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Marcus Young
Verified Expert in Engineering
Software Engineer and Developer
Mountain View, CA, United States
Toptal member since June 19, 2024
Bio
Marcus is a senior engineering leader with 15+ years of overall experience and 7+ years of experience leading back-end software development. As a staff software engineer in the fintech industry, he focused primarily on building cloud-native distributed systems and AI/ML pipelines to facilitate loan origination, payments, and fraud detection. Having recently worked on LLM-backed systems, he is looking forward to tackling the challenges associated with deploying and supporting LLMs in production.
Portfolio
UNISERVO1
Cloudflare, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Amazon Web Services (AWS), Pydantic...
Plum Inc
Python, REST APIs, OAuth, GitLab CI/CD, Data Management, CI/CD Pipelines...
Prosper Marketplace
FastAPI, Spring Boot, Ruby on Rails (RoR), GraphQL, Kubernetes...
Experience
- Python - 20 years
- Prompt Engineering - 3 years
- Pydantic - 3 years
- GraphRAG - 2 years
- Multi-agent Systems - 2 years
- Langfuse - 2 years
- Knowledge Graphs - 2 years
- Claude API - 1 year
Work Experience
Founder | Chief AI Officer
2024 - PRESENT
UNISERVO1
- Served as one of the core team's lead technical resources and subject-matter expert for systems design, data engineering, and organizational learning necessary to implement GraphRAG, Cache-Augmented Generation, and the Model Context Protocol.
- Planned the product roadmap and led the core development team for a consortium of several large primary healthcare groups and multiple medtech firms in architecting and implementing the MVP of our Agentic AI for Medical Consults.
- Co-founded a joint-venture recruiting platform, overseeing the AI product roadmap, implementation, and MLOps for the newly launched solution.
- Implemented the new VantageScore 7 credit model for delivery to TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian for acceptance testing.
Technologies: Cloudflare, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Amazon Web Services (AWS), Pydantic, Retrieval-augmented Generation (RAG), Knowledge Graphs, GraphRAG, Vector Databases, Prompt Engineering, Langfuse, LangChain, Multi-agent Systems, Multimodal GenAI, LangGraph, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Claude, Azure, Intuit QuickBooks, Agentic RAG Systems, Claude Code, Agentic AI, Workflow Automation, Data Processing Automation, Document Parsing, XML, Financial Data, GitHub, JSON, MongoDB, Plaid API, Node.js, TypeScript, Cursor AI, AI Tools, Data Analytics, Dashboards, Finance, Data Engineering, Business Intelligence (BI), AI Product Strategy, Agile Product Management, Enterprise Software, REST APIs, Distributed Architecture, Cloud Infrastructure, Event-driven Architecture, Prefect, Cloud Deployment, Agentic AI Systems, Agentic Workflow Design, Image Recognition, Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
Python Developer
2025 - 2025
Plum Inc
- Designed and implemented a generative AI multi-agent workflow to enable automated borrower detection using LangGraph, assorted LLMs, and Pydantic AI.
- Designed and implemented a data pipeline to scrub and orchestrate scalable email processing through a generative AI–based borrower identification system before loading the processed data into a lakehouse.
- Designed and developed a FastAPI-based application to assist in the onboarding of clients into Plum's new AI-driven borrower management platform via OAuth implementation.
- Optimized the pipeline by reorganizing a monolith into a Databricks multi-task job and engineered multiple schemes to mitigate latency due to aggressive rate limiting by 3rd-party APIs.
Technologies: Python, REST APIs, OAuth, GitLab CI/CD, Data Management, CI/CD Pipelines, Amazon Web Services (AWS), CRM APIs, Email APIs, Large Language Models (LLMs), Databricks, Prompt Engineering, LangGraph, Pydantic, Multimodal GenAI, Multi-agent Systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Azure, Agentic RAG Systems, LangChain, Claude Code, Agentic AI, Workflow Automation, Data Processing Automation, Document Parsing, XML, Financial Data, GitHub, JSON, MongoDB, Plaid API, Node.js, TypeScript, React, AI Tools, Data Analytics, Dashboards, Finance, Data Engineering, Business Intelligence (BI), AI Product Strategy, Agile Product Management, Enterprise Software, Orchestration, Distributed Architecture, Cloud Infrastructure, Prefect, Cloud Deployment, Agentic AI Systems, Agentic Workflow Design, Image Recognition, Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
Staff Software Engineer
2015 - 2024
Prosper Marketplace
- Provided ML operations and engineering assistance to BI and ML teams while creating Prosperity, Prosper's in-house LLM service. I also implemented Spring Boot, FastAPI, and reference implementations to ease adoption.
- Led the back-end development of the personal loan team's portion of a company-wide initiative to enable the offering of joint personal loans, resulting in $220 million in additional revenue annually at launch.
