Alin Balan, Developer in Bucharest, Romania
Alin is available for hire
Hire Alin

Alin Balan

Verified Expert  in Engineering

Software Developer

Location
Bucharest, Romania
Toptal Member Since
December 21, 2021

With over a decade of experience in full-stack development, Alin has built highly customized and scalable websites. He specializes in developing complex distributed Magento integrations, making him an invaluable resource for finding optimal solutions for your project. With his expertise in web development and commitment to quality, Alin is dedicated to ensuring your project is a success.

Portfolio

Magtech Solutions
AWS Lambda, Magento 2, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Docker, Elasticsearch, PHP...
ALTEX Romania
Varnish, Magento 1, PHP, MySQL, Magento, Node.js, NGINX, Vim Text Editor...
Optaros
Magento 1, MuleSoft, JavaScript, PHP, MySQL, Jenkins, Magento, Node.js, NGINX...

Experience

Availability

Part-time

Preferred Environment

Magento 2, Magento 1, Magento Enterprise, PHP, JavaScript, APIs, API Integration, Laravel, Node.js

The most amazing...

...thing I've developed is a fast and predictable scaling AWS/Magento eCommerce platform able to scale in seconds to support new and unexpected traffic.

Work Experience

CTO

2016 - PRESENT
Magtech Solutions
  • Developed BigCommerce integration using AWS Lambda, enhancing scalability and cost-efficiency. The solution enabled real-time data synchronization, improved performance, and reduced infrastructure costs.
  • Integrated ELK to visualize Magento 2 logs, enhancing visibility and troubleshooting. Leveraging my expertise in ELK stack and Magento 2, I implemented the solution to enable efficient log monitoring, analysis, and optimization.
  • Developed secure API to access multiple ERP systems, improving data integration and visibility. The solution enabled seamless data exchange while maintaining data security and integrity.
  • Built flowerbeauty.com using Magento 2 and AWS services, enhancing performance and security. Improved site functionality and user experience with high-performance and reliable solutions.
  • Improved Magento 2 indexing for TFAW.com, optimizing speed and efficiency. Implemented strategies that reduced indexing time, improving site performance and revenue.
  • Upgraded TFAW.com to Magento 2.4.3 successfully, enhancing site functionality and security. Conducted thorough testing and resolved issues for a smooth transition. Improved performance and user experience with the latest version.
Technologies: AWS Lambda, Magento 2, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Docker, Elasticsearch, PHP, MySQL, Redis, AWS ELB, Git, Magento, ELK (Elastic Stack), Node.js, NGINX, Vim Text Editor, Redis Cache, MongoDB, Docker Compose, Magento Enterprise, Architecture, Magento API, Magento Modules, HTML5, API Integration, HTML, APIs, eCommerce, RabbitMQ, Laravel, Stripe, GitHub, NoSQL, Bitbucket, SQL, Full-stack Development, SMTP, MySQL Server, Amazon EC2, RDS, JavaScript, Payment APIs, Amazon RDS, OpenAI GPT-3 API, ChatGPT, DevOps, Web Development, Databases, Full-stack, Agile, Leadership, Python, PHP 7, Software Development, Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, REST APIs, Ubuntu, User Interface (UI), Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Back-end, Data Structures, Magento Community Edition, Magento Extension Development, Knockout (Knockout.js), PDF, Audits

