Michael Latham
Verified Expert in Engineering
Software Engineer, Systems Architect, and Developer
San Diego, CA, United States
Toptal member since August 29, 2025
Michael is a principal software engineer and senior software systems architect with 27 years of professional experience building high-availability, critical software services. He has extensive experience with C, C#, Java, and .NET, and has worked with Rust for the past 10 years, along with various ERP and ITSM SaaS. Most of Michael's work has been with Microsoft and running his own LLC over the past four years, where he continues to design and implement scalable software systems.
Portfolio
Experience
- API Design - 20 years
- C#.NET - 20 years
- C - 20 years
- Node.js - 11 years
- Rust - 10 years
- Azure - 10 years
- Modern JavaScript - 8 years
- React - 6 years
Preferred Environment
Rust, C#.NET, C, Azure, AWS Command Line Interface (CLI), Embedded Rust, React, Node.js, Modern JavaScript
The most amazing...
...thing I've developed is a general-purpose, code porting framework with a focus on porting legacy code into modern Rust code bases, in a lossless manner.
Work Experience
Principal Soiftware Engineer and Senior Software Systems Architect
Gigatier Technologies
- Developed a software migration automation tool to transition Java EE code to C#.NET and .NET Core. Developed task automation and service scripting solutions using PowerShell and C#.
- Built a general-purpose C legacy code to a Rust porting framework.
- Headed an 11-member team of senior software engineers through the successful completion of three software projects for several public and private sector clients.
- Developed and maintained enterprise IT service management solutions, including CMDB systems and custom service management platforms. A full technology stack, serving diverse clients across the US.
- Architected and deployed Rust-based back-end administration services, providing high-performance, memory-safe solutions for critical business operations.
- Created robust Rust APIs alongside C and Python implementations, enabling seamless process automation across heterogeneous environments.
- Implemented container orchestration and monitoring systems, leveraging Rust's performance characteristics for resource-intensive operations.
- Delivered end-to-end solutions using diverse technologies, including .NET, ASP.NET MVC, C, C#, Java, JavaScript, and Node.js.
- Integrated enterprise platforms, including BMC Action Request System and ServiceNow.
- Created modern, responsive user interfaces using React and Angular frameworks, ensuring optimal user experience across all client implementations.
Senior Software Development Engineer
Microsoft
- Served as a senior-level application engineer, driving innovation across cloud and AI initiatives within the Cortana and Office 365 ecosystems. Developed robust software services for both front and back-end systems, with a particular focus on Rust adoption.
- Automated large data migration from OneNote to the internal Wiki within Microsoft. Improved efficiency of DRI tasks for after-hours back-end support for Azure clients across all the US, EU, and ME regions.
- Spearheaded the successful implementation of front- and back-end Azure portal experiences for CI/CD services, telemetry, and VM services.
- Designed and implemented comprehensive process automation solutions using Rust, streamlining workflows and reducing manual intervention across multiple service touchpoints.
- Built sophisticated telemetry dashboards and service portals leveraging Rust API layers, enabling real-time monitoring and data visualization for critical system metrics.
- Developed Rust libraries for container orchestration and monitoring, working in tandem with C# components to create a hybrid solution that maximized performance and maintainability.
- Collaborated extensively with engineering teams across Microsoft to promote Rust adoption, conducting knowledge-sharing sessions and developing best practices documentation.
- Architected full-stack solutions utilizing the .NET technology stack for enterprise-scale applications.
- Implemented back-end automation scripts using PowerShell, Bash, and Python to support DevOps initiatives.
- Developed responsive front-end interfaces using React and Angular frameworks, ensuring seamless user experiences across platforms.
Experience
JavaScript to Rust Transpiler and Deobfuscator
• Intelligent chunking: It uses tree-sitter to parse JavaScript into semantic chunks, including functions, classes, variables, etc.
• Performance optimization: It handles large files (7MB+) by avoiding deep recursion.
• Advanced filtering: It includes a checkbox-based filtering system by type, complexity, and size.
• LLM integration: It includes direct LLM API integration for transpilation and deobfuscation.
• Context-aware processing: It provides dependency context, usage patterns, and global context to the LLM.
• Interactive TUI: It includes a full-featured terminal interface with multiple views, such as main, filter, and logger.
• Pretty printing: JavaScript code formatting is included for better readability.
• Comprehensive logging: It includes a detailed logging system with a scrollable view.
TECHNICAL ARCHITECTURE
• Parser: tree-sitter JavaScript, SWC, and other crates for AST parsing, dependency graphs, and data mapping
• UI: Ratatui for terminal interface
• HTTP: reqwest for API calls
• Async: Tokio runtime for API operations
• Config: dotenv for environment management
Skills
Libraries/APIs
React, Node.js, OpenAI API, Windows Forms (WinForms), REST APIs
Tools
GitHub, Claude, Claude Code, AWS Command Line Interface (CLI), Jira
Languages
Rust, C#.NET, C, Modern JavaScript, JavaScript, C#, Python, HTML, CSS, SQL, TypeScript, SAML
Frameworks
.NET, .NET Core
Paradigms
Desktop App Development, Business Intelligence (BI), DevOps
Platforms
Azure, Docker, Kubernetes, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Storage
PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server
Other
API Design, APIs, Open Source, AI Agents, AI Chatbots, Back-end, Full-stack, Software Architecture, Architecture, OAuth, Single Sign-on (SSO), Documentation, Drag & Drop, Form Design, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), WebSockets, Front-end, AWS Cloud Architecture, CTO, AI Integration, API Integration, Embedded Rust, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Large Language Models (LLMs), Agentic AI, Crypto
How to Work with Toptal
Toptal matches you directly with global industry experts from our network in hours—not weeks or months.
Share your needs
Choose your talent
Start your risk-free talent trial
Top talent is in high demand.
Start hiring