Asim Maqsood, Developer in Southampton, United Kingdom
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Asim Maqsood

Verified Expert  in Engineering

Software Developer

Southampton, United Kingdom

Toptal member since October 20, 2022

Bio

Asim has nearly two decades of software development experience ranging from firmware drivers to React applications. He has been a technical leader for tech stacks comprising hundreds of components written in a variety of languages. He was awarded the CEO award for his work in development at Sky UK. Asim is not new to freelancing as he has been working as an independent consultant since 2014. He is keen to join challenging projects of any scale.

Portfolio

Archinisis GmbH
HTML, Video Players, HTML5, Python, FFmpeg, Video Processing...
Straight Up Studios, LLC (via Toptal)
Full-stack, Node.js, TypeScript, Software Architecture, Solution Architecture...
Accedo
JavaScript, React, Redux, HTML5 Applications, API Integration, Tizen SDK, webOS...

Experience

  • Video Players - 14 years
  • System Integration - 12 years
  • Video Processing - 10 years
  • API Integration - 8 years
  • Microservices - 4 years
  • React - 4 years
  • JavaScript - 4 years
  • Next.js - 3 years

Availability

Part-time

Preferred Environment

Linux, MacOS, Git, Visual Studio Code (VS Code)

The most amazing...

...product I've developed and maintained was a cutting edge video streaming product with diverse technology stacks.

Work Experience

UI Developer

2023 - 2023
Archinisis GmbH
  • Created a multiplatform desktop app for video transcoding.
  • Built a UI that was responsive to multi-display setups and various zoom settings, as well as optimized for Mac and Windows.
  • Developed the application in a record time of four weeks and achieved a 100% rating from trial users.
Technologies: HTML, Video Players, HTML5, Python, FFmpeg, Video Processing, Full-stack Development

Tech Lead

2023 - 2023
Straight Up Studios, LLC (via Toptal)
  • Architected and developed end to Consumer Premises media transcoding and delivery service using AWS Media Services, AWS ECS, AWS Cloudfront, and AWS Cognito, from first line of code to MVP deployment.
  • Managed and deployed services on AWS. Fixed bugs using Jira and documentation on Confluence.
  • Optimized the video streaming quality by analyzing end to end streaming pipeline.
Technologies: Full-stack, Node.js, TypeScript, Software Architecture, Solution Architecture, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Firebase, Technical Leadership, Streaming, Video Streaming, AWS Media Services, Amazon Elastic Container Service (ECS), AWS Elemental MediaConvert, Amazon Cognito, Cloud Platforms, Databases, CSS, Electron, FFmpeg, Video Processing, Video Players, API Architecture, Microservices, APIs, NestJS, Back-end, Architecture, Over-the-top Content (OTT), Video on Demand (VOD), Video Livestreaming, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Web Application Architecture, Web Applications, JavaScript 6, HTTP Live Streaming (HLS), Full-stack Development, AWS Elemental, MVP Design

Senior Connected TV Apps Engineer

2020 - 2022
Accedo
  • Developed components for Channel 4's multiscreen app in React. Included a cross platform 2D focus manager package.
  • Created React Native components for a Telkomsel Android application for their video streaming product line. Implemented PIP, Conviva tracking, and ExoPlayer in their native components using Kotlin.
  • Ported Discovery Channel's “Now Multiscreen” JavaScript application on platforms like Tizen, Panasonic, and webOS. Implemented a server side ads insertion in the JavaScript video player.
Technologies: JavaScript, React, Redux, HTML5 Applications, API Integration, Tizen SDK, webOS, Android TV, Kotlin, Digital Rights Management (DRM), Google Ads API, Brightcove API, Video Processing, Video Players, React Native, React Native Bridge, Back-end, Node.js, Web Architecture, Web Development, HTML, HTML5, Tizen, Over-the-top Content (OTT), Video on Demand (VOD), Video Codecs, Technical Leadership, Video Streaming, Streaming, Broadcasting, Smart TV, Video Livestreaming, TV Broadcasting, Webflow, Scalable Application, Technical Consulting, Cloud Platforms, CSS, Electron, Web Applications, JavaScript 6, JavaScript 5, HTTP Live Streaming (HLS), Shaka Player, Video.js, Fire TV

Software Architect and Full-stack Developer

2017 - 2022
Maqsood Labs
  • Defined the architecture for various end-to-end systems meeting clients requirements. Established clean architecture and clean coding practices across the team.
  • Established and oversaw the after-launch support team. Added innovative solutions and coding practices for rapid bug resolution per the support contract. Wrote and established end-to-end vertical logging/monitoring and an alert system.
  • Wrote MVPs and proof of concepts (PoCs) for projects and handed them over to development teams. It involved writing the back end, front end, and custom integrations to kick-start the project.
  • Oversaw various PoCs for technology partnerships with BigCommerce and Stripe.
  • Pioneered teams for Roku, LightningJS, Web Scrapping, Next.js, and NestJS. Involved in learning those technologies, and being the sole point of contact for any problems development teams are having.
Technologies: JavaScript, Python, Stripe API, FFmpeg, REST APIs, Next.js, GPS, React, React Native, API Integration, Web Scraping, Microservices, RESTful Microservices, API Architecture, Web3.js, System Integration, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Back-end, Node.js, NestJS, Architecture, Web Architecture, Web Development, HTML, HTML5, Tizen, Full-stack, Software Architecture, Solution Architecture, Technical Leadership, Firebase, Video Streaming, Streaming, TypeScript, Smart TV, Video Livestreaming, TV Broadcasting, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Webflow, Scalable Application, Technical Architecture, Cloud Platforms, Databases, Payment Gateways, Electron, Web Applications, JavaScript 6, JavaScript 5, HTTP Live Streaming (HLS), Shaka Player, Full-stack Development, Scraping, Video.js

