Muktar is available for hire
Hire MuktarMuktar Sayed Saleh
Verified Expert in Engineering
Full-stack Developer
Location
İstanbul, Turkey
Toptal Member Since
June 5, 2020
Muktar is a full-stack developer with a wealth of experience—over 22 years—and a passion for software development, which started at the age of 12 when he pondered if he could make a computer program. That passion grew into a career. Today, Muktar is the founder and CEO of his own company focused on the Middle Eastern and North African markets. He also has a master's degree in web technologies and certifications in AWS, GCP, and Alibaba Cloud.
Portfolio
Mercator AI
Django, Django REST Framework, AWS Lambda, AWS Step Functions, PostgreSQL...
AirAsia Group Berhad
Python, PHP, JavaScript, Team Leadership, Google Cloud Build...
GoQuo
Amazon Web Services (AWS), Solution Architecture, REST APIs...
Experience
Availability
Part-time
Preferred Environment
Slack, Postman, Git, Terminal, MacOS, Visual Studio Code (VS Code)
The most amazing...
...project I've developed is a freelance marketplace aimed at the Middle East and North Africa, which launched in February 2020 and has 120,000+ users.
Work Experience
Director of Software Engineering
2021 - 2023
Mercator AI
- Spearheaded the development and evolution of Mercator.ai's construction intelligence platform from its initial conceptual stage to a fully functional product.
- Led a team of six software engineers and provided guidance and mentorship throughout the development lifecycle.
- Leveraged AWS—ECS, Fargate, API Gateway, Lambda, Step Functions, S3, RDS, EC2, CloudWatch, and ElastiCache—to design and deploy scalable and reliable cloud infrastructure.
- Utilized Python, Django, and Django REST framework to architect and develop the platform's back-end infrastructure.
- Collaborated closely with co-founders, product owners, and developers to ensure that industry knowledge and insights were effectively incorporated into the design phase of projects.
Technologies: Django, Django REST Framework, AWS Lambda, AWS Step Functions, PostgreSQL, PostGIS, AWS Fargate, API Gateways, Redis, Amazon EC2, Amazon CloudWatch, Python, Leadership, Terraform, NoSQL, FastAPI, Cloud, Full-stack, DevOps, APIs, Celery, Amazon Elastic Container Service (Amazon ECS), Containerization, CI/CD Pipelines, Machine Learning, Large Language Models (LLMs), OpenAI, OpenAI GPT-3 API, Internet of Things (IoT), API Development, Serverless, Kubernetes, Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS), Git Flow, Amazon DynamoDB, Message Queues
Software Engineering Manager
2020 - 2021
AirAsia Group Berhad
- Took the technical ownership of all the different aspects of the Lemon platform, including applications back end, applications front end, and DevOps.
- Led and coached a team of ten engineers—three data engineers, three back-end developers, two front-end developers, and two QA engineers—by providing technical guidance and conducting code reviews.
- Set up engineering practices and strategies for the engineering team, which included GitFlow, code review, deployment process, and pair programming, and implemented automation on all parts that can be automated.
Technologies: Python, PHP, JavaScript, Team Leadership, Google Cloud Build, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Stripe, CSS, SQL, NPM, Ajax, NoSQL, FastAPI, Cloud, Full-stack, DevOps, APIs, Celery, PostgreSQL, Amazon Elastic Container Service (Amazon ECS), Containerization, CI/CD Pipelines, Machine Learning, Bootstrap, Internet of Things (IoT), API Development, Serverless, Kubernetes, Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS), Git Flow, Amazon DynamoDB, Message Queues
Software Engineering Manager
2019 - 2020
GoQuo
- Led and coached a team of eight engineers (three data engineers, three back-end developers, and two front-end developers), providing technical guidance and conducting code reviews.
- Set up engineering practices and strategies for the engineering team (e.g., GitFlow, code review, deployment process, pair programming, and so on) and implemented automation on all the parts that can be automated.
