Pankaj B.

Pankaj B.

Senior Java/Ruby Engineer

Gurgaon, India
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About Me

Pankaj is a senior IT professional and entrepreneur with a unique blend of technology and business skills and a successful entrepreneurial experience. He boasts 20+ years of comprehensive experience in strategic planning, product scoping, designing and developing tech products, team building, and business leadership. Pankaj is passionate about getting to the bottom of pain points, overcoming challenges, and working closely with stakeholders to build sustainable and scalable solutions using his expertise in database design, API development, product management, and back-end development with Ruby on Rails, Java, SQL, and AWS. He has led teams in the business-growth phase across enterprise software, advertising, B2B SaaS, education, personal finance, food tech, logistics, and agriculture.

Back-end Development Back-end Code Review API Design Software as a Service (SaaS) Web Scraping Relational Databases MySQL SQL Database Design Ruby on Rails (RoR) REST APIs Database Migration Java Ruby

Work history

UpStack
UpStack
Senior Java/Ruby Engineer
2023 - Present (1 year)
Remote
  • Creating and developing innovative software solutions for clients across a broad range of industries.

  • Participating in scrums consisting of cross-functional teams, both software and hardware.

  • Ensuring that features are being delivered efficiently and on time.

RubyRuby on Rails (RoR) JavaAWSREST APIs Back-end Development
HYRR
HYRR
Co-founder
2020 - 2022 (2 years)
Gurgaon, India
  • Led the design and development of a recruitment marketplace platform using Java, Spring, and MySQL for employers to hire faster and at a lower commission rate.

  • Designed the system and database architecture for a TikTok and Tinder-style video-based product for grey and blue-collar hiring using Java, Spring Boot, MySQL, Android, React, and API design.

  • Spearheaded project management, sprints, best practices and systems, and process implementation.

  • Developed the back-end API in Ruby on Rails 5 for blue-collar bulk hiring and outsourced hiring management.

  • Introduced systems and processes such as Jira, Sentry, and development sprints and implemented continuous integration with CircleCI Jenkins.

JenkinsCircleCI JIRAAmazon Rekognition Amazon Route 53 Amazon ElastiCache Relational Database Services (RDS) Amazon S3 (AWS S3) Amazon EC2 SpringMySQLJavaAndroidAWS Lambda Ruby on Rails 5 Code ReviewTask Analysis Technical Hiring Interviewing Team ManagementSource Code Review Image ProcessingJSONRequirements Analysis Database Migration System ArchitectureProject Leadership Cross-functional team leadershipTeam Leadership Technical Leadership LeadershipAutomation Tools New RelicWebSolution Design Relational Database Design EntrepreneurshipDatabase ArchitectureBack-end Architecture API Development API Architecture Ubuntu Linux LinuxDevOpsAgile GitAutomationjQueryBack-end Development API IntegrationStartups RESTful Services RESTful Development Third-party Integration Enterprise SaaS Software ArchitectureREST APIs ConsultingArchitecture Back-end
Croftr
Croftr
Founder & CEO
2018 - 2020 (2 years)
Gurgaon, India
  • Built a 4-acre farm and a successful B2C brand from scratch.

  • Designed and developed a crop planning and customer management product using Ruby on Rails and MySQL hosted on Amazon EC2 and RDS.

  • Recognized with a startup status by India's Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) Relational Database Services (RDS) Google CloudJavaRuby on Rails (RoR) RubyCode ReviewTask Analysis Team ManagementRequirements Analysis System ArchitectureProject Leadership Cross-functional team leadershipTeam Leadership Technical Leadership LeadershipAutomation Tools WebSolution Design Relational Database Design EntrepreneurshipDatabase ArchitectureBack-end Architecture Ubuntu Linux Back-end Development Startups RESTful Services RESTful Development
Freelance
Freelance
Product Strategist & Digital Transformation Consultant
2017 - 2018 (1 year)
Remote
  • Developed a generic web-scraping framework using JUnit, Java, and other scraper frameworks.

  • Initiated an online lead-generation system and marketing campaign for a leading real-estate consulting firm using Java and Ruby on Rails and grew their incoming queries by 50% MoM.

