Ben is currently unavailable
Ben Bloom
Verified Expert in Engineering
Back-end Developer
Hod Hasharon, Israel
Toptal member since January 21, 2021
Bio
A seasoned developer, Ben combines deep technological capabilities with experience in multiple business domains. He's contributed as a leader and as a team player in R&D of medical devices, algorithmic trading system, eCommerce engines and other. Ben's passion is for building stable, extensible, and efficient systems that satisfy real business needs. Ben's worked at large companies (eBay) as well as startups, both in the US and in Israel, and gained a wide spectrum of skills at all levels.
Portfolio
Navigate
Amazon Web Services (AWS), PostgreSQL, FIX Protocol...
Avneet Grewal
Python, AWS Lambda, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Back-end, CI/CD Pipelines, DevOps
Loris
Python, Django, API Integration, Django ORM, Relational Databases, OAuth 2...
Experience
- R&D - 20 years
- Python - 10 years
- Software Architecture - 10 years
- Django - 7 years
- Medical Software - 3 years
- SciPy - 2 years
- Django REST Framework - 1 year
Preferred Environment
Amazon Web Services (AWS), Python, SciPy, NumPy, Django REST Framework, Django, PyCharm
The most amazing...
...system I've developed created 3D brain maps used in electrode-implantation procedures.
Work Experience
CTO
2020 - PRESENT
Navigate
- Developed an algorithmic trading system for US treasury bonds. The system allows both trading and research of various algorithms and optimization methods.
- Designed and implemented a system for analysis of historical bonds trading data and creating insights that are then used by a portfolio optimization engine to create trade orders.
- Implemented industry-standard protocols for communicating in real-time with trading platforms.
- Worked closely with mathematicians to enhance the analysis and optimization algorithms.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), PostgreSQL, FIX Protocol, Algorithmic Trading Analysis, SciPy, NumPy, Django, Python, Docker, APIs, API Integration, RabbitMQ, Web Scraping, Celery, Python 3, REST, Git, AWS Cloud Architecture, Back-end, SQLite, SQL, Server Sent Events (SSE), Serverless, Data Modeling, AWS Lambda, Serverless Framework, FastAPI, Fintech, REST APIs, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Windows, Microservices, Microservices Architecture, Team Leadership, Technology, JSON, Django ORM, Relational Databases, Redis, Amazon Elastic Container Service (ECS), HTML5, Object-oriented Programming (OOP)
Full-stack Python Developer
2025 - 2025
Avneet Grewal
- Engineered and deployed multiple updates for an existing system, which added critical features and enhanced the user interface based on customer requests.
- Managed both back-end and front-end issues. Some of the functionality was implemented using Lambda functions.
- Launched the system successfully at the end of this project.
Technologies: Python, AWS Lambda, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Back-end, CI/CD Pipelines, DevOps
Python Developer
2022 - 2025
Loris
- Designed and implemented several CRM integrations via multiple protocols. All were successfully deployed to production.
- Maintained a 24/7 live system, applying hotfixes to reach high availability.
- Worked with a team of software engineers and AI/ML experts to enhance the company's core product functionality using agile development methodology.
Technologies: Python, Django, API Integration, Django ORM, Relational Databases, OAuth 2, HTML5, Object-oriented Programming (OOP)
Senior Back-end Engineer
2022 - 2022
Truehold
- Developed the back-end server for the new company backbone system intended to replace a legacy system.
- Contributed to the two-way HubSpot integration. The integration was with additional third-party information providers for data enrichment.
- Collaborated with front-end engineers on the RESTful API specification and implementation.
Technologies: Django, Python, APIs, REST APIs, PostgreSQL, Amazon Web Services (AWS), API Integration, HubSpot CRM, RabbitMQ, Microsoft Excel, Celery, Git, AWS Cloud Architecture, Web Scraping, Back-end, SQL, Data Modeling, Amazon EC2 API, HTML, CSS, Windows, Technology, JSON, Django ORM, Relational Databases, HTML5, Object-oriented Programming (OOP)
Vice President of R&D
2018 - 2019
CathWorks
- Led the development of a system for real-time processing of coronary angiograms, producing a 3D coronary arteries model and algorithmically detecting lesions.
- Managed teams of algorithmic experts, software developers, testers, and hardware engineers.
