Surendra Sahu, Developer in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Surendra Sahu

Bio

Surendra is a CTO and AI engineering leader with 20+ years in software and 12+ years in CTO/founder roles. He builds production LLM systems, agent workflows, RAG, fine-tuning, evaluation pipelines, and cloud platforms. At VisionIAS/VisionAI Tech, he led AI grading systems that processed 300,000+ handwritten answer copies for 100,000+ students with around 95% expert-accepted feedback.

Portfolio

VisionIAS & VisionAI Tech Pvt Ltd
Python, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Kubernetes, Node.js...
CashnGo (as a freelancer)
JavaScript, PHP, MySQL, Amazon RDS, AWS ELB, SQL Server 2017, Full-stack...
ReConvert
Shopify, Shopify API, Shopify Theme, Laravel, PHP, Git, Jira, Slack, MySQL...

Experience

  • PHP - 14 years
  • MySQL - 14 years
  • API Development - 10 years
  • JavaScript - 10 years
  • REST APIs - 8 years
  • Node.js - 5 years
  • Laravel - 5 years
  • React - 5 years

Preferred Environment

Git, MacOS, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), Terminal

The most amazing...

...system I've built is a production LLM grading platform that processed 300,000+ handwritten answers with expert-validated feedback.

Work Experience

Chief Technology Officer/Head of AI Engineering

2023 - PRESENT
VisionIAS & VisionAI Tech Pvt Ltd
  • Led a 50+ person technology organization serving 100,000+ students and owned AI product strategy, platform architecture, cloud infrastructure, and engineering delivery.
  • Built a production LLM grading workflow that processed 300,000+ handwritten answer copies and achieved ~95% expert acceptance for AI-generated feedback.
  • Shipped AI pipelines that converted lecture videos into transcripts, notes, quizzes, and assignments, generating 500,000+ questions for student practice.
Technologies: Python, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Kubernetes, Node.js, Laravel, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Large Language Models (LLMs), Prompt Engineering, Natural Language Processing (NLP), LangChain, OpenAI API, CTO, Technical Leadership, Team Management, Solution Architecture, Software Architecture, Web Application Architecture, App Infrastructure, Microservices Architecture, Linux, Database Design, Docker, Docker Compose, DevOps, CI/CD Pipelines, Continuous Integration (CI), Server Management, IT Infrastructure, Managed Services, Message Queues, Continuous Delivery (CD), GitLab, Deployment, HTML5, React, TypeScript, GraphQL, REST APIs, GitHub, Serverless, Serverless Architecture, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Domain-driven Design (DDD), Domain-driven Development, Microservices, Architecture, Typesense, WebSockets

Full-stack Developer

2022 - 2023
CashnGo (as a freelancer)
  • Designed and developed a streamlined workflow system for loan underwriting, utilizing Wappler workflow to optimize efficiency and accuracy in the underwriting process.
  • Implemented seamless auto-disbursal of loans by integrating the Zepto payment gateway, leveraging my expertise in API integrations.
  • Managed repayments, waivers, and penalties by utilizing the Mifos platform.
Technologies: JavaScript, PHP, MySQL, Amazon RDS, AWS ELB, SQL Server 2017, Full-stack, Full-stack Development, Low Code, Git, Slack, Jira, Workflow, jQuery, HTML, Front-end, Responsive Layout, Bootstrap, Payment APIs, Online Payments

Full-stack Shopify Developer

2021 - 2022
ReConvert
  • Collaborated with Shopify functions to implement dynamic discounts, improving the customer shopping experience and increasing sales revenue.
  • Enhanced store functionality through seamless integrations with third-party systems, optimizing workflow efficiency and providing customers with an exceptional online shopping experience.
  • Developed customized data reporting and analytical tools, leveraging advanced technologies and programming languages to optimize data analysis and provide actionable insights for business decision-making.
Technologies: Shopify, Shopify API, Shopify Theme, Laravel, PHP, Git, Jira, Slack, MySQL, Shopify Plus, Shopify Customizations

Full-stack Developer and DevOps Manager

2019 - 2021
Ziff Davis LLC (as a freelancer)
  • Designed and developed a LinkedIn automation tool using Python and Selenium.
  • Designed and developed email marketing software that effectively converts leads into customers.
  • Architected and developed a scalable infrastructure, incorporating auto-scaling capabilities to accommodate fluctuating user traffic and demand.
Technologies: MySQL, Amazon RDS, Laravel, PHP, Stripe, JavaScript, Redis, RabbitMQ, Autoscaling, Automated Server Deployment, CI/CD Pipelines, Python, Selenium, SQL Server DBA, CentOS, Debian, Ubuntu, Ubuntu Linux, IT Networking, Networking, VPN, Database Backups

