Rodrigo Varela
Software Developer
Location
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Toptal Member Since
December 7, 2020
Rodrigo is a software engineer, specializing in Android, Kotlin, Java, PHP, APIs, Bash, and databases. With over a decade of experience, he has led many teams, managed entire full-stack development projects, and excelled as a collaborative individual contributor. Rodrigo is a focused, organized, and productive developer, backed by a computer science degree from Buenos Aires University.
Rodrigo is available for hire
Hire RodrigoPortfolio
NSExtensions (via Toptal)
React, Node.js, Progressive Web Applications (PWA), PWA, Firebase...
Digital Creators Pty Ltd
JavaScript, Node.js, Python, Django, PostgreSQL, React, Web Architecture...
Life Skills Group
JavaScript, GitLab, GitLab CI/CD, Python, REST, Mobile Architecture...
Experience
Java - 13 yearsWeb - 10 yearsBash - 10 yearsHibernate - 8 yearsAndroid - 6 yearsAPI Design - 5 yearsProject Management - 5 yearsKotlin - 3 yearsLocation
Availability
Part-time
Preferred Environment
Trello, Slack, GitHub, MacOS, Blockchain, Crypto
The most amazing...
...app I developed is the official companion Android app for Moment mobile lenses. It ranked top-five in the camera app category on Google Play for three years.
Work Experience
2021 - PRESENT
Firebase Engineer
NSExtensions (via Toptal)
- Built a cloud-based, serverless solution, from scratch, based on Google Cloud Run and Firebase functions as the main architecture for the shipping solution the company is building.
- Developed a React PWA app to consume the services provided by the architecture mentioned above. Deployed in production for their main corporate client.
- Set up environments to handle corporate clients and a mass consumption app to be released soon.
- Developed a simple back office for data analysis based on React-admin.
Technologies: React, Node.js, Progressive Web Applications (PWA), PWA, Firebase, Firebase Hosting, Bash, TypeScript, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Serverless, CI/CD Pipelines, Linux, Docker, JSON, Firebase Cloud Functions, Full-stack, CircleCI, Stripe, QA Automation, Continuous Integration (CI), Release Management, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Microservices, Distributed Systems, Back-end, Task Analysis, APIs, Visual Studio, Twilio, Debugging, Architecture, Flutter, Next.js, REST APIs, Web Design, OAuth 2, Authentication, GIS, Interactive UI, API Integration, Web Development, Accounts, Sanity CMS, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Software Design, Leadership, Reporting, CRM APIs, JavaScript Libraries, Web Architecture, Mobile Architecture, ACH, Stripe API, Stripe Payments, Payment APIs, Technical Leadership, Startups, Scalability, Planning, Finance, Requirements Analysis, Cloud Infrastructure, UI Design, Front-end, UX Design, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), MUI (Material UI), Git, Responsive Design, Data Analysis, Logistics, Databases
2022 - 2022
Senior Full-stack Engineer Consultant
Digital Creators Pty Ltd
- Developed an app for a fitness startup focused on people with disabilities using Django, PostgreSQL, and React.
- Built a Node.js and Web3 React app for a fintech startup promoting sponsorship of low-income countries' sportsmen through NFTs.
- Created a health-related app via Firebase, Node.js, and React Native.
Technologies: JavaScript, Node.js, Python, Django, PostgreSQL, React, Web Architecture, Payment APIs, Technical Leadership, Startups, Planning, Finance, Requirements Analysis, UI Design, Front-end, UX Design, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Git, Responsive Design, Data Analysis, Databases
2021 - 2022
Senior Full-stack Engineer Consultant
Life Skills Group
- Performed code audit to create an improvement plan focused on reusability.
- Set up an npm repository linked to their git codebase to share libs internally. Used npm scripts to make the process of lib sharing easier for the developers.
- Made a full redesign of their main database to support the current company growth, including functional analysis, database schemas design, and tips for implementation.
- Applied general Git.js and software engineering best practices, providing consultancy when requested.