- Delivered an integrated hardware and software console, compliant with strict medical standards and FDA and CE approved.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Medical Software, Medical Devices, Software Design, Software Architecture, R&D, REST, Git, Back-end, Data Modeling, Windows, Team Leadership, Technology, JSON, Engineering Management, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
Senior Back-end Developer
2016 - 2017
Surgical Information Sciences
- Developed an automated patient-specific brain structures mapping tool based on high-res MRI images to be used in deep brain stimulation electrode transplant operations.
- Converted and optimized image analysis MATLAB code into Python.
- Created a system that provided access to the algorithms as a cloud-service. Images loaded by registered physicians were analyzed and results were routed back to the users.
Technologies: Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Amazon EC2, SciPy, NumPy, Python, APIs, API Integration, Git, AWS Cloud Architecture, Back-end, Amazon DynamoDB, Data Modeling, Amazon EC2 API, REST APIs, Technology, JSON, Relational Databases, HTML5, Object-oriented Programming (OOP)
CEO | Founder
2014 - 2016
Loop Index
- Founded and managed a software development company.
- Managed all business activities as well as human resources.
- Developed cloud-based systems for the local market, mainly eCommerce-oriented.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Business Management, Django, Python, REST, Git, AWS Cloud Architecture, Back-end, SQL, Amazon EC2 API, NGINX, REST APIs, HTML, CSS, Windows, Team Leadership, Technology, Relational Databases, Engineering Management
Head of R&D
2011 - 2014
Operative Media
- Directed a software R&D department of 70 software programmers.
- Managed the continued development of the company's legacy 24/7 mission-critical enterprise system globally deployed at multiple sites.
- Led the R&D of an innovative system based on state-of-the-art technologies to connect broadcast networks and advertise sales executives over a web-based platform.
Technologies: R&D, Windows, Team Leadership, Technology, Engineering Management, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
Senior Developer | Technological Consultant
2008 - 2011
Self-employed
- Provided technological consultancy in the areas of eCommerce, information retrieval systems; joined development teams in the design and implementation phases.
- Performed coaching R&D managers in organizational transition processes.
- Participated in system analysis and requirements specifications documentation.
Technologies: API Integration, Back-end, MySQL, REST APIs, Windows, Microservices, Microservices Architecture, Technology, Django ORM, Object-oriented Programming (OOP)
Head of Engineering
2007 - 2008
Shopping.com
- Led the technology transition of the Israeli site into eBay’s center for e-catalogs.
- Created a strong team with a good mix of superb talent. Trained and coached team managers to work individually and as an effective middle management group.
- Managed three software development teams, a technical operations group, and software QA and research departments.
Technologies: R&D, Back-end, Windows, Team Leadership, Technology, Engineering Management, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
Director of Software
2000 - 2006
Harmonic
- Led the development of the new state-of-the-art network management systems (NMS) from inception to successful launch.
- Supervised the merging of the former DiviCom and Harmonic NMS teams, bridging challenging cultural, geographical, and technological gaps.
- Worked directly with US and international customers in requirements gathering, technical gap resolution, and presales activities.
Technologies: Digital Video, CA Network & Systems Management (NSM), R&D, Windows, Team Leadership, Technology, Relational Databases, Engineering Management, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
Experience
US Treasury Bonds Algorithmic Trading System
Navigate is a stealth-mode startup company whose goal is to create an algorithmic trading system based on an innovative macroeconomic theoretical foundation. At Navigate, I am a co-founder and CTO.
In my capacity as the CTO, I designed and implemented the entire system from inception. A significant pillar of the system is an analysis engine that digests large amounts of historical trading data and produces insights into the bond values and risks. This information is stored in a database and continuously updated as real-time data flows from the market over industry-standard protocols.
Another sub-system performs real-time optimization of the portfolios per user-defined strategies. This subsystem's output is a flow of trade orders that are sent to the trading platforms for execution.
The system is deployed on AWS and is available 24/7 to the company's internal staff for continued research and back-testing.
As the back-end developer, I dealt with all technical aspects of the system, e.g., architecture design, module design, implementation, deployment, and so on. The system is Python/Django-based and is deployed on Linux servers.
In my capacity as the CTO, I designed and implemented the entire system from inception. A significant pillar of the system is an analysis engine that digests large amounts of historical trading data and produces insights into the bond values and risks. This information is stored in a database and continuously updated as real-time data flows from the market over industry-standard protocols.
Another sub-system performs real-time optimization of the portfolios per user-defined strategies. This subsystem's output is a flow of trade orders that are sent to the trading platforms for execution.