- Implemented a fully automated CI/CD pipeline using GCP Cloud Build and Terraform to automate all the work and deploy the code from the developer's machine to the GKE cluster with a single Git push command.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Solution Architecture, RESTful Development, REST APIs, HTML, Microservices Architecture, Terraform, Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), Slack, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), JavaScript, Python, PHP, Node.js, Stripe, CSS, SQL, NPM, Express.js, Ajax, NoSQL, FastAPI, Cloud, Full-stack, DevOps, APIs, Celery, PostgreSQL, Amazon Elastic Container Service (Amazon ECS), Containerization, Multitenancy, CI/CD Pipelines, Bootstrap, Internet of Things (IoT), API Development, Serverless, Kubernetes, Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS), Git Flow, Amazon DynamoDB, Message Queues
Senior Full-stack Engineer | Tech Lead
2018 - 2019
JobStreet.com | SeekAsia Group
- Designed and implemented a few new microservices for the hirer domain systems to decouple huge legacy monolith systems and consolidate two brands iteratively, with a shorter lead time.
- Implemented a new solution for the higher domain schedule tasks runner (BTR) for better monitoring, using Jenkins and a custom Python DSL generator script to automate the migration of the Windows schedule tasks into Jenkins.
- Contributed to the planning and led the cloud migration initiative by providing alternative patterns of migrating legacy systems that can’t be migrated using the lift-and-shift pattern from our own on-premise data center to AWS.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Solution Architecture, RESTful Development, REST APIs, HTML, Microservices Architecture, Terraform, Slack, C#, ASP.NET, Microsoft SQL Server, .NET, JavaScript, Python, PHP, Node.js, Stripe, CSS, SQL, NPM, Express.js, Ajax, NoSQL, Cloud, Full-stack, DevOps, APIs, Celery, Amazon Elastic Container Service (Amazon ECS), Containerization, CI/CD Pipelines, Bootstrap, API Development, Serverless, Kubernetes, Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS), Git Flow, Amazon DynamoDB, Message Queues
Senior Web Developer
2015 - 2018
Tigerlab
- Designed and implemented most of Tigerlab’s main product—Insurance Solution—complex features using Django and the Django REST framework.
- Collaborated with the team to support multiple Malaysian and overseas clients of Tigerlab’s insurance system.
- Spearheaded the initiative of setting up an automated CI/CD pipeline for Tigerlab’s insurance software using AWS and Terraform.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Django REST Framework, Django, API Integration, Solution Architecture, RESTful Development, REST APIs, HTML, Terraform, Slack, Python, Sublime Text, Stripe, CSS, SQL, Ajax, NoSQL, FastAPI, Cloud, Full-stack, DevOps, APIs, Celery, Containerization, Multitenancy, CI/CD Pipelines, Bootstrap, API Development, Serverless, Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS), Git Flow, Amazon DynamoDB, Message Queues
Senior Web Developer
2015 - 2015
TWITTERJAYA Sdn Bhd
- Analyzed and implemented most of the new web apps and websites for the company's customers using PHP and Node.js.
- Cooperated with the team to enhance existing platforms for the company, e.g., internal projects like TwitterJaya's Citizens and Eligo Platform, using PHP frameworks, such as CodeIgniter and Laravel.
- Led and developed the 2014 web annual report of Axiata Group of companies, a large group in South East Asia; the annual report can be found here at Axiata.com/media/upload/investors_relations/ar.
Technologies: Cordova, jQuery, API Integration, Solution Architecture, RESTful Development, REST APIs, HTML, Slack, CodeIgniter, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), JavaScript, PHP, Node.js, Framework7, CSS, SQL, Express.js, Ajax, Cloud, Full-stack, DevOps, APIs, Celery, Containerization, Bootstrap, API Development, Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS), Git Flow, Message Queues
Senior Full-stack Engineer | Executive Manager
2013 - 2015
IST | The International Company for Services and Technologies
- Analyzed, designed, and implemented all of the IST's e-payment systems for kiosk machines from both client-side and server-side.
