Mike M.

Principal Software Engineer & Architect , CTO, AWS, Node.js, Python, IoT, SaaS, E-commerce Upwork Expert Vetted Top 1% I am an AI empowered coder. It increases my production many fold. It is not vibe coding. It's AI context engineering code assistance, or something like that. It's amazing. I help companies scale their technical teams and ship production-grade systems faster. As a seasoned Fractional CTO and hands-on Principal Engineer, I combine 30+ years of daily coding with strategic technical leadership. I enjoy writing code alongside the teams I lead because staying technically current makes me a better architect and leader. AI tools support my development process while design decisions and code quality remain experience-driven. WHAT I DELIVER: Hands-On Development & Technical Leadership • Backend systems in Node.js and Python handling real-time data at scale • AWS architectures using ECS, Lambda, IoT Core, SQS, RDS, and API Gateway • Infrastructure as Code with CloudFormation for cloud and on-premises deployments • Team building, mentoring, and implementing development processes that deliver results Specialized Expertise • IoT & SCADA systems for industrial monitoring and control • Microservices architecture and RESTful API design • AI/LLM integration using OpenAI APIs • Database design and optimization (PostgreSQL, MySQL, NoSQL) RECENT IMPACT: I architected a complete AWS IoT platform for industrial monitoring, recruited and mentored a 4-person development team, and delivered both cloud and on-premises deployments. I built an AI-powered recruiting platform that reduces recruiter workload from months to hours through automated screening and intelligent matching using OpenAI LLMs. I designed a SCADA/IoT control system for EV bus charging and co-invented a patented cost-optimization algorithm (US20210086647A1). The company was subsequently acquired by BP. I was hired to resolve a critical firmware hang. Problem solved. Asked to stay on, I've since improved architecture robustness, resolved bottlenecks, and enhanced system reliability. MY APPROACH: I take ownership and dig deep into your problem space. I ask questions, raise concerns proactively, and work to understand what's actually needed rather than just what's asked for. I provide continuous feedback to stakeholders and maintain hands-on involvement in code while guiding technical strategy. CREDENTIALS: • BS Computer Science, University of Texas at Austin (Top 10 CS program) • 2 US Patents (Personalization Technology, EV Fleet Management) • Member of Mensa and Intertel • 30+ years building production systems from startups to enterprise TECH STACK: Languages: Node.js, Python, JavaScript, C/C++, SQL, Bash Cloud & DevOps: AWS (ECS, Lambda, IoT, SQS, RDS), CloudFormation, Docker, CI/CD Architecture: Microservices, RESTful APIs, Event-driven systems, Distributed systems Domains: IoT, SCADA, SaaS, Embedded systems, AI/LLM integration, E-commerce Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, NoSQL Integrations: OpenAI API, Twilio, Stripe, MQTT, Modbus, OCPP I'm looking for principal engineer roles and/or fractional CTO engagements and where I can drive technical strategy while coding daily. Let's discuss how I can help accelerate your technical roadmap.