Technologies: JavaScript, GitLab, GitLab CI/CD, Python, REST, Mobile Architecture, Payment APIs, Technical Leadership, Startups, Planning, Requirements Analysis, Front-end, UX Design, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Git, Responsive Design, Data Analysis, Databases
2020 - 2020
Principal Software Engineer
Bilue
- Worked on Android projects for one of Australia's leading health insurance providers.
- Integrated with a company team to help the main developer transition to another project and helped build a new team.
- Tackled main screen tech-debt refactoring, app stabilization (from an approximate 94% crash-free session rate to over 99.6%), biometrics login, PDF claiming, and digital payments (Braintree integration and NFC EFTPOS device communications).
Technologies: Java, Kotlin, Android, CI/CD Pipelines, Linux, JSON, Firebase Cloud Functions, Android Studio, Android SDK, Buildkite, BrainTree, QA Automation, Continuous Integration (CI), Release Management, Software Architecture, RxJava, Retrofit, Amazon Web Services (AWS), PostgreSQL, Back-end, Technical Hiring, Source Code Review, Code Review, Task Analysis, Interviewing, Swift, iOS, APIs, C#, Team Management, Debugging, Architecture, Mobile App Development, WebSockets, REST APIs, Authentication, Interactive UI, API Integration, Web Development, Accounts, Software Design, Leadership, Okta, REST, Mobile Development, Mobile, Technical Leadership, Startups, Scalability, Planning, Requirements Analysis, Front-end, UX Design, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Git, Responsive Design, Bluetooth, Data Analysis, Databases
2018 - 2020
Android Lead Engineer
Moment
- Built the Moment Android photography app to make the most out of Moment's adaptable lenses. I built the base level from scratch as the sole developer.
- Forged a team of remote developers across the globe, collaborating remotely on the product features. At the peak time, we were four developers across three time zones.
- Developed live image processing features, such as histogram, waveform, video bitrate setup, anamorphic de-squeezing, focus peaking, highlight clipping, shadow clipping, FPS, bitrate, and resolution configs based on device capabilities.
Technologies: OpenGL, RenderScript, Java, Android, Kotlin, CI/CD Pipelines, Linux, JSON, Android Studio, Android SDK, QA Automation, Continuous Integration (CI), Release Management, Software Architecture, Retrofit, Technical Hiring, Source Code Review, Code Review, Task Analysis, Interviewing, Swift, iOS, APIs, C#, Team Management, Debugging, Architecture, Mobile App Development, Interactive UI, API Integration, Software Design, Leadership, Reporting, Mobile Development, Mobile, Startups, UI Design, Front-end, UX Design, User Experience (UX), Git, User Interface (UI), Responsive Design, Bluetooth, Data Analysis
2017 - 2018
Senior Android Developer
UBank
- Implemented Firebase as the main tracking tool for crashes, allowing us to gather production information to fix complex, device-specific bugs.
- Maintained the application while developing the architecture for the app redesign and helped the company set up a team.
- Managed and implemented a security code compliance project on the underlying technology for VISA mobile payments.
Technologies: Android, Java, Kotlin, Firebase, CI/CD Pipelines, JSON, Android Studio, Android SDK, BrainTree, Continuous Integration (CI), Release Management, Software Architecture, RxJava, Microservices, Distributed Systems, Technical Hiring, Source Code Review, Code Review, Task Analysis, Interviewing, Swift, iOS, APIs, C#, Team Management, Debugging, Architecture, Microservices Architecture, Mobile App Development, REST APIs, Authentication, Interactive UI, API Integration, Accounts, Software Design, Leadership, Okta, Mobile Development, Mobile, Front-end, UX Design, User Experience (UX), Git, Responsive Design, Databases
2015 - 2016
Android Developer
Love Agency
- Contributed to the development, codebase maintenance, and improvements for Australia's number one Android betting app—the agency's most important client.
- Developed an Android smartwatch and companion app, from scratch, for fall and seizure detection.
- Oversaw a quality assurance process, thereby increasing code coverage from 0% to 50%.
