Kedar Kulkarni

Senior Software Engineer and Full-Stack Architect with 20+ years building scalable enterprise platforms, real-time systems, and production AI applications. Hands-on across the full stack — React, Next.js, Node.js, TypeScript, Python — with deep expertise in LLM engineering, prompt pipelines, AI agents, and workflow automation (OpenAI, Ollama, Hugging Face, n8n). Proven track record delivering for Fortune 500 enterprises, global fintech platforms, and AI-focused startups as both an individual contributor and tech lead of distributed teams.

Strong background in system architecture, real-time data pipelines (WebSockets), microservices, cloud deployments (AWS, Heroku, Docker, Kubernetes), CI/CD, and legacy-to-modern migrations.

Tech Lead / Architect — Full-Stack & AI Automation - Wcities Content Solutions India Pvt. Ltd. - Remote, India

(2025-07)

• Led end-to-end migration of legacy PHP systems to Next.js + Node.js for global event/travel platforms (cityseeker, hotelseeker).
• Drove ∼80% AI-assisted code generation via structured prompt pipelines and reusable templates using Ollama and OpenAI.
• Designed scalable API layer and microservices with MySQL + Redis caching for high-volume global event data.
• Built real-time data pipelines using Node.js WebSockets for live partner-driven event feeds.
• Developed AI-powered Point-of-Interest (POI) matching system using database-driven logic and prompt-assisted Python processing.
• Implemented GDPR-aligned data handling, CI/CD standards, and engineering guidelines adopted team-wide.
• Mentored developers on prompt engineering, AI workflow design, and modern full-stack best practices.

Frontend Architect / Senior Engineer — React & TypeScript - APIsec Inc. (via Gun.io) - Remote, San Francisco USA

(2024-05 - 2025-04)

• Owned migration of APIsec's Angular app to React (Vite + Chakra UI) aligned with new Figma designs.
• Built full Cypress end-to-end test suite, raising release confidence and reducing production regressions.
• Created public Docusaurus (React + MDX) product documentation site enabling self-serve content updates.
• Integrated Stripe API + webhooks, Auth0 (OAuth 2.0/OIDC), Supabase (PostgreSQL + RLS) for backend workflows.
• Implemented CI/CD pipelines with GitHub Actions; conducted code reviews and mentored team members.

Full-Stack Architect — React, Node.js, Heroku - GE Appliances / Fortune 500 (via IntelliConnect) - Remote, Louisville USA

(2023-11 - 2024-05)

• Architected a decision-tree authoring tool powering chatbot automation and Salesforce workflows for a Fortune 500 company.
• Designed full-stack system: React, Node.js APIs, PostgreSQL on Heroku (Private Spaces, Dynos, Pipelines, Add-ons).
• Built JSON REST APIs secured with OAuth 2.0/OIDC (Auth0, JWT) integrated with Salesforce data.
• Led stakeholder discussions, Agile sprint planning, retrospectives, and team performance reviews.

Lead QA Engineer / System Reliability — Fintech - BillGo (via Finov8 Inc.) - Remote, Fort Collins USA

(2023-01 - 2023-11)

• Built QA function from scratch: hired, onboarded, and mentored six engineers; established process and standards.
• Automated UI/API testing (Cypress, Postman) with CI/CD via GitHub Actions, Terraform, and PowerShell.
• Validated PostgreSQL data integrity for Stripe-style payment flows and webhook handling in compliance-focused fintech.
• Owned release-cycle test strategy, regression analysis, and sprint reporting in JIRA/Confluence.

Frontend Engineer (Consultant) — Ember.js - Bloowatch, Open Coast S.L. - Remote, Madrid Spain

(2020-01 - 2023-05)

• Built customer portal and back-office for online watersports booking platform (slots, rentals, camps, activities).
• Implemented complex calendar-based booking flows; integrated Supabase/PostgreSQL with row-level security (RLS).
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams across time zones on estimation, requirements, and Web API improvements.

JavaScript / AI Developer — LLMs & Open-Source NLP - Mantium AI (Contract) - Remote, Ohio USA

(2021-06 - 2022-05)

• Architected the open-source JavaScript NLP client library for Mantium's LLM platform (Node.js).
• Worked with GPT-3, ChatGPT, GPT-4, Whisper, Cohere, AI21, and Hugging Face on production prompt pipelines.
• Shipped four AI integrations: Shopify (product descriptions), LinkedIn (article generation), Twitter Bot, WhatsApp Bot.
• Authored developer guides on Medium and GitHub wiki; spoke at global meetups as Mantium's EMEA NLP/AI evangelist.

Lead Engineer — Fintech / Blockchain - SafeChain Financial Inc. - Remote, Ohio USA

(2019-01 - 2019-12)

• Lead Engineer (India) for blockchain SaaS eliminating real-estate title fraud for insurance underwriters and agents.
• Built SafeWire, Customer Portal, and Prior Policy Marketplace in Ember.js supporting multi-role workflows.
• Contributed to shared Ember.js component libraries; collaborated on API/database design; worked with AWS (EC2, S3).

Manager UI — AI-Driven Food Production Platform - InterProducTec Virtual Lab (PreciTaste LLC) - Navi Mumbai, India

(2015-09 - 2018-12)

• Owned UI/UX and frontend for BakeIT Cloud™ — a cloud service for industrial baking production workflows (India dev center for PreciBake LLC, NY/Munich).
• Migrated Ember.js to newer versions; established agile practices and coding standards; mentored the UI team.
• Collaborated with global stakeholders across sales, product, editorial, and engineering on product direction.

Associate Manager — Sports Tech & Real-Time Web - Sportz Interactive - Mumbai, India

(2009-02 - 2014-07)

• Led web development for 100+ live sports applications serving StarSports, ESPN Star, NDTV Sports, Yahoo Cricket, Hindustan Times, Khaleej Times, Max TV, STC.
• Built real-time scorecard and content systems for cricket, football, F1, golf, tennis, and NBA on web & WAP with Akamai load-balanced deployments.
• Managed and mentored a team of developers; handled client-facing requirements and analysis.

Senior Software Engineer - Auxano Technology

(2008 - 2009)

Software Engineer - Mascot OC - Pune

(2006 - 2008)

Software Developer - Soft-Key Computers - Jalgaon

(2005 - 2006)

Master of Commerce - Accounting - North Maharashtra University (2002 - 2004)

Master - Personnel Management - North Maharashtra University (2004 - 2006)

DOEACC 'A' Level - Computer Programming - NIELIT, New Delhi (2007 - 2011)