Luis is available for hire
Hire LuisLuis Manuel da Silva Mendonca
Verified Expert in Engineering
Back-end Developer
Porto, Portugal
Toptal member since May 19, 2021
Bio
Luis is a software developer with an electronics engineering background. He likes to solve complex problems and deliver great products. Luis is a well-rounded software engineer with a wide spectrum of experience that includes medical, industrial, and military applications. In his work, he is obsessed with details and likes clear, concise communication.
Portfolio
Freelancer
Python, PostgreSQL, SQL, Docker, Kubernetes, Redis, NGINX, Keras, Solidity...
Tectobit
Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Next.js, React, React Native...
Metdaan
Python, PostgreSQL, Redis, MongoDB, Kubernetes, Google Cloud Platform (GCP)...
Experience
- Python - 20 years
- SQL - 18 years
- DevOps - 11 years
- PostgreSQL - 11 years
- Web Security - 11 years
- NGINX - 8 years
- Django - 8 years
- Docker - 6 years
Work Experience
Full-stack and Back-end Developer
2019 - PRESENT
Freelancer
- Developed a trading system for a client using PostgreSQL, TimescaleDB, and Keras for machine learning and ZeroMQ for inter-service communication.
- Developed a blockchain-based platform for a startup using Ethereum's Solidity language and ERC-20 token generation.
- Used a microservices approach to system architecture and deployed them to AWS using Kubernetes.
Technologies: Python, PostgreSQL, SQL, Docker, Kubernetes, Redis, NGINX, Keras, Solidity, DevOps, ZeroMQ, Amazon Web Services (AWS), REST APIs, Web Development, Node.js, Full-stack Development, Web Scraping, Architecture, Integration, Stripe, Full-stack, Payment APIs, React, Back-end, Back-end Development, APIs, API Integration, Cloud
Senior Full-stack Developer
2024 - 2025
Tectobit
- Designed and developed a full-stack MVP for a mobile health application, delivering back-end services, APIs, and core user flows that enabled rapid validation of the product concept.
- Implemented scalable back-end and front-end components, integrating authentication, user profiles, and health-related data flows, and delivering a functional end-to-end system ready for pilot users.
- Designed and implemented an AI-intensive pipeline for the mobile health MVP, handling content and image generation via external AI APIs, and enabling rapid feature iteration while keeping the system scalable and production-ready.
Technologies: Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Next.js, React, React Native, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), CI/CD Pipelines, Supabase, Supabase Auth, PostgreSQL, Redis, AI-enabled Applications, Expo, Push Notifications, Back-end, Back-end Development, APIs, API Integration, Cloud
CTO
2022 - 2024
Metdaan
- Managed and led a cross-functional team of around 10 engineers, coordinating back-end development, internal tooling, and delivery timelines while aligning technical execution with business goals.
- Defined and executed the end-to-end technical architecture, translating product requirements into scalable systems and ensuring the platform could support thousands of concurrent users if brought to market.
- Designed and developed the MVP of a Turo-like car-sharing platform with services for user, vehicle, and booking workflows.
Technologies: Python, PostgreSQL, Redis, MongoDB, Kubernetes, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), GCP DevOps, React, Next.js, React Native, JavaScript, TypeScript, Back-end, Back-end Development, Cloud
Senior Back-end Python Developer
2021 - 2022
Invicta Pte Ltd
- Developed and deployed Python Flask back-end services on AWS, ingesting and processing millions of records per day from multiple data sources and persisting them reliably into PostgreSQL.
- Designed and optimized high-throughput data ingestion pipelines, improving write performance through batch inserts, connection pooling, and database indexing strategies.
- Implemented and maintained scalable, fault-tolerant back-end services, achieving high service availability and reducing data ingestion failures by over 50% through robust error handling, retries, and monitoring.
Technologies: Python, Microservices, Flask, Redis, PostgreSQL, GraphQL, Architecture, Redis Queue, Back-end Development, Back-end, APIs, API Integration, Cloud
Django and Python Developer
2021 - 2022
FuriTech Ltd
- Designed and implemented a Django-based back end on Google Cloud Platform, delivering REST APIs that supported production workloads with 99.9% uptime and handled tens of thousands of requests per day using Cloud Run and managed PostgreSQL.
