
Tomek Grzechowski
Verified Expert in Engineering
Software Developer
Kielce, Poland
Toptal member since July 14, 2021
Tomek sold his 1st software 30 years ago. It was a program written in Pascal with both text and graphical UI, enabling electrical engineers to double-check some calculations and drawings. The software was used for the next 15 years. For the last 25 years, Tomek has been an active full-stack programmer, constantly learning new markets and technologies. His experience spans consulting, programming, management, team leadership, and managing a small company as a co-owner and CTO.
Portfolio
Experience
- HTML - 20 years
- CSS - 20 years
- JavaScript - 20 years
- PHP - 20 years
- MySQL - 20 years
- Sass - 15 years
- Laravel - 8 years
- Vue 2 - 2 years
Preferred Environment
Linux
The most amazing...
...thing I've done is a bet that I won with an owner of a company I worked for in 2007. I made an MVC and ORM framework and a simple CRM based on it in three days.
Work Experience
CTO/Fractional CTO
Portola Holdings Pty Ltd
- Built a decision-grade acquisition pack translating technical findings into executive-level risks, priorities, and a staged program (P0 Stabilization, P1 Efficiency, and P2 Decision Fork) with clear goals, dependencies, and exit criteria.
- Assessed production infrastructure reliability and operational risk (single-operator dependency, undocumented steps, and environment fragility), and defined a “no-regret” stabilization path focused on repeatability and independence.
- Documented evidence-based validation steps (slow query logs, app-level query timing, and controlled instance upgrade tests) to isolate database versus application-tier bottlenecks; outlined vertical scaling and longer-term horizontal scaling options.
- Quantified codebase maintainability and refactor risk quantification across API and UI. Created data-driven risk workbooks using static-analysis outputs, hotspot ranking, and tunable scoring weights. Mapped priorities and identified concentrations of risk.
- Produced an actionable workplan workbook with tasks, deliverables, blockers, and acceptance criteria across P0, P1, and P2 options (refactor vs framework migration vs replacement), enabling defensible estimation and sequencing.
- Created architecture documentation assets (UML diagrams) covering deployment infrastructure, component topology, replication patterns, CDN/UI/API separation, and load-balancing options.
- Developed cost and rate benchmarking inputs (global engineering rate model) to support operating-cost planning and staffing scenarios post-takeover.
Software Developer
Modern Enigma Society
- Reviewed the current portal technology and, after evaluating the upgrade path from Symfony 3 to 7, decided to rebuild it from scratch on Symfony 7 due to numerous missing dependencies. The cherry on top was a new responsive (RWD) design.
- Set up advanced Docker and Docker Compose with auto-configuration and auto-installation for the following projects: cdb, mail, MES-portal, op, symfonyportal, and wiki2020.
- Rebuilt a broken prototype into two clean projects (React UI and Node.js API). Cleaned messy DB from 107 to 16 tables, fixed architecture, added Docker, TypeScript, validation, and modern UX. Delivered a stable, maintainable full-stack platform.
- Testimonial: "I would like to thank you for your dedication and exceptional work on this project. You have truly made working on this project easy and I would not hesitate to reach out to you again for any future projects." – Client.
PHP Developer
Des Moines University - Main
- Reviewed the source code and functionalities of the CakePHP 3-based MVP acquired from another university by DMU. Identified security issues across different parts of the technological framework — including PHP, the CakePHP version, and the MVP code.
- Prepared a plan to publish the updated version of the system, incorporating all client-requested functionality changes, as well as necessary security and architectural fixes, by the agreed deadline.
- Prepared a multi-architecture Docker solution to host and test all required upgrade steps and branches simultaneously.
- Upgraded the system sequentially — from CakePHP 3 (latest) to CakePHP 4 (latest), and finally to CakePHP 5.
- Fixed all identified security issues and refactored the authentication and authorization components in line with best architectural practices.
- Implemented all client-requested changes and successfully published the updated system by the specified deadline.
- Received multiple commendations and professional references from client team members, later shared on LinkedIn.
Programmer | Software Engineer | Lead Engineer
Freelance
- Led 20+ key projects since 2000, managing teams of up to five developers. Primarily focused on startups, solutions, and online business processes. Delivered five SaaS systems, showcasing my software engineering and project management expertise.
- Delivered a streaming MVP in 2021 for artists to register, post events, and sell tickets for online streamed artistic events in 2020.
- Designed, engineered, and delivered an educational MVP SaaS project using Laravel (back-end API), Vue (front-end app), and Node.js (game chat server).
- Created CMS engines, websites, eCommerce solutions, an MVC framework, an HR solution, and an online survey system on that framework. As a result, I was offered 50% ownership and co-managed the company, overseeing ten projects until 2014.
- Developed a technology for LunaJets to manage content, planes, routes, and private jet flights, including empty legs, in 2009. Updated the solution in 2014 for improved performance.