- Worked closely with the capital markets team to build an ML system and data pipelines to automate the allocation of $5 billion in investor funds to personal loans as part of an initiative to grow investment revenue by 30%.
- Streamlined the bank verification process by integrating several 3rd-party banking providers into our fraud and autopay systems to double the application-to-loan conversion and application-to-loan origination rates to 72% and 26%, respectively.
- Integrated our loan verification, loan servicing, and cease-and-desist request systems with Zendesk and created several Zendesk-hosted apps to enable the automated processing of opt-out requests and reduce complaints by 90%.
Technologies: FastAPI, Spring Boot, Ruby on Rails (RoR), GraphQL, Kubernetes, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), PostgreSQL, Redis, Memcached, Python, Java, Pub/Sub, New Relic, Datadog, GitOps, Jenkins, WunderGraph Cosmo, Go, Pandas, NumPy, Statistics, Scrum Master, Large Language Models (LLMs), Data Pipelines, Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), Back-end, Ruby, Integration, APIs, Microservices, Spring Microservice, SQL, API Design, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Agentic AI, Workflow Automation, Data Processing Automation, Document Parsing, XML, Financial Data, GitHub, JSON, MongoDB, Plaid API, Node.js, TypeScript, React, Data Analytics, Dashboards, Finance, Excel 365, Data Engineering, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Business Intelligence (BI), Data Analysis, AI Product Strategy, Agile Product Management, Enterprise Software, REST APIs, Orchestration, Distributed Architecture, Cloud Infrastructure, Apache Airflow, Event-driven Architecture, Cloud Deployment, Agentic AI Systems, Agentic Workflow Design, Image Recognition, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), SAP ERP
Senior Software Engineer
2013 - 2015
Effects Marketing (acquired by Registria)
- Leveraged OpenCV in creating the company's photo registration product and successfully implemented a robust solution for handling image homography that enabled consistent recognition of custom 2D barcodes.
- Built a multi-tenant eCommerce SaaS platform using Ruby on Rails (RoR), Active Merchant, and Liquid Template, hosting online product registration, point of sale, and servicing for over 50 international brands.
- Onboarded four primary clients to the platform, implemented back-end changes necessary to launch the photo registration project in collaboration with Whirlpool, and contributed two new payment providers to Active Merchant and Liquid Template.
- Assisted system integration efforts after Registria purchased the company and provided technical support to customers as they transitioned from the platform to Squarespace or Big Cartel.
Technologies: Ruby on Rails (RoR), Active Merchant, ActiveAdmin, OpenCV, C++, Statistics, Scrum Master, Python, Liquid Template, Back-end, Shopify, Ruby, Integration, APIs, SQL, API Design, XML, GitHub, JSON, MongoDB, Node.js, Dashboards, Business Intelligence (BI), Data Analysis, Agile Product Management, Enterprise Software, REST APIs, Image Recognition, Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
Senior Software Engineer
2012 - 2013
Casebook PBC
- Worked as part of a team applying extreme programming techniques to build systems to ensure better outcomes and reduce child endangerment in state foster care systems.
- Launched a case management system, significantly streamlining the social worker case management workflow and enabling faster extended-family search and placement.
- Improved child placement success rates in the New York City's Office of Children and Family Services and Indiana's State Department of Child Services.
Technologies: Ruby on Rails (RoR), PostgreSQL, Memcached, Scrum Master, Python, Back-end, Ruby, Integration, APIs, SQL, XML, GitHub, JSON, MongoDB, Agile Product Management, Enterprise Software, REST APIs, On-premise, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Senior Software Engineer
2012 - 2012
IVY (formerly IvyDate)
- Assisted cofounders in transitioning their initial dating website to Ruby on Rails (RoR) and assisted staff in transitioning to standard Agile software approaches such as Kanban, sprints, and retrospectives.
- Collaborated in the complete rewrite of the existing website during the firm's significant pivot from an online dating service to a curated experiences platform and finally to a TED-like platform for sharing ideas.
- Enabled easier onboarding, subscription management, and payment options to the approximately 28,000 members who opted into the new service offerings after transitioning to an educational service.
Technologies: Ruby on Rails (RoR), PostgreSQL, Scrum Master, Python, Back-end, Heroku, Ruby, Integration, SQL, XML, GitHub, JSON, Agile Product Management, On-premise
Technical Cofounder
2011 - 2011
TwoChop
- Cofounded a gaming startup in which I managed two direct reports in the architecture, implementation, and deployment of a portfolio of interactive online trivia games.
- Cobranded and launched the games nationally with CBS Interactive Music Group and its 100+ radio station network to support regional over-the-air radio trivia contests and prize giveaways, reaching more than 6.5 million unique listeners monthly.
- Learned Ruby and how to run Ruby on Rails (RoR) in production from peer firms in our coworking space during the wind-down of our firm.
