Muhmud Ahmad, Developer in İstanbul, Turkey
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Muhmud Ahmad

Verified Expert  in Engineering

Database and Data Engineering Developer

Location
İstanbul, Turkey
Toptal Member Since
June 18, 2020

For over the past 20 years, Muhmud has been working with database services, mainly in the UK. He is a specialist in database development, administration, and business intelligence. Muhmud is also an accomplished Java/Spring full-stack developer, and AWS DevOps engineer, using tools such as Gitlab, Docker, and Kubernetes. More recently, he has also been involved with Go and Rust development. Muhmud's highly developed, hybrid skill set makes him a tremendous asset to any team.

Software DevelopmentData EngineeringBack-endData WarehousingData Warehouse DesignMicrosoft SQL ServerT-SQL (Transact-SQL)SQLETLPostgreSQLSQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS)SSHWindows ServerLinuxBashClusteringDropwizardNetAppAWS CloudCloudVerticaDTSSSRSSwaggerSolr

Portfolio

Anjuna
Go, Kubernetes, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Azure, Docker, Scripting, Jenkins...
Design Barn, Inc.
Rust, C++, Lottie, Cross-compilation, Graphics, Cross-platform, Android, iOS...
Yara
JavaScript, Java, PostgreSQL, TypeORM, GraphQL, Apollo, Microservices...

Experience

Databases - 20 yearsBusiness Intelligence (BI) - 7 yearsJava - 7 yearsAmazon Web Services (AWS) - 5 yearsJavaScript - 4 yearsScrum - 4 yearsDocker - 3 yearsSpring - 3 years

Availability

Part-time

Preferred Environment

Amazon Web Services (AWS), PostgreSQL, MySQL, Spring, Java, Docker, Go, Rust

The most amazing...

...project I've worked on was to develop a transformative transactional replication service using MS SQL and .NET to provide real-time business intelligence.

Work Experience

Rust/Go/C Developer

2021 - PRESENT
Anjuna
  • Developed and maintained back-end services written in Go.
  • Deployed Kubernetes clusters on Amazon EKS and Azure AKS using Terraform.
  • Built and maintained complex CI pipelines using Jenkins and Groovy.
  • Maintained low-level, customer-facing applications written in Go, Rust, and C.
  • Wrote automated system tests using Python and Pytest.
Technologies: Go, Kubernetes, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Azure, Docker, Scripting, Jenkins, Test-driven Development (TDD), Rust, Python

Senior Developer

2023 - 2024
Design Barn, Inc.
  • Created a cross-platform build system using Make for compiling a Rust library with multiple C/C++ dependencies, which would also be accessed via UniFFI by Android, Mac/iOS, and WASM.
  • Used Emscripten to compile Rust and add bindings for access through WASM.
  • Set up GitHub actions to control the release process upload of release artifacts and verify PRs.
  • Helped guide Rust development, help with best practices, and provide advice for best performance.
Technologies: Rust, C++, Lottie, Cross-compilation, Graphics, Cross-platform, Android, iOS, Kotlin, Xcode, Swift

Data | Java Architect

2021 - 2021
Yara
  • Designed a migration path for a web application from monolith to microservices. The web application has more than 100,000 users.
  • Led a team of four developers to implement the designed application migration path.
  • Took ownership of all PostgreSQL changes related to the migration.
  • Designed the database table structure to allow Outbox pattern implementation to stream data to Apache Kafka.
Technologies: JavaScript, Java, PostgreSQL, TypeORM, GraphQL, Apollo, Microservices, Test-driven Development (TDD), Apache Kafka

