Backend Engineer

15 years of experience

Building scalable solutions with AWS, TypeScript, and Terraform

Passionate about creating robust, scalable backend systems that power modern applications. From microservices architecture to multi-tenant SaaS platforms, I bring deep expertise in AWS cloud services, TypeScript/Node.js development, and infrastructure as code.

Based in the UK with a global perspective, having worked across enterprise communication, streaming platforms, and telematics systems that serve millions of users worldwide.

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Professional Experience

15 years of backend engineering across enterprise communication, streaming platforms, and SaaS telematics

Radius Payment Solutions

- (2 years, 10 months)
Technical Lead

Crewe, UK

Joined through Key Telematics acquisition - company sponsored UK visa transition from South Africa

Leading backend design and development for multi-tenant SaaS fleet management platform serving enterprise clients across the globe. Architecting scalable microservices infrastructure using AWS serverless technologies and infrastructure-as-code practices.

Key Achievements

  • Leading backend and device integration teams across multiple product lines
  • Orchestrated seamless platform transition from Key Telematics acquisition, aligning technical architecture with Radius strategic objectives
  • Contributing to Radius' unified telematics ecosystem strategy, consolidating 10+ legacy platforms onto the modernized Key Telematics infrastructure

Technologies Used

Terraform Node.js TypeScript C# Docker AWS ECS AWS RDS AWS Kinesis PostgreSQL Redis tsoa awilix

Key Telematics

- (3 years, 8 months)
Backend Engineer

Cape Town, South Africa

Acquired by Radius Payment Solutions in October 2022, leading to UK relocation opportunity

Backend engineer developing a multi-tenant SaaS fleet management platform for asset management and vehicle tracking solution vendors. Collaborated within an agile team of 4-6 developers to build and maintain comprehensive integrations including 60+ hardware device manufacturers and 20+ external data providers and processors.

Key Achievements

  • Developed robust telematics data ingestion pipelines handling high-volume vehicle data streams
  • Integrated with 60+ device manufacturers and 10+ OEM providers including Ford, Mercedes-Benz, and Kuantic
  • Built RESTful APIs for fleet management and vehicle tracking applications
  • Implemented real-time alerting systems for vehicle diagnostics and driver behavior
  • Contributed to system architecture decisions that attracted acquisition interest
  • Contributed to v2 technology stack implementation and zero-downtime migration from legacy v1 infrastructure

Technologies Used

Terraform Node.js TypeScript C# Docker AWS ECS AWS RDS AWS Kinesis PostgreSQL Redis tsoa awilix

iflix

- (2 years, 5 months)
Backend Engineer - Payments Team

Cape Town, South Africa

Backend engineer specializing in global payment integrations for streaming platform serving 25+ countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Built serverless payment processing systems handling transactions in the thousands.

Key Achievements

  • Architected serverless payment processing system using AWS Lambda and API Gateway
  • Integrated with 15+ payment providers including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and regional mobile operators
  • Implemented real-time payment processing using Kinesis Streams
  • Designed multi-currency payment flows supporting local payment methods across 25+ countries
  • Developed intelligent subscription renewal system using predictive analytics to optimize payment timing based on user funding patterns
  • Built responsive payment flows for mobile and web platforms with seamless user experience

Technologies Used

AWS Lambda API Gateway Kinesis Streams DynamoDB Node.js TypeScript Redis React Docker Compose

Wyzetalk

- (2 years, 2 months)
Software Developer

Stellenbosch, South Africa

Software developer at an early-stage startup building an enterprise communication platform (pre-Slack era) that connected frontline workers with corporate systems. Pioneered microservices architecture adoption and implemented modern web technologies in a fast-paced startup environment.

Key Achievements

  • Expanded proof of concept to production serving 50,000+ users
  • Pioneered microservices architecture using Apache Thrift for service interoperability
  • Developed real-time messaging system with WebSocket connections and message queuing
  • Created mobile-responsive web application using AngularJS and responsive design principles
  • Implemented user authentication and authorization systems with role-based access control

Technologies Used

AngularJS Node.js Express.js Apache Thrift MSSQL MongoDB Linux Nginx

Technical Expertise

15 years of backend engineering with deep expertise in AWS, TypeScript, and scalable SaaS architecture

AWS Services

Kinesis Streams
Expert 8+ years
ECS
Expert 10+ years
RDS
Advanced 6+ years
AWS Lambda
Expert 10+ years
DynamoDB
Advanced 10+ years
S3
Advanced 10+ years

Languages

TypeScript
Expert 12+ years
JavaScript
Expert 15+ years
Node.js
Expert 12+ years
C#
Advanced 15+ years
SQL
Advanced 15+ years
Python
Intermediate 3+ years

Infrastructure & DevOps

Terraform
Expert 5+ years
Docker
Advanced 8+ years
Linux
Advanced 15+ years
Nginx
Advanced 10+ years
CI/CD
Advanced 8+ years

Frameworks & Tools

awilix
Expert 8+ years
tsoa
Expert 6+ years
Express.js
Expert 10+ years
Apache Thrift
Advanced 3+ years
Mocha, Sinon, Chai
Advanced 10+ years

Databases

PostgreSQL
Advanced 5+ years
Redis
Advanced 8+ years
MongoDB
Intermediate 4+ years
DynamoDB
Advanced 8+ years

Architecture & Patterns

Microservices
Expert 10+ years
Serverless Architecture
Expert 8+ years
Multi-tenant SaaS
Expert 6+ years
RESTful APIs
Expert 13+ years
Event-driven Architecture
Advanced 8+ years
Payment Systems
Advanced 3+ years
Composition over Inheritance
Advanced 7+ years

Core Specializations

☁️
AWS Services 10+ years of serverless architecture and cloud infrastructure
⚡
TypeScript/Node.js 12+ years of backend development and API design
🏗️
Infrastructure as Code Terraform expertise for scalable, maintainable deployments

Get In Touch

Ready to discuss your next project or explore opportunities? I'd love to hear from you.

Contact Information

Email

gavin@vangent.co

GitHub

github.com/gavinvangent

X (Twitter)

@gavinvangent

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