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Stephen Baden
Verified Expert in Engineering
Back-end Developer
Edmonton, AB, Canada
Toptal member since February 2, 2021
Bio
Stephen is a full-stack developer with over ten years of experience working professionally as a software engineer. Over the years, he has led the development of a diverse range of products across various industries. Stephen loves working with people to bridge the gap between idea and execution through technology and design.
Portfolio
Reddit, Inc.
React, Python, User Interface (UI), Front-end, CSS, Redux, GitHub
Baden Studios
Python, Django, React, REST APIs, JavaScript, PostgreSQL, Web Frameworks...
Reddit, Inc.
React, Python, User Interface (UI), Front-end, CSS, Redux, GitHub
Experience
- Python - 9 years
- Django - 9 years
- PostgreSQL - 9 years
- Pytest - 8 years
- APIs - 6 years
- Django REST Framework - 6 years
- JavaScript - 5 years
- React - 2 years
Work Experience
Full-stack Developer (via Toptal)
2023 - PRESENT
Reddit, Inc.
- Worked as part of an ad growth team to implement new features and improve the self-service advertising platform.
- Developed new front-end components using React and implemented back-end API updates with Python to support new and improved features.
- Rolled out new features, including AI-driven ad copy generation, in-browser image editing, and automated image retrieval from advertisers' websites.
Technologies: React, Python, User Interface (UI), Front-end, CSS, Redux, GitHub
Freelance Developer
2015 - PRESENT
Baden Studios
- Helped clients bridge the gap between idea and execution through the use of technology and design.
- Led clients through the entire development process, from requirements gathering and strategy all the way through to deployment.
- Developed and launched various websites ranging from small personal websites to large scale applications responsible for all business operations.
Technologies: Python, Django, React, REST APIs, JavaScript, PostgreSQL, Web Frameworks, Django REST Framework, Python 3, Amazon EC2, Docker, TypeScript, GraphQL, Apollo, JSON, SQLAlchemy, MySQL, HTML, CSS, Responsive Web Apps, Adaptive Design, MongoDB, Test-driven Development (TDD), Full-stack, Back-end, BigQuery, Kubernetes, Terraform, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), AWS Lambda, Amazon RDS, Amazon CloudFront CDN, GitHub, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), Message Queues, Architecture, Databases, Pytest, Containerization, CI/CD Pipelines, Apache Airflow, Node.js, DigitalOcean, Quality Assurance (QA), Test Case Development, Embedded Systems, User Interface (UI), RESTful Web Services, Project Management & Work Tracking Tools, Ruby, Offshore Team Management, Heroku, Linux, Angular, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Next.js, NestJS, Front-end, Front-end Architecture, Web3, React Native, Web3.js, Tailwind CSS, Redux, Slim, Bootstrap, Sass, Code Review, Estimations, Agile, QA Automation, Jenkins, Crypto, eCommerce APIs, Extensions, Redis, PSQL, Prisma, Amazon Cognito, Webhooks, Figma, Kibana, Apache Kafka, Technical Leadership, Vercel, REST, WCAG 2, Microservices, Go, New Product Development, Applications, Blockchain, Card Payments, Amazon DynamoDB, Solidity, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Data Analysis, Unit Testing, Celery, FastAPI, Electron, Pydantic
Full-stack Developer
2024 - 2024
Reddit, Inc.
- Worked with the ad growth team to implement new features and improve the self-service advertising platform.
- Developed new front-end components using React and implemented back-end API updates with Python to support new and improved features.
- Rolled out new features, including AI-driven ad copy generation, in-browser image editing, and automated image retrieval from advertisers' websites.
Technologies: React, Python, User Interface (UI), Front-end, CSS, Redux, GitHub
Expert Python Developer
2021 - 2022
Check Technologies, Inc.
- Integrated third-party APIs such as Zendesk and Modern Treasury to support the operations team and core app functionality.
- Worked closely with the engineering lead to implement new user features to streamline onboarding and improve quality of life.
- Assisted other team members in debugging and problem-solving difficult bugs across the application.
- Used AWS services to deploy and host the application using services such as Lambda, API Gateway, S3, RDS, CloudFront, SQS, etc.
- Wrote automated tests using PyTest and PyUnit, and integrated with CI/CD pipelines to help automate deployments.