Senior Full-stack Developer

2014 - 2016
ALTEX Romania
  • Created an infrastructure behind a cluster of varnish servers to speed up the response time and use a complex tagging system to allow Magento to purge cached pages on demand based on inventory changes.
  • Extended Magneto 1 functionalities to allow dynamic and personalized content displayed on varnish cached pages.
  • Developed a load testing infrastructure using JMeter and AWS EC2 to simulate the traffic expected on Black Friday days.
Technologies: Varnish, Magento 1, PHP, MySQL, Magento, Node.js, NGINX, Vim Text Editor, Redis Cache, Docker Compose, Architecture, Magento API, Magento Modules, API Integration, HTML, APIs, eCommerce, RabbitMQ, GitHub, NoSQL, Bitbucket, SQL, Full-stack Development, SMTP, MySQL Server, Amazon EC2, RDS, JavaScript, Payment APIs, Amazon RDS, DevOps, Technical Leadership, Web Development, Databases, Full-stack, Agile, Leadership, PHP 7, Software Development, Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, REST APIs, Ubuntu, User Interface (UI), Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Back-end, Data Structures, Magento Community Edition, Magento Extension Development, Knockout (Knockout.js), PDF

Senior Developer

2014 - 2014
Optaros
  • Developed a series of Magento 1 eCommerce platforms for a worldwide customer. Each Magento platform was personalized to accommodate the requirements for the targeted country.
  • Developed a centralized Magento 1 ERP integration that used MuleSoft as the primary orchestration tool to offer support for a multitude of ERP integrations.
  • Oversaw multiple payment and shipping methods integrations with a series of providers in different countries.
Technologies: Magento 1, MuleSoft, JavaScript, PHP, MySQL, Jenkins, Magento, Node.js, NGINX, Vim Text Editor, Redis Cache, Magento API, Magento Modules, API Integration, HTML, APIs, eCommerce, RabbitMQ, GitHub, NoSQL, Bitbucket, SQL, Full-stack Development, SMTP, MySQL Server, Amazon EC2, RDS, Payment APIs, Amazon RDS, DevOps, Technical Leadership, Web Development, Databases, Full-stack, Agile, Leadership, PHP 7, Software Development, Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, REST APIs, Ubuntu, User Interface (UI), Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Back-end, Data Structures, Magento Community Edition, Magento Extension Development, Knockout (Knockout.js), PDF

CTO | Team Leader

2011 - 2014
Innobyte Solutions SRL
  • Developed eCommerce platforms based on the client's requirements. One of them was Zirg.
  • Improved the working procedures in the company and sharing of knowledge.
  • Gathered requirements from clients, split them into tasks and sprints, and assigned the tasks to team members based on the skillset of each member.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Magento 1, PHP, MySQL, Magento, Apache Solr, Node.js, NGINX, Vim Text Editor, Redis Cache, MongoDB, Symfony, Architecture, Magento API, Magento Modules, API Integration, HTML, APIs, eCommerce, GitHub, NoSQL, Bitbucket, CSS, SQL, Full-stack Development, SMTP, MySQL Server, Amazon EC2, RDS, JavaScript, Payment APIs, Amazon RDS, DevOps, Technical Leadership, Web Development, Databases, Full-stack, Agile, Leadership, PHP 5, Software Development, Google Analytics, REST APIs, Ubuntu, User Interface (UI), Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Data Structures, Magento Community Edition, Magento Extension Development, Knockout (Knockout.js), PDF, Audits

Full-stack Developer

2007 - 2011
Estinvest SA
  • Integrated a Java system to sync BVB data with our database, requiring automated data processing and storage. It challenged me to innovate and grow as a developer, resulting in a robust solution.
  • Built a user-friendly PHP platform with advanced charting tools to display real-time stock details. Leveraging PHP libraries, I developed a responsive and standalone system for accurate and timely data, benefiting traders and users.
  • Developed a sync system between a financial back office and database, enabling automatic data transfer for streamlined operations. Using advanced programming languages, I ensured the accuracy and timeliness of data updates, improving overall efficiency.
  • Used AutoHotkey to automate data insertion for traders, reducing errors and improving efficiency. I developed a user-friendly tool that saved time, allowing traders to focus on core responsibilities.
Technologies: Java, PHP, Apache2, GitHub, NoSQL, CSS, SQL, Full-stack Development, Games, SMTP, MySQL Server, Web Development, Databases, Assets, Investments, Web Scraping, Scraping, Data Scraping, PHP 5, Software Development, Ubuntu

Jewelry Store

https://www.mytalia.com/opus-atelier.html
As the architect and developer of the Magento 2 eCommerce platform for personalized charms and pendants, I designed the architecture and implemented both the back-end and front-end functionality. I set up the AWS environment, installed Magento 2, integrated the 3D rendering tool, and configured payment and shipping options. I also developed the customization module, allowing customers to design and view their pendants in 3D format. My expertise in web development created a robust, reliable, and optimized website, offering customers a unique and personalized shopping experience for their jewelry needs.

