Dory is available for hire
Hire DoryDory Zidon
Verified Expert in Engineering
Software Engineering Developer
San Francisco, CA, United States
Toptal member since March 7, 2022
Bio
Dory Zidon is an AI-focused engineer, staff-level architect, and engineering leader with 18+ years of hands-on experience building scalable products, production systems, and high-performing teams. He has built platforms powering $100M businesses, delivered up to 15X performance gains, founded and scaled engineering teams, and now helps GenAI and deep-tech startups use LLMs, agents, automation, DevOps, and cloud architecture to build AI-native products and scale execution.
Portfolio
Reddy Solutions, Inc
Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Cursor AI, Agentic AI, AI-generated Code, AIOps...
Martian Learning Inc.
Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), Large Language Models (LLMs)...
BCG - Gamma
Python, React, Databases, APIs, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microservices...
Experience
- Software Engineering - 20 years
- JavaScript - 18 years
- Python - 11 years
- Kubernetes - 9 years
- Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) - 4 years
- AI-generated Code - 4 years
- Agentic AI - 3 years
- Claude Code - 2 years
Work Experience
Staff AI Architect
2025 - PRESENT
Reddy Solutions, Inc
- Built production back-end systems for an AI voice platform, enabling reliable STT, TTS, and LLM-powered customer workflows that supported the company’s core product delivery.
- Created a Deepgram-based STT/TTS processing cluster, improving the platform’s ability to process voice interactions at scale and support higher customer usage and 5x cost reduction, with increased reliability.
- Built AI-powered engineering workflows using Claude and other LLM tools, helping engineers investigate bugs, review code, and ship fixes faster to reduce development cycle time.
- Created AI review gates for code and workflow changes, improving release quality and reducing the business risk of regressions reaching production.
- Designed sandbox debugging environments for Claude and other AI tools, helping the team reproduce, diagnose, and resolve complex production issues faster.
- Migrated production infrastructure from fragile manual deployments to Kubernetes with automated, zero-downtime releases, improving scalability, reliability, deployment safety, and product delivery speed.
- Created AI engineering workflows that allowed leadership, product managers, and cross-functional teams to turn ideas into shipped features faster, improving execution speed and reducing dependency on traditional development cycles.
- Improved system performance and scalability by 12X, enabling the platform to support critical customer workloads with greater reliability, throughput, and confidence.
Technologies: Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Cursor AI, Agentic AI, AI-generated Code, AIOps, AI Agents, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Claude Code, Codex, DevOps, Claude, Claude Agent SDK, Claude API, CI/CD Pipelines, AWS Cloud Architecture, Python, Node.js, Agentic AI Systems, AI Engineering, OpenAI, Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), OpenAI SDK, TypeScript, Gemini, Vertex AI
AI Co-founding Engineer and Head of Europe
2023 - PRESENT
Martian Learning Inc.
- Handled the complete system architecture of a GenAI/LLM Router to run on a Kubernetes cluster, supporting a high-load microservices architecture, allowing on-prem support for large enterprise on-prem deployments, optimizing speed 1000x inference.
- Got acquired by the company from Toptal after just a few months.
- Built a team of six high-performing software and ML engineers independently and at my own cost, allowing the company to increase velocity and deliver to multiple customers, increasing the company's value by tens of millions of dollars.
- Acted as head of engineering, leading all engineering priorities and execution across Europe and the US.
- Redesigned and rewrote a library allowing users to uniformly call different providers and models (OpenAI, Anthropic, Together, Azure, Cohere, etc.), then open-sourced the library and guided a junior developer to take ownership of the project.
- Acted as CTO and head of delivery, responsible for all customer deployments and success.
Technologies: Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), Large Language Models (LLMs), Large Language Model Operations (LLMOps), AIOps, DevOps, High-load, Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), Agentic AI, Claude Code, AI-generated Code, Python, FastAPI, Kubernetes, Claude Agent SDK, Agentic AI Systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI), AI Engineering, OpenAI, Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), OpenAI SDK, TypeScript, Temporal
AI Architect & Ingestion Lead
2022 - PRESENT
BCG - Gamma
- Spearheaded a team of five engineers, rebuilding the whole data ingestion for fast AI matching data into a serverless microservice. Through this work, the team found many data issues and errors, reduced costs, and improved performance by 20x.
- Worked with multiple stakeholders to create a successful proof of concept of an innovative way to onboard new customers, allowing the company to reduce the onboarding from 1-2 months to less than a week.
- Created new coding standards and improved the infrastructure, DevOps, and CI/CD pipelines with the team.
Technologies: Python, React, Databases, APIs, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microservices, Serverless, Pytest, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), FastAPI, NumPy, Pandas, Algorithms, Linux, DevOps, CI/CD Pipelines, Software Architecture, Full-stack, Python API, Node.js, AWS Cloud Architecture, Technical Architecture, AWS Lambda, Solution Architecture, Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), AIOps, AI Agents, ChatGPT, AI Model Training, Kubernetes, Agentic AI, AI-generated Code, AI Modeling, Agentic AI Systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI), AI Engineering, Cloud Run, OpenAI, Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), TypeScript
Staff Lead Engineer and Architect
2019 - 2022
Coreteam.io (BecauseMarket)
- Advanced to take charge of a three-month transformation project, leading the transition from Zendesk to PureCloud.
