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Chirag Patel
Verified Expert in Engineering
Software Developer
London, United Kingdom
Toptal member since September 21, 2022
Bio
Chirag is a senior software engineer with 17 years experience in the mobile application space working across Android, iOS, Flutter, and JavaME. Capable of leading and taking ownership of all development process elements from product inception to release. He has worked on applications for the biggest brands, including Nike, Reebok, BMW, Vue Cinemas, Zoopla, and Travelex.
Portfolio
Omnimind Ltd
Flutter, Dart, Social Media Marketing (SMM), 2D Games, Community Management...
Indeed Flex
Android, Java, Kotlin, Jira, GitHub, Photoshop CC, JSON, User Authentication...
Travelex
Android, Java, JSON, User Authentication, REST APIs, MacOS, Mobile Development...
Experience
- Java - 15 years
- Android - 10 years
- Flutter - 3 years
- Dart - 3 years
- Firebase - 3 years
- Google Cloud - 3 years
- Kotlin - 2 years
Preferred Environment
Linux, MacOS, Android, Flutter, Dart, Java, Kotlin, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Firebase, Google Cloud
The most amazing...
...project I've developed is a game called Omnichess that allows the user to design and create their own chess variants. It is available on almost every platform.
Work Experience
Chief Technical Officer
2019 - PRESENT
Omnimind Ltd
- Designed and developed Omnichess' front-end clients using Flutter and released them on every platform Flutter supports. Released the game on Steam, which was the first game on Steam built with Flutter.
- Created and developed Omnichess' back end on AWS, which now runs autonomously, scaling up and down as required.
- Ran a marketing campaign across several channels, including Reddit, Facebook, and Google Ads, to promote the game. Created all video trailers and marketing images.
- Built the App Store server software development kit (SDK) package (https://pub.dev/packages/app_store_server_sdk) and the PayPal SDK package (https://pub.dev/packages/paypal_sdk).
Technologies: Flutter, Dart, Social Media Marketing (SMM), 2D Games, Community Management, App Store Marketing, JSON, User Authentication, Messaging, Push Notifications, REST APIs, IT Administration, MacOS, Mobile Development, Full-stack, Stripe, REST, Unit Testing, CI/CD Pipelines, Mobile Applications, Mobile Apps, Amazon Web Services (AWS), User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), DevOps, Gaming, Mobile, Python, APIs, Mobile APIs, Architecture, Games, Video Games, Software Architecture, CTO, HTML, CSS, AWS Lambda, Localization, API Integration, JavaScript, TypeScript, WebSockets, System Administration, Single Sign-on (SSO), Development, Websites, Amazon DynamoDB, Native Mobile Apps, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Leadership, Xcode, Back-end, Android Studio, Full-stack Development, Mobile App Development, Cross-platform, Android Jetpack
Lead Android Engineer
2015 - 2019
Indeed Flex
- Acted as the solo Android developer for the Syft application, which connected job seekers in the hospitality and warehousing industries to employers.
- Worked with the product team to define new features for the application and with the back-end team to define REST APIs to support new features.
- Managed the London office IT infrastructure, including the network, internet, WIFI, and VOIP.
Technologies: Android, Java, Kotlin, Jira, GitHub, Photoshop CC, JSON, User Authentication, Messaging, Push Notifications, REST APIs, MacOS, Zeplin, Mobile Development, REST, Unit Testing, CI/CD Pipelines, Mobile Applications, Mobile Apps, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), DevOps, Mobile, APIs, Mobile APIs, Android SDK, Architecture, Software Architecture, HTML, CSS, API Integration, System Administration, Development, Native Mobile Apps, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Leadership, Android Studio, Mobile App Development, Android Jetpack
Senior Android Engineer
2015 - 2015
Travelex
- Worked as part of a team to develop the new Travelex Supercard companion Android app. This was a short contract to develop the first release, which we achieved in less than six months as a team of three.
- Collaborated with UI/UX designers to create screen designs for the application.
- Defined application architecture with other developers.
Technologies: Android, Java, JSON, User Authentication, REST APIs, MacOS, Mobile Development, REST, Unit Testing, Mobile Applications, Mobile Apps, Mobile, APIs, Mobile APIs, Android SDK, Architecture, API Integration, Development, Native Mobile Apps, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Android Studio, Mobile App Development
Senior Android Engineer
2014 - 2014
AKQA
- Added new features to the Nike Training Club Android application as part of a team of developers.