Database Architect | Java Lead | AWS Architect

2018 - 2021
Open Practice Solutions
  • Designed a database, optimized queries, indexed, and performed administration work for MySQL.
  • Designed and deployed a new MySQL database environment to an AWS-based Galera cluster with ZFS storage.
  • Led the design and development of new micro-services environment using Java and Spring WebFlux, and implemented services for payments and notifications.
  • Containerized all application deployments and migrated to Docker.
  • Built the AWS cloud environment from scratch, including site-to-site VPN, cross-site DNS, AWS Auto Scaling, database deployment, Redis caching, and more.
  • Designed and implemented a monitoring platform for all AWS and private cloud servers and applications using Graphite, ElasticSearch, logstash, Telegraf, and Grafana.
  • Built an event-driven streaming data pipeline solution using Java, MySQL, Debezium, and Apache Kafka.
  • Designed and implemented an OLAP data analytics platform using MonetDB columnar database and the Pentaho Mondrian OLAP server.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Docker, Elasticsearch, Grafana, Graphite, Galera Cluster, MariaDB, WebFlux, Spring 5, Boot, Spring, Java, MySQL, MonetDB, OLAP, Test-driven Development (TDD)

Technical Writer

2017 - 2020
IOD (via Toptal)
  • Wrote technical articles, whitepapers, and blog posts for NetApp relating to their latest cloud offerings, including ONTAP Cloud and Cloud Sync.
  • Worked with stakeholders to create ideas for new articles, determine article scope, and review changes.
  • Performed proof of concept and performance testing work in AWS with ONTAP Cloud in order to provide statistics and test results for various articles.
  • Ensured the technical accuracy of articles produced by other writers.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Database Management Systems (DBMS), Azure, NetApp

Database Architect | Node.js Developer

2018 - 2019
Perdoor (via Toptal)
  • Designed and implemented a back-end RESTful API for mobile property app, including a database design and development using MySQL.
  • Developed Node.js and JavaScript API using Express.js and Swagger.
  • Worked with project owner to aid in product development and design of the iOS mobile app UI.
  • Deployed all back-end services to AWS and the setup of cloud-based dev/test environments.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), JavaScript, Node.js, MySQL

AWS RDS | Database Developer

2018 - 2018
Quick, Inc. (via Toptal)
  • Designed new, relational database schema in PostgreSQL for migration to AWS RDS from existing Firebase system.
  • Created the full documentation, including database diagrams, design overview, additional functionality, such as for encryption-at-rest & field-level encryption, etc.
  • Built models in JavaScript using the Objection.js ORM for access to the database with tests created for basic CRUD operations.
  • Constructed a mechanism for automatic PostgreSQL types to JSON handling in JavaScript which allows for easy data manipulation in the client and structured storage in the database server.
  • Created other JavaScript database maintenance functions such as for adding values to PostgreSQL enums, generating unique user-friendly ID values with efficient duplicate handling, etc.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Objection.js, JavaScript, Node.js, Firebase, PostgreSQL

Database Designer | Node.js Developer

2017 - 2018
Humanlytics (via Toptal)
  • Completely redesigned an MS SQL database system created by Chinese developers which required working with the team in China through translated Skype sessions to understand the requirements.
  • Wrote migration scripts to populate the new database schema from the existing data as well as performing a reconciliation to ensure migrated data was accurate.
  • Developed a RESTful API from scratch using Node.js (ESLint, Flow, Jest, Sequelize) and based on the newly developed database system.
  • Created API endpoints for reporting that enabled users to specify custom data warehousing style aggregate queries to return data for the dashboards and reports.
  • Implemented Apache Solr to provide search capability for customers, personnel, departments, and more. Developed independent business logic modules for salary calculation with full unit test coverage.
  • Managed the set up and deployment of the API and front-end UI in AWS and Ali Cloud using Docker. Created a daily database refresh mechanism for the new database system hosted in Ali Cloud RDS.
Technologies: Reporting, Business, JavaScript, Node.js, Microsoft SQL Server

Data Engineer | BI Developer

2017 - 2017
Cartful Solutions, Inc. (via Toptal)
  • Developed complex reporting functions in SQL for event data stored in Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL.
  • Made significant use of PostgreSQL JSON support to query event payloads.
  • Designed a reporting schema for the data to be hosted on Amazon RedShift.
  • Developed an ETL process for the event data to be loaded into the reporting schema.
Technologies: JSON, SQL, Redshift, Relational Database Services (RDS), PostgreSQL, ETL