Senior System Integration Consultant

2014 - 2018
Sky UK
  • Developed full system Proof of Concepts (PoCs) for features like Firmware over the Air (FOTA) and an application platform with video player capabilities.
  • Led end-to-end functional areas to investigate and fix architectural, compatibility, and stability bugs.
  • Oversaw the smooth launch of a YouTube streaming on Sky Q devices. Developed a bridge between the platform and HTML5 apps.
  • Developed a migration tool from MP4 to HTTP live streaming (HLS). Added support for playing HLS streams on sand-boxed applications.
Technologies: JavaScript, Integration, API Integration, System Integration, C, Python, FFmpeg, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Back-end, Node.js, Architecture, Web Architecture, Web Development, HTML, HTML5, Over-the-top Content (OTT), Video on Demand (VOD), Video Codecs, Full-stack, Software Architecture, Solution Architecture, Technical Leadership, Video Streaming, Streaming, Broadcasting, Video Livestreaming, TV Broadcasting, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Technical Consulting, Technical Architecture, HTTP Live Streaming (HLS)

Video Streaming Lead

2007 - 2014
Cisco
  • Received the CEO award for delivering a good quality video player/recorder middleware.
  • Led Sky Italia's system reliability and stability team. Maintained stability and reliability KPIs.
  • Managed a Sky Deutschland project full-stack integration team and acted as final door for every feature being delivered to the client.
  • Developed a monitoring system which detects and reports bugs automatically.
Technologies: Embedded C, JavaScript, System Integration, Team Mentoring, Client Delivery Management, Back-end, Node.js, Architecture, Web Development, Over-the-top Content (OTT), Video on Demand (VOD), Video Codecs, Software Architecture, Solution Architecture, Technical Leadership, Video Streaming, Streaming, Broadcasting, Video Livestreaming, TV Broadcasting, Technical Architecture

Firmware Engineer

2004 - 2006
Siemens
  • Developed firmware and device drivers for the USB in its early days of adoption.
  • Delivered USB drivers which were used in consumer products like Olympus cameras.
  • Awarded an in-house smart performance bonus for my support for USB host drivers.
Technologies: Embedded C, Embedded Linux, USB

Channel 4 Multiscreen Application

https://www.channel4.com
Developed a multiscreen video streaming application. I managed the fundamental components like FocusManager, a React-router equivalent for platforms where the mouse is not supported. Consulted for the utilization of React.

Discovery Channel Multiscreen Application

https://www.threenow.co.nz/
Worked with the Discovery channel's ThreeNow, a cross-platform video streaming application. Developed the platform native API bridges in JavaScript for Tizen, Panasonic, and webOS. Developed server-side ads middleware.

MaxStream Video Streaming Application

https://maxstream.tv
Built a video streaming mobile application. Developed native components for React Native in JavaScript and Kotlin. Advanced features like picture-In-picture, Conviva, and SDKs deep integration. Set up ExoPlayer wrapper development.

Sky Q

https://www.sky.com/tv/sky-q
Sky Q is the most advanced streaming device in the world. I Integrated and developed features like networking mesh, multiroom streaming, AirPlay brides, application infrastructure, and a RestAPIs server. I led a cross-vendor end-to-end feature development team.

Pet Location and Health Tracking

http://www.petention.com
This is a pet location and health tracking system. It has unique features like:

1) Geofencing tracking.
2) White-labeled copies of mobile and web apps are produced and served from the same back end for its licensed partners.
3) A comprehensive PDF file generation functionality
4) A custom accounting and CRM system built from scratch.
5) A marketing campaign management system.
6) Stripe integration for multiple partners.

AI-driven Emission Estimation system.

It was a very comprehensive emission estimation system that would count all minor and major factors in consuming a particular piece of hardware, including its manufacturing, logistics, usage, and many others. Then, it uses AI to suggest ways to reduce emissions.
2000 - 2003

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science

University of Central Punjab - Lahore, Pakistan

Libraries/APIs

FFmpeg, React, REST APIs, Node.js, Web3.js, HLS.js, Shaka Player, Google Ads API, Brightcove API, Stripe API

Tools

Tizen SDK, Git, Amazon Elastic Container Service (ECS), Amazon Cognito

Languages

JavaScript, C, Python, Embedded C, JavaScript 6, JavaScript 5, HTML, HTML5, TypeScript, Kotlin, Sass, C++, CSS

Frameworks

Next.js, NestJS, Electron, Video.js, Redux, React Native, Android SDK

Paradigms

API Architecture, Web Architecture, Web Application Architecture, Scalable Application, Microservices

Platforms

Tizen, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Firebase, Embedded Linux, webOS, Android TV, Linux, MacOS, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), Webflow

Storage

Databases, AWS Elemental

Other

Integration, API Integration, System Integration, HTML5 Applications, Video Processing, Video Players, Web Scraping, APIs, Back-end, Architecture, Web Applications, Web Development, Over-the-top Content (OTT), Video Codecs, Video on Demand (VOD), Full-stack, Video Streaming, Streaming, Smart TV, Broadcasting, Video Livestreaming, TV Broadcasting, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Technical Consulting, Technical Architecture, HTTP Live Streaming (HLS), Full-stack Development, MVP Design, Software Architecture, Solution Architecture, Technical Leadership, Cloud Platforms, Scraping, Fire TV, USB, Team Mentoring, Client Delivery Management, Digital Rights Management (DRM), React Native Bridge, GPS, RESTful Microservices, PDF, Software, TV UI, Ads, AWS Media Services, AWS Elemental MediaConvert, Payment Gateways, FastAPI

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