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Tudor Vlad
Verified Expert in Engineering
Back-end Developer
Cluj-Napoca, Cluj County, Romania
Toptal member since June 8, 2021
Bio
Tudor is a senior IT professional with over 15 years of experience, focused on creating meaningful impact via software. He is an Agile practitioner and a team player. He has architected, led, and/or co-managed the development of four SaaS products and one physical asset procuring and leasing service since 2015. As an architect and senior back-end engineer, Tudor works closely with clients across various industries, including finance, payments, fintech, insurtech, and eCommerce.
Portfolio
IBM
Spring Boot, OpenShift, Azure SQL, Technical Leadership, Software Architecture
Local ISV
JavaScript, ES8, Node.js, Express.js, MongoDB, Stripe, TypeScript, Requirements...
Ferry Automotive
Java, Spring Boot, AWS Amplify, Stripe Payments, Stripe, Multitenancy, Postman...
Experience
- Back-end Development - 15 years
- Java - 10 years
- Software Architecture - 10 years
- Spring Boot - 8 years
- REST APIs - 8 years
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) - 5 years
Preferred Environment
Spring Boot, Java 17, Express.js, ES8, TypeScript, PostgreSQL
The most amazing...
...software I've built is a complete pluggable eCommerce shopping cart solution (SaaS)—I analyzed, architected, and single-handedly developed the entire back end.
Work Experience
Senior Software Architect | Cloud Application Developer
2022 - PRESENT
IBM
- Led the back-end development of a microservices-based solution consisting of four main microservices and a front end (our team). Integrated several other services (10+).
- Shouldered a mix of responsibilities, from architectural and technical analysis, engineering management, mentorship, spikes/POC, code review, deployments, and development.
- Delivered the solution on time while modernizing the infrastructure and way of working. The client was extremely happy with us being the top-performing team.
Technologies: Spring Boot, OpenShift, Azure SQL, Technical Leadership, Software Architecture
Software Architect | Consultant
2022 - 2022
Local ISV
- Assessed an existing monolithic payments solution and proposed several code quality (clean code) and security improvements. These ranged from code smells and testing to the analysis of dependencies.
- Evaluated and proposed solutions for improving scalability, from decomposing the solution in microservices to adopting async/non-blocking paradigms (Spring Reactive and switching to Node.js).
- Created a POC for the user management and Auth microservice using Spring Boot 2.7. Completely passed security and code quality audits and architecture testing via ArchUnit.
- Developed a POC based on an existing solution, using Node.js, Express.js, and JavaScript ES8 to assess the client's new strategic direction.
- Worked with a mission-based contract, with the main objective of assessing Node.js advantages over traditional enterprise technologies like Spring (Java).
Technologies: JavaScript, ES8, Node.js, Express.js, MongoDB, Stripe, TypeScript, Requirements, Software Architecture, Architecture, Spring Boot, PostgreSQL, Java, Docker, Docker Compose, Kubernetes, OpenAPI, Spring Security, Spring Data JPA, Spring Data, Microservices
Architect | Senior Back-end Engineer
2021 - 2021
Ferry Automotive
- Co-designed the MVP architecture for a mobile EV leasing solution, consisting of a mBaaS (mobile back end as a service), along with a complimentary back end that was user-isolated.
- Designed, developed, and managed the payments service using Stripe. The service implied handling several industry-specific use cases and newly identified flows based on UX analysis.
- Launched the initial version of the app and payments service in record time without operational issues.
- Handled stakeholder interviews and discussions, especially on the part of the payments. Co-handled requirements gathering and proposed solutions.
- Assessed and integrated minor third-party services.
Technologies: Java, Spring Boot, AWS Amplify, Stripe Payments, Stripe, Multitenancy, Postman, Microservices Architecture, NoSQL, APIs, Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS), Leadership, Architecture, Stripe API, PostgreSQL, Solution Architecture, Agile, API Integration, REST APIs, Integration, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Software Architecture, Python, Task Analysis, HTML, API Design, Requirements, Spring Security, Spring Data JPA, Spring Data, Microservices
Architect | Lead Developer | Team Lead
2019 - 2021
Independent Consultant
- Contracted by a successful European training company in the field of trading to help them shape and bring to market a minimum viable product in a newly identified area of opportunity.
