Lei Yang

A versatile and results-driven Senior Software Engineer with over 20+ years of experience specializing in PHP backend architecture, JSON APIs, Typescript/React and complex e-commerce systems. Proven track record of modernizing legacy codebases, optimizing test performance, and architecting highly scalable Service-Oriented Architectures (SOA). An AI-augmented developer who leverages tools like Claude and Gemini to maximize efficiency and ship high-quality code faster.

Strong advocate for Test-Driven Development (TDD) and cross-functional collaboration, with hands-on experience across the full stack and cloud deployments.

Senior Web Developer - Salesfloor (now part of Tulip)

(2021-03 - 2026-06)

• Designed, developed, and maintained robust JSON APIs and backend services utilizing PHP, Symfony, and Silex.
• Successfully navigated and modernized complex legacy codebases, refactoring core business logic to improve system maintainability and stability.
• Overhauled automated testing using Codeception, significantly optimizing test suite performance and execution speed.
• Contributed to full-stack feature delivery by stepping into the frontend to develop and maintain React components.
• Integrated AI coding assistants (Claude, Gemini) into the daily engineering workflow to accelerate development, debug complex issues, and ship high-quality code faster.
• Acted as a continuous learner on the team, researching new tools and approaches to solve difficult technical challenges.

Lead Web Application Developer - LXRandCO

(2016-09 - 2021-03)

• Architected, managed, and maintained a comprehensive e-commerce ecosystem including an ERP, consumer-facing website, and a Vue.js-based POS system communicating via a centralized REST API.
• Spearheaded backend development using PHP (Laravel, Zend) in a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA), ensuring high reliability and maintainability.
• Championed Test-Driven Development (TDD), implementing comprehensive unit tests to achieve high code coverage across the platform.
• Modernized the deployment pipeline and infrastructure by introducing Docker for development environments, Jenkins for CI/CD, and hosting all services on AWS.

Senior Web Engineer - MindGeek

(2015-07 - 2016-09)

• Redesigned and re-implemented core platform systems for a high-traffic web portal to ensure optimal performance and scalability under heavy load.
• Integrated complex promotional features and optimized existing legacy architectures.

Senior Web/PHP Developer - Beyond the Rack

(2014-03 - 2015-07)

• Led the development and maintenance of all payment-related processing, significantly improving transaction stability and platform reliability.
• Iteratively refactored a highly complex checkout processor to support advanced edge cases, including multiple partial refunds and order cancellations.
• Integrated multiple modern payment gateways (PayPal, MasterPass) while simplifying and optimizing existing Interac and credit card workflows.

PHP Developer - SSENSE

(2012-07 - 2014-04)

• Migrated a monolithic legacy PHP codebase to the Yii MVC framework, dramatically improving application testability, maintainability, and extensibility.
• Re-engineered key business integrations—including SAP connectivity and Memcached implementation—to optimize backend performance.
• Built a streamlined, high-converting checkout process (PayPal and Credit Card) from scratch for the frontend.
• Refactored legacy backend systems managing payments, order picking, packing, shipping, and refunds, utilizing asynchronous operations (jQuery/AJAX) to heavily automate warehouse workflows.

ColdFusion Developer - Hybris/iCongo Inc.

(2010-11 - 2012-01)

• Maintained and optimized high-profile e-commerce websites across frontend (JavaScript/jQuery) and backend (ColdFusion/MSSQL) environments.
• Debugged complex legacy frameworks, resolved critical application issues, and implemented frontend UI updates.

ColdFusion & Delphi Developer - Caxmen Inc.

(2006-08 - 2010-11)

• Participated in the full-cycle redesign and backend logic implementation for large e-commerce platforms (tower.com).
• Developed and maintained internal business management systems utilizing ColdFusion and Delphi.

Master - Computer Science - Nanjing University of Science & Technology