Jesus is available for hire
Hire JesusJesus Rugama
Verified Expert in Engineering
Full-stack Web Developer
Managua, Managua Department, Nicaragua
Toptal member since April 18, 2015
Bio
Jesus is a full-stack web developer based in Nicaragua. He has been coding since he was 13 and has been working remotely in small and mid-sized teams since 2010, building scalable and robust software. He loves to solve problems, learn new technologies, and make a difference in his clients' lives.
Portfolio
Career Certified, LLC
JavaScript, HTML, CSS, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, Node.js, Terraform, Stencil.js...
Flipside
Laravel, React, Firebase, Supabase, PostgreSQL, DigitalOcean, Stripe API...
Dropified
JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Django, ComfyUI, OpenAI API, Web Scraping...
Experience
- Front-end - 10 years
- CSS - 10 years
- JavaScript - 8 years
- Laravel - 8 years
- Vue - 5 years
- React - 4 years
- Next.js - 3 years
- Nuxt.js - 3 years
Preferred Environment
Git, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), OS X, Windsurf
The most amazing...
...project I've worked on is a platform for media creators to share their work, as I was an integral part of my client's success and customer satisfaction.
Work Experience
Senior Software Engineer (Front-end)
2024 - PRESENT
Career Certified, LLC
- Contributed to the front-end migration from a monolithic PHP codebase to a high-performance distributed architecture, resulting in faster load times and reduced AWS infrastructure costs.
- Architected and deployed scalable infrastructure on AWS, including designing and provisioning infrastructure as code with Terraform and setting up CI/CD pipelines in GitLab to ensure seamless deployments across the entire tech stack.
- Engineered a scalable edge redirection system with dynamically generated redirect.json files served at the edge, and built a crawler that scanned legacy sites and populated thousands of redirect rules in Contentful, preserving SEO and user experience.
- Designed and implemented a production-grade authentication system using Cognito, AWS Verified Permissions (AVP), pre-token Lambda, and custom authorizers to support url to user access.
- Elevated to mandatory code approver alongside the architect, responsible for maintaining architectural standards and code quality across the engineering team.
Technologies: JavaScript, HTML, CSS, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, Node.js, Terraform, Stencil.js, Web Components, MySQL, AWS Command Line Interface (CLI), Contentful, AWS Lambda, RAG Systems, Amazon Web Services (AWS), API Development, Authentication, JSON Web Tokens (JWT), Amazon Cognito, Knowledge Bases, Amazon Bedrock AgentCore, Migration, Distributed Software, Jest
Software Engineer
2022 - PRESENT
Flipside
- Created a Chrome extension by inserting a sidebar app for users to comment about the sites they are navigating.
- Migrated the site from Firebase to Supabase because Firebase queries were limited and expensive.
- Improved the app performance, decreasing the initial loading time from 2 seconds to less than 400 milliseconds.
Technologies: Laravel, React, Firebase, Supabase, PostgreSQL, DigitalOcean, Stripe API, Stripe Checkout, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), TypeScript, Chrome Extensions, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Full-stack, Web Development, Full-stack Development, ECMAScript (ES6), JavaScript, Front-end, Sass, HTML5, Chrome, Vite
Software Engineer
2023 - 2023
Dropified
- Extended the Chrome extension, adding scraping scripts for new sites and maintaining existing code.
- Deployed a ComfyUI service to process images using stable diffusion.
- Maintained and added new features to the Django API and React dashboard.
Technologies: JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, Django, ComfyUI, OpenAI API, Web Scraping, Chrome Extensions
Software Engineer
2023 - 2023
Festive Screen
- Developed the initial product from scratch, including payment processing and authentication.
- Deployed a Lambda service for video encoding using ffmpeg.
- Built a TV app for LG’s marketplace, integrating an OTP system for secure access.
Technologies: Next.js, Tailwind CSS, React, Supabase, Serverless, AWS Lambda, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Figma
Software Engineer
2022 - 2023
Atmosphere
- Migrated the marketing site from an old Laravel site to Nuxt (Vue), improving its performance by 3x.
- Created editable videos for the users to create local advertisements in their businesses.
- Integrated Salesforce into the marketing site to improve conversion rates.
- Used Prismic as a headless CMS and built a design system to display the available sections for CMS users.
- Built new endpoints to the Laravel API using test-driven development (TDD) and best practices.
Technologies: Nuxt.js, Vue, React, Laravel, Stripe Checkout, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), TypeScript, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Full-stack, Headless Software, Content Management Systems (CMS), Storybook, Elasticsearch, Web Development, Full-stack Development, ECMAScript (ES6), JavaScript, Front-end, Sass, HTML5, Headless CMS, REST APIs
PHP and Laravel Back-end Developer
2020 - 2021
Givelify
- Built a system integrating multiple 3rd party APIs with the local DB.
