Rahul Narayanan, Developer in Waterloo, ON, Canada
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Rahul Narayanan

Full-stack Development Developer

Waterloo, ON, Canada

Toptal member since April 20, 2022

Bio

Rahul is a dynamic tech leader and lead engineer with 8+ years of experience in designing, delivering, and scaling high-concurrency applications. Expert in modernizing legacy architectures, building AI-enabled data ecosystems, and focused on the intersection of full-stack development and Generative AI. Passionate about automating complex business workflows and leveraging cutting-edge tech to solve high-stakes enterprise challenges.

Portfolio

RBC
Angular, React, Python, FastAPI, Large Language Models (LLMs)...
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
TypeScript, NestJS, Angular, Docker, OpenShift, Python, Okta...
First Mile Care LLC
React, Google Apps Script, JavaScript, CSS, HTML5, UI Design, UX Design...

Experience

  • Web App Development - 7 years
  • Full-stack Development - 7 years
  • REST APIs - 5 years
  • CI/CD Pipelines - 5 years
  • Solution Architecture - 4 years
  • Admin Panels - 4 years
  • Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) - 2 years
  • Microservices - 2 years

Preferred Environment

Admin Panels, Amazon Web Services (AWS), OpenShift, Microservices, System Architecture Design, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), Full-stack, CI/CD Pipelines, Solution Architecture, Web App Development

The most amazing...

...project I've led improved security for two million users and generated substantial revenue growth by integrating a scalable permissioning service.

Work Experience

Lead Engineer

2025 - PRESENT
RBC
  • Launched "Data Marketplace" from 0 to production in three months, transitioning a POC into a live enterprise tool that eliminated the need for manual table querying.
  • Reduced business user search time by 50% by architecting a semantic search layer, allowing non-technical users to find data without understanding complex underlying structures.
  • Architected an LLM-powered data assistant using MCP, enabling users to query and summarize data in natural language, significantly lowering the barrier to data-driven decision-making.
  • Optimized big data query performance by orchestrating the integration of Trino, resulting in significantly faster retrieval times from existing massive datasets.
  • Automated BA workflows by building a self-service scheduling system, reducing the daily manual execution burden for business analysts and ensuring consistent data delivery.
  • Engineered an "RTB Train Schedule" dashboard to track real-time job arrivals, providing the Run-The-Bank team with high-visibility monitoring and proactive system health tracking.
  • Architected a RAG-based search interface using Python and Vector Databases to enable natural language querying of complex financial datasets, successfully moving the project from a POC to a production-ready internal tool.
  • Built a high-concurrency chat interface using Next.js, integrating with proprietary APIs to provide real-time, AI-driven data insights for stakeholder decision-making.
Technologies: Angular, React, Python, FastAPI, Large Language Models (LLMs), Model Context Protocol (MCP), Docker, OpenShift, Celery, User Interface (UI), Claude, Agentic AI, AI Agents, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud Storage, Performance Optimization, Continuous Delivery (CD), Continuous Integration (CI), Unit Testing, SQLAlchemy, Figma, JSON, Data Security, Data Privacy, Software Architecture, Next.js, OAuth, OAuth 2, Software as a Service (SaaS), Code Auditing, Refactoring, SaaS, Security, BigQuery, RESTFul APIs

