

Eqbal Quran
Verified Expert in Engineering
Full-stack Developer
Amman, Amman Governorate, Jordan
Toptal member since June 13, 2014
Eqbal is a CTO and hands-on AI engineer with 18+ years of experience building scalable platforms and production AI systems. He works across LLM orchestration, RAG, AI workflows, prompt design, routing logic, guardrails, and external integrations. He has built AI back ends and recommendation systems using OpenAI, Anthropic, LangChain, Python, NestJS/TypeScript, vector databases, and cloud infrastructure, focused on reliable systems that deliver real business value.
Portfolio
Experience
- CTO - 13 years
- Python - 10 years
- Ruby - 10 years
- React - 4 years
- RAG Architecture - 4 years
- Large Language Models (LLMs) - 4 years
- Agentic AI - 3 years
- LangChain - 3 years
Preferred Environment
Python, Ruby on Rails (RoR), React, LangChain, Team Leadership, Business Process Automation, TypeScript, Large Language Models (LLMs), Retrieval-augmented Generation (RAG), Rust
The most amazing...
...thing I've built is an AI workflow engine that ranked candidates, enforced guardrails, and automated real-time dispatch decisions at scale.
Work Experience
Chief Technology Officer
Playhera
- Led platform architecture for a gaming and esports product supporting 500,000+ active users and high-concurrency workloads.
- Designed and shipped AI-powered recommendation systems using embeddings and vector search, increasing retention by 50% and engagement by 40%.
- Built scalable GaaS APIs and platform services that supported 35% YoY user growth.
- Led 50+ engineers while introducing delivery standards, scorecards, and CI/CD practices that improved execution and reliability.
- Launched cloud gaming and portal experiences that improved session depth and usability.
AI Engineer
Chromie Health, Inc
- Architected a production AI-powered nurse dispatch back end in NestJS/TypeScript to fill last-minute shift gaps without EHR integrations.
- Integrated LLM APIs to generate compliant, brand-aligned outreach and real-time decision support for staffing workflows.
- Designed a rules-based orchestration engine with escalation paths, response windows, prioritization logic, and anti-spam guardrails.
- Built explainable matching and ranking logic using unit fit, eligibility, workload, response history, and fatigue constraints.
- Implemented operational messaging pipelines with Twilio/SendGrid, observability, retries, and analytics for fill rate and response performance.
- Normalized and processed semi-structured scheduling data from CSV and spreadsheet exports (e.g., UKG/Kronos-style formats), enabling rapid ingestion, validation, and gap detection without heavy integrations.
AI Lead
Hoot App, Inc.
- Designed and deployed end-to-end LLM pipelines for summarization, personalized recommendations, and contextual feed generation.
- Built RAG workflows using LangChain and vector databases to support low-latency semantic retrieval over large unstructured datasets.
- Orchestrated geo-contextual AI workflows combining live location, user intent, and embeddings to enforce relevance and visibility rules.
- Added observability and token-cost tracking with Helicone to monitor latency, spend, and prompt reliability.
- Designed the architecture for future expansion into multi-agent and advanced personalization workflows.
- Developed NLP-driven features, including chat summarization, intent detection, and relevance ranking, that improved user engagement and reduced cognitive load in real-time conversational interfaces.
Chief Technology Officer
Mrsool
- Transformed Mrsool's technology infrastructure to support growth from startup to maturity, increasing system capacity tenfold and handling a significant rise in user traffic.
- Led a 100+ developer tech team through a pivotal transition, evolving from the founding group to a robust, multidisciplinary Agile team, enhancing productivity by 40% and customer satisfaction by 50%.
- Spearheaded key technology initiatives, establishing Mrsool as a leading on-demand delivery service in the MENA region, improving service delivery and operational efficiency, and supporting an 80% increase in traffic.
- Aligned technological developments with strategic business goals, ensuring enhancements integrated seamlessly with new marketing initiatives and drove significant traffic growth.
- Directed comprehensive team development and training programs, significantly improving project delivery efficiency by 35% and enhancing team skills.
- Streamlined workflow planning, priority assessment, and task allocation, matching the right expertise to the projects.
- Mastered the art of effective communication, articulating proposed solutions across the business while comprehending project scope fundamentals.
- Refactored the main repository's codebase and streamlined project requirement processes, which improved code maintainability by 50% and ensured smoother project executions aligned with business objectives.
- Invested in team development by implementing strategies, training, and growth plans aligned with project objectives and fostering consistent achievement.
- Optimized the platform for enhanced performance and reliability, enabling the seamless support of increased traffic, marketing initiatives, and shifting corporate goals.
Team Lead/Senior Ruby Engineer
ClickFunnels
- Maintained an extensive online marketing application with over 50,000 subscribing customers.
- Moved from using Rails controllers to building a more scalable/isolated RESTful API using Grape and Sidekiq. While this made the application more scalable, we spent time on reliability by adding many integration/unit tests for the new API.
- Used best practices to create a clean, well-documented code.
- Refactored the codebase, scaled the API using many PORO/abstractions, and moved from relying on MVC to microservices.
- Reviewed code, managed issues, and ensured high code quality.
- Implemented new features, participated in business decisions like prioritizing tasks and estimates for new features, and improved the overall development process.
Technical Team Lead (MENA)
Cookpad
- Managed a team of developers, monitored performance, and ensured the consistent achievement of project targets/deliverables.