Technologies: Android Wear, API Design, Android, Java, JSON, Android Studio, Android SDK, Continuous Integration (CI), Software Architecture, Laravel, Retrofit, PostgreSQL, Source Code Review, Code Review, Task Analysis, APIs, Debugging, Architecture, Mobile App Development, Interactive UI, API Integration, Software Design, Mobile Development, Mobile, Front-end, User Experience (UX), Git, Databases
2014 - 2015
Android Head Developer
Tachanfil
- Extracted newspaper information from the app and moved it into a back-end API service.
- Converted the app layout function from static to dynamic in order to resize layouts automatically when adding, removing, and updating newspaper content.
- Developed features such as content sharing, newspaper sortings per category based on users, and back-end selections.
- Set up and configured GitHub for code management and designed policies for the developers to come.
Technologies: JavaScript, Android, PHP, Java, JSON, Full-stack, Android Studio, Android SDK, Continuous Integration (CI), Release Management, Software Architecture, Retrofit, PostgreSQL, Back-end, Task Analysis, APIs, Team Management, Debugging, Mobile App Development, REST APIs, Interactive UI, API Integration, Software Design, Leadership, Front-end, Databases
2013 - 2015
Senior Software Engineer
Freelance
- Connected SIGRES, a ship residual and waste management system, to an Oracle database, using Hibernate, before going live on Argentina's national maritime ports.
- Configured dependency injection, using Spring, and introduced the first tests to the project. Established a TDD process, enabling developers to continue improving on this.
- Implemented an AFIP system integration for the Argentine Taxation Office, enabling login in with special privileges.
Technologies: Apache Struts, Oracle, Hibernate, Spring, Apache Struts 2, Java, XML, JSON, Full-stack, Android SDK, MySQL, CircleCI, Release Management, Software Architecture, Laravel, Microservices, PostgreSQL, Back-end, Technical Hiring, Source Code Review, Code Review, Task Analysis, APIs, Team Management, Debugging, Mobile App Development, REST APIs, Web Design, Interactive UI, API Integration, Web Development, Software Design, Leadership, Reporting, Drupal, Databases
2013 - 2014
Support Manager
FDV Solutions
- Assisted with building a support area to handle all the projects related to legacy support and establish best practices to tackle them.
- Built an internal team of developers willing to tackle this.
- Documented processes for onboarding, conflict resolution, project documentation, and Agile project tracking.
Technologies: Agile, Gantt Charts, Project Management, CI/CD Pipelines, JSON, Jenkins, Release Management, Technical Hiring, Source Code Review, Code Review, Task Analysis, Interviewing, APIs, Team Management, Software Design, Leadership, Reporting, Databases
2012 - 2013
Project Leader
FDV Solutions
- Implemented Scrum processes, incorporating the client into team meetings and discussions, which resulted in a very successful engagement.
- Incorporated showcases for clients as a way to demonstrate completed work prior to conducting retrospectives.
- Unified the project information in Jira as a single point of failure (SPOF) for the project.
Technologies: Jira, Project Management, Scrum, JSON, Jenkins, PostgreSQL, Task Analysis, APIs, Team Management, Leadership, Reporting
2011 - 2012
Senior Java Developer
FDV Solutions
- Created a graph to visualize time of day and drinks inputs for ENDWI, an alcohol consumption tracking app endorsed by the Texas government in the United States.
- Developed a Play Framework web back-end application for GSM geolocation used by Colombian post nets.
- Tracked and fixed bugs, using Jira as a reporting tool.
Technologies: Web, Oracle, Hibernate, Play, Java, XML, JSON, Jenkins, Software Architecture, PostgreSQL, Back-end, Source Code Review, Code Review, Task Analysis, APIs, Workflow, Microservices Architecture, Mobile App Development, Web Design, Web Development, Software Design, Leadership, Scalability
2010 - 2011
Technical Leader
Odea srl.
- Helped organize a remote team for YPF, a petrol company and Odea's main client, covering the main product for gas and petrol delivery tracking.