Technologies: Python, SQL, XML, JSON, On-premise
Quantitative Developer
2007 - 2011
Samoset Capital Group
- Developed trading and back-office services aimed at generating tailored investment portfolios in APL.
- Simulated long-term performance under different market regimes and implemented tax-loss harvesting strategies under the supervision of the Senior Vice-President for Risk Management.
- Generated performance reports as part of the in-house wealth management and family office for the firm's founders.
Technologies: APL, SQL, XML, Financial Data, JSON, On-premise, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), SAP ERP
Project History
Photoregister, a QR-based Auto-registration Solution
Photoregister was a QR code-based registration product developed by Effects Marketing in 2014 during its acquisition by Registria. The service allowed the customer to snap a picture of a custom QR code printed on any product and send the picture via SMS or MMS to a number listed in the registration/assembly instructions packaged with the product. The picture would be received and decoded, and the product would be registered.
I implemented the auto-homography portion of the product, which uses a homographic projection technique to convert images captured at an angle into flat photos that appear to have been taken directly in front of the camera. This mathematical (linear algebra) solution solved a major production issue by autocorrecting customer photos taken at weird angles or QR codes printed on warped, crinkled, or curved surfaces. The product is still in use and has been folded into Registria's Concierge product.
I implemented the auto-homography portion of the product, which uses a homographic projection technique to convert images captured at an angle into flat photos that appear to have been taken directly in front of the camera. This mathematical (linear algebra) solution solved a major production issue by autocorrecting customer photos taken at weird angles or QR codes printed on warped, crinkled, or curved surfaces. The product is still in use and has been folded into Registria's Concierge product.
Casebook, a Case Management System for Child, Young, and Family Services
https://www.casebook.net/casebook-for-child-youth-and-family-service/Casebook was launched as a proof of concept by the Annie Casey Foundation to apply Agile methods to produce software that could cost-effectively assist social workers in tackling ever-increasing caseloads and provide required features rapidly via direct feedback from the field. Having initially launched for the Indiana Department of Child Services, my role in developing the original Casebook was as a member of the core development team. We practiced extreme programming techniques and developed the initial version in Ruby on Rails (RoR), Backbone.js, PostgreSQL, and Memcached.
Casebook PBC
https://www.casebook.net/Originally created to help the New York Office of Children and Family Services and the Indiana Department of Child Services manage social worker caseloads, Casebook has now expanded into a stand-alone ERP system to assist government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and social service providers with HR and administrative management.
Education
2000 - 2002
Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Analytic Finance and Accounting
The University of Chicago - Chicago, IL, USA
1988 - 1992
Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering
The University of Texas at Austin - Austin, TX, USA
Certifications
AUGUST 2026 - AUGUST 2027
Claude Certified Developer – Foundations
Anthropic
AUGUST 2026 - AUGUST 2027
Claude Certified Architect – Foundations
Anthropic
JUNE 2019 - PRESENT
Professional Scrum Master I
Scrum.org
Skills
Libraries/APIs
WunderGraph Cosmo, Pydantic, REST APIs, Plaid API, Node.js, React, Claude API, Pandas, NumPy, Active Merchant, OpenCV, SpaCy
Tools
Claude, GraphRAG, Claude Code, GitHub, Apache Airflow, Prefect, Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD
Languages
Go, Python, Java, Ruby, SQL, XML, TypeScript, GraphQL, C++, Liquid Template, APL
Frameworks
Spring Boot, Ruby on Rails (RoR), LangGraph, Spring Microservice
Paradigms
Microservices, Business Intelligence (BI), Agile Product Management, Event-driven Architecture
Platforms
Amazon Web Services (AWS), Langfuse, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Kubernetes, New Relic, Shopify, Heroku, Azure, Azure AI Studio, Databricks
Storage
JSON, MongoDB, Cloud Deployment, On-premise, PostgreSQL, Memcached, Datadog, Data Pipelines, Redis
Other
Scrum Master, FastAPI, Back-end, Integration, APIs, API Design, Retrieval-augmented Generation (RAG), Knowledge Graphs, Prompt Engineering, Agentic AI, Multimodal GenAI, Multi-agent Systems, LangChain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Agentic RAG Systems, Workflow Automation, Data Processing Automation, Document Parsing, Financial Data, Cursor AI, AI Tools, Data Analytics, Dashboards, Finance, Excel 365, Data Engineering, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Data Analysis, Enterprise Software, Orchestration, Agentic AI Systems, Agentic Workflow Design, Image Recognition, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), Portfolio Analysis, Investment Analysis, Statistics, ActiveAdmin, Large Language Models (LLMs), Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), AI Product Strategy, Distributed Architecture, Cloud Infrastructure, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), SAP ERP, Quantitative Finance, Deep Learning, Pub/Sub, GitOps, Cloudflare, Mistral AI, Vector Databases, OAuth, Data Management, CI/CD Pipelines, CRM APIs, Email APIs, Intuit QuickBooks
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