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Robert Taylor
Verified Expert in Engineering
Machine Learning Developer
Cleveland, OH, United States
Toptal member since February 9, 2016
Bio
Robert is a full‑stack software engineer and architect with 15+ years of industry experience, specializing in designing and implementing end‑to‑end, multilayered applications. He has worked with various clients — including agile startups and larger companies — developing a broad perspective on software engineering and its processes.
Portfolio
Boost Health Insurance Agency LLC
ElevenLabs Solutions, Speech-to-Text (STT), Artificial Intelligence (AI)...
MediaRadar, Inc
Python, OpenCV, FFmpeg, SQL, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Ansible, Docker, Git...
Frisson Systems, Inc.
Django, Python, React, Redux, Architecture, Git
Experience
- Python - 14 years
- Machine Learning - 11 years
- Django - 11 years
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) - 6 years
- React - 5 years
- ZeroMQ - 4 years
- PyTorch - 3 years
- Next.js - 2 years
Preferred Environment
Python, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Django, React, ZeroMQ, JavaScript, Scikit-learn, OpenCV, Next.js, PyTorch
The most amazing...
...app I've architected and implemented for a client is an IoT management solution for tracking and updating a large global network of devices.
Work Experience
Voice AI Specialist
2025 - 2025
Boost Health Insurance Agency LLC
- Deployed a HIPAA‑compliant voice assistant that managed inbound calls and integrated with the client’s CRM to automate triage and routing.
- Implemented multimodal communication support (phone, SMS, and email) that streamlined customer interactions and reduced manual hand‑offs.
- Optimized the conversational model to deliver a human‑like experience, attaining high user‑satisfaction scores in internal testing.
Technologies: ElevenLabs Solutions, Speech-to-Text (STT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Large Language Models (LLMs), AI Chatbots, Chatbots, Retrieval-augmented Generation (RAG), Voice Chat, Dialogflow, Twilio, HIPAA Compliance, Vapi.ai, Google Speech API, Healthcare Services
Senior Full-stack Developer
2024 - 2024
MediaRadar, Inc
- Conducted R&D to optimize machine learning classification algorithms in the back-end pipeline, improving model accuracy.
- Dockerized the development environment for a proprietary internal web application, reducing setup time and improving team productivity.
- Delivered new features and resolved bugs in a full-stack internal web application, enhancing user experience.
Technologies: Python, OpenCV, FFmpeg, SQL, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Ansible, Docker, Git, C++
Django Consultant
2024 - 2024
Frisson Systems, Inc.
- Worked with a team to identify technical roadblocks.
- Produced documentation for an architectural design appropriate for their SaaS product.
- Developed Django code optimized for rapid scaling within their technical context.
Technologies: Django, Python, React, Redux, Architecture, Git
Chief Engineer
2023 - 2024
Oddbot AI
- Developed an API for scalable voicebot solutions to increase user engagement for various industries, using open-source technologies and closed-source services such as OpenAI, ElevenLabs Solutions, and Groq.
- Led the design and implementation of a state-of-the-art AI voice integration framework, written primarily in Python and hosted with AWS and Google Cloud.
- Pivoted and redesigned technical architecture based on customer feedback and market research.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Python, PyTorch, ZeroMQ, Transformer Models, OpenAI, ElevenLabs Solutions, Groq, Google Cloud, Large Language Models (LLMs), Full-stack, Node.js, React, JavaScript, Architecture, Artificial Intelligence (AI), APIs, Front-end, FFmpeg, Git, OpenAI GPT-4 API, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), FastAPI, AI Chatbots, Speech-to-Text (STT), Chatbots, Voice Chat
Independent Contractor
2021 - 2023
Drover AI
- Productized earlier proof-of-concept iterations of the client's codebase into what is now deployed in thousands of devices worldwide.
- Advised the client on methods for incorporating Agile processes and best practices into their development flow.
- Managed a small, multidisciplinary team to design and build an IoT app according to the client's needs.
Technologies: Python, React, Gatsby, Amazon Web Services (AWS), AWS IoT, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Back-end, DevOps, Docker, PostgreSQL, Full-stack, Architecture, Node.js, SQLite, APIs, Front-end, REST APIs, Git
Independent Contractor
2021 - 2022
PRC-Saltillo
- Architected, designed, and implemented an app for generating word prediction engines that could be utilized in the client's other software offerings.
- Managed a small, multidisciplinary team to design and build the app according to the client's needs.
- Carried the app through the complete development process—from initial ideation, architecture, and UI designs to implementation, deployment, and production.
Technologies: Python, Django, JavaScript, React, C++, Back-end, PostgreSQL, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Full-stack, Node.js, Architecture, Protobuf, APIs, Front-end, REST APIs, Git
Independent Contractor
2016 - 2021
PRC-Saltillo
- Helped PRC's engineering department modernize its flagship augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) software suite.
- Redeveloped product features in Python originally written in C/C++.
- Supported multiple platforms, including Windows and Android.
- Created and submitted numerous design proposals to be approved by PRC before development.
- Worked closely with the PRC software team to integrate new features.
- Designed and developed several highly complex features, including a word or spelling prediction algorithm and a content translation utility.
- Wrote extensive unit testing and documentation for each module submitted.
Technologies: Django, Python, Back-end, SQLite, APIs, Front-end, REST APIs, Git
Independent Contractor
2018 - 2019
GiveGauge
- Consulted for an Ohio startup offering a web platform for volunteer organizations to manage their events, people, and hours.
