Iulian Gulea, Developer in Chișinău, Chisinau, Moldova
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Iulian Gulea

Verified Expert  in Engineering

Software Engineer and Developer

Location
Chișinău, Chisinau, Moldova
Toptal Member Since
August 4, 2017

Iulian has over ten years of experience developing web projects of all sizes, from simple websites to complex SaaS products. He has worked individually, in teams, and in big companies and startups. This diversity of experience has broadened his technical skillset, and his time as a corporate trainer has helped him develop strong communication and people skills.

Portfolio

PepsiCo
Python, Django, Django REST Framework, React, Redux, D3.js, GitHub, Jira...
Tremor Technologies, Inc.
JavaScript, Jenkins, Mapbox, D3.js, PostGIS, PostgreSQL, Django REST Framework...
CodeFactory
JavaScript, Python 3, MySQL, Backbone.js, Django, Python, APIs, Full-stack...

Experience

Availability

Part-time

Preferred Environment

Git, PyCharm, MacOS

The most amazing...

...thing I've coded is a hurricane simulation engine that generates hurricane paths based on historical data and animates them based on their characteristics.

Work Experience

Full-stack Developer (Django and React)

2020 - PRESENT
PepsiCo
  • Optimized the loading time of the two main internal product pages from eight seconds to less than two seconds, from ten seconds to around 500 milliseconds, including a handful of minor optimizations on other pages for Project 1.
  • Rewrote a Django application into a Restful API back end and React front end for Project 1.
  • Integrated multi-tenancy and regionalization support into one of the existing products for Project 2.
  • Planned and led the re-architecture of the entire data model of the platform, which led to a ten times speedup of some data-intensive computations and simplified the management of the product hierarchy in Project 2.
  • Implemented an internal tool as part of the self-service support that allows users in their regions to define custom labeling of things on the platform for Project 2.
Technologies: Python, Django, Django REST Framework, React, Redux, D3.js, GitHub, Jira, PostgreSQL, TypeScript, JavaScript, Celery, CSS, HTML, APIs, RESTful Web Services, Full-stack, Software Design, Architecture, JSON, SQL, REST APIs, Unit Testing, Reports, Front-end, Docker, Agile, Back-end, Data Visualization, JavaScript Charting, Web Applications, Technical Leadership, Front-end Development, Cypress, UI Testing, QA Testing, UI Design, Testing, Webpack, User Interface (UI), Databases, Design Patterns, MVC Design, API Design, API Development, System Architecture, ECMAScript (ES6), Web Development, Full-stack Development, CI/CD Pipelines, Reporting, Microsoft Excel, Nivo

Senior Software Engineer

2018 - 2020
Tremor Technologies, Inc.
  • Developed a hurricane simulation engine based on historical data of over 100 years.
  • Created an API to serve the hurricane data and all the relevant metadata of the generated hurricanes.
  • Visualized and animated the generated hurricanes and the damages they have caused in real time.
  • Created 80% of visualizations of the platform to help reveal the hidden insights in the generated data.
  • Provided continuous implementation of features on the front end.
  • Optimized the performance of heavy computation/heavy rendering front-end pages.
  • Wrote, integrated, and optimized end-to-end tests in Jenkins.
Technologies: JavaScript, Jenkins, Mapbox, D3.js, PostGIS, PostgreSQL, Django REST Framework, Python, Angular, TypeScript, JSON, GIS, Unit Testing, Reports, Front-end, Agile, Data Visualization, JavaScript Charting, CSS, Web Applications, Technical Leadership, Front-end Development, Integration Testing, UI Testing, QA Testing, Node.js, HTML, Pandas, DataFrames, HTML5, Testing, Webpack, User Interface (UI), Databases, Design Patterns, Dashboards, API Design, Highcharts, Web Development, Canvas 2D, Visualization, GraphQL, Charts, REST APIs, Reporting, HTML Canvas, Dashboard Development, MUI CSS

Full-stack Web Developer

2017 - 2019
CodeFactory
  • Integrated a secure trading payment provider into the legacy codebase.
  • Integrated Hexopay payment provider into the legacy codebase.
  • Improved performance of the public API by decreasing critical endpoints response time from 18 and 9 seconds to 6 and <200ms by means of optimizing SQL queries and code logic.
  • Maintaining the legacy codebase, implementing feature requests and fixing bugs.
Technologies: JavaScript, Python 3, MySQL, Backbone.js, Django, Python, APIs, Full-stack, Leadership, JSON, SQL, REST APIs, Celery, Docker, Back-end, CSS, Jenkins, Integration Testing, QA Testing, HTML, UI Design, HTML5, Testing, Databases, MVC Design, Web Development, Full-stack Development, CI/CD Pipelines, DevOps, Automation, CSS Preprocessors