- Planned the workflow, assessed priorities, allocated timescales, and distributed work per level of expertise required.
- Utilized Ruby as well as Rails to develop user-facing features.
- Reviewed code, managed issues, and ensured the provision of high code quality.
- Managed update/code development project phases and ensured that documentation maximized usability, scalability, performance, and quality.
Full-stack Ruby on Rails Engineer
Perchwell
- Added new functionalities for the site.
- Moved from jQuery to use Backbone.js for the front end.
- Created tests for the project.
- Enhanced the performance of the site by creating a separate API to communicate with the front end using JSON.
Senior Ruby/Rails Developer
Dubber, Pty., Ltd. (via Toptal)
- Added new functionalities using Ruby on Rails.
- Created tests using RSpec and Capybara.
- Created UI components using HTML/CSS/CoffeeScript.
- Created new functionalities for the telephony system using WebRTC.
Ruby Developer
Clearlogin, Inc. (via Toptal)
- Created a scalable/fast log management system using a separate MongoDB and migrating the old data from MySQL.
Software Engineer, Account Manager
Cubiic
- Managed a small team to deliver a native mobile application and SMS-based solution. Handed the development, deployment, design, and architecture of the software for mobile operators and integrated the solution with the back-end and billing system of the mobile operator.
- Created a SMS-based chat application to chat with Facebook, MSN, GTalk, and Yahoo accounts using simple SMSs. Used the C++ and Qt framework to develop the application for performance issues and used Amazon cloud servers to scale. Developed this application for the Nedjma mobile operator http://www.wataniya-algerie.com/extranet/web/serviceparticulier/nedjma-net.
- Created a native iPhone and Blackberry chat application for Nedjma and integrated it with Nedjma’s billing system. Allowed the user to pay a monthly subscription, talk, and send unlimited photos and voice messages to friends. http://www.wataniya-algerie.com/extranet/web/serviceparticulier/nedjma-net.
- Created an iPhone application using Objective-C for Ramadan. Used Ruby and EC2 server for the back-end (http://itunes.apple.com/lb/app/live-ramadan/id385779970?mt=8).
- Built a WAP portal for Nedjma using WML for old devices, WAP 2.0, and XHTMLMP for smart phones (http://wap.nedjma.dz).
Project Manager, Software Engineer
NAHARNET
- Managed a small team of four Rails developers, one web designer, and one graphic designer. Used Scrum as a project management methodology and Basecamp to manage and track projects.
- Developed, deployed, and maintained the www.tahawor.com site.
- Developed, deployed, and maintained the www.naharna.com site based on Web 3.0 and semantic (RDF) technology.
- Developed, deployed, and maintained the http://elections.naharnet.com site.
- Applied TDD/BDD approaches to software development.
Software Engineer
TootCorp
- Handled development of the company sites (www.ikbis.com, www.watwet.com, and www.itoot.net) and added new features for them using the Rails framework as a primary web development framework language. Was also responsible for managing all the information technology needs of TootCorp network, including sites administration and other security issues.
- Created a Facebook application for the WatWet site using the rFacebook library (http://apps.facebook.com/watwets/).
- Modified both www.ikbis.com and www.watwet.com sites to Web 2.0 technology and Ajax.
- Developed several Ruby on Rails applications for internal and external uses.
- Developed a set of standards‐compliant SEO-friendly templates and widgets for our site. Developed several plugins for internal use. Managed and administered sites using EC2 cloud servers.
Web Developer
Jeeran
- Worked as a web developer on Jeeran, the biggest Arab social network and blogging site with more than 1 million active members. Used Microsoft technology (.NET, C#, Micosoft SQL server, etc.). Implemented numerous changes regarding the look and feel of the site (GUI) and tried to make it based on Web 2.0 technologies. Made the first Arabic Facebook application.
- Created the first Arabic Facebook application for the Jeeran site (JeeranBlogger) using.NET framework, FBML, FBJS, and other technologies. Allowed users to quickly and easily integrate existing blogs into their Facebook profiles, getting more exposure for their blogs and sharing content with friends (http://apps.facebook.com/jeeranblogappdemo/).
Experience
Clearlogin Log Management System
Dubber, Pty., Ltd. (via Toptal)
Perchwell - Real Estate Smart Engine
http://www.perchwell.comAI-powered Geo-contextual Social Platform
My work focused on building the core AI architecture, integrating OpenAI APIs for chat and embeddings, and developing a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) pipeline using LangChain and a vector database to enable semantic search across structured user profiles and unstructured social content. I also implemented geo-contextual data workflows to enforce strict location-based visibility and low-latency delivery.
The solution was deployed on Google Cloud Platform (GCP) as scalable Python microservices, with observability and cost controls integrated via Helicone. This enabled the client to accelerate MVP launch, validate localized user engagement, and establish a scalable foundation for future personalization and in-app digital currency features.
AI-powered Nurse Dispatch Platform
https://www.chromiehealth.comI built a production-ready NestJS back end with secure, role-based APIs to support nurse managers, supervisors, and admins. I integrated LLM APIs to power brand-aligned, compliant SMS messaging and decision support, enabling automated outreach, escalation, and confirmation flows. The system included intelligent nurse matching and ranking based on role eligibility, unit fit, availability, response history, and workload constraints, with explainable recommendations for managers.
I also implemented Twilio-based SMS pipelines, scheduling data ingestion from semi-structured CSV/Excel files, audit logging, and operational analytics such as fill rate and time-to-fill. The result was a scalable MVP that allowed hospitals to deploy in hours, automate chaotic manual workflows, and fill shifts in minutes instead of hours.