- Used Elasticsearch to match users with typos on their names from the 3rd party APIs.
- Reduced the integration setup time from 24 hours to minutes.
Technologies: PHP, Laravel, MySQL, Amazon Web Services (AWS), API Integration, Elasticsearch, REST APIs
Web Developer
2020 - 2020
Post.Pro
- Built a tool for media creators to share their work.
- Created a customizable player for the users to be able to embed their videos keeping their brand colors.
- Integrated Stripe to handle the payments.
- Removed the pagination links and implemented infinite scrolling with JS instead.
- Used Amazon Accelerate to improve AWS upload speed.
Technologies: PHP, Vue 2, SCSS, Vue SSR, Vuex, Vue, Laravel, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Responsive Web Design (RWD), Full-stack, Web Development, Full-stack Development, JavaScript, Front-end, Sass, HTML5
Partner
2019 - 2019
Affinity Share
- Created a Stripe extension to handle referral-based discounts.
- Created a tracking tool for easy website set up to track referrals between users and conversions.
- Created a GraphQL API to track the conversions and create the Stripe discounts according to the number of referred users.
- Created a Nuxt app for the SaaS owners to check their customers' activity.
Technologies: PHP, Vue 2, Vue, Vuex, GraphQL, Redis, Tailwind CSS, Node.js, Nuxt.js, Docker, MySQL, Software Architecture, DigitalOcean, Stripe API, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Responsive Web Design (RWD), Full-stack, Web Development, Architecture, Full-stack Development, Express.js, ECMAScript (ES6), JavaScript, Front-end, Sass, HTML5
Lead Developer
2016 - 2019
Motion Array
- Created a collaboration system that includes real-time messaging.
- Created an editable portfolio tool. A demonstration of it can be viewed at youtube.com/watch?v=ImXSObmxkkM.
- Improved the video upload by moving the video transcoding to the background so that users can browse the site and be notified when the transcoding is done.
- Added HLS streaming to the reviews to create video quality lists and segmented loading.
- Changed the payment structure multiple times, which included removing an old credit-based download system.
- Integrated Algolia to improve the marketplace search engine speed.
- Built a subscription-based marketplace for video producers. Sellers can upload videos, templates, and music resources and add them to the product catalog.
- Changed the payment model from limited credits to monthly.
Technologies: PHP, Vue 2, Vuex, Nuxt.js, Amazon Web Services (AWS), CSS, Vue, Laravel, MySQL, Software Architecture, DigitalOcean, Laravel Forge, Stripe API, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Responsive Web Design (RWD), Full-stack, Headless Software, Content Management Systems (CMS), WordPress Multi-user, Web Development, Marketplaces, Architecture, Full-stack Development, JavaScript, Front-end, Sass, Tailwind CSS, Headless CMS, REST APIs, WebSockets
Contract Web Developer
2013 - 2016
American Driver Network
- Developed a recruiting network of 500 sites using a centralized API.
- Created a custom multi-tenant content manager system for clients to manage their profiles.
- Integrated Laravel into WordPress for better coding under an MVC pattern, keeping the ease of use and setup of WordPress themes and plugins.
- Optimized parts of our main site (the front end and data layer) to improve the load time. This involved creating a plugin to measure the speed on different parts of the site.
Technologies: PHP, Bootstrap 3, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Elasticsearch, WordPress, MongoDB, Redis, Node.js, Laravel, MySQL, Software Architecture, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Full-stack, Content Management Systems (CMS), WordPress Multi-user, Web Development, Full-stack Development, Express.js, JavaScript, Bootstrap, Front-end, Bitbucket, Jira, REST APIs
Owner/CTO
2014 - 2015
Spark Apps
- Managed company projects and recruited and trained talent.
Technologies: PHP, Bootstrap 3, Node.js, MongoDB, Redis, Laravel, CakePHP, MySQL, Software Architecture, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Web Development, Architecture, Full-stack Development, Bootstrap
Owner/Lead Developer
2010 - 2012
Arumart Studio
- Developed a proprietary CMS and MVC framework to use in local clients' small site development.
- Worked with clients from Spain, Mexico, Panama, and the US in the development of a wide variety of web applications.
- Trained junior developers to use the best practices in development.
Technologies: PayPal API, CSS, jQuery, CakePHP, PHP, MySQL, Software Architecture, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Content Management Systems (CMS), Web Development, Architecture, Full-stack Development, Bootstrap
Creative Designer
2008 - 2010
DDB Advertising
- Developed for advertising campaigns and did graphic design for leading local companies.
