technical Leadership, AI-assisted Development, Agentic Engineering
Principal Software Architect
2025 - 2025
Wizzbanger (a subsidiary of Twin Vee)
- Designed LLM-agnostic architecture: configuration-driven framework with primary/fallback models.
- Automated LLM benchmarking against ground truth to select best model per task.
- Created config-driven endpoints so new analysis types deploy without code changes.
- Leveraged model assistants (e.g., OpenAI Codex, Anthropic Claude) to accelerate implementation.
Technologies: AI Agent Orchestration, Agentic Coding, AI Automation, Context Engineering, Prompt Engineering, Agentic Workflow Design, LLM Integration, API Design, OpenAI API, Anthropic, X.ai API, Gemini API, Azure AI Studio, Technical Leadership, AI-assisted Development, Agentic Engineering
Tech Lead
2021 - 2024
Revver Digital (owned by Onewater Marine)
- Implemented automated follow-up scheduling used by sales teams.
- Standardized time-zone handling across the platform.
- Introduced and leaned on tests and CI/CD to steady releases.
- Reduced production incidents and stabilized release cadence.
Technologies: Agentic Coding, Cursor AI, Legacy Code, C#, Azure, Azure DevOps, CI/CD Pipelines, Automated Testing
Executive Consultant & Technical Lead
2020 - 2022
Auralab Technologies
- Mentored leadership and junior developers in clean code and test automation.
- Coordinated cross-platform migration with the offshore team.
- Improved engineering practices and delivery discipline.
Technologies: Team Mentoring, Mentorship & Coaching, Leadership, Automated Testing, Unity, C#
Senior Software Engineer
2020 - 2021
Ithaka
- Improved performance and reliability of authentication and content systems.
- Built and deployed GDPR-compliant microservices to support offerings to educational institutions.
- Implemented CI/CD with Jenkins and Amazon Web Services.
Technologies: Java, TypeScript, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Node.js, Code Review, Jenkins
Software Artisan
2019 - 2020
Pillar Technology (acquired by Accenture)
- Delivered complex Angular/.NET solutions for enterprise clients.
- Built API bridges to modernize legacy data flows across applications.
- Led Agile coaching and mentoring of both clients and junior developers.
Technologies: Java, Technical Writing, Code Review
Software Journeyman
2017 - 2019
Pillar Technology Inc
- Mentored client teams and junior developers on clean architecture and test-driven development.
- Created automated testing suites and deployment pipelines via Azure DevOps and Jenkins.
- Designed and implemented modern Angular UIs to replace legacy software used by the Michigan Supreme Court.
Technologies: Java, C#, Azure DevOps, Angular, Jenkins, Research, Code Review, Legacy Code, CI/CD Pipelines, Spring Boot, Technical Writing, Test-driven Development (TDD)
Apps Systems Engineer
2016 - 2017
GE Capital (acquired by Wells Fargo)
- Architected the front end for multi-tenant Java applications.
- Conducted security reviews and created technical documentation to assist with lift and shift from GE to Wells Fargo.
- Performed Linux-based deployments across clustered servers.
Technologies: Java, JavaScript, jQuery, iBATIS, Spring
Senior Developer
2013 - 2016
GE Capital
- Created a compliance tool that was adopted by General Electric, company-wide.
- Created interactive front-end modules with Backbone and jQuery.
- Maintained JUnit-based testing suite for reliability.
Technologies: Java, Technical Writing, JavaScript, jQuery, iBATIS, Spring
Senior Developer
2008 - 2013
Dynamic Edge
- Achieved 10x performance gain on a critical database path via a custom JDBC query builder.
- Built Active MQ-based replication and messaging capabilities.
- Managed client deployments and provided live incident support.
Technologies: Java, JavaScript, Technical Writing, Test-driven Development (TDD), Linux System Administration, JDBC, Hibernate, jQuery, Spring
Developer
2008 - 2008
Menlo Innovations
- Hand-implemented ZIP specifications to fix a show-stopping issue.
- Mentored developers in pair programming and test-driven development.
- Strengthened automated tests and built pipelines across multiple diverse projects.
Technologies: Agile, Pair Programming, Test-driven Development (TDD), CI/CD Pipelines, Java, C#, Extreme Programming
Lead Developer
2005 - 2008
INORA Technologies
- Modernized Delphi desktop applications tied to proprietary math engine.
- Integrated PDF and OpenGL rendering for visual analysis.
- Executed multiple legacy rescues to extend product life.
Technologies: Delphi, Legacy Code, Technical Writing, OpenGL, Code Review
Experience
Wizzbanger
The CIO of Twin Vee asked me to architect an API that harnessed LLMs to estimate watercraft market value based only on images. I was the sole architect and developer on this project.
I built LLM routing with provider fallback (OpenAI, Anthropic, Grok) selected by config, plus an evaluation harness against ground truth to pick the right model for each step in the pipeline. New analysis types ship by configuration, not code.
Pipeline: From photo to analysis tasks (vision + LLM) to market comp search to estimate
Stack: .NET 9 on Azure (AI Foundry, Cosmos DB, App Configuration).
Result: A live app in app stores, used for investor demos and IPO support for a planned spin-off. It also provided more accurate valuation estimates, which are more sensitive to market fluctuations than those of major players like JD Power and NADA.
I built LLM routing with provider fallback (OpenAI, Anthropic, Grok) selected by config, plus an evaluation harness against ground truth to pick the right model for each step in the pipeline. New analysis types ship by configuration, not code.
Pipeline: From photo to analysis tasks (vision + LLM) to market comp search to estimate
Stack: .NET 9 on Azure (AI Foundry, Cosmos DB, App Configuration).
Result: A live app in app stores, used for investor demos and IPO support for a planned spin-off. It also provided more accurate valuation estimates, which are more sensitive to market fluctuations than those of major players like JD Power and NADA.
Education
2000 - 2005
Bachelor's Degree in Music
Eastern Michigan University - Ypsilanti, MI, USA
2000 - 2005
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science
Eastern Michigan University - Ypsilanti, MI, USA
Skills
Libraries/APIs
OpenAI API, OpenGL, JDBC, jQuery, Node.js
Tools
Slack, Codex, Claude Code, Jenkins, Expo
Frameworks
Blazor, Hibernate, Spring, iBATIS, Angular, Spring Boot, Unity, AutoGen, Next.js
Paradigms
Pair Programming, Automated Testing, Agile, Test-driven Development (TDD), Extreme Programming, Azure DevOps
Languages
Java, C#, Delphi, JavaScript, TypeScript, Python
Platforms
Windows, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Azure, Azure AI Studio, LiveKit, MacOS
Other
Software Development, Technical Writing, Code Review, Research, AI Integration, Cursor AI, AI Agents, Retrieval-augmented Generation (RAG), LLM Integration, Team Mentoring, Mentorship & Coaching, Agentic Coding, AI Agent Orchestration, AI Automation, Context Engineering, Prompt Engineering, Agentic Workflow Design, Anthropic, X.ai API, Gemini API, AI-assisted Development, Music Theory, Legacy Code, CI/CD Pipelines, Linux System Administration, Leadership, API Design, Technical Leadership, Zep, ElevenLabs Solutions, AI Product Strategy, Executive Consulting, Thought Leadership, Discord, Agentic Engineering
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