Ilya is available for hire

Ilya Sanosian

Verified Expert in Engineering

Engineering Consultant and Developer

Austin, TX, United States

Toptal member since September 19, 2013

Expertise

Web Development Back-end Developers Integration API Cloud Engineering Cloud Architecture Interim CTOs SSO Engineering Artificial Intelligence LLM Chrome Extension Development JavaScript PHP MySQL Nginx Symfony LAMP

Bio

Ilya is a technology leader and principal architect focused on mission-critical initiatives, from greenfield platform architecture to legacy system turnarounds. He takes complete ownership of business outcomes, proven through leading enterprise-scale programs, architecting new cloud platforms, and scaling core systems to enable successful M&A events. Ilya bridges the gap between high-level strategy and deep technical execution to build resilient, high-performance engineering organizations.

Portfolio

SB Technology, Inc.

Java, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Python, CI/CD Pipelines, GitHub Actions...

Nestle Purina

APIs, PHP, JavaScript, MySQL, Node.js, React, Magento, Azure Cloud Services...

ARIX Technologies

Python, Flask, TypeScript, JavaScript, GitLab CI/CD, Vue, Electron, PostgreSQL...

Experience

Leadership - 17 years
System Architecture - 15 years
Solution Architecture - 14 years
Product Strategy - 14 years
Stakeholder Management - 14 years
Technical Leadership - 14 years
Cloud Infrastructure - 12 years
DevOps - 12 years

Preferred Environment

TypeScript, Node.js, Python, Amazon Web Services (AWS), System Architecture, Solution Architecture, Cloud Infrastructure, On-premise, DevOps, Technical Leadership

The most amazing...

...feeling is watching a complex engineering initiative that I've led from strategy to launch, directly impacting a company's bottom line, long-term, and at scale.

Work Experience

Consultant | Principal Engineer

2024 - 2026

SB Technology, Inc.

Delivered platform capabilities supporting strategic customer engagements and retention initiatives.
Enabled FIPS 140-3 compliance efforts and contributed to FedRAMP initiatives.
Designed, planned, and delivered the AI security product, as seen at the 2026 World Economic Forum (Davos), driving roadmap definition and end-to-end implementation under tight delivery timelines.
Collaborated across Platform, Sensors, DevInfra, DevOps, and Product teams on software architecture, cloud (AWS/GCP), on-prem and air-gapped infrastructure, data systems, developer workflows, planning, and delivery of complex technical initiatives.

Technologies: Java, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Python, CI/CD Pipelines, GitHub Actions, GraphQL, Cryptography, Docker, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Kotlin, Go, Apache Kafka, Kafka Streams, Confluent Kafka, TypeScript, JavaScript, Browser Plugins, Site Reliability Engineering (SRE), DevOps, AWS DevOps, GCP DevOps, DevOps Automation, Kubernetes, CircleCI, Rust, Bazel, Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), Databases, Database Design, Architecture, System Architecture, Solution Architecture, Software Architecture, AI Architecture, Database Architecture, API Architecture, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Agentic AI, Cloud, Gemini, Large Language Models (LLMs), AI Agents, Google Cloud, Troubleshooting, Workflow, Workflows, Third-party APIs, Event-driven Architecture, Temporal, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), PostgreSQL, RESTFul APIs, Terraform, Claude Code, Agile Product Management, Enterprise Software, AI Product Strategy, Retrieval-augmented Generation (RAG), Agentic RAG Systems, gRPC, Observability, Security, Cloud Architecture

Engineering Leader

2021 - 2022

Nestle Purina

Selected to lead a business-critical platform integration supporting a $40+ million annual profit center.
Provided key strategic and technical leadership for a complex, multi-team initiative, successfully aligning the priorities of numerous internal managers and external vendors.
Drove the program from a complex discovery phase to a flawless, on-time launch by establishing a new, unified software development lifecycle.
Architected and delivered the replacement for a core legacy system, achieving a 400x increase in processing performance and ensuring long-term business continuity.