Technologies: CSS, HTML, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, MySQL
Experience
Post.Pro
A platform for media creators to share their work. I integrated Stripe payments and developed nested comments, player customization, and infinite scrolling functionality as well as restyling the site.
Skills used: Laravel, Stripe, Vue.js, and CSS.
Skills used: Laravel, Stripe, Vue.js, and CSS.
Motion Array
Marketplace for Premiere Pro and After Effects templates, stock music, and other resources for video producers.
I created a video review and collaboration app, which you can see in action at https://motionarray.com/review, as well as a portfolio builder tool (https://motionarray.com/portfolio). I also improved the upload/transcoding, integrated Algolia to improve the search engine experience, and restyled the site.
Skills used: Vue.js, Vuex, Laravel, JS, CSS, Node.js, Stripe
I created a video review and collaboration app, which you can see in action at https://motionarray.com/review, as well as a portfolio builder tool (https://motionarray.com/portfolio). I also improved the upload/transcoding, integrated Algolia to improve the search engine experience, and restyled the site.
Skills used: Vue.js, Vuex, Laravel, JS, CSS, Node.js, Stripe
American Driver Network
https://truckdriverjobsinamerica.com/In American Driver Network, we help truck drivers get jobs every day. This network of 500 websites is now the best tool in the market to hire truck drivers. We've helped more than 16,000 drivers to get a job with the best US companies.
Musejam
Musejam is a social network that helps users to discover artists and events in India's music scene. I worked on the player and UI development.
End It Movement - Donation Game
Slavery still exists, and End It is a movement to build awareness about it. We created a donation game to end slavery. This project raised $100,000 on its first month.
Intactics SOL
We built a custom system to improve the performance of Intactics, an import/export logistics company from Mexico.
Toptal React Academy
The Toptal React Academy is an exclusive learning program that teaches the React framework to select members of the Toptal network. After a month of study, all graduates are tasked with completing a 30-40 hour final project to build and deliver a React app from scratch.
Education
2010 - 2014
Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing & Advertising
American University - Managua, Nicaragua
2006 - 2012
Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering
National University of Engineering - Managua, Nicaragua
2004 - 2005
Technical Degree in Programming
Latin American Computing Institute - Managua, Nicaragua
Certifications
NOVEMBER 2024 - NOVEMBER 2026
Stripe Certified Professional Developer
Stripe
OCTOBER 2024 - OCTOBER 2026
Stripe Certified Associate Developer
Stripe
APRIL 2021 - PRESENT
Certified Laravel Developer
Certifications for Laravel
JANUARY 2021 - PRESENT
Toptal React Academy Graduate
Toptal, LLC
Skills
Libraries/APIs
REST APIs, Node.js, Vue 2, Vuex, React, jQuery, Vue, Stripe API, PayPal API, Google Maps, Stripe, API Development, React Redux, OpenAI API
Tools
Stripe Checkout, GitHub, NGINX, Adobe Photoshop, Git, Figma, Terraform, Adobe Illustrator, Apache, Bitbucket, Jira, ComfyUI, Windsurf, Stencil.js, AWS Command Line Interface (CLI), Amazon Cognito
Languages
PHP 7, PHP 5, JavaScript, PHP, CSS, SQL, TypeScript, SCSS, Less, Sass, GraphQL, HTML, ECMAScript (ES6), XML, HTML5, Python, C++
Frameworks
Laravel, Bootstrap 3, Nuxt.js, Next.js, Express.js, Tailwind CSS, PHPUnit, CakePHP, Bootstrap, Jest, Vue SSR, Redux, Chrome, Django, JSON Web Tokens (JWT)
Paradigms
Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Test-driven Development (TDD), Responsive Web Design (RWD)
Storage
MySQL, MongoDB, Redis, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), PostgreSQL, Elasticsearch, Databases
Platforms
Amazon Web Services (AWS), AWS Lambda, Contentful, OS X, WordPress, Craft CMS, Docker, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), Firebase, DigitalOcean
Other
Back-end Development, Full-stack, Front-end, Web Development, Marketplaces, Architecture, Full-stack Development, APIs, System Integration, Integration Testing, Headless Software, Software Architecture, Supabase, Content Management Systems (CMS), Serverless, Headless CMS, Web Components, Sagas, Laravel Forge, Chrome Extensions, Storybook, WordPress Multi-user, API Integration, Vite, Web Scraping, Stripe Payments, WebSockets, Coding, RAG Systems, Authentication, Knowledge Bases, Amazon Bedrock AgentCore, Migration, Distributed Software
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