- Revamped the International Air Transport Association's MVP, improving performance and adding new features to Matchmaker, a KPI tracking software for innovation delivery from 2009-2011.
Full-stack Developer
Next Jump
- Migrated a client's Zend Framework-based service system from PHP5 to PHP7 using custom testing and code review solutions to ensure seamless functionality.
- Modified various parts of the client's system, such as Zend Framework-based services, Go-based tools, and a multi-component, multi-technology eCommerce system, as per client requests to enhance functionality.
- Fixed reported bugs in an internal company toolkit Zend Framework-based project.
Harmonizer
Adshares
- Implemented Bash Docker scripts enabling team members to set up a fast local dev environment without any knowledge of Docker.
- Initiated the conversion of ad server technology from Symfony to Laravel.
- Initiated a clean-up of ad server UI technology based on Angular.
- Acquired over 200 business contacts when representing the company meetings of adtech industry members, including Google global directors' contacts.
Chief Technology Officer | Co-owner
SurveyLab
- Delivered an online survey engine in 2007, after which a prior client of mine offered me a CTO position and 50% shares of the newly founded company. I accepted it and became a partner in the project in 2009.
- Developed a customized application framework allowing scalability of the final product to consist of the installation of 300+ applications following their own design pattern configured as the online survey system.
- Designed the expertise-based sales and customization delivery process for clients buying SaaS enterprise packages, funding software growth on incoming sales based on the most important clients' needs.
- Sold customizations to clients such as LinkedIn and Dropbox.
- Grew the product into the second online survey software in Poland, yet funded only on income.
Lead Engineer
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
- Hired to build a team of developers to form a company digital delivery hub following the idea of the global digital director. The project was slowly terminated as being against the policy after the same global director left the corporation.
- Learned a lot about policy in global corporations and delivered a great enterprise-class content management system for 14 of the national offices of the corporation: the system was fully i18n, RWD, and SEO-focused, and provided a media editor.
- Delivered several different digital marketing projects, Facebook applications, and corporate websites for several company clients together with my team.
- Considered the go-to person in our Polish office and many other offices worldwide regarding the estimation of incoming digital business leads.
PHP Developer | Lead PHP Developer
o2
- Refactored, optimized, and delivered new features to some company/internal software, such as VoIP online administration panel, CRM, and VoIP hardware remote manager.
- Won a very gratifying bet with the company owner and delivered a new MVC framework, ORM framework, and CRM MVP in three days.
- Considered the go-to person in case of issues related to SQL and PHP.
Programmer
Self-employed
- Sold one program based on the given requirements, helping electrical engineers to verify calculations in their energy network projects.
- Tried to publish educational software with my hacker friends, but as we went to different universities, the project went cold.
- Made a few websites, which are all outdated and down now.
- Worked on a digital paper about programming with an extremely limited number of viewers in our school.
Experience
SaaS | Educational Platform for Polish Law Students
https://testy.iusvitae.plI did 100% of the development of the app's first version and later delegated it to another team.
SaaS | Streaming Platform for Polish Actors
I did 100% of the development of the app.
SaaS | Human Resources Platform
Building CRM for o2 VoIP
I won this bet and delivered a new MVC framework with code autogeneration, new ORM libraries, and a simple CRM system.
Maintenance and Changes of Lead Generation and CRM Integration
https://lunajets.comCertifications
JavaScript (Basic)
hackerrank.com
Python (Basic)
hackerrank.com
Problem Solving (Basic)
hackerrank.com
Skills
Libraries/APIs
Vue 2, jQuery, Node.js, React, Vue, REST APIs, Google Tag Manager API, jQuery UI, Vuex, Mapbox API, Sockets, Vue 3, Flightplan, Chart.js, React Router, React Query, React Hook Form, jsPDF, Google API, Google APIs, Google Maps API, Google Maps, Google Maps API (GeoJSON), X (formerly Twitter) API, Zoho API, Zendesk API, Socket.IO, FFmpeg, Social Media APIs, Stripe, SurveyJS, Yup, Stripe API, OpenAPI, Shopify API
Tools
Google Analytics, Logging, NGINX, Git, Docker Compose, GitHub, Google Sheets, Apache, Zapier, Figma to HTML, Claude Code, Trello, Composer, Turbo Pascal, NPM, Canvas, Bitbucket, PHPStan, phpDocumentor, Jira, Vue Test Utils, Sequelize, Knex.js, RabbitMQ, Observability Tools, SendGrid
Languages
PHP, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, SQL, Sass, TypeScript, PHP 7, PHP 4, Bash Script, SCSS, HTML5, Google Apps Script, CSS3, PHP 8, GraphQL, ECMAScript (ES6), TypeScript 3, Python, Assembler, C, C++, Pascal, Perl, JavaScript 6, PHP 5, Go, Bash, Excel VBA, Java, XML