CTO

2010 - 2016
Pheuture Studio Pvt
  • Architected and created the IT infrastructure and mentored the team on best development practices.
  • Created a scalable solution to handle millions of transactions per day.
  • Built solutions for eCommerce, billing, call centers, and process automation.
Technologies: API Development, PHP, Java, JavaScript, Python, Redis, RabbitMQ, Git, GitHub, Bitbucket, Software QA, Asterisk, Bash, Auth0, Node.js, DevOps, Microservices Architecture, RESTful Microservices, API Integration, Chatbots, Managed Services, IT Infrastructure, MVP Design, Laravel, CodeIgniter, Shopify, Forecasting, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Agile, Startup Consulting, Business Strategy, Web Development, Google SEO, WordPress, REST APIs, CSS, DigitalOcean, Vultr, LAMP, MariaDB, PHP MVC, Web Design, Web App Design, JavaScript Charting, Vue, Firebase, React Native, SendGrid, Mailchimp, Zoho API, LinkedIn API, Opera Extensions, Chrome Extensions, Google Chrome, Scraping, Web Scraping, Data Scraping, Store Scraping, Asterisk REST Interface (ARI), Kamailio, SIP, Twilio

Senior Full-stack Developer

2009 - 2010
Goibibo
  • Created an eCommerce platform for voice-based services.
  • Worked with teams to enable microtransactions across product divisions.
  • Integrated with payment gateways and the telecom operator API to provide microtransactions from users' mobiles.
  • Ported existing games from Tencent to mobile platforms.
Technologies: API Development, Software Architecture, DevOps, Query Optimization, Database Management, Server Management, CI/CD Pipelines, Deployment, Software QA, Team Management, eCommerce, Telecom Equipment & Solutions, Web Development, CSS, Full-stack, Databases, Back-end, Algorithms, Data Structures

Engineer Manager

2008 - 2009
Goibibo
  • Migrated the myibibo social network from C# and ASP.NET to a PHP-based platform.
  • Created the social network mobile apps for Nokia and Android.
  • Managed the single sign-on (SSO) authentication for all the ibibo platforms, including blogs, the social network, and the gaming and travel portals.
Technologies: PHP, MySQL, MongoDB, Single Sign-on (SSO), SQL, Mobile Apps, Jira, VSS, Content Delivery Networks (CDN), DevOps, Web Development, CSS, Full-stack, Nokia Mobile Development

Senior Software Engineer

2007 - 2008
Goibibo
  • Developed a social network, myibibo.com, with a newsfeed and profile search option.
  • Created a click-to-call option for social network users using Asterisk and in-house hardware deployment.
  • Managed and executed various applications for tie-ups with Bollywood films and reality shows, including a platform for prime-time TV series.
Technologies: ASP.NET, API Development, VoIP, Asterisk, PHP, Android SDK, C#, Visual SourceSafe, Single Sign-on (SSO), Elasticsearch, MongoDB, MySQL, Content Delivery Networks (CDN), Query Plan, JavaScript, CSS, Full-stack

Senior Full-stack Developer

2005 - 2007
GlobalLogic
  • Migrated an existing application from the .Net 1.1 to 2.0 architecture.
  • Developed complex automated reports for Fortune 500 companies to support business decisions for employee retention and satisfaction.
  • Simplified the data flow process by creating ETL packages for automating data validation and report generation.
Technologies: ASP.NET, C#, SQL, REST APIs, API Development, Windows, Visual Studio, ETL, JavaScript, CSS, Full-stack

Experience

Production LLM Answer Evaluation Platform

Built the core LLM platform for evaluating handwritten UPSC mains answer copies at VisionIAS/VisionAI Tech. I owned product architecture, model workflow, evaluation strategy, and production rollout. The system processed 300,000+ scanned answer copies for 100,000+ students, using OCR/VLM ingestion, rubric-aware prompting and fine-tuning experiments, human-in-the-loop review, and LLM-as-judge quality gates. About 95% of AI-generated feedback was accepted by expert graders as-is. The work combined Python, LLM orchestration, evaluation datasets, OpenAI APIs, model-quality controls, and cloud/GPU deployment.

Multi-tenant School AI Grading Platform

Designed and launched a multi-tenant AI grading product for schools, moving answer evaluation from an institute-specific UPSC workflow into a configurable classroom platform. I led architecture and delivery for tenant isolation, scan ingestion, answer extraction, rubric-based evaluation, feedback generation, and hardware integration that prints marks and feedback back onto the same physical copy. The product was piloted with three schools for classes 3-12 and required balancing model accuracy, teacher review, privacy, device reliability, and school operations.

AI Lecture-to-learning Content Pipeline

https://www.visionias.in/
Shipped an AI pipeline that converts lecture videos into structured learning material: transcripts, student notes, prelims quizzes, and mains assignments. I designed the workflow from media ingestion through transcription, topic extraction, question generation, validation, and publishing. The system generated 500,000+ questions and created a reusable content intelligence layer for student practice and assessment. It combined LLM prompting, evaluation gates, Python workflows, data curation, and integration with existing education platforms.

