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Felipe Machado
Verified Expert in Engineering
Software Developer
San Francisco, CA, United States
Toptal member since June 13, 2019
Bio
Felipe is a senior AI, back-end, and cloud engineer with 10+ years of experience building production software for startups and product teams. He specializes in Python, FastAPI, React, TypeScript, GCP, LLM workflows, vLLM, Neo4j, and embeddings. Felipe is strongest when owning architecture, implementation, debugging, infrastructure, and delivery end-to-end.
Portfolio
Knoxus.AI Limited
Python, React, CSS, HTML, JavaScript, FastAPI, Pulumi, vLLM, OpenAI API, Neo4j...
Chonk Club
TypeScript, Edge Functions, Supabase, Supabase Auth, Deno, PostgreSQL, Claude...
Peel
FastAPI, Amplitude, Google BigQuery, PostgreSQL, Prisma, Google Task Queue...
Experience
- JavaScript - 12 years
- Node.js - 10 years
- Python 3 - 10 years
- React - 8 years
- CSS - 6 years
- TypeScript - 6 years
Preferred Environment
React, Node.js, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Python, FastAPI, TypeScript, Docker, PostgreSQL, Neo4j, OpenAI API
The most amazing...
...thing I've built is production-ready AI workflows using FastAPI, React, Neo4j, vLLM, and GCP for a graph intelligence startup.
Work Experience
Full-stack Developer
2025 - 2026
Knoxus.AI Limited
- Developed AI platform features using React, Python, FastAPI, vLLM, and OpenAI APIs for a research-backed startup working on graph-based intelligence systems.
- Built and improved graph-processing workflows using Neo4j and NetworkX to support entity modeling, memory expansion, and research-driven AI experiments.
- Implemented front-end and back-end improvements across chat, session selection, model selector logic, and playground workflows to improve usability and reliability.
- Improved developer velocity by debugging local environments, reviewing PRs, documenting issues, and contributing fixes across multiple product repositories.
- Collaborated with founders, researchers, and engineers to translate ambiguous AI research requirements into working product features and technical implementations.
Technologies: Python, React, CSS, HTML, JavaScript, FastAPI, Pulumi, vLLM, OpenAI API, Neo4j, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), MongoDB
Senior Back-end Engineer
2025 - 2025
Chonk Club
- Architected and implemented a scalable back end using Supabase, including database design, user authentication, and serverless Edge Functions written in TypeScript.
- Developed a sophisticated image analysis pipeline that uses a SigLIP model hosted on Modal to generate vector embeddings from user photos, enabling advanced image-based matching.
- Engineered a recommendation engine that leverages a large language model (Claude 3 Opus) to generate personalized and engaging profile suggestions, significantly improving user engagement.
- Designed and built a real-time notification system using Supabase to deliver timely alerts and updates to users.
- Implemented an automated image processing pipeline using ImageMagick to resize and optimize user-uploaded photos, ensuring a consistent and high-quality user experience.
- Created a data seeding pipeline using face-api.js and sharp to generate realistic test users with face-centric cropped images, improving development and testing efficiency.
- Managed the full lifecycle of the database, including schema design, migrations, and data integrity.
Technologies: TypeScript, Edge Functions, Supabase, Supabase Auth, Deno, PostgreSQL, Claude, Git, SQL, JSON, Gemini API, OpenAI API, RESTFul APIs, Twilio API, Vector Databases
Senior Back-end Engineer
2024 - 2025
Peel
- Architected server-side infrastructure using FastAPI microservices on GCP for global card game distribution, choosing microservices over a monolithic design to provide component isolation and targeted scaling capabilities.
- Implemented comprehensive game analytics combining BigQuery and Amplitude that reduced feature experimentation cycles by 40% and enabled data-driven validation of product-market fit hypotheses.
- Created fault-tolerant, synchronized gameplay experience across time zones using Google Tasks, maintaining 99.9% reliability for time-sensitive game mechanics.
- Reduced infrastructure costs by 40% through strategic migration to serverless architecture while maintaining sub-100ms response times and 99.99% availability.
- Drove back-end development autonomously in a lean cross-functional team (8 members), coordinating integration points with iOS client, design, and marketing workstreams.
