Draco Li, Developer in Toronto, ON, Canada
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Draco Li

Verified Expert  in Engineering

Bio

Draco is a seasoned lead engineer with over 12 years of extensive full-stack experience in various industries, including online retail, web3, and AI insurance. As a founding engineer at Dots, Draco spearheaded the launch of highly acclaimed iOS apps, TwoDots (50+ million downloads) and Dots & Co (1.5+ million downloads within two days). He also served as the engineering lead at Loose Button, where he launched an online advertising network that grew to over $1 million in sales in three months.

Portfolio

Kava Labs
Go, Cosmos, Solidity, Ethereum, MetaMask, APIs, Blockchain...
Next Jump
PHP, Go, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Vue.js, Azure Design, SQL, API Integration...
Restaurant Brands International
AWS, Node.js, TypeScript, Serverless, React.js, mParticle, APIs...

Experience

Availability

Part-time

Preferred Environment

Xcode, Slack, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), Git

The most amazing...

...product I've collaborated on is called TwoDots. It ranked number one in over 100 countries on both the App Store and Play Store.

Work Experience

Blockchain Developer

2021 - PRESENT
Kava Labs
  • Served as the core contributor to the open-source Kava blockchain, a top 100 crypto project by market cap and a top 10 decentralized finance chain by TVL.
  • Led the development of the EVM support for the Kava blockchain, unlocking over $200 million in TVL through new protocols.
  • Developed a method to allow for MetaMask signing of Cosmos transactions, which enabled EVM users to interact with the Cosmos-based Kava blockchain.
  • Demonstrated expertise in various technologies, including Go, Cosmos, Ethereum, MetaMask, and Web3.js.
Technologies: Go, Cosmos, Solidity, Ethereum, MetaMask, APIs, Blockchain, Ethereum Smart Contract, Smart Contract Development, Web3.js, Docker, Agile Development, PostgreSQL, CI/CD Pipelines, Cryptocurrency, Crypto, Amazon Aurora, Fintech Development, Git, Confluence, Terraform, Full-stack, Web3, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Technical Architecture, AWS, Slack Development, Crytographer, DevOps, Agile Development, Open Source Development

Full-stack Developer

2022 - 2023
Next Jump
  • Migrated outdated hotel and flight API services from PHP to Go successfully, resulting in a significant reduction of 65% in errors and a 20% decrease in latency.
  • Designed and implemented a refined hotel search algorithm, leading to an impressive improvement of over 80% in booking search response time. Furthermore, the search results showed enhanced availability with an increase of 1.1x to 3x more returned prices.
  • Identified and resolved bottlenecks in PHP and Go API services, ensuring a highly reliable and high-performing system. Implemented proactive issue detection and resolution through robust Kibana monitoring processes.
Technologies: PHP, Go, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Vue.js, Azure Design, SQL, API Integration, Software Design, Vuetify.js, Tailwind CSS, Python, SQL, FastAPI, Pydantic, Twilio Development, CodeIgniter, Docker, Git, Full-stack, Technical Architecture, Slack Development, Web Application

Senior Engineering Consultant

2020 - 2022
Restaurant Brands International
  • Built and launched the Popeyes and Burger King rewards platforms across the US and Canada (Node.js back end and React front end).
  • Led the development of the user data deletion and access requests using OneTrust and a custom-built AWS pipeline.
  • Designed and implemented multiple user events tracking methodologies across all three RBI brands (Burger King, Tim Hortons, and Popeyes).
  • Demonstrated expertise in serverless architecture using AWS Lambda, DynamoDB, AWS Step Functions, and SQS.
Technologies: AWS, Node.js, TypeScript, Serverless, React.js, mParticle, APIs, Web Development, Full-stack, Microservices Development, AWS Lambda, Mobile App Design, Localization, Cypress, React Native, Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS), CSS, SQL, Express.js, HTML, Architecture, Application Architecture, Software Architecture, Lambda Functions, Server-side Rendering (SSR), Snowflake, Google Tag Manager, Google Analytics, Google Analytics 4 (GA4), MERN Stack, REST API, Integration, Firebase, Flutter UI, Front-end, Mobile Apps, Android, Google API, AWS, DYNAMO, React Apollo, Cross-Platform, Mobile App Design, Amazon Cognito, AWS, AWS Amplify, Git, NestJS, Jira, Confluence, Material UI, A/B Testing, Analytics Development, UX Development, UI Development, SSO Engineering, Payment APIs, Payment Gateways, Full-stack, Figma, AWS, Scalable Application, Technical Architecture, Serverless Framework, LocalStack, Web Development, Slack Development, Mobile UX Design, Amazon S3, Algorithms, Emotion Library, React.js, React Navigation, Unit Testing, DevOps, Agile Development, Progressive Web Applications (PWAs), Web Application