- Built and optimized Python data-processing and background task pipelines, reducing API response times by around 40% through query optimization, caching, and asynchronous job execution with Cloud Tasks/Pub/Sub.
- Deployed and maintained CI/CD workflows and cloud infrastructure on GCP, cutting deployment time by 60% and improving release reliability via automated testing, containerized services, and environment-specific configuration management.
Technologies: Django, Web Scraping, Python, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Back-end Development, Back-end, APIs, API Integration, Cloud
Database Manager
2011 - 2019
NATO/KFOR
- Designed, developed, and implemented applications and databases for KFOR.
- Liaised with contractors for the maintenance of several deployed systems.
- Maintained the databases and optimized multiple Microsoft SQL Server databases.
Technologies: Microsoft SQL Server, SQL, IIS, Python, REST APIs
Founder
2008 - 2011
Queo
- Founded the software development company. Focused on web, mobile, and desktop development.
- Developed websites with Python, Django, MySQL, JavaScript, and jQuery.
- Implemented several websites and online shops for customers.
Technologies: Python, Django, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Apache, NGINX, DevOps, JavaScript, jQuery, REST APIs, Web Development, Full-stack Development, Full-stack
Software Development
2003 - 2008
Self-employed
- Created several small and medium-size software projects for both web and desktop using Python.
- Developed database systems with Python, Django, and MySQL stack.
- Developed electronic systems for experimentation and medical research signal acquisition. Built microcontroller electronic circuits using AVR microcontroller programming in C.
Technologies: Python, PostgreSQL, C, wxPython, Django, MySQL, REST APIs, Web Development, C++, Node.js, Full-stack Development, Full-stack
Project History
Avokado.io
Avokado is a blockchain-based platform for collaborative investment in real estate assets. I did the development and implementation of the back end with the collaboration of a front-end developer for the interface. The MVP is fully functional, and the startup is at the stage of looking for investors. The solution was deployed in AWS using Kubernetes and uses a self-hosted Ethereum node and a HA PostgreSQL. The system manages the generation and issuing of ERC-20 tokens for each asset on the platform. The payment service used is Stripe, and it also uses a third-party invoicing solution.
Education
1996 - 2002
Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering
Faculty of Engineering of Porto University - Porto, Portugal
Certifications
JANUARY 2018 - PRESENT
CNSSI (Committee on National Security Systems Instruction) 4013A System Administrators
NATO School Oberammergau
OCTOBER 2017 - PRESENT
ITIL Service Transition
Learning Tree UK
FEBRUARY 2016 - PRESENT
Cisco CCENT
NATO Communications and Information Systems School (NCISS)
JANUARY 2015 - PRESENT
Certified Ethical Hacker
Naval Postgraduate School/NATO School Oberammergau
APRIL 2014 - PRESENT
ITIL Foundation
FGI Training & Consultancy
SEPTEMBER 2012 - PRESENT
PRINCE2
Learning Tree UK
Skills
Libraries/APIs
REST APIs, React, Node.js, Stripe, Keras, jQuery, ZeroMQ, Redis Queue
Tools
NGINX, Apache, wxPython, Expo
Languages
Python, SQL, JavaScript, C++, C, Solidity, GraphQL, TypeScript
Frameworks
Django, Flask, Next.js, React Native
Paradigms
DevOps, Microservices, Penetration Testing
Platforms
Ubuntu, Docker, Kubernetes, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Blockchain, Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
Industry Expertise
Telecommunications, Project Management
Storage
PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, Redis, MongoDB
Other
Electrical Engineering, Information Systems, Security, Web Security, Web Development, Full-stack Development, Web Scraping, Architecture, Integration, Full-stack, Payment APIs, Back-end, Back-end Development, APIs, API Integration, Cloud, System Administration, Network Security, Finance APIs, IIS, Cisco Networking, IT Service Management (ITSM), GCP DevOps, CI/CD Pipelines, Supabase, Supabase Auth, AI-enabled Applications, Push Notifications
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