Technologies: FastAPI, Amplitude, Google BigQuery, PostgreSQL, Prisma, Google Task Queue, Cloud Scheduler, Cloud Run, Google Cloud Build, Google Cloud Storage, Git, SQL, JSON, RESTFul APIs
Senior Full-stack Engineer
2024 - 2024
Felipelm LLC
- Developed a full-stack application using the T3 stack (Next.js, tRPC, Prisma) to provide new and expectant mothers with personalized recommendations.
- Engineered a retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) pipeline with LangChain and LangGraph to power the recommendation engine, leveraging the OpenAI API for intelligent suggestions.
- Implemented secure user authentication and management using Clerk.
- Designed and built a responsive and user-friendly front end with Next.js, React, and Tailwind CSS.
Technologies: Next.js, tRPC, Prisma, LangChain, LangGraph, LangSmith, ChromaDB, Pinecone, Tailwind CSS, Clerk, Front-end, Git, SQL, JSON, AI Agents, AI Integration, NextAuth.js, OpenAI API, RESTFul APIs, Retrieval-augmented Generation (RAG), Vector Databases, Agentic AI
Senior Software Development Engineer
2024 - 2024
AARMY
- Rescued production platform by diagnosing and resolving critical Node.js/NestJS memory leak using Chrome DevTools heap snapshots and v8-profiler to identify closure-scoped event listener references that weren't being properly garbage collected.
- Conducted infrastructure audit that cut operational costs by 80% through infrastructure-as-code implementation while preserving performance for NYC gym's booking and streaming services.
- Developed secure OAuth 2.0 authentication system between proprietary platform and third-party services, ensuring credential security and a frictionless user experience.
- Assumed key technical leadership role in a small 3-person team (one project manager, two engineers), driving critical architectural decisions to stabilize and scale the gym booking and video streaming application.
Technologies: Node.js, NestJS, Brightcove API, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, MongoDB, React Native, React, Front-end, Git, JSON, RESTFul APIs, Twilio API
Back-end Developer
2021 - 2023
Volvo R&D Center
- Led the team through a major reorganization, onboarding new team members, and documenting key aspects of my role to ensure a seamless transition.
- Managed the challenges of handling digital documents and implementing front-end user experience changes.
- Assumed responsibilities across multiple roles, including designer duties, task prioritization management, and front-end development, to ensure the successful release of critical features.
- Facilitated discussions and meetings to align team objectives and resolve conflicts between remote team members.
- Received multiple Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards from the team in recognition of my exceptional contributions.
Technologies: JavaScript, Node.js, Back-end, GraphQL, MySQL, PostgreSQL, API Integration, Express.js, Git, JSON, RESTFul APIs
Senior Back-end Engineer
2021 - 2021
Freelance Clients
- Provided scalable solutions using Google Cloud Platform services such as Cloud Pub/Sub, Google Kubernetes Engine, App Engine, Cloud Spanner, Firebase, Cloud Firestore, Apple Push Notifications, and Redis.
- Optimized PostgreSQL database connections and later migrated them to Google Cloud Spanner.
- Migrated a Node.js app engine service into Google Kubernetes Engine using Helm.
- Improved Redis-related tasks using Lua scripts, making them four times faster.
Technologies: Agora, Google Cloud Spanner, Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), Node.js, Google Pub/Sub, Google Cloud, Redis, Helm, Google App Engine, Firebase Authentication, Cloud Firestore, Apple Push Notifications, PostgreSQL, Lua, API Integration, Back-end, Mobile App Development, Express.js, Git, SQL, JSON, NextAuth.js, RESTFul APIs
Mobile Developer
2020 - 2021
Orphic Games Ltd.
- Developed a progressive web application (PWA)/app that allows users to share and discover shows, festivals, and events based on their location. This approach significantly enhances local engagement and simplifies event discovery.
- Contributed to React Native app development with Firebase integration. I successfully created a React Native app, utilizing Firebase as the database. This included leveraging the cloud function to save and filter nearby events efficiently.
- Worked on Adobe XD mockups to React Native translation. I effectively translated Adobe XD mockups into a fully functional React Native application, showcasing strong design and development skills.
- Took responsibility for rapid proof-of-concept delivery. I delivered the proof-of-concept app in under two months, demonstrating exceptional project management and development speed.
- Contributed to monetization through ads. I implemented advertising within the app as a monetization strategy, adding a revenue stream to the project.