Engineering Lead

2020 - 2022
MasterHealth
  • Led the engineering development of a cross-platform, subscription-based healthcare app on React Native and Node.js.
  • Managed a team of engineers (local and remote) on the development of the back-end API (Node.js, TypeScript, PostgreSQL, and GraphQL).
  • Oversaw the development and creation of a flexible program data database schema (via PostgreSQL) that allows the team to create new healthcare programs easily.
  • Developed several powerful internal tools using Retool that allowed extensive real-time application and course data configurations.
Technologies: Node.js, AWS, React Native, TypeScript, Back-end Developers, APIs, Mobile App Design, JSON Web Tokens (JWT), System Security, Redis, PostgreSQL, Agile Development, CI/CD Pipelines, Architecture, No-code Development, SQL, iOS, Application Architecture, Software Architecture, MERN Stack, REST API, Integration, Leadership, Mobile First Design, Interim CTOs, Front-end, Mobile Apps, Prisma, Web Development, Cross-Platform, Startup Development, Software Design, Mobile App Design, Health, HIPAA Compliance, Stripe Development, Stripe Development, Twilio Development, Docker, Technical Leadership, AWS AppSync, Git, Jira, Confluence, Material UI, SSO Engineering, Mobile App Design, Mobile App Design, Full-stack, Figma, Page Speed Optimization, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Webflow, Technical Architecture, Web Development, Slack Development, Mobile UX Design, Retool, Amazon S3, Algorithms, Unit Testing, DevOps, Progressive Web Applications (PWAs), Web Application, System Security, NPM, Authentication

Lead Architect

2019 - 2020
DollarOP
  • Developed DollarOP, a lottery-based eCommerce shop with crypto payments and a live winner-drawing experience via a Rails background and a TypeScript/React front end.
  • Designed and developed a unique purchasing process that allows users to purchase shares of an item via a credit card or cryptocurrency.
  • Oversaw the launch of DollarOP, which saw over 1,000 users on the first day of the launch.
  • Planned and architected the core online retail platform for DollarOP, including a GraphQL back end and a SPA for the client-facing retail platform.
Technologies: Google Storage Development, Heroku, Jest, WebSockets, Ruby on Rails, Ruby, Phaser.io, GraphQL, Apollo, TypeScript, JavaScript, APIs, Full-stack, PayPal API, Bootstrap, Webpack, Agile Development, PostgreSQL, Architecture, HTML, Application Architecture, Software Architecture, REST API, Integration, Firebase, Cloud Engineering, Product Management, Facebook API, Next.js, React Apollo, Web Development, Startup Development, Software Design, Swift, Flutter UI, Python, SQL, FastAPI, Technical Leadership, Fintech Development, Git, A/B Testing, Payment APIs, Payment Gateways, PayPal Development, Full-stack, Elixir, Absinthe, Page Speed Optimization, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Technical Architecture, Web Development, Mobile UX Design, Unit Testing, Progressive Web Applications (PWAs), Web Application, SEO, Angular

