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Resume / Curriculum Vitae of Ikenna N. Okpala
Raw
_ikenna okpala - short bio.md

Ikenna is a Father (of 3), Husband and senior technologist. He has 13+ years of experience working to create web application software.

He has solved real world problems with practical yet elegant user-centred solutions based on business priorities.

He is pragmatic and subscribes to agile, pair programming (where required), behaviour driven development (BDD), DRY, progressive enhancement, and open source approaches to web software development.

He is looking forward to helping the team at <> contribute value to <> and its clients

Raw
cv.md

Ikenna N. Okpala

Senior Technologist & Software Engineer
*Architecting Scalable Solutions | Full-Stack Development *

Summary

Senior technologist with 13+ years of experience building web applications, specializing in Golang, Ruby on Rails, Python, Java and modern JavaScript. Passionate about designing robust architectures and solving complex problems through pragmatic, user-centered solutions. Strong advocate for agile methodologies, clean code, and collaborative development. Currently based in Canada (Eastern Time) and available for architecture-focused Golang engagements.

Key Expertise

  • Software Development: Proven track record designing and implementing high-performance backend systems.
  • Architecture & Design: Skilled in building scalable, maintainable solutions (monoliths to microservices).
  • Full-Stack Proficiency: Ruby on Rails, Golang, Python, Java, JavaScript, NodeJS, Docker, PostgreSQL, and cloud platforms (AWS, GCP).
  • Leadership: Managed projects and mentored teams in Agile/BDD practices.

Experience

Principal Consultant | Scribes and Shekel (Canada/Remote)

May 2019 – May 2023

  • Led Backend architecture for multiple client projects, improving system performance by 40% in latency-critical applications.
  • Designed and implemented a distributed task-processing system using Golang and Redis, reducing infrastructure costs by 25%.
  • Spearheaded adoption of containerized workflows (Docker) and CI/CD pipelines across 15+ projects.
  • Mentored junior developers in Go best practices, including concurrency patterns and API design.

Contract Software Developer | DataScribes IT Consult (UK/Remote)

May 2011 – 2019

  • Built a real-time stocktake reporting tool with microservices and Ruby on Rails, still operational at Tesco HSC.
  • Architected a RESTful API for an experimental x3270 emulator using Go and JavaScript, saving clients 300+ hours/year in manual processes.

Technical Skills

Active Stack:
Golang, Ruby/Rails, Python, Java, JavaScript, NodeJS, Docker, PostgreSQL, AWS, JavaScript, Redis, Sidekiq, RSpec, Linux

Architecture & Design:
Microservices, REST/GraphQL APIs, Event-Driven Systems, Distributed Systems, Performance Optimization

Tools:
Git, GitHub Actions, NGiNX, Terraform, Prometheus

Selected Talks

  • ORMs with Golang | London Golang User Group
    Explored pragmatic database design patterns in Go, including trade-offs between ORMs and lightweight query builders.

Location & Availability

  • Based in: Canada (Eastern Time)
  • Work Authorization: Open to remote roles in the North America (US/Canada) and Europe.

Why I Fit Your Project

  • Ruby on Rails Expert: 10+ years of hands-on experience architecting, developing, and scaling mission-critical Rails applications. Built systems like the UK’s first live cancer statistics platform (Public Health England), real-time inventory tools for Tesco, and crowdfunding platforms. Proficient in Rails conventions, RSpec, Sidekiq, PostgreSQL, and performance optimization (reduced latency by 30–40% in high-traffic apps).
  • Python Proficiency: Leveraged Python for scripting, automation, and data analysis tasks (e.g., legacy data migration, report generation), integrating seamlessly with Rails backends.
  • Java Experience: Worked on Java-based integrations for enterprise systems (e.g., Infiniti Car Configurator), ensuring Rails apps interoperate smoothly with legacy Java/Scala components.
  • Full-Stack Agility: Combine Rails mastery with Python/Java versatility to design cohesive, future-proof solutions.
  • Golang Expertise: 2+ years designing performant systems in Go (APIs, microservices, CLI tools).
  • Full-Stack Versatility: Complement Rails expertise with Python scripting for automation/data analysis and Java for legacy system integrations.
  • Proven Leadership: Mentored teams in Agile/BDD practices, optimized Rails app performance by 30–40% in latency-sensitive environments, and consistently delivered maintainable, DRY code.
  • Architecture-First Mindset: Proven ability to balance business needs with technical scalability.
  • Full-Cycle Delivery: Comfortable owning projects end-to-end, from design to deployment.

Contact: [email protected] | LinkedIn | GitHub

Nice things people have said about me

Chris Wolf, Co-Founder & Director at Wolf&Player:

"I worked with Ikenna during his brief time as a Software Engineer at Matt&George. I did not line manage Ikenna directly but was PM on many projects that Ikenna worked on. I found Ikenna to be a very good team player. He is friendly and brings a good positive attitude to the working environment. He is highly skilled in the programming languages he focuses on and also displayed a willingness to learn new skills turning his hand to a range of technologies he had no prior experience of prior to joining. I would recommend Ikenna to any organisation as a developer who can translate requirements and deliver effectively."

Leena Gupte, Tech Lead at the UK Government Digital Service:

"Ikenna is a hard-working member of the team who does not shy away from difficult challenges but instead tackles them with a great deal of enthusiasm. He came to a project that most other developers at GDS don't want to touch because the code-base has been left in an awful condition. This code-base is one of the ones used by GOV.UK provide citizens with answers to questions they may have about how they can interact with government. Ikenna, through his diligence, makes continual improvements to this code so that it is less onerous for the next developer to pick up, and easier to update, so that UK citizens can continue to receive up to date information in a timely manner. Outside of GDS, Ikenna spends his time keeping abreast of all of the changes that occur in Ruby on Rails and is a valued member of the Ruby on Rails community. Ikenna doesn't just limit himself to Ruby. He is also keen to try new technologies and has taught himself about container management and other programming languages. Ikenna doesn't just keep this knowledge to himself though. He willingly shares what he has learned by giving talks to the wider tech communities and contributing to open source projects. I am sure that Ikenna will continue to contribute to the technology community in all of these ways and will be a valued member of any digital technology team he joins in the future, and by doing this will continue to positively impact the UK digital economy."

Wendy Devolder, Founder & CEO at Skills Matter Ltd:

"Ikenna is one of the most passionate technologists I know. Loves learning. Loves new technologies." For a full recommendations with more details, please see my profile on LinkedIn.

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