Technologies: Python, JSON API, PostgreSQL, Django, REST APIs, Fintech, Web Frameworks, Django REST Framework, Python 3, Amazon EC2, Docker, TypeScript, JSON, HTML, CSS, Responsive Web Apps, Adaptive Design, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Test-driven Development (TDD), Back-end, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), AWS Lambda, Amazon CloudFront CDN, GitHub, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), Message Queues, RabbitMQ, Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS), Architecture, Databases, Pytest, Containerization, CI/CD Pipelines, Apache Airflow, Quality Assurance (QA), Test Case Development, Embedded Systems, User Interface (UI), RESTful Web Services, DevOps, Software Troubleshooting, Logging, Zendesk, App Support, API Integration, Heroku, Linux, Express.js, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Next.js, Front-end, Front-end Architecture, Tailwind CSS, Redux, Sass, Code Review, Estimations, Agile, Jest, QA Automation, Jenkins, Software Architecture, Storybook, Cypress, Amazon API, Redis, PSQL, Prisma, Amazon Cognito, Webhooks, Figma, Apache Kafka, Technical Leadership, Elasticsearch, Vercel, REST, Serverless, WCAG 2, Microservices, Applications, Payment Processing, Payment Gateways, Card Payments, Azure, Amazon DynamoDB, Data Analysis, Unit Testing, Celery, NumPy, PyInstaller, Zod
Senior Web Application Developer
2012 - 2021
Lift Interactive
- Led the development of web and mobile applications for clients across a wide variety of industries, using the most recent web technologies and best practices.
- Designed and developed restful APIs for use with React and mobile applications.
- Integrated applications with 3rd-party services such as Stripe, AWS, and Google Cloud.
- Maintained a heavy focus on user experience and product design throughout all phases of development.
- Developed microservice and monolithic back-end functionality using Python frameworks such as Django and Flask.
Technologies: User Experience (UX), PostgreSQL, JavaScript, React, APIs, Python, Django, Flask, Web Frameworks, Django REST Framework, Python 3, TypeScript, GraphQL, Apollo, REST APIs, JSON, SQLAlchemy, MySQL, HTML, CSS, Responsive Web Apps, Adaptive Design, Amazon Web Services (AWS), MongoDB, Test-driven Development (TDD), Full-stack, Back-end, Kubernetes, Terraform, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), AWS Lambda, Amazon RDS, Amazon CloudFront CDN, Pandas, GitHub, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), Message Queues, RabbitMQ, Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS), Architecture, Databases, Pytest, Containerization, CI/CD Pipelines, Node.js, DigitalOcean, Quality Assurance (QA), Test Case Development, Embedded Systems, User Interface (UI), RESTful Web Services, Project Management & Work Tracking Tools, Ruby, Gmail API, Google Calendar API, DevOps, Software Troubleshooting, Logging, Zendesk, App Support, SailPoint, Networks, Cybersecurity, Security, Heroku, Linux, Angular, Express.js, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), NestJS, Front-end, Front-end Architecture, React Native, Material UI, Tailwind CSS, Redux, Slim, Bootstrap, Sass, Code Review, Estimations, Agile, Swift, WebSockets, Jest, QA Automation, Jenkins, Software Architecture, Sails.js, Storybook, Cypress, Amazon API, Redis, PSQL, Webhooks, Figma, Apache Kafka, Technical Leadership, Elasticsearch, Vercel, REST, Serverless, WCAG 2, Microservices, Go, New Product Development, Applications, GeoPandas, Payment Processing, Payment Gateways, Card Payments, Azure, Amazon DynamoDB, Data Analysis, Unit Testing, Celery, FastAPI, Electron, PyInstaller, Pydantic
Software Developer
2010 - 2012
CEM
- Planned, developed, tested, deployed, and maintained web applications.
- Effectively translated client requirements into application designs and systems requirements.
- Maintained application databases and wrote SQL statements and stored procedures.
Technologies: SQL, .NET, C#, MySQL, Databases, Project Management & Work Tracking Tools
Co-founder/Technical Lead
2010 - 2012
Bitshift Games
- Developed mobile games for iOS and Windows Phone 7.
- Shipped Super Punch, one of the first exclusive Windows Phone 7 games to enter the Microsoft store.
- Oversaw game design and user experience from inception to launch for all games.