Co-founder, CTO

2016 - 2019
GAUS
  • Developed an online platform that automates the pre-screening step in a recruitment process. This was done by automatically analyzing applicant resumes and building and visualizing applicant profiles with suggested personalized questions to ask during the interview.
  • Prototyped and developed a chatbot using Messenger API that integrated with our back end to gather, analyze, and offer job offer suggestions to potential candidates.
  • Developed a web app that allowed users to build their "skill trees" that got matched against available job offers. The candidate received a list of job offers accompanied with a matching score on how good candidate's experience relates to the job description.
  • Deployed the chatbot and the web app on DigitalOcean.
  • Coordinated development process with two other developers.
Technologies: Python 3, Facebook Messenger API, PostgreSQL, D3.js, React, Django, Python, APIs, RESTful Web Services, Full-stack, Leadership, Software Design, Startups, Architecture, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), JSON, SQL, Amazon Web Services (AWS), REST APIs, Unit Testing, Reports, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Back-end, Pytest, Project Management, Data Visualization, JavaScript Charting, Technical Leadership, Front-end Development, QA Testing, Graphic Design, Web Design, Pandas, Design, Amazon RDS, Testing, User Experience (UX), Databases, Design Patterns, CTO, API Design, API Development, System Architecture, Web Development, Full-stack Development, Proof of Concept (POC), Visualization, DevOps, Automation, Dashboard Development, MUI CSS

Founder

2016 - 2016
HoP Games
  • Developed an infinite runner mobile game in Corona SDK that was published on Play Market.
  • Developed an educational mobile game to be published on Play Market.
Technologies: Phaser.io, Corona SDK, JavaScript, Lua, Graphic Design, Jest

CTO

2015 - 2016
Spark Research Labs
  • Developed a cloud-based inventory management solution designed to assist in the management of warehouse stocks throughout the supply chain.
  • Designed the architecture and partially worked on a schema-based multitenant SaaS application for accounting at SMEs with a RESTful API on the back end and a single-page application on the front end.
  • Worked on a SaaS marketing platform for computing the net promoter score (NPS) for products and services. The platform had several user roles for data collection as well as data aggregation and visualization.
  • Coordinated and coached a team of three developers.
  • Developed the technical agenda and coordinated the trainers and mentors team of a two-week-long summer camp: GirlsGoIT. The camp's goal was to educate and raise awareness of young girls in the IT domain.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), MySQL, Python 3, Web Services Description Language (WSDL), SOAP, D3.js, AngularJS, JavaScript, Django REST Framework, Django, Python, APIs, Full-stack, Leadership, Software Design, Startups, Architecture, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Amazon Elastic Container Service (Amazon ECS), SQL, REST APIs, Unit Testing, Front-end, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Back-end, Project Management, Data Visualization, JavaScript Charting, CSS, Web Applications, Technical Leadership, Front-end Development, Integration Testing, HTML, Design, Amazon RDS, Design Patterns, MVC Design, Amazon EC2, Angular, CTO, API Design, API Development, Swagger, System Architecture, ECMAScript (ES6), Web Development, Full-stack Development, Proof of Concept (POC), Visualization, DevOps, CSS Preprocessors, AWS Cloud Architecture, Charts, Reporting, Microsoft Excel, Open Office

Speakers' Coach

2014 - 2016
TEDxChisinau
  • Coached local and international speakers for TEDxChisinau events.
  • Provided feedback on the structure and presentations of speakers during the preparation process.
  • Organized and co-hosted four TEDx conferences.
Technologies: Microsoft PowerPoint

Web Developer/Corporate Trainer

2010 - 2015
Orange
  • Created an internal platform for the entire sales department that aggregates and visualizes quantitative and qualitative sales data and generates relevant reports for the sales management team.
  • Wrote Excel VBA scripts that automated report generation, reducing time from 16 to 1 hour required per report.
  • Developed a desktop application that reduced the time needed to find required archived documents with products and procedures information by 70%.
  • Supported an e-learning platform for testing the knowledge of sales employees.
  • Delivered training on soft skills for company employees and middle management.
Technologies: Python 3, MySQL, Google Chart API, D3.js, jQuery, JavaScript, Django, Python, Full-stack, Software Design, Architecture, SQL, CSS, Windows, Software Architecture, Visualization, Charts, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Dashboard Development

My DataViz Profile

http://datavizprofile.heroesofprogramming.com/
A personal page that reflects my abilities and knowledge about data visualization and that showcases some of the projects I have done in that area.

Data Science Moldova Community

https://www.facebook.com/datasciencemoldova/
Organized five events in which were discussed various topics related to data science and machine learning. For four out of five events, I delivered presentations on machine learning algorithms (regression, random forest, etc.) as well as facilitated the discussion groups during each event and presented the AI news block during each event.

Textury

http://textury.heroesofprogramming.com/
Textury is a tool for analyzing any body of text on the subject of emotional component and how exactly the speaker/writer uses emotions to make their point.

