Usama is available for hire
Hire UsamaUsama Hafeez
Verified Expert in Engineering
Full-stack Developer
Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan
Toptal member since September 6, 2018
Bio
Usama wrote his first program at the age of eight, and since then, he's been obsessed with computers. He is a Laravel specialist with a decade of experience coding web apps using Laravel, CodeIgniter, Symfony, and vanilla PHP, along with Vue/React. He also specializes in optimizing code and improving database performance. All in all, Usama is a practical perfectionist who obsesses about the details to ensure that his clients are thrilled with the end product.
Portfolio
Orion Games Systems LLC
PHP, MySQL, Laravel, JavaScript, Vue, Vue 3, Inertia
Kristin Stoyanov
Laravel, PHP, Vue, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Project Management, Laravel Forge...
A Healthcare Company in The US
Laravel, PHP, Laravel Nova, MySQL, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Laravel Vapor...
Experience
- PHP - 12 years
- Laravel - 7 years
- Optimization - 6 years
- JavaScript - 6 years
- Vue - 5 years
- CodeIgniter - 5 years
- Eloquent - 5 years
- Test-driven Development (TDD) - 3 years
Work Experience
Lead Laravel Developer
2024 - PRESENT
Orion Games Systems LLC
- Recreated a decades-old PHP 4 system consisting of over 100,000 lines of code in Laravel 12, using the latest technology and best practices.
- Utilized InertiaJS to integrate Laravel and Vue 3.0, creating a single page application (SPA).
- Leveraged AI to analyze and understand various areas of the codebase, accelerating the development process.
Technologies: PHP, MySQL, Laravel, JavaScript, Vue, Vue 3, Inertia
Full-stack Engineer
2025 - 2026
Kristin Stoyanov
- Built an MVP from scratch using Laravel 12, independently designing and implementing the back-end architecture for a media company.
- Integrated a spreadsheet functionality with dynamic formula support, enabling automatic correction after schema modification.
- Implemented a Vue and Inertia.js admin interface, including role-based permissions and multi-organization support per user.
- Wrote automated tests, implemented caching strategies, and enabled secure guest access for invited clients to edit data.
- Ensured best practices and idiomatic Laravel code.
Technologies: Laravel, PHP, Vue, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Project Management, Laravel Forge, Sentry, SendGrid, Tailwind CSS
Senior Full-stack Laravel Engineer
2025 - 2025
A Healthcare Company in The US
- Performed a series of upgrades: Laravel 7 to Laravel 11, Nova 3 to Nova 4, Vue 2 to 3, and Spark Classic to Laravel Spark.
- Added migrations to modify the database so the existing data works with the new versions and libraries without any data loss.
- Shifted from Laravel Mix to Vite for the front end. Rewrote a couple of Nova Components to work with the new versions, and updated the code to support Vue 3.
Technologies: Laravel, PHP, Laravel Nova, MySQL, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Laravel Vapor, Responsive UI, Vue 2, Vue 3, Laravel Spark, Stripe
Laravel Expert
2024 - 2025
Metric DS
- Developed numerous new features, added quality-of-life improvements, and quashed bugs.
- Improved performance by as much as 90% and reduced load on the AWS server managed by Laravel Forge.
- Contributed to the front end using React, developed features and new components, and improved performance. Worked with reports, charts, forms, and much more.
- Implemented a sophisticated 5-tier reporting system that allowed users to narrow results through search and filters, including archived and non-archived items, intelligently anticipating user intent.
Technologies: Laravel, PHP, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Project Management, Laravel Forge, Sentry, SendGrid, Tailwind CSS, React, Forge, Code Review, Auditing, Architecture
Laravel API Developer
2023 - 2023
Pocketime
- Implemented more than 60 API endpoints to date in Laravel using API resources, Eloquent, nested routes and controllers, services, etc.
- Set up a mock Node.js server to test requests on the back end from the API.
- Discussed and fine-tuned requirements with the client, enhancing models and improving the database.