Technologies: APIs, PHP, JavaScript, MySQL, Node.js, React, Magento, Azure Cloud Services, NetSuite, CI/CD Pipelines, Python, TypeScript, Azure, Docker, Express.js, AMQP, DevOps, Agile Software Development, Scrum, Technical Leadership, Leadership, Solution Architecture, Full-stack, Full-stack Development, Back-end Development, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Project Planning, Requirements Analysis, Project Timelines, Discovery Workshops, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), API Integration, Back-end, Architecture, Monitoring, Continuous Integration (CI), Scrum Master, Agile, Agile Leadership, MySQL Server, REST APIs, Containers, Databases, Deployment, Flask, Debian Linux, Dashboards, Cloud Infrastructure, Communication, Serverless, Serverless Architecture, System Architecture, Product Strategy, Stakeholder Management, Integration, Third-party Integration, Microservices, Event-driven Design (EDD), Cloud, Troubleshooting, Workflow, Workflows, Third-party APIs, Event-driven Architecture, Engineering Management, Performance Management, RESTFul APIs, Agile Product Management, Enterprise Software, Observability, Cloud Architecture

Software Lead

2018 - 2021

ARIX Technologies

Recruited as the foundational software lead for a venture-backed robotics startup, tasked with translating the founder's vision into a viable commercial product.
Architected and built the core data analytics platform and MVP from the ground up, establishing the company's foundational technology.
Grew the role to lead the entire software organization, directing the long-term technology strategy and roadmap.
Owned the end-to-end software delivery for key enterprise clients in the oil & gas industry, directly securing the critical pilot programs that validated the company's market entry.

Technologies: Python, Flask, TypeScript, JavaScript, GitLab CI/CD, Vue, Electron, PostgreSQL, ActiveMQ, AMQP, Agile, DevOps, Agile Software Development, NGINX, Vue 2, APIs, Technical Leadership, Leadership, Solution Architecture, Front-end Development, Full-stack, Full-stack Development, Back-end Development, Node.js, Project Planning, Requirements Analysis, Project Timelines, Discovery Workshops, API Integration, Back-end, Architecture, Continuous Integration (CI), Agile Leadership, MySQL Server, MySQL, REST APIs, Containers, Databases, Deployment, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Express.js, Docker, Debian Linux, Dashboards, Startups, Communication, Data Visualization, System Architecture, Product Strategy, Stakeholder Management, Integration, Third-party Integration, Microservices, Event-driven Design (EDD), Troubleshooting, Workflow, Workflows, Event-driven Architecture, Engineering Management, Performance Management, Angular, RESTFul APIs, Agile Product Management, Enterprise Software, CI/CD Pipelines

Consultant

2013 - 2017

InQuest (Acquired by OPSWAT)

Recruited to take ownership of the core API and data analytics platform, a critical component of InQuest's threat detection products.
Architected and led the long-term evolution of the data platform, ensuring its scalability and performance to handle massive volumes of real-time network security data for over a decade.
Drove foundational data storage and search optimizations, including database partitioning and unorthodox search engine integrations, delivering 100x performance gains on massive datasets.
Established foundational development workflows through leadership by example and advocacy, which became the team's long-term best practices.

Technologies: System Architecture, Git, Debian Linux, SQL, Symfony, PHP, CentOS, Sphinx Search Engine, MySQL, Web Development, Software Architecture, DevOps, Python, Agile Software Development, APIs, Back-end Development, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Node.js, Single Sign-on (SSO), API Integration, Back-end, Grafana, Zend Framework, Agile, MySQL Server, REST APIs, GitHub, Databases, Deployment, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Flask, Docker, Dashboards, Startups, Cloud Infrastructure, Serverless, Serverless Architecture, Data Visualization, Technical Leadership, Solution Architecture, Product Strategy, Stakeholder Management, Integration, Third-party Integration, Microservices, Cloud, Troubleshooting, Third-party APIs, PostgreSQL, Angular, RESTFul APIs, Enterprise Software, Observability, Security

Head of Engineering

2011 - 2013

QArea

Selected to establish and scale a new engineering department, defining its technical standards, delivery processes, and long-term strategic direction from the ground up.
Catalyzed the department's commercial success by leading a high-stakes ERP system recovery for a major travel operator, a success which secured a key strategic partnership and became a primary driver of our growth.
Drove the department's commercial success, achieving over 400% annual revenue growth across a diverse portfolio of international clients.
Scaled the department to 25+ engineers across seven agile teams, recruiting top talent to meet the rapidly expanding business demand.
Mentored and developed the department's next generation of team leaders and managers, creating a sustainable leadership pipeline.