CTO

2015 - 2016
Vedel IT Sdn Bhd
  • Developed a back-end REST API for an in-house recruitment system using Java and PostgreSQL.
  • Took ownership of the technical evaluation for new hires in various technology areas.
  • Provided presales technical consultations for prospective clients.
  • Performed structured evaluations of competing third-party software platforms for the company's back-office processes.
  • Implemented the line management for the company's internal IT team.
Technologies: AngularJS, REST, PostgreSQL, Java

SQL Server BI Architect

2015 - 2015
Cubic Transportation Systems Ltd.
  • Designed and implemented a project that involved an accounting and operations data warehouse using SQL Server 2014 Analysis Services.
  • Developed a web application to manage invoicing information using ASP.NET MVC and AngularJS.
  • Built a back-end SOAP web service in C# to support the invoicing application's front-end.
  • Implemented an SSIS ETL process to pull data from multiple data sources, including Oracle.
  • Performed on-call support for the TfL's (Transport for London) SQL Server infrastructure.
Technologies: Oracle, AngularJS, Model View Controller (MVC), SOAP, ASP.NET, SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), SSAS, SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), Microsoft SQL Server, ETL

MySQL Database Administrator and Developer

2013 - 2015
City Link, Ltd.
  • Migrated and upgraded MySQL servers from a physical to a virtual cloud—including a configuration review, performance testing of new servers, and setup of replication for high availability.
  • Developed a message processing back-end system using Java, RabbitMQ, and Memcached for the processing of over a million real-time messages per day.
  • Built a WebSockets-based web front-end dashboards for real-time reporting using D3.js.
  • Assessed various NoSQL solutions, including Redis and Riak, to be used alongside MySQL.
  • Designed and implemented a financial data warehouse using SQL Server Analysis Services.
Technologies: SSAS, Microsoft SQL Server, D3.js, WebSockets, Memcached, RabbitMQ, Java, MySQL, ETL

Database Architect

2006 - 2013
Aspect Capital, Ltd.
  • Rearchitected the legacy environment from multiple platforms, including Oracle and MySQL, to a single MS SQL environment with OLTP and reporting clear separation.
  • Implemented a system on top of the NetApp SAN infrastructure to provide a snapshot-based backup/restore and the instant creation of writable clone copies for databases of any size for testing.
  • Set up a database mirroring for high availability as well as implementing PowerShell scripts to perform failovers.
  • Developed a transformative transactional replication system using C++, CLI, and MS SQL features, such as CDC and Service Broker, to implement a real-time reporting system.
  • Performed a POC for three competing platforms to host a financial tick database holding row volumes in the billions, including Oracle Hybrid Columnar Compression (HCC) and Vertica.
  • Applied a PowerShell-based SQL Server build system for performing repeatable server builds, allowing for full operating system and database server configuration.
  • Implemented a Windows service using C++ and CLI to manage the MS SQL database environment, including backups, maintenance, archiving, monitoring, and documentation.
  • Used XSLT to create code generators for Java, C++, CLR, and SQL.
Technologies: Windows PowerShell, Zenoss, Vertica, NetApp, C++/CLI, C, C++, Java, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, C#, Python, Database Migration, ETL

MS SQL | DBA | Developer

2003 - 2006
Newchurch Ltd.
  • Administered an MS SQL server for a two-node failover cluster environment hosting externally-accessed reporting back-end.
  • Maintained Oracle development servers as well as provided support and advice to .NET and database developers.
  • Designed and implemented a large-scale Oracle batch processing system using PL/SQL and Java.
  • Implemented a data transformation system for hospital episode statistics using Oracle and featuring complex multi-row calculations.
  • Used XSLT to perform PL/SQL code generation for data cleaning and transformation service in Oracle and create XML data reports.
Technologies: Clustering, Linux, DTS, .NET, Java, PL/SQL, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server

Developer

2000 - 2003
The Retail Experience, Ltd.
  • Developed a handheld-based productivity system for a major footwear retailer.
  • Built a PoC for using MS SQL replication for managing the distribution of data to 300 remote sites.
  • Implemented a complex reporting SQL for the company's back-end MIS reporting system.
  • Implemented the commission part of the system—including application development and back-end SQL reporting.
Technologies: Microsoft SQL Server, Visual Basic

Business Intelligence Project for Healthcare Sector

I designed and implemented a star-schema based SQL business intelligence solution for a client in the US from scratch. This included the incremental synchronization process, data access via OLAP, and data visualization dashboards using Vue.js.