Technologies: iOS, Mobile
Project History
Reddit - Ad Growth
https://ads.reddit.com• Implemented new features and improved the performance of the self-service advertising platform.
• Developed new front-end components using React and implemented back-end API updates with Python to support new and improved features.
• Rolled out new features, including AI-driven ad copy generation, in-browser image editing, and automated image retrieval from advertisers' websites.
• Developed new front-end components using React and implemented back-end API updates with Python to support new and improved features.
• Rolled out new features, including AI-driven ad copy generation, in-browser image editing, and automated image retrieval from advertisers' websites.
Check - A Fintech Product for Payroll Solutions
http://www.checkhq.comA Django-based API that empowers developers to embed payroll solutions into their software. Worked mainly as a back-end developer to maintain and develop new features for the API but also performed full-stack development for other products to help bolster operations and customer onboarding.
Resalytics - Financial and Futures Forecasting
A web application for generating predictive models for future forecasting. The user can enter in their own estimates and predictions, which are paired with real-time data to produce data dashboards for analysis. I worked as the full-stack development lead, designing and implementing the Django RESTful API, Flask microservice, and a React front-end interface.
MyCompass - Humanized Planning and Case Management
https://www.mycompassplanning.com/A web application designed to take the typically sterile process of case management and turn it into an engaging, social media-inspired platform to help users care for those with disabilities. I was the back-end developer who led the development of all application logic and worked in tandem with the front-end developer for the user interface.
UWalk - Community Fitness Tracking and Engagement
A fitness tracking web and mobile app specializing in promoting corporate fitness and healthy lifestyles in a business setting. Users were able to track all their steps walked, compete in challenges, earn achievements, and connect with other users to be part of a community. I worked as the lead back-end developer developing the application logic and integrating all third-party connections while working closely with the designer and front-end lead to deliver on the client's vision.
Education
2006 - 2012
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science
University of Alberta - Edmonton, AB
Skills
Libraries/APIs
React, REST APIs, NumPy, Pandas, Node.js, Web3.js, Amazon API, Pydantic, Zod, SQLAlchemy, Gmail API, Google Calendar API, JSON API
Tools
Amazon CloudFront CDN, GitHub, RabbitMQ, Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS), Pytest, Logging, SailPoint, Jenkins, Prisma, Amazon Cognito, Figma, Kibana, Celery, PyInstaller, BigQuery, Terraform, Apache Airflow, Slack, Cheetah
Languages
Python, JavaScript, SQL, HTML, CSS, HTML5, TypeScript, Python 3, GraphQL, Ruby, Sass, Swift, Go, C#, Solidity
Frameworks
Django, Flask, Django REST Framework, Jest, Web Frameworks, Express.js, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Next.js, React Native, Material UI, Tailwind CSS, Redux, Slim, Bootstrap, Sails.js, Cypress, Electron, .NET, Jinja, Ember.js, Angular, NestJS
Paradigms
Microservices, Test-driven Development (TDD), DevOps, Agile, REST, Unit Testing
Platforms
AWS Lambda, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), DigitalOcean, Zendesk, Heroku, Linux, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Apache Kafka, Vercel, Blockchain, Azure, Mobile, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Amazon EC2, Docker, Kubernetes, MacOS, iOS
Storage
PostgreSQL, JSON, MySQL, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Databases, Redis, PSQL, Elasticsearch, Amazon DynamoDB, MongoDB
Industry Expertise
Cybersecurity
Other
Software Development, APIs, User Experience (UX), Fintech, Serverless, Responsive Web Apps, Adaptive Design, Full-stack, Back-end, Amazon RDS, Message Queues, Architecture, Containerization, CI/CD Pipelines, Quality Assurance (QA), Test Case Development, Embedded Systems, User Interface (UI), RESTful Web Services, Project Management & Work Tracking Tools, Software Troubleshooting, App Support, API Integration, Security, Front-end, Front-end Architecture, Web3, Code Review, Estimations, WebSockets, QA Automation, Software Architecture, Storybook, Crypto, eCommerce APIs, Webhooks, Technical Leadership, WCAG 2, New Product Development, Applications, GeoPandas, Payment Processing, Payment Gateways, Card Payments, Data Analysis, FastAPI, Apollo, Networks, Offshore Team Management, Extensions, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), System Design, Algorithms
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