Technologies: System Architecture, SQL, Java, JavaScript, PHP, Web Development, Full-stack, Full-stack Development, Software Architecture, Leadership, Agile, B2B, DevOps, Agile Software Development, Scrum, NGINX, APIs, Technical Leadership, Front-end Development, Back-end Development, Project Planning, Requirements Analysis, Project Timelines, Discovery Workshops, API Integration, Back-end, Architecture, Monitoring, Continuous Integration (CI), Zend Framework, Symfony, Scrum Master, Agile Leadership, MySQL Server, MySQL, REST APIs, GitHub, Databases, Deployment, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Payment APIs, Debian Linux, Bootstrap, Dashboards, Startups, Communication, P&L Responsibility, P&L Management, Profit & Loss (P&L), Growth, Solution Architecture, Product Strategy, Stakeholder Management, Integration, Third-party Integration, Troubleshooting, Third-party APIs, Stripe, Engineering Management, Performance Management, RESTFul APIs, MongoDB, Agile Product Management, Enterprise Software, Observability

Senior Full-stack Engineer, DevOps

2010 - 2011

Alice, Inc.

Developed a high-load programmatic ad system from scratch, achieving over 99.9% uptime at MVP and scaling to 100+ req/sec per server while maintaining sub-100ms API response times.
Contributed to the successful delivery and PCI DSS certification of a new payment processing system, gaining early experience in high-compliance financial technology.
Engineered the platform's user interfaces and integrated multiple core monitoring systems to ensure end-to-end operational visibility and control.
Built the core logic for a real-time ad-bidding engine that integrated multiple, simultaneous external partner APIs under strict low-latency requirements.

Technologies: System Architecture, SQL, MySQL, Shell, JavaScript, PHP, Web Development, Full-stack, Full-stack Development, Software Architecture, NGINX, APIs, Redis, Front-end Development, Back-end Development, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Requirements Analysis, Project Planning, API Integration, Back-end, Monitoring, Cacti, Nagios, Agile, Agile Software Development, MySQL Server, Redis Cache, Databases, Deployment, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Payment APIs, Dashboards, Startups, Data Visualization, Product Strategy, DevOps, Integration, Third-party Integration, Troubleshooting, Third-party APIs, Stripe, CI/CD Pipelines, Observability

Experience

Editorial Tools & Platform Migration (The Huffington Post)

https://huffpost.com

As a key developer on the editorial tools team for this high-traffic global news site, I contributed to a critical platform-wide PHP version migration. I also developed and delivered custom JavaScript tools that directly improved editorial workflow and content production efficiency.

E-learning Platform (NVIDIA)

I led the end-to-end creation of a custom e-learning platform for a joint course between NVIDIA and a partner university. I owned the entire lifecycle, from initial architecture and infrastructure design to the development of the final product for their CUDA programming curriculum.

Core Analytics Platform for Cybersecurity (InQuest, acquired by OPSWAT)

http://inquest.net

As the principal consultant and architect, I owned the core data analytics and API platform that served as the company's strategic backbone for nearly a decade. This robust, high-performance system was a key factor in the company's successful acquisition by OPSWAT.

Data Analytics Platform for Robotics (ARIX Technologies)

https://www.arix-tech.com

As the foundational Software Lead, I built the company's data analytics MVP from the ground up and grew the role to lead the entire software organization. I owned the technology strategy and delivery for key enterprise clients like Shell and ExxonMobil, securing the pilot programs that validated the company's market entry.

IoT Data Platform for Agricultural Technology

I architected and delivered an end-to-end IoT data platform for an agricultural technology application. The system processed and integrated real-time data from multiple in-field equipment sensors into a unified data flow for storage, analysis, and live visualization.

Integrations System for a Global CPG Leader (Nestlé Purina)

As the engineering and turnaround leader, I took ownership of a business-critical platform integration for this Fortune 500 giant. I directed a complex, multi-team program to replace a core legacy system, delivering a flawless launch and a 400x performance increase for a platform supporting a $40+ million annual profit center.

Public Cloud (IaaS) Platform Architecture (iDrive)

https://www.idrive.com

As a Toptal architect for this new venture, I designed the complete business and technical blueprint for a multi-region IaaS public cloud. My deliverables included the OpenStack-based architecture, product roadmap, and go-to-market technical strategy, enabling the client to compete with established cloud providers.

