Arnold Drita, Software Developer in Tirana, Albania
Arnold Drita

Software Developer in Tirana, Albania

Member since November 30, 2019
Arnold has spent the last decade coding everything from 3D games, desktop, and mobile apps to complex front-end and back-end microservices architectures. His breakthrough was founding a very successful fintech startup called Softmogul. While there, Arnold acted as the sole product owner, CTO, and tech lead for the whole tech stack and simultaneously managed DevOps, security, networking, scalability, and performance across nine products and over 40 code repositories in various languages.
Arnold is now available for hire

Portfolio

  • Softmogul, Inc.
    DevOps, Amazon EC2, Amazon Web Services (AWS), iOS, Realm, Git, CSS...
  • WAW Lifestyle
    Node.js, Express.js, Kubernetes, Docker, Envoy Proxy...
  • Barleti University
    React, React Native, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, University Teaching, Education, Git

Experience

Location

Tirana, Albania

Availability

Part-time

Preferred Environment

Git, Docker, MacOS, Kubernetes, Amazon Web Services (AWS), DevOps, Node.js, React, React Native, Go

The most amazing...

...project I've developed was a real-time hotel reservation calendar in Canvas which retrieved data asynchronously from WebSockets and RabbitMQ on Kubernetes.

Employment

  • Chief Technology Officer

    2016 - PRESENT
    Softmogul, Inc.
    • Started from scratch and built the most advanced all-in-one cloud and mobile property management software.
    • Accepted at Plug and Play Tech Center accelerator and raised a record-setting $2-million series A for the Albanian startup ecosystem.
    • Provided hands-on development of multiple iOS applications, web back-end services, and front-end clients.
    • Fine-tuned the system's performance, scaling, algorithms, and security.
    • Managed and led the development team, organizing it into smaller agile teams.
    • Implemented scrum and ensured everyone happily followed the rituals while meeting the sprint goals.
    • Acted as a product owner for all products distributed across three development and one design team.
    • Implemented DevOps, CI/CD, and in-house development scripts/tools.
    • Performed code reviews and release management for all the projects.
    • Implemented the best coding practices for all back-end services across multiple communication protocols (GRPC, HTTP, WebSockets), encodings (JSON, XML, Protobuf, CVS) across our Node.js, Go, and PHP back-end services.
    Technologies: DevOps, Amazon EC2, Amazon Web Services (AWS), iOS, Realm, Git, CSS, Amazon Route 53, MySQL, RabbitMQ, Elasticsearch, Grafana, Prometheus, Envoy Proxy, Jenkins, Kubernetes, Docker, Node.js, Go, Lumen, Laravel, PHP, Electron, React Native, React, Swift, JavaScript, APIs, Express.js, MERN Stack, CI/CD Pipelines, Stripe, Sentry, Linux, Stripe API, Amazon ECR (Amazon Elastic Container Registry), Amazon CloudFront CDN, Agile Software Development, Algorithms, Redux, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Jira, Scrum, Security, Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS), Microservices Architecture, Figma, Technical Leadership, Code Review, Web Architecture, Cloud Infrastructure, Microservices, Software Architecture, Architecture, Back-end, Distributed Systems, Application Architecture, System Architecture Design, WebSockets, REST APIs, MUI (Material UI), Front-end, Web Development, Responsive Design, User Interface (UI)
  • Tech Lead and Project Manager

    2019 - 2023
    WAW Lifestyle
    • Led the team that designed and developed WAW Lifestyle from 0 to 1.
    • Built the back end, front end, and cross-platform mobile app.
    • Designed and deployed the system architecture and infrastructure. Built the DevOps pipeline and custom in-house development scripts/tools.
    • Broke down requirements, provided solutions to product design challenges, and managed the scrum meetings.
    • Built an immersive live video conferencing solution tailored to offer wellness/fitness classes online, including in-app purchases, billing, reports, and platform-specific actions.
    Technologies: Node.js, Express.js, Kubernetes, Docker, Envoy Proxy, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Figma, React, React Native, Agile Software Development, JavaScript, Stripe, Amazon Route 53, Git, Linux, MySQL, DevOps, Stripe API, Jenkins, Amazon ECR (Amazon Elastic Container Registry), Amazon CloudFront CDN, Redux, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Security, Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS), Microservices Architecture, Technical Leadership, Code Review, Web Architecture, Cloud Infrastructure, Microservices, Software Architecture, Architecture, Back-end, Distributed Systems, Application Architecture, System Architecture Design, WebSockets, REST APIs, MUI (Material UI), Front-end, Web Development, Responsive Design, User Interface (UI)
  • Adjunct University Lecturer