- Discussed, analyzed, and proposed technical solutions to achieve the stated goal regarding budget and capabilities, re-architecting whenever significant changes were requested. Focused on reusing the client's existing capabilities and software.
- Researched and determined practical solutions for integrating problematic or insufficient trading APIs into the main solution, considering the development, maintenance and sustainability costs versus business benefits.
- Identified solutions and re-architected the MVP to reuse the client's existing know-how and software capabilities, thus saving an estimated 15%-20% of development cost.
- Oversaw the progress of the solution, managing two teams of external developers and one client-internal software expert.
- Designed the AWS cloud solution architecture according to the initial requirements. Developed a Java back end focusing on the short-term urgent needs but with the long-term objectives in mind.
- Helped the client gather, assess, and negotiate partnerships for obtaining trading market data.
Technologies: Spring Boot, Java, PostgreSQL, Spring REST, Apache Maven, Multitenancy, Postman, APIs, SQL, Leadership, Architecture, Agile, API Integration, REST APIs, Integration, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Software Architecture, Solution Architecture, Code Review, Task Analysis, Interviewing, Team Management, HTML, Requirements, Spring Security, Spring Data, Team Leadership, Microservices
Teaching Assistant
2016 - 2021
Technical University of Cluj-Napoca
- Taught the software design laboratory for third-year students and also taught distributed systems in 2016 and 2017.
- Proposed several course and lab curricula improvements to better match current industry practices.
- Ran live-coding sessions since 2017 as a part of the course, showing how to build a new project from start.
- Achieved a 100% student pass rate in the required exam.
- Eliminated antiquated OO patterns to focus on a more practical start-to-finish framework experience. Currently on break for the academic year 2021-2022.
Technologies: Software Design, Software Development, Software Design Patterns, Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Distributed Systems, Spring Boot, Java, C#, PostgreSQL, REST APIs, Software Architecture, Code Review, Interviewing, HTML, Spring Data JPA, Spring Data
Solution Architect | Technical Lead
2018 - 2019
Independent Consulting
- Contracted by a Dutch ISV to lead the renovation, consolidation, and migration of two fleet management software products to the Cloud.
- Cohandled the gathering and analysis of requirements; the job consisted of several complex, non-standard requirements and strong technical and operational constraints.
- Solved the majority of the major conflicting requirements with my proposed architecture, successfully passing four client-led architecture challenge stages.
- Set up the new Java department for a service provider company, a Python-focused ISV).
- Trained the existing developers and architects on AWS, its principles, and its components.
- Convinced the client to accept a phased approach, considering the scope versus budget, risk, and time to demo.
Technologies: Java, Spring Boot, Spring Cloud, Business Requirements, Technical Requirements, Cloud Migration, Microservices, GraphQL, Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS), Multitenancy, Postman, Microservices Architecture, APIs, SQL, Leadership, Architecture, PostgreSQL, Solution Architecture, Agile, Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), Message Queues, API Integration, REST APIs, Integration, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Software Architecture, Code Review, Task Analysis, Interviewing, Team Management, HTML, API Design, Enterprise, Enterprise SaaS, Requirements, Spring Security, Spring Data JPA, Spring Data
Software Architect | Team Lead | Consultant
2017 - 2018
Accesa
- Recommended and contracted by a local top ISV to help them properly initiating a riskier project, by managing the entire technical aspect of the collaboration and prepare their dev team to take over the project.
- Successfully set up and managed the initiation phase of the work. Delivered the first version of the code in record time, achieving the stretch goal.
- Groomed the top performer engineer to become the lead developer of the project.
- Rehired to lead the technical discovery sessions for a new outsourcing contract with a top robotics company. The sessions successfully set up the initial project and paved the way for larger assignments.
- Extracted both functional and non-functional requirements, constraints, and business drivers. Analyzed and reported findings and suggestions with the team and ISV management.
