Usman Balogun (dollarhunter)

Results-oriented Backend Developer and Certified Cybersecurity Administrator with over 5 years of experience building scalable, secure, and high-performance applications. Deeply proficient in the Laravel/PHP ecosystem, with a specialized focus on designing clean API architectures, system design, and optimizing database performance. Unlike traditional developers, I integrate a "Security-First" mindset into the SDLC, leveraging expertise in Vulnerability Assessment, Bug Bounty methodologies, and OWASP standards to harden applications against threats.

A proactive leader capable of managing full-cycle deployments, from Linux server configuration to complex payment gateway integrations, as well as mentoring and instructing engineering teams on security best practices.

Associate Backend Developer & Security Lead - Bloocode Technology

(2026-02)

A technology firm building diverse, high-stakes backend infrastructures.

• Containerized Development: Utilizing Docker to build, manage, and deploy projects consistently across environments, ensuring reliable deployments and continuous delivery of new features.
• Fintech & Project Architecture: Developing secure backend systems for a variety of fast-paced projects, from complex fintech applications to multi-industry solutions, contributing to scalable and maintainable architectures.
• Security Instruction: Acting as the internal security educator, teaching and training the engineering team on cybersecurity principles, threat mitigation, and secure coding, improving overall system security awareness.

Founder & Lead Engineer - SMSGang

(2026-03)

A specialized platform providing secure SMS verification and social media boosting services.

• Platform Engineering: Architected and developed the full backend infrastructure, including automated transaction logic and order processing systems, supporting high-volume request handling and reliable service delivery.
• Maximum Security Implementation: Engineered the platform with rigorous security standards to protect user data, secure transactions, and prevent fraudulent activities through validation and monitoring mechanisms.

CEO & Lead Backend Engineer - TopLike

(2023-01)

TopLike is a social competition platform that gamifies weekly content challenges.

• Leadership & Architecture: Spearheading the full-cycle development of the platform, translating business requirements into a robust Laravel backend architecture supporting consistent weekly user activity.
• Fintech Integration: Engineered a secure wallet and payout system that integrates seamlessly with Paystack, managing automated winner logic and financial transactions with high integrity and reliability.
• Security Implementation: Hardened the application against IDOR and XSS vulnerabilities by implementing strict validation logic and secure media upload protocols.
• Feature Development: Built real-time interactions including media uploads, like-driven voting logic, and complex leaderboard algorithms optimized for performance.

Backend Developer - Venueri.com

(2024-01)

A modern booking and event-hosting platform connecting users with venue owners.

• API Development: Designed and deployed a scalable Laravel API that powers the entire platform, handling user authentication, search indexing, and booking workflows with optimized performance.
• Access Control: Implemented a complex Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) system allowing users to switch seamlessly between "Guest" and "Host" profiles with distinct permissions.
• Process Automation: Developed automated background jobs for weekly payouts and notification systems, ensuring a smooth and reliable experience for venue hosts.
• Database Optimization: Structured the database to support complex queries for venue filtering, improving query efficiency and response times.

Freelance Backend Developer - Fundmegram

(2023-01)

An online fundraising and investment platform for crowdfunding campaigns.

• Payment Architecture: Built a multi-gateway payment infrastructure integrating Stripe, PayPal, Zelle, and Crypto, allowing for diverse donation methods across global markets.
• Core Logic: Developed the backend logic for campaign creation, ensuring data integrity for user balances, donation tracking, and withdrawal requests.
• Security: Designed a secure internal wallet system that tracks deposits and investments, implementing rigorous checks to prevent transaction fraud and inconsistencies.

DevOps & Backend Developer - Koka.ng A digital services platform requiring high-availability infrastructure.

• Infrastructure Management: Took full ownership of the server infrastructure, deploying the application on Linux environments and configuring Nginx for optimal load balancing and uptime.
• Security Configuration: Managed SSL certification and server hardening, ensuring encrypted data transmission and protection against server-level attacks.
• CI/CD Optimization: Streamlined the deployment workflow, setting up automated pipelines and backup systems to ensure continuous uptime and disaster recovery readiness.

Backend Developer Intern - Metrohype

(2024-08 - 2025-12)

An entertainment and media platform focused on fast content delivery.

• Content Delivery: Built and optimized APIs responsible for delivering high-volume media content (posts, interactions) to frontend users with minimal latency.
• System Maintenance: Collaborated with the frontend team to debug API integrations and improve feature stability across varying device types.
• Performance Tuning: Conducted database indexing and query optimization to handle increasing traffic loads efficiently.

Bachelor of Science - Cybersecurity - Miva Open University