An Experienced Software Engineer
Los Angeles, CA
📞 (330) 204-8251
📧 joshszep@gmail.com
🔗 LinkedIn

Staff Engineer with 20+ years of experience, specializing in Python, Django, FastAPI, PostgreSQL, and scalable backend systems. I thrive in fast-moving, high-autonomy environments, solving real-world problems through software.

• Built scalable backend systems serving millions of users.
• Led engineering teams, mentoring developers & optimizing workflows.
• Advocated for AI-assisted development, enhancing productivity.
• Remote-first advocate with a passion for async collaboration.

Staff Software Engineer (April 2025 - Present)

• It's a secret, go look at my LinkedIn.

Staff Software Engineer (August 2024 - February 2025)

• Redesigned and modernized an 8-year-old GitLab-based workflow management system for security research.
• Architected a monolithic repository for a suite of projects (backend, frontend, CLI, shared components).
• Developed and deployed a system using Django, Django-Ninja, PostgreSQL, and Next.js/React with Tailwind CSS.
• Accelerated development 5–10x using modern AI tools like Cline, Windsurf, Cursor, Claude, and ChatGPT.
• Built a GitLab-based CI/CD pipeline, reducing merge-to-deploy times to under 10 minutes.
• Established automated development standards using pre-commit, Just, Ruff, and UV.
• Led up-skilling initiatives by creating training videos to empower engineers with the new architecture and toolset.

Senior Software Engineer Consultant (March 2024 - June 2024)

• Grew and led a fully remote team of 9 engineers across the USA, South Asia, and Vietnam.
• Architected and implemented backend REST API services using FastAPI, SQLAlchemy, and PostgreSQL.
• Introduced CI/CD pipelines reducing defects deployed by 50%.
• Deployed to AWS Lambda, resulting in 90% cost savings.
• Instrumented compliance measures to achieve SOC-2 compliance in record time.

Senior Software Engineer (June 2020 - March 2024)

• First hire on the Data Solutions Team, growing it to 9 members.
• Architected and developed REST API microservices using Python, FastAPI, and Redis.
• Scaled AWS-hosted services to handle 10,000 requests per second with <40ms latency.
• Led cross-team collaborations to coordinate successful deliveries on tight deadlines.

Senior Software Engineer (February 2019 - May 2020)

• Led automated testing initiatives, reducing defects by 50%.
• Designed and implemented Point of Sale (POS) system integrations.

Senior Software Engineer (September 2014 - January 2019)

• Maintained mission-critical AWS Redshift ETL infrastructure.
• Founding member of Yelp’s Data Pipeline Team, building a Kafka-based streaming data system.
• Optimized performance by 150% by supporting PyPy in Yelp’s core codebase.
• Mentored engineers, conducted code reviews, and interviewed new hires.

Senior Software Engineer (May 2013 - August 2014)

• Sole developer on a full-stack application for Dell using C#, SQL, and JavaScript.

Technical Co-Founder / CTO (November 2012 - April 2013)

• Co-founded and led technical development for a lease marketplace startup.

Software Engineer (August 2009 - November 2012)

• Developed desktop training simulations for DARPA and USAF using C++, C#, and Python.

Software Engineer (July 2006 - August 2009)

• Member of the Core Technology Team, using C++, C#, and Python.

🎓 The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University – Dallas, TX (2005 - 2007)
🎓 Stark State College of Technology – North Canton, OH (2002 - 2005)

Python, SQL, Terraform, JavaScript/TypeScript

AWS, Docker, Django, FastAPI, SQLAlchemy, Kafka, Git, PostgreSQL, Redis, AI, React

Mentoring, Team Building, Code Reviews, Interviewing, Leadership