Technologies: PHP, Laravel, MySQL, Laravel Vapor, Eloquent, Node.js, Bitbucket, Docker, API Development, Back-end, Architecture
Full-stack Laravel Developer
2023 - 2023
Jake and Company, LLC
- Troubleshot obscure bugs in the web application that are presented only in certain scenarios.
- Transitioned a rich text editor from an obsolete version to the latest.
- Suggested improvements and enhancements when resolving tickets and adding features.
Technologies: Laravel, PHP, JavaScript, Laravel Forge, CSS3, Froala, Troubleshooting, Docker, Back-end, Full-stack, Learning Management Systems (LMS)
Full-stack Developer
2022 - 2022
Motional
- Optimized database queries to reduce query times by as much as 99%. Implemented indexes at strategic points to reduce the server bill and increase scalability.
- Implemented new features ranging from server-side value additions to interactive front-end functionalities using Vue, Inertia, and Vite.
- Implemented enhancements to Laravel Nova using actions.
- Used Refine and Vue to duplicate filters and charts and create reports from them while keeping good performance in mind.
Technologies: Laravel, PHP, Vue, Eloquent, Optimization, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Back-end, Full-stack, Laravel Nova
Web Application Developer
2021 - 2022
Hustleboard
- Connected several APIs to their dashboard, including Amazon Advertising, Amazon Seller Central, Zendesk, and Salesforce.
- Implemented best practices in the custom PHP app, including migrations, environment management tools, etc. Advised ways to secure the app and improve its performance.
- Linked various metrics with the existing dashboard and collaborated with the company's clients to best implement their requirements.
Technologies: Zendesk API, Salesforce API, MySQL, Amazon Product Advertising API, Amazon Seller Central, Amazon API, OAuth, PHP, SQL, Optimization, Web App Security, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), REST APIs, REST, Back-end, Full-stack, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Full-stack Laravel Developer
2020 - 2021
Sideline Learning
- Coded using test-driven development (TDD) for their multi-tenant web app in Laravel.
- Integrated background checks via a third-party API and created database design and process flow for this.
- Set up tests using MySQL (SQLite driver not being present). Used strategy of rolling back transactions after each test to save running time on MySQL instead of running migrations repeatedly.
Technologies: PHP, Laravel, Multitenancy, Test-driven Development (TDD), APIs, Eloquent, SQL, MySQL, Optimization, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), REST APIs, REST, Back-end, Software Architecture, Full-stack, Architecture
Senior Web Developer
2020 - 2021
Dentulu
- Moved uploads to automatically go to AWS S3 across the big application and retrieved from there. Created a system to enable other developers to easily extend this for the quickly growing app.
- Enhanced database processes to use more modern methods.
- Discovered security issues in various areas and closed them using modern best practices.
- Integrated APIs to work with the flow of the application.
- Optimized the PHP code for speed and a better design using best practices. Created processes for others to follow.
- Implemented a store system with functionality for multiple vendors, shops, and offices.
- Conducted the implementation of a very customizable affiliate system.
- Handled the implementation of a subscription system for tokens to be used for purchases and refund functionality.
Technologies: PHP, CodeIgniter, DoseSpot, HTML, CSS, Sentry, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Security, Optimization, JavaScript, Database Design, APIs, CSV File Processing, Stripe API, Affiliate Tracking, eCommerce, Paid Memberships Pro (PMPro), SQL, MySQL, Web App Security, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), REST APIs, REST, Google Geocoding API, API Development, Back-end, Software Architecture, Full-stack, Auditing, Architecture, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
PHP Web App Developer (via Toptal)
2019 - 2020
Loopr
- Improved performance by 10 times by improving the code and optimizing the database.
- Fixed many bugs and issues that improved revenue, reach, and brand image.
- Updated the database structure, added indexes to enhance query performance, improved coding practices, removed a huge amount of existing redundancies, and tried to implement best practices whenever possible.
- Planned and implemented new features to move the business forward.