Technologies: Java, Spring Boot, Hibernate, Elasticsearch, ActiveMQ, Git, Business Requirements, Functional Requirements, Technical Requirements, Team Leadership, Mentorship, Training, Microservices, Postman, Microservices Architecture, APIs, SQL, Leadership, Architecture, PostgreSQL, Solution Architecture, Agile, REST APIs, Software Architecture, Python, MySQL, Code Review, Task Analysis, Technical Hiring, Interviewing, Team Management, HTML, Requirements
Architect | Lead Developer | Team Lead
2015 - 2018
Independent Consulting
- Acted as the CTO for a small European consulting company that identified a new opportunity and wanted to develop its custom software solution.
- Architected the solution and developed the entire Java back end (80,000+ LOC) for an integrated, plug-in shopping cart and payment processor with complete VAT MOSS support.
- Performed several high-value refactoring sprints, improving readability and maintainability and decreasing code size by around 7,000 LOC.
- Developed several POCs to better validate the business opportunity of the project and its features.
- Discovered a bug in the Stripe API where the API contract was different for new users.
Technologies: Spring Boot, Spring Data, Spring Data JPA, Spring Security, Transact-SQL (T-SQL), Hibernate, SQL Stored Procedures, PostgreSQL, MySQL, RabbitMQ, jQuery, JavaScript, Thymeleaf, JSON, Gradle, Git, .NET, C#, Stripe API, Multitenancy, Stripe Payments, Stripe, Postman, APIs, Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS), SQL, Leadership, Architecture, Agile, REST APIs, Integration, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Software Architecture, Code Review, Task Analysis, Technical Hiring, Interviewing, Team Management, PHP, HTML, Requirements, Team Leadership, Microservices
Senior Java Engineer
2015 - 2016
Freelance Consulting Work
- Worked for a large European blue-chip telecom on a web-front solution.
- Fixed an over-six-month-old bug in Magnolia and Jackrabbit that threatened the release due to irremediably blocking the solution engine.
- Built from scratch a WAF inside Magnolia CMS (stateless rule-based filtering) that successfully blocked specific DDOS attacks that were blocking the request thread for five minutes at 100% CPU/core usage.
- Discussed, analyzed, and negotiated with other teams regarding ways to improve our systems' integrations.
- Proposed and implemented a queuing mechanism for critical but unreliable data import.
- Demonstrated the benefit of sub-splitting a 20+ developer team, each focused on parts of 15+ project modules.
- Performed several hotfixes in production for critical issues that could not wait for the standard one to two-week standard release process. The actions were allowed or requested by high-level managers.
Technologies: Java, Magnolia, Groovy, Apache Jackrabbit, JavaScript, FreeMarker, Apache Maven, AngularJS, Back-end, Postman, APIs, SQL, Architecture, Agile, REST APIs, Integration, Software Architecture, Enterprise, API Design, Requirements
Senior Java Engineer | Consultant
2014 - 2015
GE Healthcare
- Built a tool that automated the module creation process, which was prone to mistakes, virtually minimizing initial bugs to zero. The tool reduced the implementation time for new modules by more than 95% (2-3 workdays were cut down to 30 minutes).
- Created a tool that automatically generated complete SQL scripts for views based on existing tables and formal requirements.
- Recommended for the team lead position by team members and the site manager.
Technologies: Java, Sonar, Back-end, APIs, SQL, Architecture, Agile, REST APIs, Software Architecture, Code Review
Senior Java Engineer
2013 - 2014
Ullink - part of Broadridge Trading and Connectivity Solutions
- Migrated and refactored a legacy functionality to a stand-alone order management system extension.
- Redesigned the API and developed the server-side component, owning 40% of the entire extension product.
- Ranked first Java engineer in the "Ullink Bug Fighting Challenge" in Cluj-Napoca and was top three in the company.
- Participated proactively in cross-product code reviews, contributed to framework enhancements, and organized knowledge-sharing sessions.
