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Yakir Elkayam
Verified Expert in Engineering
Systems Architect and C++ Developer
Giv'atayim, Israel
Toptal member since November 9, 2020
Bio
Yakir is a C++ developer and systems architect with two decades of experience and deep expertise in application programming and 3D game development. He has worked as a freelancer for 17 years, mainly with startup companies in Israel. Yakir has developed several products that have a global reach, including a game engine that's used by millions of math students worldwide.
Portfolio
HikeLike.me
Vue, TypeScript, Apache Kafka, Python 3, OpenAI GPT-4 API, Tailwind CSS...
Offsight
React, TypeScript, Node.js, WebRTC, CSS, HTML, Electron, Flutter, SDKs, Kotlin...
Mainsail Holding LLC
Objective-C, Metal, MacOS, OpenGL, C++, Xcode, Git, Cocoa, GitHub, C++11...
Experience
- Multithreading - 20 years
- C++ - 20 years
- 3D Games - 15 years
- OpenGL - 15 years
- Computer Graphics - 15 years
- 2D Games - 10 years
- Game Engine Programming - 8 years
- Firebase - 5 years
Preferred Environment
Metal, GLSL, OpenGL, Google V8, JavaScript, C++, Games, React, WebRTC, TypeScript
The most amazing...
...project I've developed from scratch is the Matific game engine—a product used by millions of math students around the world.
Work Experience
Senior Full-stack Developer
2022 - PRESENT
HikeLike.me
- Developed the product from A to Z, including front-end, back-end, and scraping tools needed for site functionality.
- Managed transition from closed alpha to production while monitoring and fixing bugs reported by the hikers' community we built around the product.
- Maintained the product website and back-end lifecycle.
Technologies: Vue, TypeScript, Apache Kafka, Python 3, OpenAI GPT-4 API, Tailwind CSS, Firebase, Scraping
Co-founder and CTO
2020 - 2022
Offsight
- Developed the company's web and mobile communication applications and tools from the ground up.
- Managed and tracked tasks using Jira, Figma, and other collaboration tools.
- Overviewed the building of the company product from idea to successful execution.
Technologies: React, TypeScript, Node.js, WebRTC, CSS, HTML, Electron, Flutter, SDKs, Kotlin, GitHub, Cloud Firestore, Firebase, Dart, Visual Studio, JSON, Desktop App Development, Back-end, React Native, Mobile, MongoDB, Software Engineering, Mobile Development, Mobile Apps, Mobile App Development, Front-end Development, User Interface (UI), Microsoft Visual Studio, Back-end Development, HTML5, Blueprint, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), WebSockets, Cross-platform App Development, Mobile Applications, Full-stack Development, Vue, Google Play API, Bash Script, Docker, Front-end, Architecture, Canvas 2D, HTML5 Canvas, HTML Canvas, Tailwind CSS, Swift, Native Mobile Apps, Full-stack, Figma, Tablets & Smartphones, Smartphones, Animation, Windows App Development
MacOS Objective-C and Metal Framework Developer for Marine Navigation App
2021 - 2021
Mainsail Holding LLC
- Reviewed the app's code to understand that the project's scope is smaller than the client thought and that there will be no need to refactor the rendering code to use Metal; a simple multithreading solution also worked.
- Implemented a POC for the multithreading and caching implementation.
- Transferred the project to another Toptal consultant since my Metal's expertise was not needed.
Technologies: Objective-C, Metal, MacOS, OpenGL, C++, Xcode, Git, Cocoa, GitHub, C++11, Computer Graphics, Software Engineering, Desktop App Development, User Interface (UI), 3D Rendering, 3D, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Game Development, Architecture, Desktop, 3D Graphics Engines
Freelance Consultant
2019 - 2021
Play Studios
- Developed the app's core data framework that allows for fast and reliable data transfer between all the game components.
- Refactored a big part of the code to align with the newest C++ coding standards and techniques.
- Mentored three developers to help advance them to the next level of their C++ coding capabilities.
Technologies: 2D Games, 3D Games, OpenGL, C++, Android, iOS, GitHub, C++11, Visual Studio, JSON, Computer Graphics, Game Engine Programming, Back-end, 3D Graphics, Graphics, Mobile, Software Engineering, Games, Mobile Development, Mobile Apps, Mobile App Development, Microsoft Visual Studio, Multiplayer, Back-end Development, 3D Rendering, 3D, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Cross-platform App Development, Mobile Applications, Game Development, Bash Script, Architecture, Desktop, 3D Graphics Engines, Native Mobile Apps, Tablets & Smartphones, Smartphones, Animation, Mobile Game Development, 2D
Game Engine Developer
2014 - 2019
Matific
- Developed the mobile game engine from scratch. The engine supports running math learning episodes written in JavaScript on mobile devices. The application is used by millions of math students around the world.
- Tracked and fixed bugs using the Jira reporting tool.