Senior Full-stack Engineer

2023 - 2025
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
  • Migrated a 30-year-old legacy system to Aries Permission Services, accelerating time-to-market by 50% through end-to-end ownership of requirements and stakeholder coordination.
  • Achieved 95% code coverage by integrating Gen-AI into testing protocols, eliminating regression defects, and ensuring an SLA of <500ms for high-traffic REST APIs.
  • Maintained 99.9% uptime via auto-scaling and performance optimization on OpenShift (OCP), minimizing downtime for critical workbench applications.
  • Mentored a high-performance agile team, standardizing development processes and improving overall team velocity.
  • Introduced generative AI for testing, increasing code coverage to 95% and eliminating regression defects.
  • Achieved 99% uptime for the application through autoscaling, reducing downtime, and ensuring high availability.
Technologies: TypeScript, NestJS, Angular, Docker, OpenShift, Python, Okta, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), Postman, CI/CD Pipelines, REST APIs, GitHub, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), JavaScript, Node.js, Express.js, SQL, Software Development, Databases, Admin Panels, APIs, Full-stack Development, Analytics, ECMAScript (ES6), Full-stack, Cloud Native, Back-end, Product Management, Swagger, Technical Leadership, Algorithms, OpenAI, UI Design, UX Design, Architecture, HTML, CSS, PostgreSQL, Back-end Development, Design Patterns, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Scalability, Front-end, Single-page Applications (SPAs), CSS Modules, ChatGPT API, Redux Toolkit, Elasticsearch, Redis, DevOps, Microservices Architecture, Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), User Interface (UI), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud Storage, Performance Optimization, Continuous Delivery (CD), Continuous Integration (CI), Unit Testing, Figma, JSON, Data Security, Data Privacy, Software Architecture, Next.js, OAuth, OAuth 2, Software as a Service (SaaS), Code Auditing, Refactoring, SaaS, Security, AWS Cloud Security, RESTFul APIs

Front-end Developer (via Toptal)

2022 - 2023
First Mile Care LLC
  • Developed an integrated app with Google Apps Script for patient handling, reducing manual work by 95%.
  • Coordinated with the client effectively to enhance the features and optimized the processes.
  • Oversaw the development of the application and surpassed the client's expectations.
Technologies: React, Google Apps Script, JavaScript, CSS, HTML5, UI Design, UX Design, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), HTML, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Front-end, Single-page Applications (SPAs), Storybook, CSS Modules, DevOps, User Interface (UI), Cloud Storage, Performance Optimization, Unit Testing, JSON, Data Privacy, OAuth, OAuth 2, Supabase, Refactoring, SaaS, Security, RESTFul APIs

Lead Engineer (via Toptal)

2022 - 2022
WeMove LLC
  • Spearheaded the exclusive creation of WeMove, a responsive web app linking tenants and lessees for referrals.
  • Implemented core features, including apartment listings, direct messaging, notifications, and an admin panel.
  • Delivered a streamlined referral system, surpassing client expectations with prompt and high-quality development.
  • Exhibited adaptability and efficiency, ensuring seamless functionality and client satisfaction throughout the project lifecycle.
Technologies: Django, React, Redux, MUI CSS, GraphQL, PostgreSQL, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Visual Studio Code (VS Code), Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), JavaScript, SQL, Software Development, Databases, GitHub, Admin Panels, Material UI, APIs, Full-stack Development, Analytics, ECMAScript (ES6), Full-stack, API Integration, Cloud Native, Back-end, Product Management, Swagger, Mobile App Development, Mobile Applications, Algorithms, UI Design, UX Design, Architecture, OpenAI API, Google Maps API, HTML, CSS, AWS Lambda, Amazon DynamoDB, Back-end Development, Design Patterns, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Scalability, Front-end, Single-page Applications (SPAs), CSS Modules, Redux Toolkit, Redis, DevOps, Microservices Architecture, User Interface (UI), Cloud Storage, Performance Optimization, Unit Testing, HubSpot, JSON, Data Privacy, SaaS, Security, RESTFul APIs

Full-stack Engineer

2017 - 2021
Zoho Corporation
  • Revamped an outdated Admin Console application, driving a 140% surge in sales volume post-redesign.
  • Enhanced sign-up and onboarding workflows, leading to a doubling of customer acquisition and retention rates.
  • Orchestrated the creation of an internal app called Toolkit, slashing the first response time in customer support by four hours.
  • Streamlined testing processes through the implementation of unit and automation tests, ensuring improved application reliability.
  • Modernized API architecture from Servlet APIs to REST APIs, cutting application load time to one second.
  • Addressed security vulnerabilities proactively and resolved bug bounty issues to ensure application integrity.
  • Provided exemplary leadership, mentoring junior developers and standardizing product development processes.
Technologies: JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Java, Jakarta Server Pages (JSP), React, Redux, jQuery, Node.js, Express.js, MongoDB, SQL, PWA, GitHub, Hosting, Admin Panels, APIs, React Native, Vanilla JS, MySQL, Full-stack, React Redux, Spring Boot, REST APIs, Python, Linux, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), Shell, Software Development, Databases, Full-stack Development, Vue, Webpack, Domain DNS Setup, Domains & Hosting, Analytics, ECMAScript (ES6), Back-end, Mobile App Development, Mobile Applications, Algorithms, UI Design, UX Design, Android, iOS, Back-end Development, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Front-end, Single-page Applications (SPAs), CSS Modules, Redux Toolkit, DevOps, User Interface (UI), Performance Optimization, Unit Testing, JSON, Data Privacy, SaaS