Current Affairs LLM & Adaptive Testing Platform

Built an LLM-backed current-affairs and adaptive assessment platform for UPSC preparation. The system ranks daily news by exam relevance, generates summaries and quizzes, answers student queries, and feeds Sandhan, an adaptive testing product that creates quizzes matched to each student's level. I owned architecture across Laravel, Filament, Octane, Redis, Docker, SQL data stores, LLM APIs, retrieval workflows, and Odoo/CRM integrations. The project connected content, learner signals, and AI workflows into a production education platform.

LLM Training, Evaluation & GPU Deployment

https://www.visionias.in/
Led the model-improvement program for VisionIAS/VisionAI Tech, building datasets from expert-generated content, graded copies, model answers, lecture notes, and domain references. I fine-tuned Qwen and Llama models with LoRA on NVIDIA GPU clusters and local machines, ran SFT with GPT-4.1 and reinforcement fine-tuning experiments with o1, and used human-assisted evals plus LLM-as-judge checks to compare quality. This work created the foundation for domain-specific model accuracy, repeatable evaluation, and cost-aware deployment.

Cloud Platform Modernization & Cost Optimization

https://www.visionias.in/
Modernized the production platform behind high-volume education delivery at VisionIAS. I led petabyte-scale streaming data migration to a new provider with zero learner disruption, built the institute's live lecture streaming stack, and reduced AWS/GCP spend by about 60% through rightsizing, eliminating idle capacity, and adopting auto-scaling. The work combined infrastructure strategy, hands-on debugging, database migration planning, deployment automation, observability, vendor management, and engineering team upskilling.

Education

2001 - 2005

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee - Roorkee, India

Certifications

DECEMBER 2009 - PRESENT

Young Entrepreneurs Program in Business Strategy

Naspers with Harvard Business School

Skills

Libraries/APIs

Node.js, React, jQuery, REST APIs, API Development, JavaScript Charting, Vue, OpenAI API, Stripe, Zoho API, Shopify API, LinkedIn API

Tools

Git, SendGrid, GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, RabbitMQ, Visual Studio, Mailchimp, Docker Compose, Auth0, Shopify Plus, Photoshop 7, Asterisk, Visual SourceSafe, Query Plan, Jira, VSS, VPN, Asterisk REST Interface (ARI), Kamailio, Vultr, Terminal, AWS ELB, Slack

Languages

PHP, HTML5, SQL, JavaScript, CSS, Python, TypeScript, GraphQL, Bash, HTML, C#, Visual Basic, Java, C, C++

Frameworks

CodeIgniter, Laravel, PHP MVC, Selenium, Bootstrap, ASP.NET, React Native, Android SDK

Paradigms

Serverless Architecture, Database Design, ETL, Continuous Integration (CI), Continuous Delivery (CD), Domain-driven Development, Web Application Architecture, Web App Design, Responsive Layout, DevOps, Microservices Architecture, Agile, Microservices, Automated Server Deployment

Platforms

Windows, Linux, MacOS, Docker, CentOS, Debian, Ubuntu, DigitalOcean, WordPress, Ubuntu Linux, Google Chrome, Kubernetes, Shopify, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Twilio, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), LAMP, Firebase

Storage

MySQL, Redis, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), MariaDB, Database Backups, Databases, SQL Server DBA, Elasticsearch, MongoDB, Database Management, SQL Server 2017

Industry Expertise

Web Design

Other

Opera Extensions, CI/CD Pipelines, Serverless, WebSockets, Payment APIs, Message Queues, Web Development, CTO, App Infrastructure, Domain-driven Design (DDD), APIs, Full-stack, Scraping, Web Scraping, Algorithms, Back-end, Front-end, Data Scraping, Store Scraping, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Large Language Models (LLMs), Prompt Engineering, Typesense, Machine Learning, IT Networking, Networking, Chrome Extensions, Natural Language Processing (NLP), LangChain, Software Development, Graphical User Interface (GUI), VoIP, Single Sign-on (SSO), Content Delivery Networks (CDN), Mobile Apps, Software Architecture, Query Optimization, Server Management, Deployment, Software QA, Team Management, eCommerce, Telecom Equipment & Solutions, RESTful Microservices, API Integration, Chatbots, Managed Services, IT Infrastructure, MVP Design, Forecasting, Startup Consulting, Business Strategy, SIP, Google SEO, Full-stack Development, Online Payments, Amazon RDS, Low Code, Workflow, Shopify Theme, Autoscaling, Shopify Customizations, Architecture, Data Structures, Technical Leadership, Solution Architecture, Nokia Mobile Development

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