- Implemented many API integrations with service providers to ensure that our kiosk machine users pay their bills using our machines.
- Recruited and trained a team of four developers for the e-payment project and oversaw the development teamwork.
Technologies: API Integration, Solution Architecture, RESTful Development, REST APIs, HTML, C#, ASP.NET, Microsoft SQL Server, .NET, JavaScript, CSS, SQL, Ajax, Full-stack, APIs, Bootstrap, API Development
Senior Web Developer
2011 - 2013
Ajram-Tech
- Collaborated with team members to analyze, design, and implement the required systems and applications and their databases.
- Primarily developed web-based ERP systems during my time there.
- Wrote a library to extend the PHP CodeIgniter framework to enable the autogeneration of all CRUD pages in very minimal time.
- Implemented many integrations with social media APIs like Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, and so on, mainly for authentication.
Technologies: Cordova, jQuery, API Integration, RESTful Development, REST APIs, HTML, CodeIgniter, PHP, CSS, SQL, Ajax, Full-stack, APIs, Bootstrap, API Development
Freelance Full-stack Developer
2002 - 2011
Self-employed
- Developed and published the first compiler for Arabic poetry, which can convert written Arabic sentences into their spoken case, using linguistic and NLP methods (The Al-Faraheedy project can be found on my GitHub account.).
- Built an automated web vulnerability scanner for famous attacks, e.g., XSS, SQL injection, remote file inclusion, and so on, using C# (the project can be found on my GitHub account under the AVD.NET project).
- Constructed many ERP systems using Visual Basic 6.0 and .NET framework, e.g., Pharmacy 2007, car rental system 2008, and more, which all can be found on my GitHub account.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Cordova, jQuery, API Integration, Solution Architecture, REST APIs, RESTful Development, HTML, Gulp, CodeIgniter, .NET, JavaScript, Python, PHP, CSS, SQL, Ajax, Full-stack, APIs, Bootstrap, API Development
Experience
Employee Benefits Platform
An employee benefits platform that gives employees access to their salaries on demand. As opposed to advances or loans, employees can access their wages as they earn them through a simple Whatsapp chatbot.
For this project, I used the following tech stack:
• Back end: Django, Django REST Framework, Cookiecutter.
• Database: PostgreSQL.
• Infrastructure: AWS.
• Third-party Integrations: Wavecell ChatApps API and CircleCI for CI/CD.
For this project, I used the following tech stack:
• Back end: Django, Django REST Framework, Cookiecutter.
• Database: PostgreSQL.
• Infrastructure: AWS.
• Third-party Integrations: Wavecell ChatApps API and CircleCI for CI/CD.
CDP for Airlines
https://cloud.google.com/customers/travlytixThis project is a customer data platform (CDP) for airlines to empower marketers within the airlines to run smart marketing campaigns based on big data collected from multiple data sources, e.g., IBE, PSS, GDS, and so on.
This project was developed originally for one of the companies I worked for as a full-time employee.
This project was developed originally for one of the companies I worked for as a full-time employee.
Madrasaa
A SaaS platform for schools that consists of four applications:
• A web platform for the system management allowing them to manage the tenants.
• A web platform for the school and its staff to track and register all the students' data and activities.
• A hybrid mobile application for the students and parents to access their data and any vital information shared by the management or teachers in real-time.
• A hybrid mobile application for school bus drivers to track students and bus routes daily without any need for additional hardware.
• A web platform for the system management allowing them to manage the tenants.
• A web platform for the school and its staff to track and register all the students' data and activities.
• A hybrid mobile application for the students and parents to access their data and any vital information shared by the management or teachers in real-time.
• A hybrid mobile application for school bus drivers to track students and bus routes daily without any need for additional hardware.
