Backend & API reliability
External APIs fail, throttle and change. I design services and integrations around authentication, data sync, API limits and error recovery, so business workflows still finish correctly.
Backend · Cloud · Integration
Tho Nguyen
Senior Full-Stack & Backend EngineerPython · Django · AWS
I build backend systems, APIs and cloud-native applications that hold up in production — and the integrations that connect them to the platforms a business already runs on.
Python, Django, PHP, Java and JavaScript on AWS and GCP. I care as much about engineering quality, clear communication, knowledge sharing and successful delivery as about the code itself.
- AWS Certified Developer – Associate
- MBA
- Based in Japan
01 / Expertise
Technical expertise
- Languages
- Frameworks & tools
- Cloud & infrastructure
- Backend & APIs
- AI & automation
Engineering highlights
AWS distributed processing
Asynchronous and long-running jobs across Lambda, ECS Fargate, Step Functions, S3 and DynamoDB — choosing the execution model by duration, payload size, concurrency, reliability and cost.
Performance & operations
Removing processing bottlenecks, controlling API request rates and handling external-service failures so automated workflows run dependably.
Enterprise integration
SmartHR, banking, Google, Microsoft and Concur APIs — interoperability, authentication, data consistency, synchronization and rate limits across platforms.
Cloud infrastructure & DevOps
Docker, CircleCI and GitHub Actions pipelines, runtime upgrades, infrastructure maintenance and security — with running costs in view.
AI-assisted engineering
Claude Code and GitHub Copilot for implementation, debugging, code exploration, tests and review — a multiplier for engineering judgment and testing, not a replacement.
Text-to-speech & AI content
Amazon Polly and Japanese speech generation, AI-assisted illustration, and generated media in user-facing apps. Exploring: automated audio and multilingual content pipelines.
Principles
- Maintainable architecture
- Reliable integrations
- Practical problem-solving
- Security & stability
- Performance & cost
- Automate the repetitive
- Clear communication
- Continuous improvement
02 / Leadership
Leadership & collaboration
Technical leadership
Solution design and trade-offs across scalability, reliability, security, maintainability and cost.
Details
- Taking part in technical discussions and engineering decisions
- Spotting risks, bottlenecks and improvement opportunities early
- Consistent engineering practices and code quality
- Connecting implementation with business requirements
Cross-functional teamwork
Aligning developers, product and non-technical stakeholders on requirements, priorities and delivery.
Details
- Agreeing on implementation approaches and expectations
- Explaining technical issues and solutions clearly
- Helping teammates clear blockers and keep momentum
- Constructive collaboration across disciplines
Mentoring & training
Sharing best practices, supporting onboarding, debugging help and constructive code reviews.
Details
- Helping colleagues understand unfamiliar systems
- Technical guidance and debugging assistance
- Learning materials and practical explanations
- Encouraging knowledge transfer and continuous learning
Project delivery
Requirements, task breakdown and milestones — balancing delivery speed with engineering quality.
Details
- Coordinating development, testing, reviews and releases
- Tracking dependencies, priorities, risks and changing requirements
- Communicating progress, blockers and trade-offs
- Connecting execution to product goals and business value
Technical documentation
Specs, API docs and data mapping, guides, runbooks and decision records that keep teams effective.
Details
- Implementation and onboarding guides
- Troubleshooting and operational procedures
- Deployment and release documentation
- Decision records for lasting knowledge transfer
Product & business thinking
Turning business requirements into practical solutions, judged by effort, risk, cost and value.
Details
- Finding opportunities for automation and operational improvement
- Bridging technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Keeping long-term maintainability and running costs in view
03 / Career
Career path
Growing from hands-on engineering toward technical leadership and broader business impact.
- CurrentSenior Full-Stack & Backend EngineerHands-on backend, cloud and integration work
- NextTech LeadTechnical direction and code quality for a team
- FutureEngineering Manager / Technical PMDelivery, people and cross-team coordination
- Long-termCTOTechnology strategy and business impact
Steps 2–4 are future aspirations, not positions I currently hold.
04 / Education
Education & certifications
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
University of the People
Bachelor's degree — Software Engineering
FPT University
Certifications
AWS Certified Developer – Associate
Amazon Web Services
Google Project Management Professional Certificate
Google
Languages
- TOEIC 735English
- JLPT N5Japanese (beginner level)
05 / Off the clock
Life beyond code
Behind every developer is a life outside the terminal. Mine includes a lovely wife, an adorable daughter, and two very important reasons to close the laptop on time.
- At work, I debug code. At home, I negotiate with a tiny human.
- My hardest deadline? Family time.
- Coffee keeps me coding. My family reminds me when it’s time to stop.
06 / Contact
Get in touch
Email is the best way to reach me. You can also find me on LinkedIn and GitHub.
hello@thonguyen.net