Enterprise ERP Turnaround and Modernization (Riksja Travel)

https://www.riksjatravel.nl/

As the engineering leader, I spearheaded a time-critical turnaround for a major European travel operator’s core B2B ERP system to meet strict regulatory deadlines. I successfully reverse-engineered the existing platform to restore full operational stability under extreme technical constraints, then built and scaled a dedicated agile team to drive its long-term modernization. This critical intervention ensured uninterrupted market operations and transformed a high-risk engagement into a multi-year strategic partnership.

Publication

Getting the Most Out of Your PHP Log Files: A Practical Guide

https://www.toptal.com/developers/php/getting-the-most-out-of-your-log-files-a-practical-guide

Publication

Buggy PHP Code: The 10 Most Common Mistakes PHP Developers Make

https://www.toptal.com/developers/php/10-most-common-mistakes-php-programmers-make

Education

2017 - 2018

Master's Degree in Computer Science

National Aerospace University – Kharkiv Aviation Institute - Kharkiv, Ukraine

2008 - 2013

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science

National Aerospace University – Kharkiv Aviation Institute - Kharkiv, Ukraine

Skills

Libraries/APIs

Node.js, Doctrine 2, Vue, Telegram Messenger API, REST APIs, Vue 3, Stripe, Underscore.js, React, Vue 2, AMQP

Tools

Git, NGINX, GitHub, Claude Code, Shell, Mocha, Terraform, Cacti, Nagios, Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, ActiveMQ, MQTT, Cordova Plugins, AMQP-Processing, Grafana, Kafka Streams, CircleCI, Bazel

Languages

TypeScript, PHP, SQL, JavaScript, Python, Bash, Go, C, Java, HTML, CSS, GraphQL, Kotlin, Rust

Frameworks

Symfony 2, Silex, Express.js, Symfony, Jasmine, Bootstrap, gRPC, Zend Framework, Flask, Electron, PhoneGap, Ext JS, Angular

Paradigms

Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Agile Software Development, Agile, Database Design, Requirements Analysis, Microservices, Event-driven Design (EDD), Event-driven Architecture, Agile Product Management, DevOps, Waterfall Development, Test-driven Development (TDD), Scrum, Continuous Integration (CI), Serverless Architecture, Kanban, B2B, B2B2C, API Architecture

Platforms

Docker, MacOS, LAMP, Linux, Debian Linux, Ubuntu Linux, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Blockchain, CentOS, FreeBSD, Magento, Azure, Android, Azure Functions, OpenStack, Mobile, Icinga, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Apache Kafka, Confluent Kafka, Kubernetes

Storage

MySQL, PostgreSQL, JSON, Database Architecture, Database Security, MySQL Server, Redis Cache, Databases, Redis, NoSQL, MongoDB, Sphinx Search Engine, Memcached, Azure Cloud Services, On-premise, Google Cloud

Other

System Architecture, GNU, Web Development, Leadership, APIs, CI/CD Pipelines, Chrome Extensions, Architecture, CTO, Technical Leadership, Solution Architecture, Back-end Development, Data Privacy, Technical Design, Front-end Development, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Project Planning, Project Timelines, Single Sign-on (SSO), API Integration, Back-end, Scrum Master, Agile Leadership, Containers, Deployment, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Payment APIs, Cloud Infrastructure, Communication, P&L Responsibility, P&L Management, Profit & Loss (P&L), Product Strategy, Stakeholder Management, Integration, Third-party Integration, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Agentic AI, Cloud, Gemini, Large Language Models (LLMs), Troubleshooting, Workflow, Workflows, Third-party APIs, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), Engineering Management, Performance Management, RESTFul APIs, Embedded Systems, Enterprise Software, AI Product Strategy, Observability, Security, Cloud Architecture, Full-stack, Full-stack Development, Software Architecture, Scraping, Chatbots, Discovery Workshops, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Monitoring, Dashboards, Startups, Serverless, Data Visualization, Fractional CTO, AI Agents, Temporal, Prototyping, Computer Science, Mathematics, NetSuite, Data Analysis, Cordova, PhoneGap Plugins, IT Management, Real-time Data, Data Transformation, Data Transfers, Data Warehousing, Data Processing, Message Queues, High-load, Solution Design, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Internet of Things (IoT), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Growth, Migration, Infrastructure, GitHub Actions, Cryptography, Browser Plugins, Site Reliability Engineering (SRE), AWS DevOps, GCP DevOps, DevOps Automation, Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), AI Architecture, Retrieval-augmented Generation (RAG), Agentic RAG Systems

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