An Online Freelance Agency
A freelance marketplace for the Middle East and North Africa.
For this project, I used the following stack:
• Back end: PHP 7 and Laravel.
• Front End: HTML5, CSS3, Bootstrap 4, and jQuery.
• Infrastructure: AWS.
• Database: MariaDB and Redis.
For this project, I used the following stack:
• Back end: PHP 7 and Laravel.
• Front End: HTML5, CSS3, Bootstrap 4, and jQuery.
• Infrastructure: AWS.
• Database: MariaDB and Redis.
Fresh & Grill App
Fresh & Grill is a fish marketplace mobile application for the Abu Dhabi market mainly. I developed both the back end and the mobile application for this company, and they launched the application formally in July 2019.
Majerreh | eCommerce App
https://majarreh.com/Majerreh is an eCommerce mobile application for the Saudi Arabia market mainly. I developed both the back end and the mobile application for this company, and they just launched it formally in May 2020.
Insurance Software
This software was developed for one of the companies I've worked for before as an employee. I am adding it to my portfolio since I was the one who mainly implemented most of the complex features of this platform.
MamaWosh Platform
MamaWosh was a startup based in Kuala Lumpur which provides a laundry on-demand service. To deliver what they had promised, MamaWosh needed a comprehensive platform. I had the honor of developing the entire platform (2015-2016). The startup couldn't survive due to the COVID-19 pandemic and shut down at the beginning of 2020. Due to my agreement with MamaWosh, I won't be able to share the actual platform URL. However, I can share screenshots.
Wakep
Wakep is an e-learning marketplace mobile application for Saudi Arabia. I developed both the back end and the mobile application itself. They have been maintaining this app for a third year now, and so far, they are thrilled with the user feedback.
Axiata Group Annual Report of 2014
https://www.axiata.com/media/upload/investors_relations/ar/This is a nice animated website representing the 2014 annual report of the Axiata group.
I've used a mixture of CSS3 animations, JavaScript animations, and scroll-based animations for this website to create a unique user experience. Please note that some of the pages might be broken now since I'm not maintaining the project after delivering it.
I've used a mixture of CSS3 animations, JavaScript animations, and scroll-based animations for this website to create a unique user experience. Please note that some of the pages might be broken now since I'm not maintaining the project after delivering it.
PsychFlow
A practice management platform built for a Toptal client focuses mainly on its first phase, allowing the practitioners to design their register and medical forms (medical notes and workflows) visually, using a simple, powerful, and dynamic form builder.
Oppa | SaaS Platform for Restaurants
A SaaS platform built for a Toptal client. This platform provides a system for multiple uses—booking, virtual queuing, COVID-19 tracking, and online restaurant orders—via different packages and subscription models through a web application and mobile apps.
From the very beginning, I was involved when the platform was just an idea until it was deployed to a production environment.
I wore multiple hats during this project as a back-end engineer, front-end engineer, and DevOps engineer. I also filled a leadership role and coached other team members.
From the very beginning, I was involved when the platform was just an idea until it was deployed to a production environment.
I wore multiple hats during this project as a back-end engineer, front-end engineer, and DevOps engineer. I also filled a leadership role and coached other team members.
AI-powered Call Center Using AWS
AI-powered call center using Amazon Connect and Amazon Lex enables customers to interact with a voice bot backed by a curated knowledge base in a natural and conversational manner. Customers can get answers to informational interactions, book appointments, and cancel appointments without waiting for a human customer service representative, thereby improving resolution time and customer satisfaction.
AI-powered Construction Tech Platform
https://mercator.ai/Mercator.ai is an AI-powered construction technology platform. It allows general contractors to gain access to real-time insights on early project signals, consulting engagements, and client strategies. I led a team in charge of developing the platform, overseeing all the phases, from its initial conceptual stage to a fully functional product.
Prospr
https://www.helloprospr.com/An AI digital financial planner built to help you achieve prosperity by understanding your financial profile and guiding you toward informed decisions.