  • Created processes and a document management system for a leading chartered accountant using the Ubuntu server and Dropbox, helping them recover from a major malware attack.

  • Delivered a strong online presence, communication system, and processes for a playschool using Dropbox, Google Drive, and Google Cloud.

  • Set up an online presence for a top-rated resort and booking engine using WordPress, resulting in a doubled revenue increase.

Zomato
Zomato
VP Product
2016 - 2017 (1 year)
Gurgaon, India
  • Integrated Zomato with third-party POS systems that solved a significant challenge for restaurateurs using Ruby on Rails, Java, and AWS.

  • Designed a callback system and database architecture for third-party API integration systems.

  • Upgraded Ruby on Rails to its fifth version and completed many feature enhancements in a delivery optimization SaaS product.

  • Developed the back-end API in Ruby on Rails for an online food ordering system.

MySQLJavaRuby on Rails (RoR) RubyAmazon Web Services (AWS) Task Analysis Team ManagementMemcachedJSONRequirements Analysis Database Migration System ArchitectureProject Leadership Cross-functional team leadershipTeam Leadership Technical Leadership LeadershipAutomation Tools New RelicWebSolution Design Relational Database Design Database ArchitectureBack-end Architecture API Development API Architecture Ruby on Rails 4 Ubuntu Linux Amazon EC2 LinuxDevOpsGitAutomationBack-end Development API IntegrationStartups RESTful Services RESTful Development Third-party Integration CapistranoSoftware ArchitectureREST APIs ConsultingArchitecture IntegrationBack-end
Sparse Labs
Sparse Labs
Founder & CEO
2014 - 2016 (2 years)
Gurgaon, India
  • Bootstrapped a B2B SaaS startup for hyper-local delivery optimization, acquired by Zomato in 2016 after finding it to be a great fit (joined Zomato as VP Product as part of the acquisition).

  • Designed the system architecture, APIs, and database, integrated with third-party system APIs such as POS and online food ordering systems, and provided a callback mechanism.

  • Developed Android mobile apps (Java), web apps (Angular.js), back-end API (Ruby on Rails), ServerSocket (Java), and hardware-based products, namely GPS trackers.

DigitalOcean Amazon Web Services (AWS) Google APIAndroidMySQLJavaRuby on Rails (RoR) RubyCode ReviewTechnical Hiring Interviewing Team ManagementSource Code Review RedisPub/Sub HTMLMemcachedJSONRequirements Analysis Database Migration System ArchitectureProject Leadership Cross-functional team leadershipTeam Leadership Technical Leadership LeadershipAutomation Tools New RelicWebSolution Design Relational Database Design EntrepreneurshipDatabase ArchitectureBack-end Architecture API Development API Architecture Ruby on Rails 4 Ubuntu Linux Amazon EC2 LinuxDevOpsGmail Web DevelopmentGitAutomationjQueryBack-end Development RSpecAPI IntegrationStartups RESTful Services RESTful Development Scraping Third-party Integration CapistranoEnterprise SaaS Software ArchitectureREST APIs ConsultingArchitecture IntegrationBack-end
Educomp Solutions
Educomp Solutions
Technical Architect
2010 - 2011 (1 year)
Gurgaon, India
  • Built EduIgnite, a career counseling and assessment product, using Ruby on Rails and MySQL in collaboration with local education experts.

  • Led a team of 10 people consisting of marketers, content writers, and teachers and empowered students to make the best academic and career choices in life.

  • Designed the system architecture and database for the assessment and counseling system.

PHPMySQLSpringJavaRuby on Rails (RoR) RubyArchitecture Code ReviewTechnical Hiring Interviewing Team ManagementSource Code Review HTMLSystem ArchitectureProject Leadership Cross-functional team leadershipTeam Leadership Technical Leadership LeadershipAutomation Tools WebSolution Design Relational Database Design Database ArchitectureBack-end Architecture Ubuntu Linux Web DevelopmentBack-end Development Software ArchitectureConsultingIntegration
StudyPlaces
StudyPlaces
Founding Member & Technical Architect
2007 - 2010 (3 years)
Gurgaon, India
  • Built a lead management system in Spring, Java, and MySQL to capture lead lifecycle and better utilization rate.