- Mentored and worked with two junior developers and engaged with stakeholders and vendors.
- Migrated back-end Python/Django systems and enhanced the React front end across three different applications.
- Designed the architecture and data model and delivered working systems with enhanced functionality prior to cutoff.
- Spearheaded a pivot to using feature flags, saving $60,000 in annual costs by implementing an open-source solution. The solution resulted in an increase in revenue and conversions with satisfactory company-wide adoption.
- Eliminated technical debt and improved code quality by coaching developers and performing code reviews.
- Improved performance by 15X, resulting in an elevated customer experience.
- Supported projects and code stability to produce high-quality, high-impact solutions that significantly impact the bottom line.
Technologies: JavaScript, React, Python, Django, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Kubernetes, HTML5, CSS, Shopify API, Docker, PostgreSQL, Ubuntu, GraphQL, Django REST Framework, Full-stack Development, Software Design, SQL, Web Scraping, APIs, API Integration, App Integration, Integration, Cloud, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), REST APIs, Database Migration, Back-end, Back-end Development, eCommerce, Redis, Front-end, Front-end Development, Responsive Layout, Responsive, Technical Leadership, Pytest, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Algorithms, Linux, DevOps, CI/CD Pipelines, Software Architecture, Full-stack, Shopify, Python API, AWS Cloud Architecture, Technical Architecture, Solution Architecture, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Agentic AI, Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), TypeScript
Technical Lead & Architect
2016 - 2019
Coreteam.io (Heart Media)
- Joined the organization during turbulent times. Single-handedly took ownership of all software products and tools and stabilized systems to ensure uninterrupted operations and prevent revenue loss.
- Overcame business constraints and focused on the longevity of the tech team, leading the sourcing and hiring of new international development and transition teams to tackle business needs.
- Built, maintained, and improved and re-wrote systems powering a $100 million advertising business, utilizing Python, Google, Node, Angular, and React and Dockerized system to run on AWS Kubernetes to ensure consistency and uninterrupted operation.
- Re-wrote the front end from Angular.js to React, improving overall code quality and speed and enabling the team to create multiple new features connected to increasing company revenue.
- Micro-serviced various applications to 5/6 REST micro-services enabling high throughput and performance.
Technologies: JavaScript, Node.js, Python, React, Angular, AngularJS, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Kubernetes, Docker, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Ubuntu, Django, GraphQL, Django REST Framework, Full-stack Development, Software Design, SQL, APIs, API Integration, App Integration, Integration, Cloud, REST APIs, Database Migration, Back-end, Back-end Development, WebSockets, Express.js, MySQL, Redis, Front-end, Front-end Development, Responsive Layout, Responsive, Technical Leadership, Pytest, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Algorithms, Linux, DevOps, CI/CD Pipelines, Software Architecture, Full-stack, Python API, AWS Cloud Architecture, Technical Architecture, AWS Lambda, Solution Architecture, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), TypeScript
Senior Software Innovator
2014 - 2016
CoreTeam.io (Originate)
- Spearheaded a custom-developed automation project for the business, working closely with the CEO to create a solution that managed the entire consultancy independently and efficiently.
- Served as authority over technology, implementation, product, and Scrum, resulting in a platform that automated the business, increased software developer retention, and elevated resource planning.
- Built the product using MongoDB, Node.js for the back end, and Ember.js for front end.
- Delivered lectures, educated, and mentored the company on technology selections, and held a live coding session in the New York and San Francisco offices to help developers gain a quick start on Ember.
- Utilized an iterative and Agile process and independently turned the MVP into a full product.
- Hired a team of ten designers, UX/UI experts, developers, project managers, DevOps professionals, and testers.
- Interacted with company stakeholders, spanning finance, operations, management, product, marketing, developers, and designers, to complete automation across hour reporting, employee satisfaction, billing, and resource planning.
- Tested and launched the product with current use by 160 engineers–the platform is still being used today!
Technologies: JavaScript, Ember.js, Ember CLI, MongoDB, Node.js, Ubuntu, Python, Full-stack Development, Software Design, SQL, APIs, API Integration, Cloud, REST APIs, Database Migration, Back-end, Back-end Development, WebSockets, Express.js, Redis, Front-end, Front-end Development, Responsive Layout, Responsive, Technical Leadership, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Algorithms, DevOps, CI/CD Pipelines, Software Architecture, Full-stack, Python API, Technical Architecture, Solution Architecture, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Kubernetes, TypeScript
Co-founder
2010 - 2014
SafeWallet (SBSH)
- Co-founded and managed a spinoff of SafeWallet SBSH, a password manager providing a secure and easy way to store your passwords and online identities.
- Hired, led, and mentored a team of developers and ensured successful end-to-end execution of projects in alignment with business and revenue goals. Efforts led to an offer and successful company acquisition.