- Played a key role in the analysis, design, and development of the GasTracker system to identify the origins of gas for sale. Provided infrastructure consulting and configuration management.
- Conducted pulse meetings to manage projects related to maintenance, upgrades, and architectural improvements.
Technologies: JSF, Oracle, Java, XML, Linux, Full-stack, Jenkins, Software Architecture, PostgreSQL, Distributed Systems, Technical Hiring, Source Code Review, Code Review, Task Analysis, Interviewing, APIs, Team Management, Oracle Cloud, DevOps, Workflow, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Web Development, Leadership, Scalability
2009 - 2010
Developer Analyst
MercadoLibre
- Accomplished a long-overdue points migration (v2 to v3) over the MercadoPago (LATAM payments solution) platform, using PL/SQL scripts running at night, monitoring results every morning, and tweaking the process as needed.
- Implemented a search algorithm based on query matches against a category tree, using a weight-algorithm solution for the MercadoClics platform.
- Assisted with the company's transition from Waterfall to Agile project management methodologies.
Technologies: SQL, Oracle, Oracle PL/SQL, Java, XML, Linux, Full-stack, MySQL, Software Architecture, Microservices, PostgreSQL, Distributed Systems, Back-end, Task Analysis, APIs, Stress Testing, DevOps, Workflow, Mobile App Development, Web Development, Software Design, eCommerce, Scalability
2008 - 2009
Developer Analyst
Syscope
- Managed web-based projects, end-to-end, communicating directly with clients.
- Developed an open-source PHP component for a CakePHP framework to add language translations to websites easily (managed from the back end).
- Advanced rapidly to working on PHP production projects for clients after starting with zero PHP experience.
Technologies: CSS, JavaScript, HTML, Java, CakePHP, PHP, XML, MySQL, Amazon Web Services (AWS), PostgreSQL, Back-end, Task Analysis, APIs, DevOps, Software Design, JavaScript Libraries, eCommerce
2007 - 2008
Java Developer
Modhelus
- Conducted unit tests to improve coverage of the front-end web system while working as a trainee through my university internship program.
- Joined the back-end team and developed tree structure-based solutions for complex performance problems.
- Used the same tree-based solution for generating reports in CSV format.
Technologies: Java, Back-end, Task Analysis, Software Design, eCommerce
Experience
DSLR Professional Camera App for Android
https://www.shopmoment.com/I joined Moment to create the Android version of the existing iOS app from scratch. Later, I helped them build a team of remote developers to implement an exciting and complex roadmap of top-tech image processing features to take the app to the top of the charts.
Main achievements:
• Designed and built a fully Android native Camera2 API Kotlin app, from scratch, with core camera and video functionalities, such as flash modes, timers, ISO and shutter speed, white balance, and focus.
• Built a team of remote developers across the globe to tackle real-time image processing.
• Incorporated complex features like histograms, photographer analytics, and focus peaking, using low-level RenderScript and OpenGL code embedded in the app.
Main achievements:
• Designed and built a fully Android native Camera2 API Kotlin app, from scratch, with core camera and video functionalities, such as flash modes, timers, ISO and shutter speed, white balance, and focus.
• Built a team of remote developers across the globe to tackle real-time image processing.
• Incorporated complex features like histograms, photographer analytics, and focus peaking, using low-level RenderScript and OpenGL code embedded in the app.
Android Apps for On-demand Valet Parking Service
https://drop.car/I led a team of three developers to design the architecture and implement two applications for an Uber-like valet parking on-demand service: one app for the valet parkers (workers) and another for the consumers (users).
We built a Java app using a shared Gradle module with all the core functionality to maximize code sharing, thereby building both apps in the same project.
The application was a success for these reasons:
1. We successfully build an MVP showing the location tracking for both apps and the core "valet request" functionality.
2. From there, based on the proposed architecture, we could quickly grow by adding more functionalities, always sharing as much code as possible.
