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Ian Kyalo

Ian Kyalo

Database Engineer

  • Data architecture
  • Distributed systems
  • High availability
  • Query performance
  • Container orchestration

I'm a database engineer working where data architecture meets distributed systems: schema and query design in PostgreSQL, replication and high-availability design, and the container orchestration that keeps it all running. I've been building backend systems since 2018.

About

I came to data engineering through application work — nearly three years as a senior full-stack engineer architecting Laravel and PHP platforms for workflow-heavy organizations: NGO grant administration, property management, legal case handling, real estate, and home-based healthcare.

That background shapes how I approach architecture: data models designed around the queries a system actually runs, and workloads distributed according to the load they actually carry. I work across PostgreSQL, Java, React, Docker, and Kubernetes on Linux, and I'm comfortable owning a system end to end — schema design, performance tuning, containerization, and the pipeline that ships it.

Work Experience

  1. Senior Database Engineer

    Current

    Irembo

    October 2023 - Present

    • PostgreSQL
    • MongoDB
    • ClickHouse
    • Patroni
    • etcd
    • Kubernetes
    • Docker
    • Linux
    • CI/CD
    • Percona PMM
    • Grafana
    • New Relic
  2. Senior Full Stack Engineer

    Bityarn Consult

    September 2022 - October 2023

    • Laravel
    • PHP
    • Livewire
    • Vue
    • Flutter
    • MySQL
    • PostgreSQL
    • Redis
    • Nginx
    • Linux
    • Process Maker
    • Sentry
    • Tailwind CSS
  3. Senior Full Stack Engineer

    Emerging Capital Holdings

    Jan 2021 - September 2022

    • Laravel
    • PHP
    • Livewire
    • JavaScript
    • Vue
    • Node.js
    • Next.js
    • Dart
    • Flutter
    • PostgreSQL
    • MySQL
    • Bootstrap CSS
  4. Fullstack Engineer

    Casavenida

    February 2021 - December 2021

    • PHP
    • JavaScript
    • MySQL
    • Bootstrap CSS
  5. PHP Developer

    Wuwana

    Jan 2021 - March 2021

    • PHP
    • MySQL
  6. Intern Software Engineer

    Cellulant

    May 2019 - August 2019

    • Java
    • PHP
    • MySQL
    • Apache
    • Git
  7. Full Stack Engineer

    Current

    Kakaye Tech Labs

    March 2018 - Present

    • PHP
    • Laravel
    • Wordpress
    • MySQL
    • Java

Technical Skills

Core — data & platform

  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • MongoDB
  • Redis
  • ClickHouse
  • Linux
  • Docker
  • Kubernetes
  • CI/CD

Backend & application

  • PHP
  • Laravel
  • Livewire
  • Java
  • JavaScript
  • React

Also worked with

  • Wordpress
  • Process Maker
  • Git
  • Flutter
  • Android Development

Key Projects

NGOs Awards

Led the development of a comprehensive digital awards platform that modernized the end-to-end submissions and evaluation process for NGOs. The solution improved operational efficiency by reducing manual administrative effort, enhanced transparency and consistency in judging, and delivered a streamlined user experience that increased engagement across participating organizations. By digitizing core workflows and enabling reliable, data-driven decision-making, the platform strengthened the overall credibility, scalability, and impact of the awards program.

  • PHP
  • Laravel
  • PostgreSQL
  • Bootstrap CSS
  • Livewire

Property Management System

A comprehensive property management solution developed using Laravel, designed to streamline the management of rental properties. The system facilitates efficient invoicing, rent and lease collection, payment tracking, and utility meter readings. Successfully onboarded Keyquest Realtors Ltd to enhance their operational efficiency, providing them with tailored features and ongoing support for seamless property management.

  • Laravel
  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • Tailwind CSS
  • Livewire

Casavenida Real Estate Platform

A dynamic real estate platform collaboratively developed from scratch to deployment, providing a seamless experience for property buyers, sellers, and renters. The platform features advanced search filters, interactive maps, and high-quality visuals to enhance user engagement and simplify property transactions. Actively involved in designing and implementing core functionalities, ensuring scalability, responsiveness, and a modern user experience tailored to the real estate market's needs.

  • PHP
  • JavaScript
  • MySQL
  • Bootstrap CSS

A football-focused platform initially developed using vanilla PHP and later transformed into a dynamic WordPress website to enhance functionality and content management. Actively involved in the full lifecycle of development, including initial design and implementation, feature iterations, and the migration to WordPress for improved scalability, user experience, and streamlined updates. The project showcases a modern approach to evolving platforms to meet growing user and business requirements.

  • Wordpress
  • PHP
  • MySQL

Movie Search Engine

DBSearch Engine is a java-based simple search engine to search for movies based on instances of keywords in movies descriptions. The titles and descriptions of the movies are stored in separate-chaining hash tables.

  • Java

Home-based Care Management System

Developed the backend for a comprehensive home-based care management system, enabling efficient patient records management, appointment scheduling, and caregiver assignments. Built using Laravel and React, the system features a user-friendly interface, real-time notifications, and secure data storage, ensuring seamless communication and coordination between patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers.

  • Laravel
  • React
  • Bootstrap CSS

Inventory Management System

Designed and developed a robust inventory management system using PHP, Bootstrap, and vanilla JavaScript. The system was geared to streamline business operations with features like real-time inventory tracking, efficient stock control, and insightful reporting. Moreover, it can ensure enhanced operational efficiency and inventory oversight for businesses.

  • PHP
  • MySQL
  • Bootstrap CSS
  • Vanilla JS

Law Firm Management System

Developed an integrated law firm management platform that streamlined case handling, improved visibility across legal workflows, and strengthened operational efficiency. The system enabled attorneys and administrative staff to manage cases online, monitor document workflows, track file movements, and maintain clear audit trails throughout the case lifecycle. By digitizing core processes—ranging from intake to document review and court filings—the platform enhanced collaboration, reduced administrative overhead, and supported more reliable, timely, and compliant legal service delivery.

  • PHP
  • Bootstrap CSS
  • Laravel
  • Livewire

Contact

Email:
iankay777(at)gmail(dot)com
LinkedIn:
/in/iankyalo