Online Makeup Store

https://www.flowerbeauty.com/
A fast and reliable Magento 2 eCommerce platform hosted on AWS and utilizing Varnish web application accelerator offers a seamless shopping experience for customers. As the architect and developer of this platform, I designed the website infrastructure to ensure optimal performance, combining Varnish Full Page Cache with AWS's auto-scaling capacity to handle sudden surges in traffic. My expertise in web development enabled me to create a scalable and reliable website, tailored for eCommerce businesses seeking a strong online presence and growth in sales. With robust security features, reliable data backup and recovery, and scalability to accommodate future growth, the Magento 2 eCommerce platform hosted on AWS and utilizing Varnish web application accelerator is an efficient website, providing a fast, reliable, and seamless shopping experience for customers.

eCommerce Platform for Medical Uniforms

https://jensscrubs.com/
A BigCommerce platform. As a developer, I designed and implemented a middleware solution that connects an ERP system and a BigCommerce website. I utilized AWS Lambda, Node.js, and MongoDB as the NoSQL database storage solution to establish real-time communication and automatic data transfer between platforms. The solution is highly scalable and reliable, enabling the middleware to handle large amounts of data without affecting performance. My expertise in middleware development has facilitated a seamless and efficient connection between the two platforms, providing accurate and up-to-date information to all parties involved.

Languages

PHP, JavaScript, HTML, PHP 5, PHP 7, HTML5, SQL, Java, CSS, Python

Frameworks

Knockout (Knockout.js), Laravel, Symfony

Libraries/APIs

REST APIs, Node.js, Stripe, BigCommerce API

Tools

Vim Text Editor, Git, NGINX, GitHub, Bitbucket, Docker Compose, ELK (Elastic Stack), Magento Modules, RabbitMQ, Apache Solr, Jenkins, AWS ELB, Varnish, Amazon Simple Notification Service (Amazon SNS), Google Analytics

Paradigms

Object-oriented Programming (OOP), DevOps, Agile

Platforms

Magento 2, Magento 1, Magento, Ubuntu, Magento Community Edition, Magento Extension Development, AWS Lambda, Docker, Magento Enterprise, Magento API, Amazon EC2, Amazon Web Services (AWS), MuleSoft, Apache2, BigCommerce

Storage

MySQL Server, MySQL, Redis Cache, NoSQL, Databases, Elasticsearch, Redis, MongoDB

Other

API Integration, eCommerce, Payment APIs, Web Development, Web Scraping, Scraping, Data Scraping, Software Development, Back-end, Architecture, APIs, Full-stack Development, SMTP, RDS, Amazon RDS, Technical Leadership, Full-stack, Leadership, PDF, Audits, Games, OpenAI GPT-3 API, ChatGPT, Assets, Investments, Google Tag Manager, User Interface (UI), Data Structures

NOVEMBER 2012 - MARCH 2021

Magento Certified Developer Plus

Magento

Collaboration That Works

How to Work with Toptal

Toptal matches you directly with global industry experts from our network in hours—not weeks or months.

1

Share your needs

Discuss your requirements and refine your scope in a call with a Toptal domain expert.
2

Choose your talent

Get a short list of expertly matched talent within 24 hours to review, interview, and choose from.
3

Start your risk-free talent trial

Work with your chosen talent on a trial basis for up to two weeks. Pay only if you decide to hire them.

Top talent is in high demand.

Start hiring