The system is deployed on AWS and is available 24/7 to the company's internal staff for continued research and back-testing.
As the back-end developer, I dealt with all technical aspects of the system, e.g., architecture design, module design, implementation, deployment, and so on. The system is Python/Django-based and is deployed on Linux servers.
An Integrated CathLab Medical Diagnostic Console
https://www.cath.works/cathworks-ffrangio/CathWorks makes diagnostic systems for analyzing coronary artery blood flow. The inputs of the system are sets of coronary angiograms. These blurred video clips are analyzed and converted into a clean 3D model used to assess the blood flow and predict lesion locations. Finally, an interactive UI tool allows the clinician to measure the arteries' dimensions along the blood vessels virtually.
As VP of R&D, I led the algorithms, software development, and software testing teams to produce a streamlined and intuitive tool for the clinician.
The system was deployed as a standalone console at CathLabs. In my position, I also led the development of the new console hardware generation. With a team—consisting of a company system engineer and several subcontractors—we designed and implemented the mechanics, electronics, planned the production, and then manufactured the new platforms.
The integrated system was developed to be medical-grade, i.e., regulatory compliance.
As VP of R&D, I led the algorithms, software development, and software testing teams to produce a streamlined and intuitive tool for the clinician.
The system was deployed as a standalone console at CathLabs. In my position, I also led the development of the new console hardware generation. With a team—consisting of a company system engineer and several subcontractors—we designed and implemented the mechanics, electronics, planned the production, and then manufactured the new platforms.
The integrated system was developed to be medical-grade, i.e., regulatory compliance.
Medical System Back-end Server
An optometric myopia prediction system that is used for optimizing treatment in children and youth. I developed a Flask-Python-based server that served both as a web server and as a REST-API server. As a web-server, users could sign up and sign in to the system, enter patients' data, and view predictions and analyses of the patients' medical status. In their function as REST-API servers, remote systems could authenticate, send patients information and get IFrame-embeddable HTML snippets.
The system implemented both basic and JWT authentication mechanisms. It was integrated with Stripe for payments management. Several user tiers were implemented, exposing different views and capabilities of the system.
The system implemented both basic and JWT authentication mechanisms. It was integrated with Stripe for payments management. Several user tiers were implemented, exposing different views and capabilities of the system.
Education
2007 - 2009
Master's Degree in Business Administration
Kellog Recanati School of Management - Tel Aviv, Israel
1979 - 1981
Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics and Computer Science
The Hebrew University - Jerusalem, Israel
Certifications
APRIL 2020 - PRESENT
AWS Business Professional
Amazon Web Services
Skills
Libraries/APIs
REST APIs, Django ORM, NumPy, SciPy, Amazon EC2 API, Pandas, Matplotlib, Python API, Stripe
Tools
PyCharm, Microsoft Excel, RabbitMQ, Celery, Docker Compose, Git, GitHub, GitLab, NGINX, Amazon Elastic Container Service (ECS)
Languages
Python, SQL, Python 3, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, HTML5
Frameworks
Django, Django REST Framework, JSON Web Tokens (JWT), Flask, Serverless Framework, OAuth 2
Paradigms
Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Microservices, Microservices Architecture, REST, DevOps
Storage
Relational Databases, SQLite, JSON, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), PostgreSQL, NoSQL, Amazon DynamoDB, MySQL, Redis
Platforms
Windows, Amazon EC2, Amazon Web Services (AWS), AWS Lambda, Docker
Other
R&D, Team Leadership, Technology, Engineering Management, Software Design, Medical Devices, Back-end, APIs, API Integration, Architecture, CTO, Web Scraping, Data Modeling, Fintech, Business Management, Software Architecture, Medical Software, Algorithmic Trading Analysis, FIX Protocol, CA Network & Systems Management (NSM), Digital Video, AWS Cloud Architecture, Product Management, HubSpot CRM, Server Sent Events (SSE), Serverless, FastAPI, Amazon RDS, Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), CI/CD Pipelines
Collaboration That Works
How to Work with Toptal
Toptal matches you directly with global industry experts from our network in hours—not weeks or months.
1
Share your needs
Discuss your requirements and refine your scope in a call with a Toptal domain expert.
2
Choose your talent
Get a short list of expertly matched talent within 24 hours to review, interview, and choose from.
3
Start your risk-free talent trial
Work with your chosen talent on a trial basis for up to two weeks. Pay only if you decide to hire them.
Top talent is in high demand.
Start hiring