Engineering Team Lead

2018 - 2019
Jerry
  • Led a team of senior engineers to manage the development of the Jerry CRM system used by over 100 internal and external insurance agents.
  • Collaborated with the leadership team to improve internal processes, code quality, and cross-team communication. This enabled us to double our engineering headcount within six months.
  • Managed a remote development team of three engineers based in Lviv, Ukraine, to assist in CRM product development.
Technologies: AWS, Jest, Apollo, Sequelize, Redux, GraphQL, Node.js, React.js, Flow, JavaScript, TypeORM, Full-stack, TypeScript, MongoDB, REST API, Front-end, Web Development, Startup Development, Technical Leadership, Git, UX Development, Mobile App Design, Mobile App Design, Full-stack, Page Speed Optimization, Shopify, Web Scraping, Kubernetes, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Technical Architecture, Web Development, Slack Development, Ant Design, CRM, Ionic, Unit Testing, Agile Development, Web Application, SEO

Staff Engineer

2013 - 2019
Playdots
  • Led the development of back-end microservices to purchase tracking using Go workers for events processing via AWS SQS. This service is used in production by TwoDots (50+ million downloads) and Dots & Co (10+ million downloads).
  • Contributed to diverse core back-end features, including player inventory syncing, weekly events, cheating detection, A/B testing, authentication, install tracking, and global leaderboard for over 1 million DAUs.
  • Developed back-end services for player data syncing, authentication, install tracking, and multiple in-game event systems.
  • Contributed to the architecture and development of Dots, TwoDots, Dots & Co, and multiple unannounced games.
  • Created admin dashboards for in-game economy management (Ruby on Rails and AWS Elastic Beanstalk).
Technologies: AWS, Phaser.io, CoffeeScript, Java, Xcode, Objective-C, Unity, C#, Ruby on Rails, Ruby, Go, JavaScript, Full-stack, HTML5, Vue.js, Localization, Sidekiq, PostgreSQL, Redis, Ruby Gems, Webpack, MySQL, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, iOS, Facebook API, WebGL, Front-end, Mobile First Design, Mobile Apps, Android, Google API, Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS), AWS, Startup Development, Mobile App Design, Swift, Flutter UI, API, Git, A/B Testing, Analytics Development, UX Development, UI Development, Mobile App Design, Mobile App Design, Full-stack, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Amazon S3, jQuery

Engineering Lead

2012 - 2013
Loose Button (Acquired)
  • Managed all technical developments and launched a number of services including a dashboard for large CPG brands, an online retail store, and a subscription service for tights.
  • Developed the core analytics dashboard for the ad network, which grew from nothing to over $1 million in sales within three months.
  • Improved overall hiring process for software engineers and established a formal performance review system.
Technologies: AWS, JavaScript, Django, Python, MySQL, CSS, PHP, HTML, WordPress Development, Bots, X (formerly Twitter) API, Front-end, Google API, Startup Development, Twilio Development, Technical Leadership, Git, A/B Testing, Analytics Development, Full-stack, API, Plugins, Web Development, PCI Compliance, jQuery, Web Application

TwoDots

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/two-dots/id880178264
TwoDots is a casual mobile game. I was the lead back-end engineer and also one of the core developers for the mobile game.
For the back end, I led the development of a microservice for purchase tracking, systems for player event data syncing, cheat detection, weekly events, global leaderboards, and an internal A/B testing platform.
For the game, I led the development of the level editor, weekly events, and multiple SDKs to interact with back-end microservices.

DollarOP

DollarOP is a custom-built online retail store that allows users to purchase shares of an item. It includes a unique purchase flow, a live winning selection event, and a payment process that allows both credit card payments and cryptocurrencies.
I was the lead engineer behind this project. I designed and developed both the back-end API and the SPA for the client-side retail store.
The back end uses GraphQL and WebSockets to enable flexible data retrieval and instant updates on the online store when purchases are made. The front end is built with React and is both interactive and performant. The web app also includes a live winning selection event that is built with the HTML5 gaming framework, Phaser.js.

Dots & Co

Dots & Co is a popular mobile game available both on iOS and Android. I led the development of the back end and the in-game level editor for Dots & Co.
For the back end, I designed and built a player inventory syncing system and a platform to A/B test and provide data to the in-game economy.
For the game, I led the development of the level editor and built the weekly event system.

