Software Engineer & Game Developer

I'm Saul Alvarez, a Software Engineer with over 12+ years of experience building scalable web applications and engaging games.

I deliver robust solutions to enterprise clients, government organizations, and start-ups through efficient, modern programming practices—while also building and releasing games and tools as a solo developer.

Summary: Highlights and Tech Stack

Experience Highlights

Web Development

  • Led engineering teams to deliver scalable microservices architecture
  • Architected SPAs with modern frameworks (React, Next.js)
  • Developed real-time chat systems serving thousands of concurrent users

Game Development

  • Built and shipped mobile games to App Store and Google Play
  • Created developer tools for Unity Asset Store

Tech Stack

  1.   TypeScript     JavaScript
  2.   C#       Unity
  3.   Back End
  4.   Node.js
  5.   Document DBs       MongoDB
  6.   Relational DBs       SQL       MySQL
  7.   Front End
  8.   React       Tailwind
  9.   NestJS       Next.js       Express
  10.   Docker

Professional Experience

Lead Software Engineer

First American

2024 - Present

Responsibilities

  • ▹Define business use cases and translate them into technical requirements
  • ▹Design scalable application and microservices architecture
  • ▹Develop and maintain core REST APIs and GraphQL endpoints
  • ▹Mentor junior engineers and conduct code reviews
  • ▹Collaborate with product, design, and QA teams to deliver features
  • ▹Lead technical decision-making for front-end SPAs using React/Next.js

Key Achievements

  • ★Successfully launched multiple customer-facing applications
  • ★Led an application team from "at risk of missing deadlines" to on-time delivery

Tech Stack

TypeScriptReactNext.jsNode.js.NETAzureAWS
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Game Developer

Cromware

2023 - Present

Responsibilities

  • ▹Design and develop games from "concept" to release as solo developer
  • ▹Implement gameplay mechanics, UI/UX, and game systems in Unity
  • ▹Create and optimize 3D models, animations, and visual effects
  • ▹Develop custom Unity Editor tools for workflow optimization
  • ▹Manage full game development lifecycle including QA and publishing
  • ▹Handle post-release maintenance, updates, and community feedback

Key Achievements

  • ★Published mobile game on App Store and Google Play
  • ★Released Unity Editor tool on Unity Asset Store
  • ★Developed multiple game prototypes on Itch.io
  • ★Currently developing PC game for Steam release

Tech Stack

UnityC#Game DesignBlender3D ModelingMobile Development
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Sr. Software Engineer

Laurel

2022 - 2023

Responsibilities

  • ▹Led migration from monolithic architecture to microservices
  • ▹Designed and implemented RESTful APIs and data models
  • ▹Optimized database performance with 100K+ document collections
  • ▹Developed incident response protocols and monitoring systems
  • ▹Collaborated with DevOps on CI/CD pipeline improvements
  • ▹Wrote comprehensive technical documentation

Key Achievements

  • ★Reduced deployment time by 10x through microservices architecture
  • ★Improved API response times by 60% via database optimization
  • ★Established incident response protocols reducing downtime by 80%

Tech Stack

Nest.jsNode.jsTypeScriptMongoDBRedisAWSDockerKubernetes
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Sr. Software Engineer

8x8

2019 - 2022

Responsibilities

  • ▹Developed real-time chat features for enterprise communication platform
  • ▹Built SMS API integrations for international markets
  • ▹Designed and prototyped MVPs for new revenue streams
  • ▹Optimized APIs for near-real-time performance with 1000s of concurrent users
  • ▹Implemented audit logging and compliance features for enterprise clients
  • ▹Collaborated with distributed team across US and Europe

Key Achievements

  • ★Launched SMS service in 15+ international markets
  • ★Built real-time chat serving 5K+ concurrent users
  • ★Developed MVP that generated $500K+ in new revenue
  • ★Improved customer support team productivity by 35%

Tech Stack

Node.jsWebSocketsRedisRabbitMQAWSTwilio
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Lead Engineer

LightBox

2013 - 2019

Responsibilities

  • ▹Led team of 3 engineers developing new business vertical platform
  • ▹Gathered requirements from stakeholders and translated to technical specs
  • ▹Designed database schemas and API architecture
  • ▹Developed mobile-first web applications for field data collection
  • ▹Mentored junior engineers and conducted technical interviews
  • ▹Automated manual processes reducing human error by 70%

Key Achievements

  • ★Launched platform used by 200+ field workers daily
  • ★Increased data collection accuracy from 85% to 98%
  • ★Reduced manual data entry time by 60% through automation
  • ★Grew and mentored engineering team from 1 to 4 members

Tech Stack

JavaScriptReactNode.jsMySQLAWSMobile Web
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Electrical Engineer

Chroma Systems Solutions

2012 - 2013

Responsibilities

  • ▹Designed automated test plans for electrical equipment
  • ▹Programmed and calibrated electrical test equipment
  • ▹Deployed test stations at customer manufacturing sites
  • ▹Trained customer staff on automated testing systems
  • ▹Troubleshot and maintained testing equipment

Key Achievements

  • ★Deployed 15+ automated test stations across 5 client facilities
  • ★Reduced testing time by 50% through automation
  • ★Trained 30+ customer staff members on new systems

Tech Stack

LabVIEWSCPITest AutomationElectrical Engineering
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Get in touch

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