Frameworks
Laravel, Symfony, Bootstrap, Vuetify, Vanilla JS, Next.js, Tailwind CSS, Redux, Angular, CakePHP, Nuxt.js, Symfony 2, JSON Web Tokens (JWT), OAuth 2, Express.js, Laravel 5, CodeIgniter, Material UI, Laravel 8, Zend Framework, NestJS, PHPUnit, Sylius, Yii, CakePHP 3, CakePHP 4, Symfony 3, Symfony 4, Symfony 5, Symfony 6, AngularJS
Paradigms
Refactoring, Microservices, REST, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Responsive Web Design (RWD), Responsive Layout, Requirements Analysis, Role-based Access Control (RBAC), HTML DOM, Code Refactoring, HIPAA Compliance, Web App Design, Design Patterns, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), DevOps, Database Design, API/Services Architecture, Cross-platform, B2B, Agile, Microservices Architecture, Agile Software Development, Agile Project Management, Unit Testing, Object-relational Mapping (ORM), Dependency Injection, Continuous Integration (CI), Event-driven Design (EDD), Real-time Systems, Mobile Development
Platforms
Linux, Docker, Software Design Patterns, LAMP, Mapbox, Zoho CRM, Zendesk, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Mobile, Webflow, Salesforce, X (formerly Twitter), Blockchain, Magento, Magento API, Magento 2, Kubernetes, Shopify, Azure, Amazon EC2, Apache2
Storage
MySQL, JSON, MariaDB, Databases, Relational Databases, PostgreSQL, FlatFile, Google Cloud, IndexedDB, Data Pipelines, Microsoft SQL Server, Elasticsearch, NoSQL, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Redis, OVH
Industry Expertise
Project Management, Banking & Finance, Healthcare, Accounting
Other
Software Engineering, Team Mentoring, Frameworks, Bootstrap 4, APIs, JSON REST APIs, Front-end, Back-end, Full-stack, Code Review, Source Code Review, Task Analysis, Software Design, Software Deployment, Software Architecture, Mentorship, User Interface (UI), SaaS, User Experience (UX), Business to Business (B2B), API Integration, Front-end Development, Startups, Web Applications, Web Development, CTO, Roadmaps, Architecture, Documentation, Payment APIs, eCommerce, Application Engineering, Responsive UI, Responsive Web Apps, Financing, Financial Modeling, Business Strategy, Financials, App Support, Software Troubleshooting, Leadership, System Architecture, Technical Leadership, Google Tag Manager, Reverse Engineering, IT Security, Responsive Design, Back-end Development, Full-stack Development, Software as a Service (SaaS), Design, UI Development, Web UI, MVC Frameworks, Software Development, Payment Gateways, Bug Fixes, Performance Optimization, Engineering, Content Management Systems (CMS), Communication, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Legacy Code, HTML Templates, Application State Management, Headless CMS, RESTFul APIs, Analytics, Fractional CTO, Code Auditing, Audits, IT Audits, Third-party APIs, Team Management, Software Development Management, Patterns, SEO Audits, Server Administration, Search Engines, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), IT Project Management, Lean Project Management, Project Analysis, Web Project Management, Digital Project Management, Interviewing, Version Control Systems, Version Control, TinyMCE, Fintech, Data Visualization, Learning Management Systems (LMS), CRM APIs, Cloud Platforms, DOM, Booking Systems, Travel, Mapbox SDK, Mapping, Charts, CI/CD Pipelines, WebSockets, Chrome Extensions, Server Management, Team Leadership, Mobile App Development, Flight Management, Data Engineering, Auditing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud Architecture, Scalability, Software System Architecture Development, Google Search Console, Dashboards, Multitenancy, Product Owner, Multi-tenant Architecture, Security, Health, Financial Calculations, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Finance, Server-side PDF Generation, Large Language Models (LLMs), AI-generated Code, Strapi, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Tailwind UI, Web Security, Integration, Compliance, Private Equity, Payments, Healthtech, Education Technology (Edtech), AI-assisted Development, Agentic Coding, Agentic AI, AI Tools, Mobile Apps, Sales Strategy, Strategy, IT Strategy, Facebook, Sales, Sales Pitches, SVG, Service Frameworks, GeoJSON, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Task Flows, Technical Hiring, Complex Problem Solving, Videos, Video Streaming, Cryptocurrency, Financial Data, Business Models, Business Modeling, Real-time Streaming, Cryptography, Education, Training, Laravel Forge, Responsiveness, Account Management, CRM Systems, Lead Generation, Consulting, Solution Architecture, Cloud Infrastructure, Zoho, OpenAI, Deptrac, Static Analysis, Cloud, Vite, GitHub Actions, Data Scraping, CakePHP 5, OAuth, Servers, Symfony 7, HTTP, Axios, Zeffy, HIPAA Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Cloudflare, Message Queues, Amazon Route 53, Analysis, Planning, Reporting, Decision Support, Decision Intelligence, Risk, Disaster Recovery (DR), Software QA, Executive Support, Executive Reporting, Executive Summaries
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