    2021 - 2022
    Barleti University
    • Recruited to start and teach a new mobile development class to bridge the gap between the academy and industry.
    • Prepared the syllabus, lectures, homework, quizzes, and exams from scratch.
    • Graded homework, exams, quizzes, and final grades.
    • Assisted in the Data Structures and Algorithms course during the second semester.
    Technologies: React, React Native, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, University Teaching, Education, Git
  • Tech Lead and Project Manager

    2020 - 2021
    Neon Screens LLC
    • Recruited and led the development team that later created Neon's back end, front end, and TV app.
    • Designed the infrastructure and built the DevOps tools/pipeline.
    • Assisted in back-end development and bug fixes throughout the entire stack (back end, front end, mobile).
    • Successfully led the launch of the product from 0 to 1.
    Technologies: JavaScript, React, Node.js, React Native, Jenkins, Amazon ECS (Amazon Elastic Container Service), Amazon Web Services (AWS), Next.js, TypeScript, TypeORM, Amazon Route 53, Git, Linux, MySQL, DevOps, Amazon ECR (Amazon Elastic Container Registry), Amazon CloudFront CDN, Agile Software Development, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Jira, Scrum, Express.js, Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS), Microservices Architecture, Figma, PostgreSQL, Technical Leadership, Code Review, Web Architecture, Cloud Infrastructure, Microservices, Software Architecture, Architecture, Back-end, Distributed Systems, Application Architecture, System Architecture Design, REST APIs, MUI (Material UI), Front-end, Web Development, Responsive Design, User Interface (UI)
  • Solutions Architect | Partner

    2016 - 2019
    Softlab Albania
    • Interviewed and hired the team that would later make up the company.
    • Consulted with all of the company's clients to map out their requirements and provide solutions (both technical and non-technical).
    • Ensured that the team met the requirements and deadlines.
    • Technically led the team by providing solutions, solving problems, training the members, and helping out in the deployment process.
    • Took on the role of project manager/product owner for multiple projects.
    • Worked on projects for both international and large national clients.
    Technologies: Amazon EC2, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Git, CSS, MySQL, React Native, Bootstrap, jQuery, Laravel, PHP, JavaScript, React, APIs, Amazon Route 53, Linux, DevOps, Technical Leadership, Architecture, Back-end, Python, Application Architecture, System Architecture Design, REST APIs, Front-end, Web Development, User Interface (UI)
  • Team Leader | Trainer

    2014 - 2017
    Albanian Informatics Tirana Olympiad Team
    • Trained the Albanian Olympics team in algorithms and data structures.
    • Organized summer boot camps, gave lectures, and led the team to the Olympiad's sites.
    • Represented the Albanian team at Balkan Olympiad in Informatics (BOI) 2014 Turkey as a deputy team leader, where my team won the first-ever bronze medal in Albanian history.
    • Served the Albanian team at BOI 2015 Bulgaria as a deputy team leader.
    • Led the Albanian team at BOI 2016 Cyprus as the team leader.
    Technologies: Data Structures, Algorithms, Java, C++, C
  • Teaching Assistant

    2013 - 2016
    Epoka University
    • Worked as a teaching assistant for the following courses: Introduction to Algorithms and Programming (CEN 111), C and C++ Programming (CEN 112), and Analysis of Algorithms (CEN 303).
    • Prepared and graded homework assignments, provided support during exams, and lectured lab sessions.
    • Developed the students' assessment and training (SAT) system for Epoka University's Computer Engineering Department.
    • Created SAT similar to LeetCode but tailored not only to practice and learn but also to grade and evaluate homework with various features tailored to the University's needs.
    • Designed SAP system to allow students to practice solving algorithmic-type questions in their language of choice; the results are evaluated by an automated judge. This system allows professors to manage practice exams and homework.
    • Achieved that SAT was adopted as the default grading tool for homework coding assignments at the University of New York Tirana.
    Technologies: Algorithms, Data Structures, C++, C
  • Full-stack Developer