Technologies: Java, Git, Gerrit, Scrum, Requirements Analysis, Back-end, APIs, SQL, Architecture, Agile, REST APIs, Integration, Software Architecture, Code Review, API Design, Migration
Founder | CTO
2010 - 2013
KeenSkim
- Researched, designed, and implemented a big data and text analytics solution for creating real-time automatic summaries of free-text documents.
- Optimized the text processing engine to be in real time, by using shallow parsing, domain-independent semantic and NLP algorithms, and different heuristics.
- Raised accelerator funding (approximately $400,000 valuation ) and developed and negotiated partnerships.
- Pitched and won several startup challenges from Europe and the US.
Technologies: Java, Python, Django, Apache Lucene, C#, .NET, OpenNLP, Neo4j, MongoDB, NGINX, Mercurial, Gate, JavaScript Bookmarklets, Software Architecture, Program Management, Research, NoSQL, SQL, Leadership, Architecture, Solution Architecture, Web Search, Integration, MySQL, Team Management, HTML, Requirements
Researcher | Teaching Assistant
2007 - 2011
Technical University of Cluj-Napoca
- Designed and built the Semantic Information Extraction module for the ArhiNET research project, an early big data and text mining solution for historic documents of Transylvania.
- Co-developed the architecture and domain ontology, technology survey, and research paper as a contributor and part-time adviser.
- Taught the software design laboratory for third-year students, bridging the gap between theory and industry standards and practice.
Technologies: Software Design, Software Design Patterns, C#, Java, Web Search, MySQL, HTML
Research Engineer (Intern)
2010 - 2010
Inria
- Researched, designed, and implemented a distributed-processing solution for parallelizing NCBI BLAST bioinformatics sequencing tool via Hadoop over GRID5000, France's large research grid.
- Determined solutions for predictable efficiency at high-scale deployment in (1) a homogeneous cluster of 120 machines, (2) a heterogeneous data center with two clusters of 250+ machines, and (3) a heterogeneous geo-distributed grid of 800+ machines.
- Successfully completed the five-month internship in 13 weeks and was invited to continue for a Ph.D.
Technologies: Hadoop, GRID, Cloud, Java, HTML
Team Lead | National Technology Manager
2005 - 2010
Microsoft Student Partners
- Led a team to be a consistent achiever, proudly organizing three of the top five technology events in MSP Romania: .NET Summer Rally 2009, Academic Tour Live, and Academic Tour 4.5.
- Served as the longest active member in MSP Romania, working on all aspects of the tech organization.
- Coordinated the team and activities of the MSP TUCN center.
- Co-managed the nine national teams and planned and implemented the strategy in MSP Romania.
- Organized, taught, and presented in over 20 Microsoft Student Partners/Microsoft technology events as well as handling ongoing mentoring in the MSP laboratory.
- Codeveloped Microsoft's S2B internship program, which obtained excellent results—the best worldwide.
- Recruited new team members as well as mentored and grew the team.
- Negotiated partnerships with local ISVs to provide technical training and internships.
Technologies: C#, .NET, MS Server 2003, Microsoft SQL Server, ASP.NET, Windows Server, C#.NET, Team Leadership, Presentations, Workshops, Training, Events, Partnerships, LINQ, Azure, Program Management, Leadership
.NET and Business Intelligence Developer
2007 - 2009
ISDC of the Endava Group
- Served as a cross-department member (.NET and business intelligence) involved in analysis, design, and solution development.
- Selected as a member of the project refining team for code review and refactoring.
- Delivered several proof-of-concept solutions for the sales team.
- Proactively recommended training resources for the .NET department.
- Mentored junior team members in C#/.NET programming and helped them complete their tasks.
Technologies: C#, .NET, SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS), SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), Back-end Development, Microsoft SQL Server, SQL, Architecture, Agile, Software Architecture
Experience
Trading Performance Improvement Solution
A Java, PHP, and WordPress web solution for assessing new trader's performance on the Stock Exchange. I was the technical product manager, architect, and back-end lead developer.
The solution integrated natively with three broker APIs as well as generically with over 95% of the available brokers via Metatrader 4 and 5. It also uses Auth0 for seamless authentication. The solution imports user's trade history, performing several calculations, in order to provide easily understandable metrics and insights.
