Luca Matei | Experience

Skills I've Gained

Here's the knowledge I've gained from 14 years of coding and how I've applied it in my last 8 years of professional experience.

Python: I started coding in Python with the release of version 3.2 in 2011. My work spans scripting, gaming, web development, automation, and more recently, projects involving Large Language Models. I'm also teaching students and juniors to code in Python.
Linux: Since getting my first computer, I've used Debian for everything from setting up servers and building networks to managing services and fixing system issues. I host my projects on VPSes that I manage myself.
Backend: I work with ASGI REST APIs daily to support SaaS platforms. In 2020, I developed a framework on a uWSGI server to manage the backend of multiple presentation websites. My code is self-documenting, scalable and consistent within design patterns.
Frontend: I mainly work on backend development, but I'm also good at making user interfaces and connecting them to the backend. In 2020, I built a CSS framework from the ground up to give websites a look similar to what you get with Tailwind CSS.
DevOps: I can install and take care of Linux, web, and database servers, along with containers, making sure they handle traffic smoothly. I've also set up systems for continuous integration and delivery, as well as monitoring tools.
Shopify: I've built integrations with Shopify involving Custom Apps, App Embeds, LLM tools for cart manipulation, and more. I'm currently writing an open-source Python SDK aimed to be better documented and better structured than the official one.

Where I've Contributed

People know me for my resilience, structure and strong commitment to growth.

getitAI, Inc.

Senior Full Stack Engineer with LLMs

Oct 2023 - Present · 1yr 7mos

Remote, Contract

San Francisco, California, United States

getit.ai

Performance: Rewrote a multi-modal Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) system using Redis Stack, reducing query response times from 300ms to under 12ms. Integrated keyword search, semantic search, metadata filtering, chunk joining, and query optimization
Backend: Built asynchronous API infrastructure in Python using FastAPI, Postgres, Redis, SQLAlchemy, asyncio, and aiohttp.
LLM Tools: Created tools allowing e-commerce actions like cart management, subscription handling, and order processing.
Knowledge System: Designed an LLM-agnostic knowledge ingestion pipeline with interfaces integrated into the Next.js application. Can ingest files, web pages, Shopify products.
Shopify Integration: Created a custom Shopify block for store integration and built pipelines to handle real-time updates for over 6,000 products and 150,000+ daily transactions across multiple stores.
Scalability: Designed a user rollout system with geo-filtering and planned solutions for custom client requirements during onboarding.
Testing and CI/CD: Created the first unit test suite and CI/CD pipeline to validate pull requests before merging.
Team Coordination: Occasionally led daily meetings, coordinated 2-3 developers on projects, and managed production deployments.
Documentation and Modularity: Reduced development time through modular architecture and improved onboarding with detailed documentation.
Technical Support: Acted as the go-to engineer for resolving critical issues and implementing new features.

Software Engineer and Consultant

Jun 2023 - Apr 2025 · 1yr 11mos

Remote, Self-employed

European Economic Area

Helped startups create cost-effective and performant e-commerce products, coached junior developers to build a strong foundation in software development, contributed to and authored open-source projects and documentation,and started my entrepreneurial journey in local markets.

Invited speaker on AI at a Packet Coders event
Provided private tutoring on Large Language Models (LLMs)
Advised startups on custom software solutions for employee timekeeping and network services
Led weekly Python courses covering APIs, web scraping, and game development for junior developers
Authored open-source learning materials
Contributed to the Pydantic library
Managed private Virtual Private Servers (VPSs) and DNS servers

Signed NDA

Python Developer with DevOps

Jul 2023 - Apr 2024 · 10mos

Remote, Contract

European Economic Area

Quickly progressed to lead developer and architect role. Reconstructed critical API and infrastructure components to improve throughput and maintainability. Delivered new system version 2 months ahead of the 1-year contract schedule.

Reconstructed and launched a multi-server system to process high-volume custom user requests
Rebuilt the API's core structure, improving speed, stability, and expandability
Designed and implemented a comprehensive credits system for the API, integrating with external subscription services
Established and managed essential infrastructure including CI/CD pipelines, load balancers, and databases
Maintained servers to ensure security and minimize downtime

Python Developer with DevOps, Instructor

Sep 2017 - Jun 2023 · 5yrs 10mos

Hybrid, Freelance

Bucharest, Romania

Helped students learn procedural programming using C++ and Python. Wrote setup guides for various software tools.

Created configuration guides for over 10 software products
Ran web development workshops for 25+ students twice a week
Tutored 15+ students in web development and procedural programming
Built dozens of websites, blogs, galleries in Flask, Django and bottle.py with Bootstrap, jQuery, and vanilla JS, HTML, CSS
Built software for DevOps, networking and security products

Courses & Certifications

I love learning and have made it a daily habit.

Backend Developer
Complete
9 courses
Completed on Jun 25, 2023
Created by Meta
View certificate, Backend Developer
Machine Learning Specialization
In progress
1/6 courses
Created by IBM
View certificate, Machine Learning Specialization
Frontend Developer
Complete
9 courses
Created by Meta
View certificate, Frontend Developer
Python For Everybody
Complete
5 courses
Created by University of Michigan
View certificate, Python For Everybody
IT Automation with Python
Complete
6 courses
Completed on Dec 19, 2023
Created by Google
View certificate, IT Automation with Python

Let's Get In Touch!

Drop me a line if you think we can team up or if you have any questions.

Address: Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands
Telephone: +40 771 344 046
Email: [email protected]