Experience

TravellAR

https://github.com/rahul-narayanan/TravellAR
TravellAR is an augmented reality (AR)-based smartphone application that allows users to see tourist sites from the comfort of home. It was created using React Native and Viro React as a part of my Advanced Software Engineering course with a team of four players.

Food Order Application

https://github.com/rahul-narayanan/food-order-application
A simple POS online application for accepting orders at a restaurant built using JavaScript, React, and Node.js and hosted on AWS Amplify with AWS DynamoDB as the back end. Developed with the intent of learning AWS.

Date and Time utils

A utility that offers typical date and time operations methods such as converting millisecond time to preferred date format, obtaining contextual time from the timestamp, etc. I created this utility to let developers work with dates and times more simply.

Education

2021 - 2022

Master's Degree in Applied Computing

University of Windsor - Windsor, Ontario, Canada

2013 - 2017

Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology

Anna University - Chennai, India

Skills

Libraries/APIs

React, Node.js, REST APIs, OpenAI API, jQuery, React Redux, Google Maps API, SQLAlchemy, Vue

Tools

Redux Toolkit, Shell, GitHub, Webpack, Expo, Postman, Claude, Figma, BigQuery, Celery

Languages

JavaScript, HTML, CSS, SQL, TypeScript, ECMAScript (ES6), Python, Java, C, HTML5, GraphQL, Python 3, Google Apps Script

Frameworks

Express.js, React Native, Material UI, Vanilla JS, Next.js, NestJS, Angular, Django, Swagger, OAuth 2, Jakarta Server Pages (JSP), Redux, Bootstrap, MUI CSS, Ionic, Flutter, Spring Boot

Paradigms

Database Design, UI Design, UX Design, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), DevOps, Microservices Architecture, Continuous Delivery (CD), Continuous Integration (CI), Unit Testing, Refactoring, Hosting, Mobile Development, Microservices, Design Patterns, Model Context Protocol (MCP)

Platforms

Amazon Web Services (AWS), Linux, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), OpenShift, Docker, FlutterFlow, Android, iOS, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), AWS Lambda, HubSpot, Replit, Shopify, Firebase, Heroku, Cloud Native

Storage

Databases, PostgreSQL, Redis, JSON, MongoDB, MySQL, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Amazon DynamoDB, Elasticsearch

Other

Software Development, APIs, Front-end Development, Domain DNS Setup, Domains & Hosting, Full-stack, API Integration, System Architecture Design, Solution Architecture, Web App Development, Back-end, Architecture, Back-end Development, Scalability, Front-end, Single-page Applications (SPAs), CSS Modules, ChatGPT API, FastAPI, User Interface (UI), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud Storage, Performance Optimization, Data Security, Data Privacy, Software Architecture, OAuth, Software as a Service (SaaS), Code Auditing, SaaS, Security, RESTFul APIs, Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Admin Panels, Full-stack Development, Analytics, Web Analytics, Mobile UX, Mobile UI, Mobile Apps, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), CI/CD Pipelines, Okta, Product Management, Technical Leadership, Mobile App Development, Mobile Applications, Algorithms, OpenAI, Storybook, Agentic AI, AI Agents, LangChain, Retrieval-augmented Generation (RAG), Vector Databases, Llama 3, Supabase, AWS Cloud Security, PWA, Networking, Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), Large Language Models (LLMs)

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