Yakir is available for hire

Yakir Elkayam

Verified Expert in Engineering

Systems Architect and C++ Developer

Location

Giv'atayim, Israel

Toptal Member Since

November 9, 2020

Yakir is a C++ developer and systems architect with two decades of experience and deep expertise in application programming and 3D game development. He has worked as a freelancer for 17 years, mainly with startup companies in Israel. Yakir has developed several products that have a global reach, including a game engine that's used by millions of math students worldwide.

Portfolio

HikeLike.me

Vue, TypeScript, Apache Kafka, Python 3, OpenAI GPT-4 API, Tailwind CSS...

Offsight

React, TypeScript, Node.js, WebRTC, CSS, HTML, Electron, Flutter, SDKs, Kotlin...

Mainsail Holding LLC

Objective-C, Metal, MacOS, OpenGL, C++, Xcode, Git, Cocoa, GitHub, C++11...

Experience

Multithreading - 20 years C++ - 20 years 3D Games - 15 years OpenGL - 15 years Computer Graphics - 15 years 2D Games - 10 years Game Engine Programming - 8 years Firebase - 5 years

Availability

Part-time

Preferred Environment

Metal, GLSL, OpenGL, Google V8, JavaScript, C++, Games, React, WebRTC, TypeScript

The most amazing...

...project I've developed from scratch is the Matific game engine—a product used by millions of math students around the world.

Work Experience

Senior Full-stack Developer

2022 - PRESENT

HikeLike.me

Developed the product from A to Z, including front-end, back-end, and scraping tools needed for site functionality.
Managed transition from closed alpha to production while monitoring and fixing bugs reported by the hikers' community we built around the product.
Maintained the product website and back-end lifecycle.

Technologies: Vue, TypeScript, Apache Kafka, Python 3, OpenAI GPT-4 API, Tailwind CSS, Firebase, Scraping

Co-founder and CTO

2020 - 2022

Offsight

Developed the company's web and mobile communication applications and tools from the ground up.
Managed and tracked tasks using Jira, Figma, and other collaboration tools.
Overviewed the building of the company product from idea to successful execution.

Technologies: React, TypeScript, Node.js, WebRTC, CSS, HTML, Electron, Flutter, SDKs, Kotlin, GitHub, Cloud Firestore, Firebase, Dart, Visual Studio, JSON, Desktop App Development, Back-end, React Native, Mobile, MongoDB, Software Engineering, Mobile Development, Mobile Apps, Mobile App Development, Front-end Development, User Interface (UI), Microsoft Visual Studio, Back-end Development, HTML5, Blueprint, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), WebSockets, Cross-platform App Development, Mobile Applications, Full-stack Development, Vue, Google Play API, Bash Script, Docker, Front-end, Architecture, Canvas 2D, HTML5 Canvas, HTML Canvas, Tailwind CSS, Swift, Native Mobile Apps, Full-stack, Figma, Tablets & Smartphones, Smartphones, Animation, Windows App Development

MacOS Objective-C and Metal Framework Developer for Marine Navigation App

2021 - 2021

Mainsail Holding LLC

Reviewed the app's code to understand that the project's scope is smaller than the client thought and that there will be no need to refactor the rendering code to use Metal; a simple multithreading solution also worked.
Implemented a POC for the multithreading and caching implementation.
Transferred the project to another Toptal consultant since my Metal's expertise was not needed.

Technologies: Objective-C, Metal, MacOS, OpenGL, C++, Xcode, Git, Cocoa, GitHub, C++11, Computer Graphics, Software Engineering, Desktop App Development, User Interface (UI), 3D Rendering, 3D, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Game Development, Architecture, Desktop, 3D Graphics Engines

Freelance Consultant

2019 - 2021

Play Studios

Developed the app's core data framework that allows for fast and reliable data transfer between all the game components.
Refactored a big part of the code to align with the newest C++ coding standards and techniques.
Mentored three developers to help advance them to the next level of their C++ coding capabilities.

Technologies: 2D Games, 3D Games, OpenGL, C++, Android, iOS, GitHub, C++11, Visual Studio, JSON, Computer Graphics, Game Engine Programming, Back-end, 3D Graphics, Graphics, Mobile, Software Engineering, Games, Mobile Development, Mobile Apps, Mobile App Development, Microsoft Visual Studio, Multiplayer, Back-end Development, 3D Rendering, 3D, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Cross-platform App Development, Mobile Applications, Game Development, Bash Script, Architecture, Desktop, 3D Graphics Engines, Native Mobile Apps, Tablets & Smartphones, Smartphones, Animation, Mobile Game Development, 2D

Game Engine Developer

2014 - 2019

Matific

Developed the mobile game engine from scratch. The engine supports running math learning episodes written in JavaScript on mobile devices. The application is used by millions of math students around the world.
Tracked and fixed bugs using the Jira reporting tool.
Managed a team of three developers to further develop and optimize the engine.
Developed a reinforcement learning agent to help with the engine's QA.