- Worked on multiplatform deployment. I successfully delivered the app to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, ensuring wide accessibility and user reach.
Technologies: Mobile, iOS, Android, Mobile Apps, HTML, JavaScript, CSS, PWA, React Native, Progressive Web Applications (PWAs), Mobile Development, Front-end, Git, JSON, RESTFul APIs
Senior Front-end Developer
2019 - 2021
Toptal Client
- Developed web applications focused on students from various universities to collaborate on studies by sharing notes, asking questions, organizing workflows, communicating with text or video sessions, and fixing performance bottlenecks.
- Tracked and fixed bugs using Asana as a reporting tool and Sentry for error tracking.
- Worked on a React and Redux app, adding new features and pages and translating Zeplin layouts into React SPAs using Material UI.
- Integrated Firebase Authentication, SAML, and OAuth for user authentication.
- Added end-to-end tests using Cypress following test-driven development (TDD) best practices.
- Worked on Twilio integration for both text and video chats.
Technologies: Trello, Twilio, Material UI, Firebase Authentication, Cypress, Sentry, Netlify, Redux, React, FlowType.JS, Asana, OAuth, SAML, API Integration, Vercel, Back-end, Mobile App Development, Front-end, Git, JSON, RESTFul APIs
Senior Front-end Developer
2019 - 2020
Toptal Client
- Developed user interfaces on both web and mobile platforms to facilitate Shopify customer relationships (CRM).
- Tracked and fixed issues using Trello as a reporting tool.
- Worked on a React Native app using Expo, which was specifically designed to streamline the process of sending SMS messages and email templates for company associates.
- Used Apollo Client to connect to GraphQL endpoints.
- Created a web interface to filter customers based on a variety of filters, translating Figma layouts into React screens using Material UI.
- Added end-to-end tests using Cypress and performed a series of performance optimizations on the app rendering.
Technologies: Heroku, Firebase Web SDK, Cypress, React Apollo, GraphQL, Material UI, Context API, Trello, Rollbar, Expo.io, React Navigation, React Native, React, Figma, API Integration, Front-end, Git, JSON, RESTFul APIs
Senior Full-stack Developer
2019 - 2020
Toptal Client
- Built a web-based portal that connects private aviation clients to charter companies worldwide.
- Leveraged Firebase Realtime Database to store quotes and customer contact data.
- Integrated email delivery using SendGrid and payments using Stripe.
- Developed the back end using AWS Lambda functions and handled location searches using Google Maps API.
Technologies: CSS, Firebase, Google Maps API, Stripe Checkout, Stripe API, Stripe Payments, SendGrid, AWS Lambda, Netlify, React, Firebase Realtime Database, API Integration, Lambda Functions, Mobile App Development, Mobile Development, Front-end, Git, JSON, RESTFul APIs
Senior Software Engineer
2019 - 2020
Toptal Client
- Migrated the real-time communication WebRTC library from Twilio to Agora using video and audio.
- Worked with Node.js to leverage Firebase Realtime Database, push notifications, and socket connections.
- Used React hooks, functional components, and provided layouts with mobile and web responsiveness.
- Performed load tests to analyze Heroku's scalability capabilities.
- Conducted React performance optimizations to avoid unnecessary renders and API calls.
Technologies: Socket.IO, Heroku, CSS, Twilio, Agora, Firebase, Express.js, Node.js, React, WebRTC, Firebase Realtime Database, API Integration, Mobile App Development, Mobile Development, Git, JSON
Software Engineer
2017 - 2019
LIneA
- Developed web software and engaged in high-performance computing while holding accountability for the management of the infrastructure and a team of expert developers and scientists.
- Collaborated with the team to drive significant code quality improvements leveraging tools like Docker, Jenkins, and Kubernetes with Ext JS, Django, React, and Flask as frameworks.
- Spearheaded performance and code quality for an astrophysics pipeline via Python and fine-tuned file systems, databases, and schedulers.
- Partnered with prestigious laboratories, including the National Center for Supercomputing Applications, a lab at Berkeley, and a massive telescope in Chile, in a five-country effort involving the camera's QA team.
- Traveled to Arizona, Kitt Peak, to deploy a QA application for the DESI project.