The AI delivers personalized strategies, adapting to your goals and enhancing financial well-being through intelligent insights. Discover the path to prosperity with our comprehensive digital financial planner.
The AI delivers personalized strategies, adapting to your goals and enhancing financial well-being through intelligent insights. Discover the path to prosperity with our comprehensive digital financial planner.
Skills
Languages
PHP, Python, JavaScript, SQL, HTML, CSS, PHP 7, Python 3, C#
Frameworks
Laravel, Django, Framework7, Django REST Framework, CodeIgniter, Bootstrap, Express.js, .NET, ASP.NET
Libraries/APIs
jQuery, Stripe, Stripe API, PayPal API, Node.js, REST APIs, React, Stripe Connect, API Development, Google Sheets API
Tools
Terraform, Sublime Text, Terminal, Slack, Git, Postman, Amazon Connect, Amazon Lex, AWS Step Functions, AWS Fargate, Amazon CloudWatch, Celery, Amazon Elastic Container Service (Amazon ECS), Amazon Simple Queue Service (SQS), Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), NPM, Gulp, Google Sheets
Paradigms
Microservices Architecture, RESTful Development, REST, DevOps
Platforms
Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Docker, MacOS, Amazon Web Services (AWS), AWS Lambda, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), Amazon EC2, Kubernetes, Vercel
Storage
MySQL, PostgreSQL, Google Cloud, NoSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, PostGIS, Alibaba Cloud, Redis, Amazon DynamoDB
Other
Cordova, Solution Architecture, Ajax, API Integration, Team Leadership, Google Cloud Build, Web Technologies, Computer Engineering, Leadership, Stripe Payments, Serverless, APIs, API Gateways, FastAPI, Cloud, Full-stack, Containerization, Multitenancy, CI/CD Pipelines, OpenAI, OpenAI GPT-3 API, Git Flow, Message Queues, Wagtail CMS, Okta, Scraping, Machine Learning, Large Language Models (LLMs), Chrome Extensions, Google Workspace, GPT, Internet of Things (IoT)
Education
2012 - 2016
Master's Degree in Web Technologies
SVU | Syrian Virtual University - Istanbul, Turkey
2007 - 2011
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Engineering and Informatics
SIUST | Syrian International for Science and Technologies University - Istanbul, Turkey
Certifications
JUNE 2023 - JUNE 2025
Alibaba Cloud ACA - Cloud Native
Alibaba Cloud
MAY 2023 - MAY 2025
Alibaba Cloud Database - Associate
Alibaba Cloud
APRIL 2023 - APRIL 2025
Alibaba Cloud Security - Professional
Alibaba Cloud
MARCH 2023 - MARCH 2025
Alibaba Cloud Big Data - Professional
Alibaba Cloud
FEBRUARY 2023 - FEBRUARY 2025
Alibaba Cloud DevOps - Professional
Alibaba Cloud
JANUARY 2023 - JANUARY 2025
Alibaba Cloud Computing - Professional
Alibaba Cloud
JUNE 2022 - JUNE 2024
Alibaba Cloud Certified Relational Database — Speciality
Alibaba Cloud
JUNE 2022 - JUNE 2024
Alibaba Cloud DevOps — Speciality
Alibaba Cloud
NOVEMBER 2021 - NOVEMBER 2023
GCP Certified Solutions Architect — Professional
Google Cloud
OCTOBER 2021 - OCTOBER 2024
AWS Certified Solutions Architect — Professional
Amazon Web Services
OCTOBER 2021 - OCTOBER 2023
GCP Certified Cloud Developer — Professional
Google Cloud
OCTOBER 2021 - OCTOBER 2024
AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate
AWS
JANUARY 2020 - JANUARY 2023
GCP Associate Cloud Engineer
GCP
MARCH 2019 - MARCH 2022
AWS Certified Developer Associate
AWS
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