- Took ownership of a new feature that allowed training videos to be streamed to Google Chromecast devices.
- Worked on the content management system, which fed content into mobile applications.
Technologies: Android, Java, Chromecast, JSON, MacOS, Mobile Development, REST, Unit Testing, Mobile Applications, Mobile Apps, Mobile, APIs, Mobile APIs, REST APIs, Android SDK, Localization, API Integration, SQL, Development, Native Mobile Apps, Xcode, Android Studio, Mobile App Development
Lead Android Engineer
2013 - 2014
Blinkbox Books
- Led the Android team to develop the new Blinkbox Books app, which allowed users to purchase e-books and read them on their mobile or tablet devices.
- Worked with the web team to define the JavaScript interface for the EPUB reader web module.
- Created new screens for the application working with UI/UX designers.
Technologies: Android, Java, Photoshop CC, GitHub, Jira, JSON, User Authentication, Push Notifications, REST APIs, MacOS, Mobile Development, REST, Unit Testing, CI/CD Pipelines, Mobile Applications, Mobile Apps, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Mobile, APIs, Mobile APIs, Android SDK, Architecture, Software Architecture, API Integration, JavaScript, TypeScript, SQL, Development, Native Mobile Apps, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Leadership, Android Studio, Mobile App Development
Senior Mobile Engineer
2011 - 2013
Monitise
- Led the development of the Android Simply Tap application, an m-commerce app that allowed users to buy products from one of the vendors.
- Created a mechanism by which it was possible to produce unique versions of the app branded for each vendor.
- Took over responsibility for maintaining the iOS application as well.
Technologies: Android, iOS, Java, Objective-C, Push Notifications, Linux, MacOS, Mobile Development, Unit Testing, Mobile Applications, Mobile Apps, Mobile, APIs, Mobile APIs, Android SDK, API Integration, Development, Native Mobile Apps, Xcode, Mobile App Development
Senior Mobile Engineer
2009 - 2011
M&C Saatchi
- Developed the Reebok Zigtech Android app, a game designed to promote the release of the Zigtech trainer.
- Created the Zoopla Android app, allowing users to search for properties for sale in the UK and see average price information for different areas.
- Built the Vue Cinemas Android app, which allows users to find cinemas, see film schedules, and download and watch trailers. Also created a server component to support both Android and iOS apps.
- Developed the BMW Approved Used Cars Android app, which allowed users to browse for used cars for sale in a given area.
- Created the Speedo Triathlete iPhone app that allows users to find information on recent and upcoming athletics events and get training tips for running, swimming, cycling, and information about Speedo products.
- Maintained some office IT infrastructure. Set up version control systems, company WIKI, and back-end servers to support our applications.
- Created SMS marketing campaigns for clients like Topman, Dior, and Liberty Mutual.
- Built a mobile website for Becks that allowed users to find the nearest gigs and concerts to any location in the UK.
Technologies: Android, Java, iOS, Objective-C, Subversion (SVN), Jira, Confluence, JBoss, Java Servlets, Ubuntu, User Authentication, Push Notifications, REST APIs, IT Administration, MacOS, Web, Mobile Development, Full-stack, CI/CD Pipelines, Mobile Applications, Mobile Apps, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), DevOps, Gaming, Mobile, APIs, Mobile APIs, Android SDK, Architecture, Games, Video Games, Software Architecture, HTML, CSS, Development, Websites, Native Mobile Apps, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Leadership, Xcode, Back-end, Full-stack Development, Mobile App Development
JavaME Developer
2009 - 2009
Badoo
- Assisted with the development of the Badoo JavaME client. This was a short-term contract.
- Implemented the photo management portion of the application.
- Contributed bug fixes to the open source SwingME project.
Technologies: Java ME, Eclipse, Mobile Development, Mobile Applications, Mobile Apps, Mobile, APIs, Mobile APIs, API Integration, Development, Native Mobile Apps, Mobile App Development
Senior Developer
2008 - 2009
Paxmodept
- Developed the first version of the Palringo Android application, one of the first chat applications released on Android.
- Interacted with the community to gain feedback and suggestions to help drive application improvements.
- Worked with Good Technology to assist the development of their enterprise email Android application.