    2010 - 2016
    Freelance
    • Worked as a freelance developer for various projects in different technologies.
    • Shipped projects both in Albania as well as in various international markets.
    • Took on projects and single-handedly developed the project end-to-end (back end, front end, Android, and iOS).
    • Worked with the latest trends/technologies as they came out.
    Technologies: Realm, MySQL, Git, CSS, AngularJS, jQuery, Cordova, Ionic, Laravel, PHP, iOS, Android, Swift, Java, JavaScript, React, APIs, REST APIs, Front-end, Web Development, User Interface (UI)
  • Android Developer

    2015 - 2015
    Kreatix
    • Worked on iOrder: an Android app that will be used by the largest nationwide food/beverage distribution companies to manage and keep track of the activity of all their sales team, orders, clients, inventory, invoices and so on.
    Technologies: MySQL, Git, PHP, Subversion (SVN), Java, Android, APIs, REST APIs

Experience

  • Reception | Hotel PMS
    https://apps.apple.com/us/app/reception-hotel-pms/id1143079246

    Reception is a complete and simplified hotel property management system, designed to perform and deliver memorable guest experiences. It's the most efficient way to manage hotels of all sizes, today and tomorrow.

    Features:
    • Complete check-ins and check-outs in a matter of seconds
    • Move reservations by simply dragging and dropping them to different rooms
    • Have all the booking channels integrated and easily reachable from the screen
    • Create detailed profiles for your customers
    • Personalize their stay with notes and reminders
    • Create custom packages for different customer groups at any time
    • Automatic updates for your availability and prices in booking channels
    • Identify and apply discounts for returning customers
    • Keep track and oversee all your payments inside the app
    • Accept any type of payment method and never miss a payment again
    • Your customers can split invoices and/or pay by any method that they prefer (i.e., card, cash, and check)
    • A unique and feature-packed dashboard
    • Reports on customers (including frequency, nationality, gender, spending, type, and more)
    • Reports on revenue (including, frequency, occupancy rates, customer type, gender, channel, age group, and more)
    • Reports on taxes

  • Cashier | Point of Sale
    https://apps.apple.com/bt/app/cashier-point-of-sale-pos/id1185004497

    Cashier is a flexible and free point-of-sale app for your iPad. Designed with hospitality in mind Cashier is ideal for your restaurant, bar, shop and all other services your hotel has to offer.

    Cashier allows you to accept debit and credit cards straight from the app transforming your iPad into a mobile POS.

    It's fully integrated with the reception app, Cashier, which allows you to take orders and accept payments when your guests check out on the front desk.

    Features:
    • Cloud-based
    • Add products through a simple and intuitive interface
    • Item variants, modifiers, and inventory
    • Fully integrated with Reception
    • Organize your orders through tickets
    • Unlimited users with role-based permissions
    • Accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and AMEX
    • Send and print receipts
    • Apply discounts and issue refunds
    • Compatible with receipt printers and kitchen ticket printers

  • Scheduling | Booking Manager
    https://apps.apple.com/bt/app/scheduling-booking-manager/id1351303591

    Managing venues or any space a property has to offer, has never been simpler. Scheduling is an app that allows you to organize in a few taps and a time-based distribution all your services and spaces like spas, saunas, meeting rooms, pools, and more.

    Features:
    • Cloud-based
    • Manage all venues and spaces a property has to offer
    • Geared towards a professional and business use
    • Organize a time-based distribution of all your services and spaces
    • Sell services or products

  • Housekeeping Room Maintenance
    https://apps.apple.com/bt/app/housekeeping-room-maintenance/id1184999799

    Housekeeping is an app designed to facilitate the process of room maintenance. It is quick and intuitive to learn.

    Fully integrated with the Reception app and Softmogul platform, making sure all rooms are on their actual status.