3. All the core functionalities were fully tested only once, guaranteeing the quality of the trunk of the app.
4. We left the main architecture clearly documented for future tech leads to improve it after I left.
We built a Java app using a shared Gradle module with all the core functionality to maximize code sharing, thereby building both apps in the same project.
The application was a success for these reasons:
1. We successfully build an MVP showing the location tracking for both apps and the core "valet request" functionality.
2. From there, based on the proposed architecture, we could quickly grow by adding more functionalities, always sharing as much code as possible.
3. All the core functionalities were fully tested only once, guaranteeing the quality of the trunk of the app.
4. We left the main architecture clearly documented for future tech leads to improve it after I left.
Web App MVP to Reverse Engineer
I was approached by an architect in Sydney who needed a way to automate real estate property investments based on government information that seemed inaccessible.
I reverse engineered the state government site to extract the information the architect needed and developed a small Django Python web app to automate the reports as an MVP. This was a short freelance engagement that gave her what she needed for her business.
I reverse engineered the state government site to extract the information the architect needed and developed a small Django Python web app to automate the reports as an MVP. This was a short freelance engagement that gave her what she needed for her business.
Skills
Languages
Java, Kotlin, PHP, JavaScript, XML, Bash, Python, HTML, CSS, TypeScript, C, SQL, C++, Swift, Python 3, C#
Frameworks
Spring, Hibernate, CakePHP 2, OAuth 2, Spring Boot, Android SDK, Flask, Laravel, Next.js, MUI (Material UI), RenderScript, Apache Struts 2, Play, JSF, Django, CakePHP, Apache Struts, Django REST Framework, Flutter
Libraries/APIs
React, Node.js, Retrofit, REST APIs, Stripe, Square API, Stripe API, OpenGL, Camera2 API, Django ORM, RxJava
Tools
Git, Android Studio, Subversion (SVN), Jenkins, CircleCI, Apache, Visual Studio, GitHub, Slack, Trello, Jira, GIS, GitLab, GitLab CI/CD
Paradigms
Agile, Microservices, REST, Web Architecture, Back-end Architecture, Continuous Integration (CI), Mobile Development, Testing, Unit Testing, Requirements Analysis, UX Design, Database Design, Stress Testing, Microservices Architecture, UI Design, Scrum, DevOps
Platforms
Android, Firebase, Linux, Mobile, Buildkite, Twilio, MacOS, Drupal, Oracle, Web, iOS, Django CMS, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Docker, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Blockchain
Storage
MySQL, JSON, Databases, PostgreSQL, Oracle PL/SQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle Cloud, Redis, MongoDB
Other
Software, Project Analysis, Project Tracking, Languages & Storage, Code Architecture, Architecture, Mobile Architecture, APIs, Software Release Management, Release Management, Data Architecture, Requirements, Story Mapping, Google Play Store, Mobile App Development, CI/CD Pipelines, Software Architecture, Back-end, Technical Hiring, Source Code Review, Code Review, Task Analysis, Team Management, Debugging, Authentication, Interactive UI, API Integration, Web Development, Accounts, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Software Design, Leadership, Payment APIs, Software Engineering, Technical Leadership, Planning, Front-end, User Experience (UX), Data Analysis, Scripting Languages, Scaling, Mobile Apps, HTTP, TCP/IP, UDP, QA Testing, QA Automation, Full-stack, Firebase Cloud Functions, Progressive Web Applications (PWA), Serverless, Square Payment Gateway, Bluetooth, Wearables, CTO, Startups, Interviewing, Workflow, Real-time Data, Sanity CMS, Reporting, CRM APIs, JavaScript Libraries, ACH, Stripe Payments, eCommerce, Scalability, Finance, Cloud Infrastructure, Video Streaming, User Interface (UI), Responsive Design, Logistics, API Design, Android Wear, Gantt Charts, Reverse Engineering, BrainTree, PWA, Firebase Hosting, Internet of Things (IoT), Distributed Systems, WebSockets, Crypto, Okta
Industry Expertise
Security, Project Management, Web Design
Education
2003 - 2012
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science
University of Buenos Aires - Buenos Aires, Argentina