I oversaw the larger solution architecture and managed two small teams on the PHP and WordPress parts.
The solution integrated natively with three broker APIs as well as generically with over 95% of the available brokers via Metatrader 4 and 5. It also uses Auth0 for seamless authentication. The solution imports user's trade history, performing several calculations, in order to provide easily understandable metrics and insights.
I oversaw the larger solution architecture and managed two small teams on the PHP and WordPress parts.
Shopping Cart and Payment Processor
An integrated, plug-in shopping cart and payment processor with complete VAT MOSS support. I architected the solution and developed the entire Java-based back end, beginning with several proofs of concept to better validate the business opportunity presented by the project and features. Along the way, I also discovered a bug in the Stripe API where the API contract was different for new Stripe users.
Android Device Fleet Management Migration to Cloud
I led the renovation effort of consolidating and migrating two fleet management software products to the cloud (AWS). The challenge of the work consisted of finding a practical solution for accommodating nonstandard and conflicting constraints versus budget.
Education
2009 - 2010
Erasmus Exchange Student in Distributed Systems
École Normale Supérieure de Lyon - Lyon, France, EU
2008 - 2010
Master's Degree in Software Engineering
Technical University of Cluj-Napoca - Cluj-Napoca, Romania, EU
2003 - 2008
Bachelor of Engineering Science Degree in Computer Science
Technical University of Cluj-Napoca - Cluj-Napoca, Romania, EU
Certifications
JANUARY 2019 - JANUARY 2022
AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional
Amazon Web Services
SEPTEMBER 2018 - PRESENT
TOGAF 9.2 Certified Enterprise Architect
The Open Group
AUGUST 2018 - AUGUST 2021
AWS Certified Developer Associate
AWS
AUGUST 2018 - AUGUST 2021
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate
AWS
MARCH 2017 - JANUARY 2022
AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate
AWS
MAY 2005 - MAY 2015
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft
Skills
Libraries/APIs
Apache Jackrabbit, Spring REST, Apache Lucene, Stripe API, REST APIs, jQuery, OpenNLP, LINQ, Stripe, AWS Amplify, Node.js, OpenAPI
Tools
IntelliJ IDEA, DataGrip, Magnolia, FreeMarker, Apache Maven, Gradle, NGINX, MS Server 2003, Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS), Postman, Visual Studio, Git, Gerrit, Sonar, RabbitMQ, ActiveMQ, Mercurial, Auth0, GitLab CI/CD, Docker Compose
Languages
Java, Transact-SQL (T-SQL), C#, Groovy, SQL, HTML, JavaScript, Python, C#.NET, GraphQL, ES8, PHP, TypeScript
Frameworks
Spring Boot, Spring Security, Thymeleaf, Hadoop, .NET, Hibernate, Spring, Django, ASP.NET, AngularJS, Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), Express.js
Paradigms
Requirements Analysis, Agile, Scrum, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Microservices, Microservices Architecture, Parallel Programming
Storage
Spring Data JPA, Spring Data, SQL Stored Procedures, PostgreSQL, MySQL, JSON, SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS), SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), Microsoft SQL Server, Elasticsearch, Neo4j, MongoDB, NoSQL, Azure SQL
Platforms
Software Design Patterns, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Windows Server, Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift
Other
Software Design, Software Architecture, Technical Requirements, Back-end Development, Architecture, Distributed Systems, Solution Architecture, Business Requirements, Functional Requirements, Team Leadership, Mentorship, Training, Requirements, Cloud Migration, Software Development, Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Workshops, Gate, Back-end, Leadership, Research, APIs, API Integration, Integration, Code Review, Task Analysis, Interviewing, Team Management, Enterprise Architecture, Spring Cloud, GRID, Cloud, Presentations, Events, Partnerships, JavaScript Bookmarklets, Program Management, Multitenancy, Stripe Payments, Message Queues, Web Search, Technical Hiring, Java 17, API Design, Migration, Enterprise, Enterprise SaaS, Technical Leadership
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