Shaeel Afsar
Lead Software Engineer
Backend-focused software engineer with 6+ years building distributed systems, microservices, and cloud-native APIs at Fortune 500 companies. I design and ship the services behind the product — scalable, reliable, and built to last. Unique background combining engineering depth with customer-facing experience.
Known for clear communication, stakeholder alignment, and translating complex ideas into client value. I bring a unique perspective shaped by years in both engineering and customer-facing sales roles.
Years in engineering
Fortune 500 teams
Skill tracks
systems.sh
$ architect --mode reliable
stack: Java · Spring Boot · AWS
focus: scalable APIs + cloud delivery
→ translating architecture into product momentum
Based in
Chicago, IL
Current lane
Cloud APIs + product-facing architecture
I approach software as a backend-first engineer — designing distributed systems, cloud APIs, and microservices that are built for scale and reliability.
The best engineering work starts with understanding the problem deeply. That means designing clean API contracts, choosing the right data models, and building services that handle failure gracefully at scale.
I care about the details that compound — architecture decisions that enable future growth, service boundaries that keep teams autonomous, and observability that catches issues before customers do.
Tools and technologies I work with most often.
A grouped view of the technologies and practices that shape my day-to-day engineering work.
The human side of how I work.
I'm drawn to work that blends technical depth with clear stakeholder communication, and that shapes how I lead, collaborate, and grow.
Bridging tech & business
I thrive at the intersection of engineering and stakeholder engagement — translating complex technical ideas into clear value propositions that drive adoption.
Mentoring & leadership
I enjoy mentoring engineers on technical storytelling, presentation skills, and how to think about architecture as a business enabler.
Life outside the screen
Good coffee, fitness, family time, and the kind of side projects that start as curiosity and become real products.
Want to see the work in context?
Explore selected projects or reach out if you're looking for an engineering leader who delivers results.