Technologies: Bokeh, Python, PostgreSQL, Docker, Jenkins, Kubernetes, Node.js, Flask, Django, React, Ext JS, API Integration, Bootstrap, Mobile App Development, Git, SQL, JSON
Software Engineer
2017 - 2018
Descomplica
- Conducted requirement gathering and analysis for development, following the entire software development lifecycle.
- Owned the development of a user-friendly chat mobile application with React Native, GraphQL, Node.js, and MongoDB.
- Implemented a push notifications application with Firebase Cloud Messaging and AWS Lambda Functions.
- Gathered metrics and analyzed data through Mixpanel plots.
- Worked in an agile team following test-driven development (TDD) best practices.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), GraphQL, Firebase, Node.js, Elasticsearch, MongoDB, React, React Native, Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM), AWS Lambda, API Integration, Bootstrap, Mobile Development, Git, JSON, Twilio API
Software Engineer
2016 - 2016
Aussi
- Contributed to initial stages of mobile application startup developer, Aussi.
- Built infrastructure with Amazon AWS for data storage and services.
- Built a back end API with Ruby on Rails for push notifications and authentications.
- Built a front end mobile app with Ionic Framework.
- Leveraged expertise in AngularJS to organize and implement app layout and logic for Android and IOS.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Ruby on Rails (RoR), Ruby, AngularJS, Ionic, API Integration, Bootstrap, Git, JSON
Software Engineer
2015 - 2016
Visagio
- Utilized Ruby, Rails, JavaScript, MySQL, and GitHub within a Linux environment to create and implement innovative new customizations into Redmine, a project management web application.
- Engaged through all software development phases for a tool employed by Embraco, currently in use by 1,500+ users throughout five countries.
- Worked on several other projects making Redmine (Ruby on Rails) customizations.
Technologies: GitHub, Redmine, MySQL, JavaScript, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Ruby, API Integration, Git, JSON
Director
2014 - 2015
VProductionAX
- Served in a directorship capacity through the startup of an online marketing company offering SEO services and social media and website consultation.
- Hired global freelancers to deliver key projects and produce 2D and 3D user education videos in English and Portuguese languages.
- Owned multiple functions, including sales, marketing, workflow management, and online billing.
Technologies: Adobe Premiere Pro, Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Software Engineer
2014 - 2014
SLACAM Technology
- Partnered with LIneA astrophysics group for the successful implementation of parallel distributed file systems, Lustre and GlusterFS.
- Assisted in implementation of high processing computing algorithms to process images gathered from telescopes that rapidly conduct I/O operations and provide redundancy for sensible data.
- Tracked different stages of the project using Redmine Project Management tool.
Technologies: GlusterFS, Lustre
Experience
Survey API
https://github.com/felipelm/survey-projectA small showcase survey API project on Node.js using MongoDB, TypeScript, test-driven development (TDD), clean architecture, design patterns, and SOLID principles. Lint and tests are run on each push and commit in order to make sure nothing bad goes into the repository using lint-staged, husky, and conventional commits format.
Descomplica Turmas
https://descomplica.com.br/Developed a chat React Native app for an education startup from scratch, using Expo, and later ejected to add native functionality.
Core features developed:
• Push notifications middleware in AWS Lambda to communicate with Firebase API and Mixpanel for statistics
• UI using a combination of React Elements and NativeBase
• Social login integration with Facebook and Google
• Messages stored and recovered using Twilio Message API
• Search username, email, first and last names using ElasticSearch
• Descomplica profile integration using GraphQL and Node.js (Express)
• Layered Redux architecture
• Image manipulation and files stored in AWS S3
• Fabric integration for crash reports
• Continuous delivery using Bitrise for automated builds, deployments, unit (Jest), and e2e (Detox) tests
• Other databases used include MongoDB, SQL Server
Core features developed:
• Push notifications middleware in AWS Lambda to communicate with Firebase API and Mixpanel for statistics
• UI using a combination of React Elements and NativeBase
• Social login integration with Facebook and Google
• Messages stored and recovered using Twilio Message API
• Search username, email, first and last names using ElasticSearch
• Descomplica profile integration using GraphQL and Node.js (Express)
• Layered Redux architecture
• Image manipulation and files stored in AWS S3
• Fabric integration for crash reports
• Continuous delivery using Bitrise for automated builds, deployments, unit (Jest), and e2e (Detox) tests
• Other databases used include MongoDB, SQL Server
Private Planes Quotes
I developed the web-based portal that connects private aviation clients to charter companies worldwide.