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Ruby Best Practices and Tips by Toptal Developers

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Ruby Best Practices and Tips by Toptal Developers

Ruby Best Practices and Tips by Toptal Developers

Ruby Best Practices and Tips by Toptal Developers

Ruby Best Practices and Tips by Toptal Developers

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Education
MicroMaster's Degree in Statistics and Data Science
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Online
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Engineering
Yarmouk University (YU) - Irbid, Jordan
Certifications
Probability - The Science of Uncertainty and Data
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Self-driving Car Engineer Nanodegree
Udacity
Machine Learning Nanodegree
Udacity
Sun Certified Java Programmer (SCJP)
Oracle
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
Cisco
Skills
Libraries/APIs
Node.js, Rack, Backbone.js, WebRTC, jQuery, ØMQ, jQuery Mobile, React, Facebook API, Pandas, Keras, OpenAI API
Tools
Bitbucket, Git, Terminal, Sublime Text, GitHub, RabbitMQ, Pivotal Tracker, Jira, Vim Text Editor, Basecamp, RSpec, Ansible, CircleCI, GitLab
Languages
Crystal, Ruby, Python, SQL, CoffeeScript, Sass, JavaScript, CSS, Bash Script, HTML5, C++, XHTML, C#, HTML, Java, PHP, Objective-C, Erlang, TypeScript, Rust
Frameworks
Angular, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Celluloid, Core Telephony, Ember.js, Bootstrap, Sinatra, RubyMotion, NestJS, Qt, .NET, Capybara, Cocoa, Hadoop, Next.js, LangGraph
Paradigms
Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Agile Software Development, Actor Programming, Concurrent Programming, Behavior-driven Development (BDD), DevOps, Model View Controller (MVC), Functional Programming, Extreme Programming, Test-driven Development (TDD), Object-oriented Design (OOD), Distributed Programming, Scrum, Management, HIPAA Compliance
Platforms
Amazon Web Services (AWS), MacOS, Amazon EC2, Director, iOS, Linux, Heroku, Kubernetes, Blockchain, Oracle, Meteor, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), LangSmith, Twilio
Storage
Redis, Database Architecture, NoSQL, MongoDB, MySQL, Memcached, SQLite, Microsoft SQL Server, Elasticsearch, Neo4j, PostgreSQL
Other
Data Analysis, Team Leadership, Writing & Editing, CTO, Blockchain Development, Technical Leadership, Architecture, FastAPI, Back-end, LangChain, Full-stack, Full-stack Development, Cloud, Large Language Models (LLMs), Startups, RAG Architecture, Agentic AI, Security, SaaS, DApps, Customized Blockchains, Ember CLI, Natural Language Processing (NLP), AI Agents, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), Trailblazer, Team Management, Strategic Planning & Execution, Digital Transformation, Lean Startups, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Statistics, Reinforcement Learning, Self-driving Cars, Robotics, Deep Learning, Supervised Learning, Web Development, Applets, Networking, Securities, Business Process Automation, IT Strategy, Probability Theory, Engineering, Cross-functional Team Leadership, APIs, Retrieval-augmented Generation (RAG), Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Vector Databases, Weaviate, Helicone, AI Architecture, Real-Time Data Systems, API Integration, OpenAI, Anthropic, Prompt Engineering
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