- Adapted to best practices and structured future tasks.
- Moved the application to a new web design and used webpack to bundle JavaScript and CSS.
- Identified and fixed critical security vulnerabilities.
Technologies: Webpack, Google Maps API, JavaScript, PHP, CodeIgniter, SQL, MySQL, Optimization, Web App Security, Back-end, Software Architecture, Full-stack, Auditing, Architecture
Senior Developer
2018 - 2019
An Automobile Purchase Company
- Helped transition a legacy PHP web application to Laravel.
- Coded tens of new features and suggested many new ideas.
- Fixed security issues and vulnerabilities in the code.
- Optimized SQL queries and improved code performance.
- Implemented an automatic error detection system with localized logging to Cloudwatch.
Technologies: Sentry, jQuery, JavaScript, Amazon CloudWatch, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), October CMS, Laravel, PHP, Eloquent, SQL, MySQL, Optimization, Web App Security, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), REST APIs, REST, Google Geocoding API, Back-end, React, Software Architecture, Full-stack
Freelance Web Developer
2010 - 2018
GraphicalX
- Created a Laravel-based platform for clients to monitor their ad performance and revenues.
- Set up the above client's app with various APIs to automate data gathering and reports and gradually expanded the app to manage their entire income and expenses.
- Developed a review management system in Laravel that helped the client manage reviews for their products and create blocklists, reports, and much more.
- Built an online league management system using Laravel 5.4.
- Created a one-of-a-kind coaching platform for a Swiss client in Laravel.
- Wrote several scripts to analyze US electricity and gas data, process gigabytes of data, and record it efficiently.
- Developed various programs and applications for clients in the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia.
- Created various calculators for different industries, ensuring they work in all edge cases and allowing the administrators to tweak their formulae.
Technologies: APIs, Vue, jQuery, JavaScript, MySQL, PHP, CodeIgniter, Laravel, REST APIs, Eloquent, SQL, REST, Full-stack, cPanel
Founder | Developer
2010 - 2012
Jawab.pk
- Developed an idea from concept to launch for a region-based Q&A website.
- Created an entire application on Symfony 1.4 using Doctrine as the ORM.
- Managed a VPS server, the environment, and security, initially using Lighttpd and Apache later.
- Built a community from scratch, added moderators and additional features, and improved the SEO as it grew.
Technologies: jQuery, JavaScript, CSS, HTML, Bash, Virtual Private Servers, MySQL, Doctrine, Symfony, PHP, Laravel, Eloquent, SQL, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), cPanel, Architecture
Web Developer
2009 - 2010
Zigron
- Led the development of the company's employee performance review system.
- Developed an interactive area that helped peers and managers give 360-degree reviews using Ajax without refreshing the page.
- Generated ideas and suggested new features to make the app valuable to potential clients.
- Created automated reports with actionable analytics that would help organizations within the app to make important decisions about HR.
- Optimized the loading times and memory usage within the app.
Technologies: X (formerly Twitter) API, OpenID, Google APIs, XML, JSON, JavaScript, Ajax, CSS, HTML, jQuery, Doctrine, Propel, MySQL, PHP, Symfony, SQL, Full-stack, cPanel, Architecture
Intern Web Developer
2008 - 2008
Jint Tech
- Wrote a script in PowerShell Script to gather data and save it in an XML file.
- Created a database schema and stored the required data.
Technologies: XML, ECMAScript (ES6), Power Shell Commands
Project History
An Online Sports League Management System
I used Laravel 5.4 to create a league management system catering to a number of sports, where I architected the entire solution and created the entire back end and front end using Laravel, MySQL, and Vue. It enabled the user to create leagues, matches, reports on performances, post results, and automatically generate team and result pages.
DataCentral: Advertisement Costs and Revenue Management System
I created this platform in Laravel to monitor the costs and revenues of advertisements for campaigns and landing pages. This included calculating the confidence for landing pages effectiveness, generating reports of profit (daily, weekly, monthly, and annually), and fetching data (cost, revenue, visits, impressions) from various APIs.