Satellizer

http://satellizer.heroesofprogramming.com
Satellizer is a tool to visualize eleven years of satellite launches, as well as to gain insights on the uses and users of satellites.

Heroes of Programming Blog

http://blog.heroesofprogramming.com/
A blog about programming in which the basic building blocks of a programming language and principles of programming are represented as heroes.

The reader can gain insights on how some basic things work as well as take quizzes and read interviews with developers from around the world.

GCleaner

A web app that allows for easier inbox management of unread emails. The app connects to the user's GMail account and allows them to manage unread emails in bulk.

Rust-charts

https://github.com/askanium/rustplotlib
A pure Rust visualization library inspired by D3.js.

If Words Were Leaves

https://www.facebook.com/ifwordswereleaves
An algorithm that transforms text into growing leaves. I built it with Django, React, Go, and D3.js and deployed it to Google Cloud.
The leaf generation happens based on the unique characteristics of each word. The user can select various styles of the final poster.

Personal Blog

https://iuliangulea.com
Discover the fascinating world of human cognition and personal growth through this insightful blog. Immerse yourself in a collection of captivating articles that delve into brain function, learning, and mastery across various domains. Uncover the secrets to unlocking your potential and nurturing self-improvement.

Dex Aggregator

I worked on a maximization algorithm to return the optimal amount of output tokens given an initial amount of input tokens and desired DEXes to participate in the exchange.
The algorithm can consider paths that use proxy tokens, meaning that if a user wants to exchange 100 USDC to ETH, it will consider USDC -> USDT -> ETH paths as well, in case the output for that path is better than directly exchanging USDC -> ETH.

Languages

SQL, CSS, HTML, Python 3, JavaScript, TypeScript, Python, ECMAScript (ES6), XML, Solidity, HTML5, Hugo, Python 2, Web Services Description Language (WSDL), Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), Lua, Rust, Go, GraphQL

Frameworks

Redux, Django, Angular, Django REST Framework, OAuth 2, MUI CSS, Scrapy, MUI (Material UI), Phaser.io, Flask, Corona SDK, AngularJS, JSON Web Tokens (JWT), Cypress, Next.js, Swagger, Jest

Libraries/APIs

REST APIs, React, D3.js, JavaScript Charting, Pandas, jQuery, Vue, Node.js, API Development, Highcharts, Gmail API, Google API, Beautiful Soup, Facebook Messenger API, Backbone.js, Natural Language Toolkit (NLTK), React Redux, NumPy, Scikit-learn, Google Chart API, Matplotlib, Restangular, Web3.js

Tools

Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Celery, PyCharm, Photoshop CS6, Slack, Trello, Pytest, Webpack, Canvas 2D, Open Office, Docker Compose, Microsoft PowerPoint, Jenkins, Gulp, Webpack 2, Seaborn, Git, GitHub, Canvas, Jira, Amazon Elastic Container Service (Amazon ECS), GIS, Plotly, Auth0

Paradigms

Unit Testing, MVC Design, Testing, Agile, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), UI Design, Design Patterns, DevOps, Test-driven Development (TDD), RESTful Development, Data Science, Functional Programming, Scrum, REST, Automation

Platforms

Ubuntu, Docker, Windows, Linux Mint, Linux, Blockchain, MacOS, Google App Engine, Web, Amazon EC2, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Mapbox, DigitalOcean, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Netlify, WordPress, Shopify, Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

Storage

MySQL, PostgreSQL, JSON, Databases, Redis, Google Cloud Storage, MongoDB, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), PostGIS, NoSQL, Google Cloud

Other

Full-stack, Back-end, APIs, Software Engineering, Charts, Data Visualization, RESTful Web Services, Reports, Front-end, Web Applications, Technical Leadership, Front-end Development, Dashboards, Web Development, Full-stack Development, Proof of Concept (POC), Visualization, Reporting, Dashboard Development, CTO, SVG, Leadership, Software Design, Startups, Architecture, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Cryptography, Integration Testing, QA Testing, Graphic Design, FastAPI, DataFrames, Design, User Interface (UI), API Design, System Architecture, CSS Preprocessors, HTML Canvas, Back-end Development, Algorithms, Material Design, DApps, Ethereum Smart Contracts, Cloud, Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Web Scraping, SOAP, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Chatbots, Data Analysis, Artificial Intelligence (AI), UI Testing, SEO Tools, Chrome Extensions, Amazon RDS, GPT, Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPT), User Experience (UX), Writing & Editing, Crypto, Software Architecture, CI/CD Pipelines, AWS Cloud Architecture, Nivo

Industry Expertise

Project Management, Web Design

2006 - 2010

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science

Technical University of Moldova - Republic of Moldova

SEPTEMBER 2018 - PRESENT

Smart Contracts Developer

Consensys Academy