- Re-designed and re-wrote SafeWallet from the ground up as a spinoff of SafeWallet SBSH, utilizing strong technical acumen to learn Android code and develop a new fragment-based tablet version for download on Google Play.
- Utilized an FF extension and IE/Chrome browser extensions using C++. JavaScript, Backbone.js, HTML/5, Ajax, and C#, propelling the user base to 70K.
- Built PHP/Django-Python, and JavaScript, HTML, jQuery eCommerce sites from code to performance, adding new features, including cart, user management, and newsletters which resulted in increased sales and customer satisfaction.
Technologies: C++, JavaScript, Angular, CSS, Java, Android, Symbian, Ubuntu, Full-stack Development, Software Design, SQL, APIs, API Integration, Integration, Cloud, REST APIs, Database Migration, Back-end, Back-end Development, MySQL, Front-end, Front-end Development, Algorithms, Azure DevOps, CI/CD Pipelines, Software Architecture, Full-stack, Node.js, Technical Architecture, Solution Architecture, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI)
Senior Software Engineer and Technology Consultant
2007 - 2010
Freelance
- Served as trusted advisor and knowledge resource, providing support to clients and agencies on the selection, implementation, and enhancement of internet and software solutions.
- Hired and oversaw two developers and managed business development, including investor engagement, partnerships, strategic planning, and new deals.
- Re-designed, re-wrote, and optimized content, features, ad-words, and Salesforce integration using PHP-Zend.
- Provided full technical support on all website integration, leading to the close of three significant deals.
- Collaborated with advertising agencies and customers to code games in a proprietary system and develop browser plugins for the machine learning system, ensuring end-to-end customer satisfaction.
- Utilized jQuery, JavaScript, and C# to develop trade sites, tools, and apps, generating $6,000/month.
Technologies: JavaScript, C++, Python, jQuery, C#, PHP, Ubuntu, Django, Full-stack Development, Software Design, SQL, APIs, API Integration, REST APIs, Back-end, Back-end Development, MySQL, Front-end, Front-end Development, Software Architecture, Full-stack, Node.js, Technical Architecture, Solution Architecture, User Interface (UI)
Founder
2003 - 2007
Adaptic
- Founded and managed the software development organization, providing customers with support around C++, C#, JavaScript, and HTML.
- Handled pre-sales activities, including writing scripts and network and web testing.
- Presented and sold unique technologies to a wide range of businesses across APAC and directed a multifaceted team of four comprised of administration staff, an engineer, and a sales expert, ensuring alignment with company and client goals.
- Recognized for generating a 200% average YoY growth.
Technologies: JavaScript, C++, Ubuntu, Full-stack Development, Software Design, SQL, APIs, API Integration, Front-end, Front-end Development
Project History
SafeWallet
A password manager providing a secure and easy way to store your passwords and online identities, running in Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome on multiple mobile devices and operating systems. It enables users to safely and securely manage their online identities.
Education
1996 - 2000
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science
Open University - Israel
Skills
Libraries/APIs
React, Node.js, REST APIs, Shopify API, jQuery, Django ORM, Beautiful Soup, Python API, NumPy, Pandas, Claude API
Tools
Claude Code, Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), IntelliJ IDEA, CircleCI, ChatGPT, Pytest, Helm, OpenAI Gym, Terraform, Claude Agent SDK, Codex, Claude
Languages
Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML, HTML5, CSS, C++, GraphQL, SQL, Java, C#, PHP, C++17
Paradigms
DevOps, Responsive Layout, Responsive, Serverless Architecture, Microservices, Lambda Architecture, Azure DevOps
Platforms
Kubernetes, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Docker, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Linux, Shopify, Ubuntu, Android, Symbian, AWS Lambda, Cloud Run, Vertex AI
Storage
Databases, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Google Cloud, Database Migration, Redis, MySQL, Amazon S3 (AWS S3)
Industry Expertise
Project Management
Frameworks
Django, Angular, AngularJS, Django REST Framework, Express.js, Scrapy, Ember.js, Serverless Framework, Next.js
Other
Software Engineering, Full-stack, Full-stack Development, Software Design, APIs, API Integration, App Integration, Integration, Architecture, Back-end, Back-end Development, Front-end, Front-end Development, Technical Leadership, System Architecture, CI/CD Pipelines, Software Architecture, AWS Cloud Architecture, Technical Architecture, Solution Architecture, AI Agents, Agentic AI Systems, AI Engineering, Ember CLI, Web Scraping, Cloud, Progressive Web Applications (PWAs), WebSockets, eCommerce, FastAPI, SaaS, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Algorithms, PDF Scraping, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), Agentic AI, AI-generated Code, AI Modeling, OpenAI, OpenAI SDK, Serverless, QA Testing, Lambda Functions, OpenAI GPT-4 API, OpenAI GPT-3 API, LangChain, Generative Pre-trained Transformer 3 (GPT-3), Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPT), Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), Large Language Models (LLMs), Large Language Model Operations (LLMOps), AIOps, High-load, AI Model Training, Cursor AI, Temporal, Gemini
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