< Raja Akhtar />
Senior Full Stack Engineer · Systems Architecture & Cloud Specialist
About
Senior Contract Engineer and Technical Architect with 20+ years of experience designing, modernising, and scaling complex web platforms. Proven track record across financial services, large-scale enterprise platforms, high-volume eCommerce, and venture-backed start-ups.
Former co-founder and Head of Development of a platform valued at £14m, processing 400M+ products daily. Specialist in architecting large-scale PHP systems, advanced Elasticsearch relevance modelling, distributed AWS architectures, and legacy modernisation within regulated environments.
PHP & Systems Architecture
20+ years deep. Laravel, Symfony, Yii, Lumen. Greenfield builds to legacy rescue.
Elasticsearch & Search Engineering
Custom relevance modelling, large-scale indexing strategies, advanced search performance.
Distributed AWS Architectures
EC2, RDS, S3, SQS, Lambda, DynamoDB, CloudFront. Event-driven, scalable pipelines.
Skills
PHP
JavaScript
TypeScript
Python
Node.js
Laravel
Vue.js
React.js
Symfony
Elasticsearch
MySQL
Redis
Docker
Git
Jenkins
AWS
ShopifyPHPJavaScriptTypeScriptPythonNode.jsLaravelVue.jsReact.jsSymfonyElasticsearchMySQLRedisDockerGitJenkinsAWSShopifyProfessional Experience
Zentag Ltd.
Senior Developer (Consultancy)
- Building backend Shopify apps using Node.js, integrating with Shopify APIs and webhook-based event systems.
- Developing GDPR-compliant solutions for customer data handling and messaging workflows.
- Delivered WhatsApp integration automating order confirmations, status updates, and abandoned cart recovery.
Nexus Rental
Senior Developer (Contract)
- Lead developer on a large legacy vehicle booking platform used by major enterprise clients.
- Modernising procedural PHP codebase, improving performance and stability.
- Delivering new features using MVC standards and unit testing.
PayPoint plc
Senior Developer (Contract)
- Reduced backlog across six internal systems by delivering critical bug fixes and feature enhancements.
- Built integrations with external fulfilment providers (REST/SOAP).
- Initiated early Elasticsearch implementation to improve search performance.
Wallsauce
Senior Developer (Contract)
- Re-engaged to deliver key platform improvements and rebuild core areas.
- Delivered image processing upgrade supporting PSD/vector formats.
Hargreaves Lansdown
Senior Developer (Contract)
- Developed secure authentication systems within a regulated financial environment.
- Worked across legacy and modern systems supporting client device to AuthEngine communication.
- Delivered enhancements with strict compliance and testing standards.
Fleetondemand (RAC)
Senior Developer (Contract)
- Enhanced SME systems within complex bespoke PHP framework.
- Built payment workflows (GoCardless) and event-driven integrations.
- Stabilised minimally documented legacy systems.
Wallsauce
Senior Developer (Contract)
- Modernised legacy PHP platform without full rebuild.
- Introduced CI/CD (Jenkins + Git), replacing FTP deployments.
- Improved performance and integrated third-party APIs and payment systems.
CiiVSOFT
Senior Developer (Contract)
- Built middleware platform for CV processing and recruitment systems.
- Designed AWS-based data pipelines using SQS/Lambda.
- Processed large datasets and implemented advanced search functionality.
Pricesearcher.com
Co-Founder & Head of Development
- Co-founded and built a price comparison platform to £14m valuation.
- Architected the full system: infrastructure, search, and distributed data pipelines handling 400M+ products daily.
- Designed Elasticsearch relevance engine and led the engineering team.
NHS — The Walton Centre
Senior PHP Developer (Contract)
- Rebuilt internal NHS platform and digitised patient observation systems.
- Developed responsive clinical data entry tools used in wards.
- Delivered secure, high-reliability systems in healthcare environment.
Earlier Experience
Career Highlights
Pricesearcher.com
Co-founded and built a price comparison platform from scratch to a £14m valuation. Architected distributed AWS processing pipelines handling 400M+ products daily. Designed the Elasticsearch relevance engine, built the full infrastructure stack, and led the engineering team and development office.
Hargreaves Lansdown
Delivered secure authentication systems within one of the UK's largest FCA-regulated financial platforms. Worked across legacy and modern systems supporting client device to AuthEngine communication pathways, with strict compliance, security, and testing standards throughout.
PayPoint plc
Reduced backlog across six internal systems simultaneously by delivering critical bug fixes and feature enhancements. Initiated early Elasticsearch implementation to improve search performance across the platform. Built integrations with external fulfilment providers via REST and SOAP APIs.
Education
BSc (Hons) Computing
University of Central Lancashire
2003 – 2006Associate Degree in Computer Science
Houston Community College
2002 – 2003CCNA
Cisco Networking Academy
Certified