- Managed a team of three developers to further develop and optimize the engine.
- Developed a reinforcement learning agent to help with the engine's QA.
Technologies: JavaScript, Metal, OpenGL, iOS, Android, Google V8, C++, Multithreading, Real-time Data, Mathematics, SDKs, GitHub, Dart, Linux, NVIDIA CUDA, Vulkan, C++11, SDL, Visual Studio, JSON, Computer Graphics, Game Engine Programming, Desktop App Development, APIs, Back-end, 3D Graphics, Graphics, Mobile, MySQL, PHP, Software Engineering, Unity, Games, Mobile Development, Mobile Apps, Mobile App Development, Microsoft Visual Studio, WebGL, Back-end Development, 3D Rendering, 3D, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), WebSockets, Unity3D, Cross-platform App Development, Mobile Applications, Game Development, Unity2D, Game Design, Bash Script, Architecture, Desktop, Canvas 2D, HTML5 Canvas, HTML Canvas, 3D Graphics Engines, Firebase, Native Mobile Apps, Tablets & Smartphones, Smartphones, Animation, Mobile Game Development, Windows App Development, Skia, 2D
Kernel Developer
2012 - 2015
ShineSecurity
- Developed the kernel driver code of the ShineSecurity antivirus software.
- Led a small team of developers who were responsible for the Windows version of the antivirus product.
- Developed a release-ready driver after learning Windows kernel development from scratch.
Technologies: C, Windows Kernel Drivers, Multithreading, SDKs, Windows Driver Kit (WDK), Windows, GitHub, Linux, C++11, Visual Studio, APIs, Security, VPN, Software Engineering, Desktop App Development, User Interface (UI), Microsoft Visual Studio, Bash Script, Docker, Architecture, Desktop, Windows App Development
External Constructor
2007 - 2013
Funtactix Game Studio
- Played a major role in developing the successful game series, The Hunger Game Adventures.
- Designed and implemented the game's quest engine logic, which allowed it to create complex challenges and scenarios for the player.
- Provided ongoing support with bug fixes and feature releases during the game's lifespan.
Technologies: HLSL, 3D Games, DirectX, C++, Multithreading, Mathematics, SDKs, GitHub, Linux, C++11, Visual Studio, JSON, Computer Graphics, Game Engine Programming, C#, Desktop App Development, APIs, SQL, Back-end, 3D Graphics, Graphics, Mobile, MySQL, PHP, Software Engineering, Games, Mobile Development, Mobile Apps, Mobile App Development, Front-end Development, User Interface (UI), Microsoft Visual Studio, Multiplayer, Three.js, WebGL, Back-end Development, 3D Rendering, 3D, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), WebSockets, Cross-platform App Development, Mobile Applications, Unity, Game Development, Unity2D, Game Design, Bash Script, Architecture, 3D Graphics Engines, Native Mobile Apps, Tablets & Smartphones, Smartphones, Animation, Mobile Game Development, SQL Performance, Windows App Development, 2D, 3D Animation
Freelancer and External Consultant
2008 - 2009
PrimeSense
- Consulted with Prime Sense during the early development of the chip.
- Collaborated with the hardware development team to create cutting-edge demos.
- Designed and developed the company's main GDC 2008 demo.
Technologies: 3D Games, C++, Multithreading, Mathematics, SDKs, Visual Studio, Computer Graphics, 3D Graphics, Graphics, Software Engineering, Games, Microsoft Visual Studio, 3D Rendering, 3D, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Game Development, Bash Script, Architecture, 3D Graphics Engines, Tablets & Smartphones, Smartphones, Windows App Development, 3D Animation
Freelancer and External Consultant
2004 - 2007
Tiltan SE
- Served as a lead programmer and designer on the Serious Games Foundation (SFC) team. The platform allowed us to develop multi-user trainers and weapon simulators quickly and affordably.
- Created a VoIP system that was used during user training.
- Oversaw several successful training sessions that included up to a hundred soldiers practicing complex, real-life scenarios in the virtual environment we built.
Technologies: Networking, 3D Games, C++, Multithreading, UDP, Mathematics, SDKs, Windows, Visual Studio, Computer Graphics, Game Engine Programming, C#, APIs, SQL, Back-end, 3D Graphics, Graphics, MySQL, Software Engineering, Games, Desktop App Development, User Interface (UI), Microsoft Visual Studio, Multiplayer, Back-end Development, 3D Rendering, 3D, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), WebSockets, Game Development, Augmented Reality (AR), Bash Script, Architecture, 3D Graphics Engines, Windows App Development, FFmpeg, 2D, 3D Animation
Chief Architect and Team Leader
2004 - 2005
PeerApp
- Established and grew the R&D team and developed the main P2P caching platform.
- Initiated and managed technological cooperation with a smart network switch hardware manufacturer, which helped improve the total cache throughput.
- Oversaw the installation and integration of the solution in many ISPs around the world.