Technologies: Android, Eclipse, Java, Photoshop CC, User Authentication, Messaging, Push Notifications, Mobile Development, Mobile Applications, Mobile Apps, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Mobile, APIs, Mobile APIs, Android SDK, Architecture, Software Architecture, API Integration, XML, Development, Native Mobile Apps, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Leadership, Mobile App Development
Software Developer
2005 - 2007
Mfuse
- Developed several applications using JavaME, allowing users to bet on sports events and play casino-style games.
- Created a library that allowed the team to use Bitmap fonts in our applications.
- Worked on the provisioning system, allowing users to download the correct app version to their mobile devices.
Technologies: Java ME, Eclipse, Photoshop CC, User Authentication, Mobile Development, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Mobile, Mobile Apps, Mobile Applications, APIs, Mobile APIs, Architecture, Software Architecture, API Integration, XML, Development, Native Mobile Apps, Mobile App Development
Experience
Omnichess
https://www.omnichess.club/Omnichess is a chess application that allows users to design and play their own chess variants. The engine supports multiple board types and variants with up to eight players. An AI facilitates local offline play, and a back-end is deployed on AWS, allowing online games.
Developed the entire application on my own. It uses Flutter for the front end, while the back-end is also written in Dart, allowing a large amount of code sharing.
Upon release, I created marketing images and videos to promote the app. I've made communities on Reddit, Facebook, and Discord where players can come together to discuss the game and suggest new features.
Developed the entire application on my own. It uses Flutter for the front end, while the back-end is also written in Dart, allowing a large amount of code sharing.
Upon release, I created marketing images and videos to promote the app. I've made communities on Reddit, Facebook, and Discord where players can come together to discuss the game and suggest new features.
Syft | Indeed Flex Android Application
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.syftapp.androidI was the sole Android developer for the Syft (now Indeed Flex) app, which connected job seekers in the hospitality and warehousing industries with employers. I took ownership of the app from when the company was less than 10 people in size to when it grew to be over 100, seeing the company to a successful buyout by Indeed.
As the longest-serving developer on the team, I played a crucial role in many elements of the engineering function, including defining new features with products, defining new REST APIs with the back-end team, interviewing and hiring, and managing the office IT infrastructure.
As the longest-serving developer on the team, I played a crucial role in many elements of the engineering function, including defining new features with products, defining new REST APIs with the back-end team, interviewing and hiring, and managing the office IT infrastructure.
Education
2001 - 2005
Master in Science in Computer Science
Queen Mary University of London - London, UK
Certifications
NOVEMBER 2005 - PRESENT
Sun Certified Developer for The Java 2 Platform
Sun Microsystems
SEPTEMBER 2005 - PRESENT
Sun Certified Programmer for the Java 2 Platform | Standard Edition 5.0
Sun Microsystems
Skills
Libraries/APIs
REST APIs, PayPal API, Java Servlets, Stripe
Tools
Android Studio, Jira, GitHub, Xcode, Android Jetpack, Photoshop CC, Subversion (SVN), Confluence, Adobe Premiere Pro, InDesign CC, Stripe Checkout, Zeplin
Languages
Dart, Java, Kotlin, XML, Objective-C, Python, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, TypeScript, SQL
Frameworks
Flutter, Android SDK
Paradigms
Mobile Development, REST, Unit Testing, Cross-platform, DevOps
Platforms
Android, Mobile, Linux, MacOS, Java ME, Eclipse, AWS Lambda, Firebase, iOS, JBoss, Ubuntu, Web, Google Ads, Steam, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Storage
JSON, Amazon DynamoDB, Google Cloud
Other
Software Engineering, Algorithms, User Authentication, Push Notifications, Cross-platform App Development, Mobile Applications, Mobile Apps, APIs, Mobile APIs, API Integration, Development, Native Mobile Apps, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Mobile App Development, Web Development, IT Administration, Messaging, Full-stack, CI/CD Pipelines, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Architecture, Software Architecture, Back-end, Full-stack Development, Web Applications, Computer Graphics, Networking, Social Media Marketing (SMM), 2D Games, Community Management, App Store Marketing, Chromecast, Google AdMob, Community, Gaming, Games, Video Games, CTO, Localization, WebSockets, System Administration, Single Sign-on (SSO), Websites, Leadership
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