- Provided direction for productizing their multilayer online platform, developed in Python, JavaScript, and MySQL.
- Managed a small team of developers, incorporating Agile processes and best practices into their development flow.
Technologies: Python, Django, JavaScript, MySQL, Back-end, DevOps, APIs, Front-end, Git
Independent Contractor
2014 - 2014
Texas A&M
- Worked closely with the researchers at Blackland Research and Extension Center to produce a practical and scientifically accurate tool to delineate watersheds.
- Learned how to read topographical GIS data as input and output vector graphs and images representative of the stream network existing within the local area.
- Wrote complete documentation of the tool and the underlying API. Published the documentation in both PDF and HTML format.
- Developed a robust error catching library to handle troublesome input data.
- Wrote extensive unit tests.
Technologies: Python, Git
Independent Contractor
2013 - 2014
Prentke Romich (merged with PRC-Saltillo)
- Developed Realize Language, a custom web application that analyzes and graphs the speech patterns of PRC's clientele. Gained experience in a for-profit web application's development, testing, and release processes.
- Delivered a robust final product by leveraging many languages, libraries, and technologies.
- Integrated multiple back and front-end processes to produce a seamless, feature-filled user experience.
Technologies: CSS, CoffeeScript, JavaScript, HTML, Python, MySQL, PHP, Back-end, APIs, Front-end, Git
Software Engineer
2011 - 2012
Prentke Romich (merged with PRC-Saltillo)
- Developed and supported the company's flagship AAC software suite, written in C/C++.
- Built and supported eye-tracking technology capable of tracking where or what a user's eyes are looking at on a tablet screen.
- Investigated and explored the latest cutting-edge software technology offerings and how they might be leveraged in the company's future products.
- Pioneered a first-pass prototype of—what would become—the company's next generation of software.
- Authored and maintained numerous functional and technical specifications.
Technologies: SQL, Python, C++, Back-end, APIs, Front-end, Git
Research Assistent
2011 - 2011
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
- Developed an open-source optic modeling tool written in Python: github.com/foxsi/foxsi-optics-sim.
- Created a model of an X-ray grazing optic module (the FOXSI telescope) that simulates how rays enter and leave the module.
- Made extensive use of Numpy/SciPy science packages.
- Made extensive use of mathematical and scientific computing background.
- Included complete documentation of code and background science.
Technologies: Python, Git
Research Assistent
2010 - 2010
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
- Researched how artificial neural networks might be best used to predict certain physical properties in tires given different rubber formulations.
- Produced a MATLAB-powered tool capable of performing the property prediction, which Goodyear later incorporated into its rubber simulations.
- Gained extensive experience with MATLAB and general model building strategies.
- Gave multiple presentations and demos of the tool.
- Wrote a complete report on project and its results for Goodyear's internal use.
Technologies: MATLAB
Experience
Ticka Python Script
A Python script that is part of a personal research project of mine. Its purpose is simple: automate the lengthy ZIP extraction, CSV parsing, and HDF5 archiving of foreign exchange market data found publicly at truefx.com.
Trip Manager (Web Application)
Follow the link to see a live demo of my final project submission for the Toptal interview process. The web application is built on a Python/Apache/MySQL/Linux stack with front-end support written in HTML/CoffeeScript/SASS.
Features:
* Django-powered back-end
* Registration/Login/User Permissions
* AJAX-powered forms and tables
* Advanced data search and filtering
* RESTful API
Features:
* Django-powered back-end
* Registration/Login/User Permissions
* AJAX-powered forms and tables
* Advanced data search and filtering
* RESTful API
PyLBFGS
https://github.com/humatic/pylbfgsPyLBFGS is a Python 3 wrapper for libLBFGS — a C implementation (by Naoaki Okazaki) of the Limited-memory Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (L-BFGS) algorithm, originally developed in Fortran by Jorge Nocedal.
Education
2015 - 2016
Master of Science Degree in Applied Mathematics
University of Washington - Seattle, Washington, USA
2007 - 2011
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics and Computer Science
The College of Wooster - Wooster, Ohio, USA
Skills
Libraries/APIs
Pandas, NumPy, SciPy, React, ZeroMQ, REST APIs, Scikit-learn, OpenCV, Protobuf, Google Ads API, Google API, Facebook API, jQuery UI, jQuery, OpenGL, PyTorch, Node.js, FFmpeg, Google Speech API
Tools
Git, Terminal, Sublime Text, MATLAB, Adobe Photoshop, LaTeX, Apache, Ansible, Dialogflow
Languages
Markdown, HTML, JavaScript, Python, SQL, CSS, C++, C, PHP, Sass, CoffeeScript, Java
Frameworks
Django REST Framework, Django, Next.js, Tailwind CSS, OAuth 2, Yii 2, Qt, Redux
Platforms
Ubuntu, Linux, Amazon Web Services (AWS), AWS IoT, Windows, Docker, MacOS, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Twilio
Storage
SQLite, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Google Cloud
Paradigms
DevOps, Automation, HIPAA Compliance
Other
Gatsby, Programming, Back-end, APIs, FastAPI, Cython, Mathematical Modeling, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Front-end, AI Chatbots, Speech-to-Text (STT), Chatbots, Voice Chat, Optimization, Transformer Models, OpenAI, ElevenLabs Solutions, Groq, Large Language Models (LLMs), Full-stack, Architecture, Artificial Intelligence (AI), OpenAI GPT-4 API, Retrieval-augmented Generation (RAG), Vapi.ai, Healthcare Services
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