Technologies: JavaScript, Metal, OpenGL, iOS, Android, Google V8, C++, Multithreading, Realtime, Mathematics, SDKs, GitHub, Dart, Linux, NVIDIA CUDA, Vulkan, C++11, SDL, Visual Studio, JSON, Computer Graphics, Game Engine Programming, Desktop App Development, APIs, Back-end, 3D Graphics, Graphics, Mobile, MySQL, PHP, Software Engineering, Unity, Games, Mobile Development, Mobile Apps, Mobile App Development, Microsoft Visual Studio, WebGL, Back-end Development, 3D Rendering, 3D, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), WebSockets, Unity3D, Cross-platform App Development, Mobile Applications, Game Development, Unity2D, Game Design, Bash Script, Architecture, Desktop, Canvas 2D, HTML5 Canvas, HTML Canvas, 3D Graphics Engines, Firebase, Native Mobile Apps, Tablets & Smartphones, Smartphones, Animation, Mobile Game Development, Windows App Development, Skia, 2D

Kernel Developer

2012 - 2015

ShineSecurity

Developed the kernel driver code of the ShineSecurity antivirus software.
Led a small team of developers who were responsible for the Windows version of the antivirus product.
Developed a release-ready driver after learning Windows kernel development from scratch.

Technologies: C, Windows Kernel Drivers, Multithreading, SDKs, Windows Driver Kit (WDK), Windows, GitHub, Linux, C++11, Visual Studio, APIs, Security, VPN, Software Engineering, Desktop App Development, User Interface (UI), Microsoft Visual Studio, Bash Script, Docker, Architecture, Desktop, Windows App Development

External Constructor

2007 - 2013

Funtactix Game Studio

Played a major role in developing the successful game series, The Hunger Game Adventures.
Designed and implemented the game's quest engine logic, which allowed it to create complex challenges and scenarios for the player.
Provided ongoing support with bug fixes and feature releases during the game's lifespan.

Technologies: HLSL, 3D Games, DirectX, C++, Multithreading, Mathematics, SDKs, GitHub, Linux, C++11, Visual Studio, JSON, Computer Graphics, Game Engine Programming, C#, Desktop App Development, APIs, SQL, Back-end, 3D Graphics, Graphics, Mobile, MySQL, PHP, Software Engineering, Games, Mobile Development, Mobile Apps, Mobile App Development, Front-end Development, User Interface (UI), Microsoft Visual Studio, Multiplayer, Three.js, WebGL, Back-end Development, 3D Rendering, 3D, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), WebSockets, Cross-platform App Development, Mobile Applications, Unity, Game Development, Unity2D, Game Design, Bash Script, Architecture, 3D Graphics Engines, Native Mobile Apps, Tablets & Smartphones, Smartphones, Animation, Mobile Game Development, SQL Performance, Windows App Development, 2D, 3D Animation

Freelancer and External Consultant

2008 - 2009

PrimeSense

Consulted with Prime Sense during the early development of the chip.
Collaborated with the hardware development team to create cutting-edge demos.
Designed and developed the company's main GDC 2008 demo.

Technologies: 3D Games, C++, Multithreading, Mathematics, SDKs, Visual Studio, Computer Graphics, 3D Graphics, Graphics, Software Engineering, Games, Microsoft Visual Studio, 3D Rendering, 3D, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Game Development, Bash Script, Architecture, 3D Graphics Engines, Tablets & Smartphones, Smartphones, Windows App Development, 3D Animation

Freelancer and External Consultant

2004 - 2007

Tiltan SE

Served as a lead programmer and designer on the Serious Games Foundation (SFC) team. The platform allowed us to develop multi-user trainers and weapon simulators quickly and affordably.
Created a VoIP system that was used during user training.
Oversaw several successful training sessions that included up to a hundred soldiers practicing complex, real-life scenarios in the virtual environment we built.

Technologies: Networking, 3D Games, C++, Multithreading, UDP, Mathematics, SDKs, Windows, Visual Studio, Computer Graphics, Game Engine Programming, C#, APIs, SQL, Back-end, 3D Graphics, Graphics, MySQL, Software Engineering, Games, Desktop App Development, User Interface (UI), Microsoft Visual Studio, Multiplayer, Back-end Development, 3D Rendering, 3D, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), WebSockets, Game Development, Augmented Reality (AR), Bash Script, Architecture, 3D Graphics Engines, Windows App Development, FFmpeg, 2D, 3D Animation

Chief Architect and Team Leader

2004 - 2005

PeerApp

Established and grew the R&D team and developed the main P2P caching platform.
Initiated and managed technological cooperation with a smart network switch hardware manufacturer, which helped improve the total cache throughput.
Oversaw the installation and integration of the solution in many ISPs around the world.

Technologies: Caching, TCP/IP, Networking, C++, Multithreading, UDP, SDKs, Windows, Linux, Visual Studio, C#, SQL, Back-end, MySQL, Software Engineering, Microsoft Visual Studio, Back-end Development, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Bash Script, Architecture

CTO

2001 - 2002

CheckM8

Designed and developed a rich media ad server intended for big portals.
Developed all the technological aspects of the product.
Oversaw the successful integration of the product with several major portals around the world.

