AI-Native Development & MLOps
I believe AI is not just another tool in the box. It is the spark that challenges us to rethink the entire software development lifecycle. We are past the point where layering AI onto legacy agile playbooks is enough. It is time to evolve into an AI native SDLC where every phase, from ideation to deployment, is powered by intelligent systems. My focus is on using AI to enhance Developer Experience (DevEX), improve flow efficiency, and unlock team velocity in ways traditional methods never could. From using Claude for architectural exploration and Cursor for AI assisted pairing to leveraging AI for intelligent testing, smart MVP scaffolding, and automated documentation, these capabilities are no longer optional. I am actively shaping practical and ethical guidelines to help teams adopt AI with intention, protect sensitive data, and build smarter, not just faster. More information at RJL.ai
Platform Modernization & Legacy System Transformation
I specialize in transforming rigid legacy systems into modern, modular platforms that support scalability, agility, and long-term sustainability. This isn't just about rewriting old code--it's about architecting with intention. I migrate monolithic structures into service-oriented architectures, introducing decoupled APIs, containerized components, and infrastructure as code to improve deployment flexibility and system health. I've tackled complex data migrations and optimized schemas without sacrificing business continuity. With a careful blend of technical refactoring, performance tuning, and stakeholder alignment, I ensure platform upgrades align with evolving business goals. Like a shadow stepping into the future, I modernize quietly but with lasting impact. More information at RJL.guru
Cloud-Native Architecture (AWS, Azure, GCP)
Cloud-native isn't just a buzzword--it's a discipline I've mastered across AWS, Azure, and GCP. I lead teams in building resilient, distributed systems using Docker containers, Kubernetes orchestration, and serverless functions that scale with traffic and fail gracefully. My infrastructure-as-code approach with Terraform or CloudFormation enables reproducible environments and consistent deployments. From VPC configuration to securing endpoints and implementing zero-downtime releases, I build systems that are operationally efficient and cost-aware. Whether launching greenfield apps or migrating legacy workloads, I enable businesses to harness the cloud's full potential with ninja-like precision and foresight. More information at RJL.dev
System Scalability & Performance Optimization
Performance bottlenecks beware--I specialize in architecting systems that stay fast, responsive, and resilient as traffic scales. I leverage load balancing, caching layers, message queues, and horizontal scaling to eliminate single points of failure and handle peak demand with ease. Using monitoring tools like Datadog, Grafana, and custom dashboards, I detect performance issues early and continuously optimize. Whether tuning SQL queries, minimizing cold starts, or profiling CPU and memory usage, I treat performance as a feature--not an afterthought. My mission is to create systems that can handle spikes, sleep soundly during production incidents, and quietly power growth behind the scenes like a true backend ninja.
Technical Debt Reduction & Code Quality
I see technical debt as both a liability and an opportunity--a chance to improve system integrity and developer morale. I lead structured audits to identify fragile components, legacy traps, and non-performant patterns. My approach balances the cost of refactoring with business priorities, ensuring short-term gains don't sacrifice long-term stability. From upgrading frameworks and retiring obsolete APIs to improving test coverage and enforcing coding standards, I bring discipline to the cleanup. I build internal buy-in by tracking ROI and showing how debt reduction improves velocity, security, and system predictability. When I strike, it's not with brute force--but with stealth, strategy, and sustainable change.
End-to-End System Resilience & High Availability
Building for failure isn't optional--it's a requirement in today's AI interconnected systems. I design with fault tolerance in mind: redundancy, graceful degradation, failovers, and retries are core elements, not add-ons. I incorporate circuit breakers, observability with distributed tracing, and proactive alerting that distinguishes signal from noise. My resilience planning includes disaster recovery simulations, chaos testing, and contingency playbooks that prepare teams for the unexpected. Resilient systems don't just bounce back--they shield users from noticing anything went wrong. It's like ninja magic, only backed by solid engineering principles and high availability SLOs & SLAs.
Full-Stack Coding Expertise (Java, JavaScript, TypeScript, React, C#, Kotlin)
Code is my craft--and I still practice it regularly. I lead by example, earn trust by doing. I'm proficient in multiple languages including Java, JavaScript, TypeScript, React, C#, and Kotlin, and I follow clean code principles with an emphasis on clarity, testability, and performance. While I don't code daily anymore, I still have the development knowledge enough to know when something isn't architected correctly. Whether my team is implementing a REST API, integrating with third-party systems, or debugging low-level memory leaks, I ensure code that's maintainable and well-documented. I engage in code reviews not as a gatekeeper but as a mentor, offering guidance and learning in return. I don't just ship code--I shape how teams write and think about it. Like all skilled warriors, I know the blade because I've forged it myself. More information at RJL.dev
MLOps & CI/CD Pipeline Automation
MLOps & CI/CD is more than automation--it's a culture of continuous feedback, quality, and speed. I build robust delivery pipelines that bake in quality from the start, incorporating unit and integration testing, performance and stress testing, and static analysis using SonarQube. Security is paramount, so I embed automated scans that check for vulnerabilities based on the OWASP Top 10. Using Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab, or cloud-native tools, I create workflows that developers trust and product managers rely on. I incorporate approval AI gates, MLOps rollback mechanisms, and monitoring hooks to ensure safety and observability. Whether pushing a hotfix or deploying a new release feature-by-feature, my MLOps pipelines reduce time-to-market and developer anxiety. Releases go from scary to boring--and in engineering, boring is beautiful. More information at RJL.ai
Engineering Team Mentoring & Leadership Development
I view mentoring as essential to team health and long-term success. I provide guidance across all experience levels, helping junior developers level up and supporting senior engineers in stepping into leadership. Through regular 1:1s, technical coaching, and collaborative projects, I foster confidence and curiosity. I tailor feedback styles, encourage growth plans, and help team members connect their goals to broader business impact. Beyond hard skills, I cultivate empathy, communication, and accountability. When engineers feel supported, they perform better--and when they mentor others, they grow even faster. A strong team is more than individuals--it's a force, united by shared vision and trust. I help build that.
Agile Leadership & Scrum Mastery
Great Agile leadership is like a dojo master who balances discipline with adaptability. I've led teams of engineers, QA analysts, designers, and product managers across varied industries and continents--always adapting frameworks to fit team culture and delivery goals. I implement and coach Scrum, Kanban, and hybrid models, focusing on ceremonies that create clarity and build momentum. I facilitate retrospectives that lead to real improvement, planning sessions that map to business value, and metrics that inform without micromanaging. I believe in servant leadership--unblocking, supporting, and coaching teams to own their velocity. Agile isn't just a process--it's a mindset. My mission is to grow teams that are self-sufficient, iterative, and relentless in their pursuit of better outcomes. More information at RJL.dev