  • Developed a call management system in Spring, Java, and MySQL for telemarketers and automatic distribution with a matching engine.

  • Created India's first online college application platform using Spring, Java, and MySQL.

  • Delivered a marketing automation product (campaign management system) in Spring and Java with landing page generation for SEM and other online marketing requirements.

  • Designed system architecture and database for the lead management system, college online application system, and marketing automation.

PHPRuby on Rails (RoR) RubyMySQLJavaCode ReviewTask Analysis Technical Hiring Interviewing Team ManagementSource Code Review SpringMySQL
Personal Finance Blog
Personal Finance Blog
Blogger
2007 - 2020 (13 years)
Gurgaon, India
  • Developed the blog in WordPress and published one of the most downloaded income tax calculators in India.

  • Authored articles on personal finance such as income tax and investments, helping thousands of people.

  • Considered one of India's top personal finance blogs and seen as the top website for multiple finance-related terms on Google search.

DigitalOcean LinodePHPWordPressDjangoHTMLProject Leadership Cross-functional team leadershipLeadershipAutomation Tools WebBack-end Architecture Web DevelopmentConsultingBlogging Personal Finance Management
Tribal Fusion (a former Exponential division)
Tribal Fusion (a former Exponential division)
Product Team Lead
2006 - 2007 (1 year)
Noida, India
  • Developed a contextual ad serving platform in Java and built a scraper to scrape and crawl website contents regularly.

  • Created geo-targeted serving platforms in Java for the advertising industry.

  • Delivered Facebook API integration in Java at the launch of an ad product.

Fiorano
Fiorano
Senior Software Engineer
2003 - 2006 (3 years)
New Delhi, India
  • Chosen ahead of other team players from IITs for US-based client-facing opportunities, proved to be one of the best performers in the company, receiving a 4X salary hike in six months due to outstanding performance.

  • Saved the company over $2,000/per month within the first month of joining by building an in-house email marketing automation tool, VerticalResponse, to replace the previous one.

  • Developed integration adapters such as DB, POP3, IMAP, SMTP, File, JMS, MSMQ, TIBCO, and HTTP for Fiorano SOA 2006 and Fiorano ESB in Java.

  • Operated as a sales engineer and built a proof-of-concept for various prospects/applications using Fiorano ESB and FioranoMQ.

  • Participated as a core team member of the world's first JMS compliant server, FioranoMQ.

MySQLJMSEnterprise Service Bus (ESB) Service-oriented Architecture (SOA) Java
Net4Engineers
Net4Engineers
Founder & CTO
2001 - 2003 (2 years)
Haryana, India
  • Created a social network for engineers as an internet startup ahead of its time, developing the first portal to create Facebook-like pages for colleges.

  • Created SMS4India, an online platform to send messages from the web to mobiles, an industry first.

  • Delivered ExamOnline, a web-based solution that can be used on the intranet and the internet to conduct multiple-choice question-based tests.

Portfolio

HYRR | Short Video-based Hiring App
HYRR | Short Video-based Hiring App

HYRR is a next-gen short video-based hiring platform that disrupts the way hiring is done today by reducing (and in some cases) eliminating the need for CVs. Designed the system and database architecture for a TikTok and Tinder-style video-based hiring product for grey and blue-collar hiring using Java, Spring Boot, MySQL, Android, React, and API design. Spearheaded project management, sprints, best practices, systems, and process implementation. Introduced systems and processes such as Jira, Sentry, and development sprints. Implemented continuous integration using CircleCI Jenkins. Developed the back-end API in Ruby on Rails 5 for blue-collar bulk hiring and outsourced hiring management.

Recruitment SaaS Platform
Recruitment SaaS Platform

Defined the system and database architecture and led the product ideation and GTM strategy. Developed recruitment products, delivering the API design for the employer and candidate side for mobile and web apps. Led the back-end development in Java and Spring Boot and managed the front-end development in native Android and React. Oversaw project management, sprint planning, best practices, systems, processes, and implementation. Technologies used: Java, MySQL, Spring, AWS EC2, S3, RDS, ElastiCache, Route 53, Rekognition, QuickSight, Jira, CircleCI, Jenkins, SendGrid, and GitHub.