Review Management System
I created this internal software in Laravel 5.3 for a company that needed a place where they could list their products and campaigns and a public interface for people to sign up for samples. This also involved creating blacklists for users that didn't follow guidelines, reports for campaigns and users, and various user roles.
Jawab.pk
https://www.jawab.pkIn 2010, when I was working at my job, I came up with an idea about creating a web app localized to a region that would let people ask and answer questions that are common problems in the area. I worked on this from conception to implementation while also building a community and letting it self-moderate.
RockMe | Online Coaching App
This is an online coaching app for global mobility professionals and expats. It is one of a kind and is still under closed alpha development.
I created this app in CodeIgniter following test-driven development methodology. It has multiple user roles and allows the coach to carefully monitor each user's performance.
I created this app in CodeIgniter following test-driven development methodology. It has multiple user roles and allows the coach to carefully monitor each user's performance.
Education
2005 - 2009
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Engineering
Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology - Topi, Pakistan
Certifications
MARCH 2023 - PRESENT
Toptal Node.js Accelerator Graduate
Toptal, LLC
FEBRUARY 2020 - PRESENT
Machine Learning
Stanford University | via Coursera
Skills
Libraries/APIs
REST APIs, jQuery, Vue, Vue 2, Inertia, React, Node.js, API Development, Stripe API, Propel, Doctrine, OpenID, PayPal API, Google APIs, X (formerly Twitter) API, Google Maps API, Laravel Voyager, Shopify API, Zendesk API, Salesforce API, Amazon Product Advertising API, Amazon API, Emmet, Google Geocoding API, Stripe, Vue 3, SOAP APIs
Tools
PhpStorm, Git, Claude Code, Subversion (SVN), cURL Command Line Tool, Apache, Amazon CloudWatch, Sentry, Webpack, Froala, Bitbucket, Vim Text Editor, SendGrid, Amazon CloudFront
Languages
SQL, JavaScript, PHP, HTML, HTML5, PHP 7, PHP 5, PHP 8, TypeScript, Regex, CSS, XML, ECMAScript (ES6), Bash, CSS3, GraphQL
Frameworks
CodeIgniter, Eloquent, Laravel, OAuth 2, PHP MVC, Bootstrap, Mockery, Symfony, Tailwind CSS, Laravel Spark
Paradigms
Object-oriented Programming (OOP), REST, Unit Testing, Back-end Architecture, Test-driven Development (TDD), Microservices, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Database Design, Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Platforms
LAMP, cPanel, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Linux, October CMS, DoseSpot, Docker, Shopify, Heroku, Laravel Vapor, WordPress
Storage
JSON, MySQL, Databases, MariaDB, Redis, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), PostgreSQL, MongoDB
Industry Expertise
Project Management
Other
Web App Security, Security, Blade, Ajax, APIs, Scraping, Optimization, API Integration, Troubleshooting, Full-stack, Web Development, Front-end, Full-stack Development, Front-end Development, Back-end, Software Architecture, Code Review, Architecture, Software as a Service (SaaS), Authentication, Performance, Bug Fixes, Code Auditing, Back-end Development, Audits, Cross-site Request Forgery (CSRF), Legacy Code, Legacy Software, Hands-on Implementation, Roadmaps, AI Tools, Regular Expressions, Web Scraping, Affiliate Marketing, Content Management Systems (CMS), Coupons, SaaS, Software Development, Laravel Nova, Auditing, Payment Gateways, Responsive UI, Marketing Technology (MarTech), Spec-Driven Development (SDD), Power Shell Commands, Virtual Private Servers, Multitenancy, Computer Engineering, CSV File Processing, Affiliate Tracking, eCommerce, Paid Memberships Pro (PMPro), Amazon Seller Central, OAuth, SMTP, Laravel Forge, RSS Feeds, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Forge, Learning Management Systems (LMS), Symphony, Financials
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