Technologies: Caching, TCP/IP, Networking, C++, Multithreading, UDP, SDKs, Windows, Linux, Visual Studio, C#, SQL, Back-end, MySQL, Software Engineering, Microsoft Visual Studio, Back-end Development, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Bash Script, Architecture
CTO
2001 - 2002
CheckM8
- Designed and developed a rich media ad server intended for big portals.
- Developed all the technological aspects of the product.
- Oversaw the successful integration of the product with several major portals around the world.
Technologies: JavaScript, Java, C++, Multithreading, SDKs, Visual Studio, HTML, C#, SQL, Back-end, MySQL, Software Engineering, Desktop App Development, User Interface (UI), Back-end Development, HTML5, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Bash Script, HTTP, Front-end, Architecture, Desktop, 2D
Chief Architect and Team Leader
1998 - 2001
Adwise Ltd.
- Designed and developed a unique technology that allows ISPs to send content to their clients.
- Became the chief architect and leader of three teams after starting as the company's first programmer.
- Led all technological aspects of the company, from the real-time system to the campaign manager interface used by clients.
Technologies: TCP/IP, ASM, Linux, C++, C, Multithreading, UDP, SDKs, Windows, Visual Studio, HTML, SQL, Back-end, Software Engineering, Desktop App Development, User Interface (UI), Back-end Development, HTML5, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Bash Script, HTTP, Front-end, Architecture, Desktop
Experience
Matific | Game Engine for Math Teaching App
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT0Ni8CVgzIA game engine written in JavaScript that supports playing math episodes on mobile devices. I developed the engine in C++, Java, and Objective-C, using an embedded Google V8 engine. The rendering engine was written in OpenGL ES and Metal.
The Hunger Games Adventures Game
A casual Facebook and mobile game based on the successful book trilogy. Players can create their own characters, complete challenges, do quests, unlock new things, and explore the world of Panem. I played a major role in developing the game's rendering engine and quest system. Developed using C++, AS3, Java, and Python.
Moondo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KufRyKOSryIThe first cross-gaming universe on the web, Moondo launches players into a bright and promising future on the moon, where they can enjoy fast-paced party games with their friends. The cross-gaming 3D world enables players to move avatars, items, and friends from game to game, never having to start from scratch.
As a lead programmer in the project, I coded the front- and back-end. It was developed in C++ using the Gamebryo game engine and a proprietary network server.
As a lead programmer in the project, I coded the front- and back-end. It was developed in C++ using the Gamebryo game engine and a proprietary network server.
Education
2004 - 2007
Master's Degree in Medical Science
Tel Aviv University - Tel Aviv, Israel
1996 - 1999
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science
The Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffa - Tel Aviv, Israel
Certifications
MARCH 1997 - PRESENT
Certified Unix System Administrator
HP (USA Headquarters)
Skills
Libraries/APIs
OpenGL, React, Vue, SDL, Node.js, WebRTC, Three.js, WebGL, HTML5 Canvas, DirectX, Vulkan, Google Play API, Skia, FFmpeg
Tools
Visual Studio, Microsoft Visual Studio, Windows Driver Kit (WDK), GitHub, VPN, Canvas 2D, Figma, Xcode, Android Studio, Git
Languages
C++, JavaScript, C, TypeScript, Java, Python, C++11, CSS, HTML, Kotlin, Dart, C#, SQL, PHP, HTML5, Bash Script, Swift, GLSL, Objective-C, HLSL, C++17, AS3, Python 3
Frameworks
React Native, Flutter, Unity, Blueprint, Unity3D, Unity2D, Tailwind CSS, Metal, ASM, Electron, Cocoa
Paradigms
Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Mobile Development, Desktop App Development, Windows App Development, Socket Programming
Platforms
Firebase, Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, Mobile, Docker, Desktop, MacOS, NVIDIA CUDA, Apache Kafka
Storage
JSON, MySQL, Cloud Firestore, MongoDB, SQL Performance
Other
2D Games, Multithreading, Games, UDP, SDKs, Computer Graphics, Game Engine Programming, 3D Graphics, Graphics, Software Engineering, 3D Rendering, 3D, Cross-platform App Development, Game Development, 3D Graphics Engines, Native Mobile Apps, Tablets & Smartphones, Smartphones, Mobile Game Development, 2D, Google V8, 3D Games, Networking, Real-time Data, Mathematics, APIs, Back-end, Security, Mobile Apps, Mobile App Development, Front-end Development, User Interface (UI), Multiplayer, Back-end Development, WebSockets, Mobile Applications, Full-stack Development, HTTP, Front-end, Architecture, HTML Canvas, Full-stack, Animation, Research, Unix Shell Scripting, Windows Kernel Drivers, TCP/IP, Caching, Machine Learning, Game Design, Augmented Reality (AR), OpenAI GPT-4 API, Scraping, 3D Animation
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