AWS Migration from Private Cloud Provider

I facilitated the complete migration of a US client from a private cloud provider to AWS from scratch, comprising over a hundred servers. This included setting up a site-to-site VPN connection and other networking using Terraform to automate cloud deployments, implementing Docker as a mean for application deployment, migrating MySQL database systems with minimal downtime, and much more.

Java/Spring Boot Microservices Development

I designed and implemented the full complement of microservices from scratch for a client that wished to move away from a monolithic architecture. This included services for notifications through Amazon Pinpoint, Payment Gateway integration, scheduling services, OLAP services built on Mondrian, as well as other application-specific services. These servers were built to be horizontally scalable and work co-operatively when multiple instances were deployed.

qsh - Query SHell

https://github.com/muhmud/qsh
A tool that gives you a GUI-like SQL environment within your terminal, with an editor above and SQL results at the bottom. Qsh will also work over SSH connections and supports many different editors and database servers.

Related Blog: https://medium.com/@muhmud.ahmad/improving-on-the-command-line-sql-experience-48c2b544c71b

Smart.SqlClr

https://github.com/muhmud/Smart.SqlClr
This is a SQL CLR library implemented in C++/CLI that adds many interesting data types and utilities to an MS SQL database, including: lists, maps, SortedMaps, Tuples, and more.

Languages

T-SQL (Transact-SQL), SQL, Java, C#, C++/CLI, XML, XSLT, MDX, Bash, XSD, C++, Go, C, Visual Basic, PHP, Python, JavaScript, Scala, CSS3, HTML5, GraphQL, Snowflake, Rust, Kotlin, Swift

Tools

SSAS, Eclipse IDE, Apache Maven, Emacs, Solr, Jira, Git, Docker Compose, ELK (Elastic Stack), Logstash, Zenoss, DTS, Grafana, Mondrian, Terraform, Visio, Amazon Simple Email Service (SES), Microsoft Visual Studio, RabbitMQ, TFS, Erwin, AccuRev, ScalaTest, AWS SDK, GitLab, Kibana, Jenkins, Xcode

Paradigms

ETL, Entity-relationship Diagrams, Business Intelligence (BI), Test-driven Development (TDD), Scrum, REST, OLAP, Microservices, RESTful Development, Model View Controller (MVC), Functional Programming, Behavior-driven Development (BDD), Reactive Programming, DevOps, Cross-platform

Storage

PostgreSQL, Database Administration (DBA), Database Modeling, Microsoft SQL Server, SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS), Database Migration, MySQL, Database Replication, NetApp, Oracle PL/SQL, JSON, SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), PL/SQL, Redshift, Database Management Systems (DBMS), MariaDB, MonetDB, Vertica, NoSQL, Redis, Riak, Memcached, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Elasticsearch, Databases, MongoDB

Other

Data Engineering, Data Architecture, Data, Data Warehousing, Query Optimization, Software Development, Data Warehouse Design, Freelancing, Back-end, Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery (BCDR), SANs, SSH, SMO, Architecture, Multithreading, Relational Database Services (RDS), Business, Reporting, Boot, Galera Cluster, Graphite, Shell Scripting, RESTful Microservices, Entity Relationships, SOAP, SCOM, WebSockets, Clustering, IIS, High Availability Disaster Recovery (HADR), Cloud, TypeORM, Apollo, Computer Science, Scripting, Cross-compilation, Lottie, Graphics

Frameworks

Spring, Windows PowerShell, .NET, JUnit, Dropwizard, Hibernate, Spring 5, Express.js, Swagger, Spring Boot, ASP.NET, WebFlux, AngularJS, Lift, JNI

Libraries/APIs

Node.js, Objection.js, Vue, D3.js, REST APIs

Platforms

Oracle, Amazon EC2, Linux, Windows Server, Docker, Azure, Firebase, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Apache Kafka, Kubernetes, Android, iOS

1996 - 2000

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science (Software Engineering)

Wolverhampton University - Wolverhampton, UK

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