CertifyOS RDB Migration

https://www.certifyos.com/
I migrated a NestJS application written in TypeScript from Firestore to PostgreSQL. This involved rewriting all application logic and adding tests for both the old and new logic to ensure a seamless migration. Additionally, I worked on database design and architecture to map out the SQL schema for the collection.

Migration of WordPress Blog Site to Next.js

https://www.weddingstylemagazine.com/
I migrated two WordPress sites into one React app. The process involved moving project parts continuously for quick, frequent releases. The Next.js site manages all traffic, directing migrated sections to the app while non-migrated parts still use WordPress.
2008 - 2012

Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Commerce and Computer Science

Queen's University - Kingston, Ontario

2010 - 2011

Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Commerce and Computing

National University of Singapore - Singapore

Libraries/APIs

React.js, Facebook API, Node.js, Vue.js, REST API, X (formerly Twitter) API, Google API, Stripe Development, Stripe Development, API, SQL, Pydantic, Emotion Library, React.js, React Navigation, PayPal API, WebGL, AWS Amplify, jQuery, Web3.js, Sidekiq

Tools

Git, Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS), Google Analytics, AWS, AWS, Jira, Confluence, Retool, Xcode, Sequelize, Prisma, React Apollo, Amazon Cognito, AWS AppSync, Terraform, Figma, Absinthe, AWS, NPM, Slack Development, Flow, GoLand, MetaMask, Webpack

Languages

Ruby, JavaScript, SQL, GraphQL, Go, PHP, TypeScript, Python, CSS, HTML, HTML5, Swift, Elixir, C#, Objective-C, Solidity, DYNAMO, Java, CoffeeScript, Snowflake, C++

Frameworks

Ruby on Rails, React Native, Flutter UI, Next.js, Tailwind CSS, NestJS, Serverless Framework, Ant Design, Redux, Unity, Django, Express.js, JSON Web Tokens (JWT), Vuetify.js, CodeIgniter, Material UI, Ionic, Laravel, Jest, Phaser.io, Cypress, Bootstrap, Angular

Paradigms

Agile Development, Application Architecture, Cross-Platform, Mobile App Design, Mobile App Design, Scalable Application, Unit Testing, Agile Development, Microservices Development, HIPAA Compliance, DevOps, SEO

Platforms

AWS, iOS, Mobile App Design, WordPress Development, Firebase, Twilio Development, LocalStack, Blockchain, AWS Lambda, Docker, Cloud Engineering, Android, Shopify, Kubernetes, Heroku, Ethereum, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Visual Studio Development, Azure Design, Webflow, Vercel

Storage

PostgreSQL, Redis, MySQL, AWS, Amazon S3, Amazon Aurora, Google Storage Development, MongoDB, SQL

Other

Back-end Developers, APIs, Web Development, Full-stack, Architecture, Software Architecture, Lambda Functions, Google Tag Manager, Google Analytics 4 (GA4), MERN Stack, Integration, Front-end, Product Management, API Integration, Mobile Apps, Startup Development, Software Design, FastAPI, Technical Leadership, Fintech Development, A/B Testing, Analytics Development, UX Development, UI Development, Mobile App Design, Full-stack, Page Speed Optimization, Web3, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Technical Architecture, Web Development, CRM, Mobile UX Design, Progressive Web Applications (PWAs), Web Application, Open Source Development, Authentication, Apollo, Ethereum Smart Contract, Smart Contract Development, NFT, Localization, CI/CD Pipelines, Server-side Rendering (SSR), Leadership, Mobile First Design, Interim CTOs, Bots, Cryptocurrency, Crypto, Health, SSO Engineering, Payment APIs, Payment Gateways, PayPal Development, API, Plugins, Web Scraping, Crytographer, PCI Compliance, Algorithms, System Security, WebSockets, Serverless, mParticle, Cosmos, TypeORM, System Security, Ruby Gems, Business Administration, Finance, No-code Development

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