Technologies: React, Netlify, Sendgrid, Stripe, CSS, Webhooks, Google Maps API, AWS Lambda Functions
Technologies: React, Netlify, Sendgrid, Stripe, CSS, Webhooks, Google Maps API, AWS Lambda Functions
Front-end Tech Lead Work
Over the past two years, my journey at Volvo has centered around the Birdseye front-end project. I've actively contributed since its v2 iteration and played a vital role in its evolution to v3, ensuring a seamless migration. Beyond coding, I've recruited and trained team members, ensuring a strong codebase. Engaging in design and product reviews, promptly addressing user needs, and initiating an open-source component library have been my commitments. While reorg paused progress, I led meetings, received MVP awards, and upheld a collaborative spirit. Looking ahead, I'm excited to continue making a difference.
Education
2011 - 2016
Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Engineering
Instituto Militar de Engenharia - Rio de Janeiro Brazil
2014 - 2015
Undergraduate Study Abroad Program in Computer Science
Vrije Universiteit - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Certifications
JUNE 2020 - JUNE 2023
AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate
AWS
DECEMBER 2019 - DECEMBER 2021
Associate Cloud Engineer
Google Cloud
Skills
Libraries/APIs
Socket.IO, Node.js, Jenkins Pipeline, Stripe, REST APIs, Stripe API, React, Rollbar, OpenAI API, Twilio API, FlowType.JS, React Navigation, Context API, Firebase Web SDK, Google Maps API, D3.js, PostgREST, Pandas, SQLAlchemy, Facebook Authentication, Fabric, WebRTC, Brightcove API, Google Task Queue, vLLM
Tools
Expo.io, Git, GitHub, Docker Compose, Stripe Checkout, Sentry, Webpack, Codex, Claude Code, Amazon Elastic Container Registry (ECR), Jenkins, Redmine, SendGrid, Agora, Firebase Authentication, Trello, React Apollo, Adobe Premiere Pro, Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), Helm, Expo, Apple Push Notifications, Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM), Figma, Asana, Prisma, Cloud Scheduler, Claude
Languages
TypeScript, Python 2, Python 3, SQL, GraphQL, JavaScript, CSS, HTML, HTML5, Python, CSS3, C++, Ruby, C, Lustre, Lua, SAML, Swift, Go
Frameworks
Express.js, React Native, Redux, Jest, Material UI, Next.js, Django, Flask, Bootstrap, Cypress, AngularJS, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Ext JS, Ionic, NestJS, tRPC, LangGraph, Tailwind CSS
Paradigms
REST, Mobile Development, Microservices, Agile, Scrum, Serverless Architecture, Test-driven Development (TDD), Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Clean Architecture
Platforms
AWS Lambda, Firebase, Netlify, Docker, Twilio, Heroku, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Kubernetes, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud SDK, Vercel, Temporal Cloud, iOS, Android, Amazon EC2, Google App Engine, Mobile, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Cloud Run, LangSmith, Clerk
Storage
PostgreSQL, JSON, SQLite, Databases, NoSQL, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), MongoDB, Elasticsearch, MySQL, GlusterFS, Google Cloud Spanner, Google Cloud, Redis, Microsoft SQL Server, Cloud Firestore, Firebase Realtime Database, Google Cloud Storage, Neo4j
Other
Webhooks, APIs, Front-end, Back-end, Full-stack, Front-end Development, Web Development, API Integration, Mobile App Development, FastAPI, RESTFul APIs, Agentic AI, OpenAI, Large Language Models (LLMs), Full-stack Development, WebSockets, Cloud Infrastructure, AI Agent Orchestration, GitHub Actions, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Code Review, Software Development, AI-assisted Development, Stripe Payments, ESLint, Education Technology (Edtech), Lambda Functions, LangChain, Supabase, AI Agents, AI Integration, NextAuth.js, Retrieval-augmented Generation (RAG), Vector Databases, Anthropic, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Temporal, NATS, Bokeh, Google Pub/Sub, Domain-driven Design (DDD), Google+ Authentication, OAuth, Mobile Apps, PWA, Progressive Web Applications (PWAs), Amplitude, Google BigQuery, Google Cloud Build, ChromaDB, Pinecone, Edge Functions, Supabase Auth, Deno, Gemini API, Pulumi
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