    Features:
    • Task management
    • To-do lists
    • Notifications
    • Mark room as dirty (needs a cleaning), clean, or needs an inspection or repair
    • Report lost-and-found products
    • Team communication
    • Charge the minibar
    • Report room damages
    • Cloud-based

  • SAT | Student Assessment and Training

    I developed the student-assessment-and-training system for Epoka University's computer engineering department (a system similar to CodeForces, TopCoder, and the like).

    This system enables students to practice solving algorithmic-type questions in their language of choice and the results are evaluated by an automated judge. Using the system, professors can manage practice exams and homework with flexibility on managing groups, mentors, collaborations, generating reports/grades, deadlines, multiple ways to evaluate solutions, maximum flexibility in adding new languages, and so on.

    This system was later on used at the New York University of Tirana as well.

  • Gati.al

    Gati.al is a digital platform that serves as an online meeting place for researchers and providers of professional services. The platform offers many advantages to its users, including the ability to be self-seekers and service providers to define the conditions for cooperation, schedules, and costs.

    I worked on the Laravel back end as well as the cross-platform React Native application.

  • Kolibri
    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=al.lajme.kolibri&hl=en

    Kolibri is a news app that selects the latest and best news from multiple national sources and summarizes them to present in a short and crisp 60 words or less format.

    I worked on developing the back end as well as the cross-platform React Native application.

  • Nibblit

    Your new best foodie friend! Nibblit doesn't just cover dietary requirements, it recommends venues based on your interests, tells you where all the current hype is and has full facilities and a food review function.

    I worked on developing the backend as well as the cross-platform React Native application

  • Buletin

    Buletin, an Android app similar to Flipboard for Albanian magazines and newspapers. It's the first of its kind in Albania and features Material Design and transitions that were just released by Google as well as a custom DOM parser (which I built for displaying DOM elements as native Android elements).

  • Ask Dr. Discovery

    Ask Dr. Discovery can enhance your museum experience by answering questions in a way that is understandable and engaging for all ages and science knowledge.

  • WAW Lifestyle
    https://apps.apple.com/us/app/waw-lifestyle/id1497164450

    WAW Lifestyle is an app designed for career-driven individuals to achieve all their set targets proficiently and effectively via assisting to balance their health and mental wellness, and social and career lifestyle choices.

Skills

  • Languages

    PHP, JavaScript, Swift, HTML, CSS, Java, C++, C, Go, TypeScript, Python
  • Frameworks

    Laravel, Lumen, Redux, Bootstrap, AngularJS, React Native, Express.js, Gin-Gonic, Gorm, Ionic, PHPUnit, Django, MUI (Material UI), Electron, Next.js
  • Libraries/APIs

    Node.js, Stripe, Stripe API, React Native for Web, REST APIs, jQuery, React, D3.js
  • Tools

    Git, Jenkins, Docker Compose, Amazon ECR (Amazon Elastic Container Registry), Amazon EBS, Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS), Amazon CloudFront CDN, Trello, Slack, Envoy Proxy, Grafana, AWS SDK, AWS ELB, Jira, Amazon ECS (Amazon Elastic Container Service), RabbitMQ, Amazon EKS, Gulp, Figma, IntelliJ, Xcode, Subversion (SVN), Sentry
  • Paradigms

    Microservices Architecture, Agile Software Development, DevOps, Web Architecture, Microservices, Application Architecture, Scrum, Unit Testing, Test Automation
  • Platforms

    Kubernetes, Docker, Amazon EC2, iOS, Linux, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Android, Raspberry Pi, MacOS, Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
  • Storage

    MySQL, Realm, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), SQLite, PostgreSQL, Elasticsearch, MongoDB
  • Other

    Amazon Route 53, WebSockets, Architecture, APIs, Technical Leadership, Code Review, Cloud Infrastructure, Software Architecture, Back-end, System Architecture Design, Front-end, Web Development, Responsive Design, User Interface (UI), Prometheus, Algorithms, Data Structures, Product Owner, Domain-driven Design (DDD), Scrum Master, Infrastructure, Distributed Systems, Cordova, Kubernetes Operations (Kops), Jaeger, Shell Scripting, MERN Stack, CI/CD Pipelines, TypeORM, University Teaching, Education
  • Industry Expertise

    Security

Education

  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Engineering
    2013 - 2016
    Epoka University - Tirana, Albania

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