Online Food Ordering Applications
Online Food Ordering Applications

Developed the back-end API in Ruby on Rails for an online food ordering system. Designed a callback system and database architecture for third-party API integration systems. Integrated Zomato with third-party POS systems and reduced order confirmation time by 70%. This further improved the merchant happiness score after removing the manual order entry process. Upgraded Zomato Trace to the latest technologies. Technologies used: Java, Ruby on Rails, PHP, MySQL, Android, AWS EC2, RDS, ElastiCache, Google Cloud, Ubuntu, GitHub, and Lambda.

Logistics Tech B2B SaaS Product
Logistics Tech B2B SaaS Product

Founded Sparse Labs, a B2B SaaS product, which Zomato acquired in 2016. Conceptualized product, architecture, and database design and developed the back-end API in Ruby on Rails. Completed third-party integration with POS and food ordering platforms. Led the Android and web front-end team. Technologies used: Java, Ruby on Rails, PHP, MySQL, Android, AWS EC2, Lambda, RDS, ElastiCache, Google Cloud, Exotel, Bitbucket, API Gateway, and SNS.

Contextual and Geo-targeted Ad Server
Contextual and Geo-targeted Ad Server

Developed parsers and a scraper to crawl the content website for Exponential's (Tribal Fusion) display ad server. Revitalized contextual and geo-targeted ad serving platforms and developed self-service advertiser applications to create location targeting and content-targeted display ads. Technologies used: Java, JUnit, HttpUnit, scraping, JavaScript, and Oracle.

Adapters for a Service-oriented Architecture Product
Adapters for a Service-oriented Architecture Product

Developed integration adapters (DB, POP3, IMAP, SMTP, File, JMS, MSMQ, Tibco, HTTP) for Fiorano SOA2006 and Fiorano ESB. Worked as a sales engineer and built the proof-of-concept for various prospects and applications using Fiorano ESB and Fiorano MQ. Technologies used: Java, Mail APIs, SQL, JMS, Tibco, and web services.

E-MarketMail | Email Marketing Automation Tool
E-MarketMail | Email Marketing Automation Tool

A web-based application for managing mailing lists, sending bulk emails and newsletters to the audience in the various lists, and monitoring campaign effectiveness by generating real-time reports. Built an in-house email marketing automation tool to replace the previous one (VerticalResponse) using JavaMail, Servlets, JSP, JDBC, MySQL, and Java.

India's First Online College Application Platform
India's First Online College Application Platform

Developed India's first web-based online college application platform where students can apply to colleges online. Designed the system architecture and database. Led a team of 10 developers and managed the QA resources. Technologies used: Spring, Java, MySQL, PHP, and Linux.

Lead Management System
Lead Management System

Developed system architecture and a database to manage leads, telecalls, and distribution with an order-matching engine. Built a lead management system in Spring, Java, and MySQL for telemarketers and automatic distribution with a matching engine to capture the lead lifecycle and improve utilization rates.

Automotive Marketing Platform | B2B SaaS
Automotive Marketing Platform | B2B SaaS

A CMS and web platform that powers thousands of car dealers. Implemented GraphQL from scratch to return on-demand vehicle data. Built REST APIs for vehicle CMS with CRUD operations. Handled large model changes, database migration, and duplicate merges.

Marketing Automation System and Landing Page Creator
Marketing Automation System and Landing Page Creator

An online system to manage dynamic landing pages and SEM/online marketing requirements. Developed marketing automation systems for the education industry with a landing-page generation for the SEM. Technologies used: Java, Spring, and MySQL.

Career Counseling and Assessment Product
Career Counseling and Assessment Product

The EduIgnite program empowers students to make the best academic and career choices. Led a team of 10 people consisting of marketers, content writers, and teachers. Technologies used: Ruby on Rails, Java, Spring, and MySQL.

ExamOnline | Online Testing System
ExamOnline | Online Testing System

A web-based solution that can be used both on the internet and intranet to conduct MCQ-based tests. Technologies used: Servlets, JSP, JDBC, MySQL, JavaMail, Linux, Tomcat, and Java.

Education

B.Tech (Hons.) Information Technology
B.Tech (Hons.) Information Technology
Kurukshetra University - India
1999 - 2003 (4 years)