Technologies: JavaScript, Java, C++, Multithreading, SDKs, Visual Studio, HTML, C#, SQL, Back-end, MySQL, Software Engineering, Desktop App Development, User Interface (UI), Back-end Development, HTML5, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Bash Script, HTTP, Front-end, Architecture, Desktop, 2D

Chief Architect and Team Leader

1998 - 2001

Adwise Ltd.

Designed and developed a unique technology that allows ISPs to send content to their clients.
Became the chief architect and leader of three teams after starting as the company's first programmer.
Led all technological aspects of the company, from the real-time system to the campaign manager interface used by clients.

Technologies: TCP/IP, ASM, Linux, C++, C, Multithreading, UDP, SDKs, Windows, Visual Studio, HTML, SQL, Back-end, Software Engineering, Desktop App Development, User Interface (UI), Back-end Development, HTML5, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Bash Script, HTTP, Front-end, Architecture, Desktop

Experience

Matific | Game Engine for Math Teaching App

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT0Ni8CVgzI

A game engine written in JavaScript that supports playing math episodes on mobile devices. I developed the engine in C++, Java, and Objective-C, using an embedded Google V8 engine. The rendering engine was written in OpenGL ES and Metal.

The Hunger Games Adventures Game

https://thehungergames.fandom.com/wiki/The_Hunger_Games_Adventures

A casual Facebook and mobile game based on the successful book trilogy. Players can create their own characters, complete challenges, do quests, unlock new things, and explore the world of Panem. I played a major role in developing the game's rendering engine and quest system. Developed using C++, AS3, Java, and Python.

Moondo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KufRyKOSryI

The first cross-gaming universe on the web, Moondo launches players into a bright and promising future on the moon, where they can enjoy fast-paced party games with their friends. The cross-gaming 3D world enables players to move avatars, items, and friends from game to game, never having to start from scratch.

As a lead programmer in the project, I coded the front- and back-end. It was developed in C++ using the Gamebryo game engine and a proprietary network server.

Education

2004 - 2007

Master's Degree in Medical Science

Tel Aviv University - Tel Aviv, Israel

1996 - 1999

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science

The Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffa - Tel Aviv, Israel

Certifications

MARCH 1997 - PRESENT

Certified Unix System Administrator

HP (USA Headquarters)

Skills

Languages

C++, JavaScript, C, TypeScript, Java, Python, C++11, CSS, HTML, Kotlin, Dart, C#, SQL, PHP, HTML5, Bash Script, Swift, GLSL, Objective-C, HLSL, C++17, AS3, Python 3

Frameworks

React Native, Realtime, Flutter, Unity, Blueprint, Unity3D, Unity2D, Tailwind CSS, Metal, ASM, Electron, Cocoa

Libraries/APIs

OpenGL, React, Vue, SDL, Node.js, WebRTC, Three.js, WebGL, HTML5 Canvas, DirectX, Vulkan, Google Play API, Skia, FFmpeg

Tools

Visual Studio, Microsoft Visual Studio, Windows Driver Kit (WDK), GitHub, VPN, Canvas 2D, Figma, Xcode, Android Studio, Git

Paradigms

Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Mobile Development, Desktop App Development, Windows App Development, Socket Programming

Platforms

Firebase, Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, Mobile, Docker, Desktop, MacOS, NVIDIA CUDA, Apache Kafka

Storage

JSON, MySQL, Cloud Firestore, MongoDB, SQL Performance

Other

2D Games, Multithreading, Games, UDP, SDKs, Computer Graphics, Game Engine Programming, 3D Graphics, Graphics, Software Engineering, 3D Rendering, 3D, Cross-platform App Development, Game Development, 3D Graphics Engines, Native Mobile Apps, Tablets & Smartphones, Smartphones, Mobile Game Development, 2D, Google V8, 3D Games, Networking, Mathematics, APIs, Back-end, Security, Mobile Apps, Mobile App Development, Front-end Development, User Interface (UI), Multiplayer, Back-end Development, WebSockets, Mobile Applications, Full-stack Development, HTTP, Front-end, Architecture, HTML Canvas, Full-stack, Animation, Research, Unix Shell Scripting, Windows Kernel Drivers, TCP/IP, Caching, Machine Learning, Game Design, Augmented Reality (AR), OpenAI GPT-4 API, Scraping, 3D Animation

Collaboration That Works

How to Work with Toptal

Toptal matches you directly with global industry experts from our network in hours—not weeks or months.

Share your needs

Discuss your requirements and refine your scope in a call with a Toptal domain expert.

Choose your talent

Get a short list of expertly matched talent within 24 hours to review, interview, and choose from.

Start your risk-free talent trial

Work with your chosen talent on a trial basis for up to two weeks. Pay only if you decide to hire them.

Top talent is in high demand.

Start hiring