Hi, I'm Waqas Zafar
Full-stack developer, 11 years deep in Ruby on Rails. I build MVPs, SaaS products and internal tools, and rescue apps that have outgrown their code.
Lead Backend Engineer at SMATA, Sydney 500,000+ properties on the platform US · Canada · Australia client products
01. About
I've spent 11 years building the backends businesses run on: banking systems, clinical and healthcare apps at TkXel, products for North American clients at Square63, and today a strata platform covering 500,000+ properties across Australia, where I lead backend engineering.
Now I'm bringing that experience directly to founders and growing teams. Having also run my own consultancy, HashNext, I know good software needs more than good code: clear scope, honest timelines and no surprises.
CURRENTLY
Lead Backend Engineer
at SMATA Technologies, Sydney
Taking on select projects
MVPs, web apps and Rails rescues
02. What I build
CORE SPECIALISM
Lead backend engineer on a multi-tenant SaaS. I keep Rails apps fast, tested and easy to change.
/mvp
Launch fast, built so version two isn't a rewrite.
/apps
Portals, dashboards and workflows that replace spreadsheets.
/rescue
Slow or fragile app? I find the real cause and fix it.
/ai
Smart search, assistants and automation that earn their place.
/lead
Architecture, code reviews and mentoring, part-time.
03. Expertise
Eleven years of Rails, from first MVPs to leading the backend of a multi-tenant SaaS. I know where Rails apps slow down, where they get messy, and how to keep them fast as they grow.
# before: one query per property
@properties = Property.all
# after: a handful of queries, total
@properties = Property
.includes(:units, :owner)
.where(active: true)→ one query per association, not one per row
Documented APIs that mobile apps and partners can rely on, data-rich dashboards for real-time decisions, and the third-party integrations real products need, from messaging and push notifications to video calls and documents.
{
"property_id": 1042,
"starts_on": "2026-11-01",
"tenant": { "email": "sam@example.com" }
}
← 201 Created→ versioned, documented, tested
PostgreSQL models, indexes and query plans that stay fast under load, and Elasticsearch index design so search returns the right thing, quickly.
add_index :leases,
[:property_id, :status],
algorithm: :concurrently
# EXPLAIN: Seq Scan → Index Scan→ added without locking the table
Automated test and deploy pipelines so shipping is boring and safe. AI features in products, and agentic coding workflows that speed teams up without letting quality slip.
on: [push, pull_request]
jobs:
test:
steps:
- run: bundle exec rspec
deploy:
needs: test→ every merge tested, every deploy one click
04. Experience
Apr 2023 – Present
Remote · Sydney
Rails · PostgreSQL · Elasticsearch · Sidekiq · Redis · Docker · AWS
Nov 2020 – Mar 2023
Self-employed
Rails · PostgreSQL · AWS
Aug 2018 – Sep 2020
Lahore
Rails · MySQL · Firebase · Twilio
Apr 2016 – Jul 2018
Lahore
Rails · PostgreSQL · REST APIs
2014 – 2016
Software Engineer, Arkhitech · IT Applications, U Microfinance Bank · BS Software Engineering, IIU Islamabad
05. Selected work
PROP-TECH · AUSTRALIA · SMATA
500K+properties on the platformAs lead backend engineer in the core Rails team: API performance, Elasticsearch search, the chat system migration and background job optimisation.
Rails · PostgreSQL · Elasticsearch · Sidekiq
MANUFACTURING · NORTH AMERICA · SQUARE63
500+dealers across the US, Canada & MexicoMy part: Firebase push notifications, offline syncing and the admin dashboard for quality reports, front end and back end.
Rails · Firebase · REST APIs
TELECOM · CANADA · SQUARE63
Real-timetracking & geofencingMy part: MySQL spatial data handling, the real-time locator, target-and-follow and Twilio-powered proximity marketing.
Rails · MySQL spatial · Twilio
HEALTHCARE · TKXEL
Clinicaltools for emergency care & trialsMy part: pediatric outcome and dosage modules, plus backend work on a clinical trial photo app.
Rails · REST APIs · Android integration
06. How I work
A free call to understand your idea and goals.
A written scope, timeline and estimate before any code.
Weekly demos, so you see progress, not promises.
Deployed, documented and handed over cleanly.
Kind words
Waqas was great to work with, he always strived to deliver the best outcome for us. He collaborated well with our team and was always flexible and accommodating to our needs.
“Project was delivered successfully and client was really happy with deliverables. Without doubt credit goes to Waqas for his ability to implement the difficult requirements of integrating with 3rd party GEO location services and high performing APIs. I highly recommend Waqas.”
“He understands the problem statement very well & provide optimal solutions whenever required. He has delivered some successful products while working with me & surely deserves a recommendation.”
“Working with him is an awesome experience as he takes the ownership and responsibility of his work. Grab him as fast as you can if you are looking for a team player and solution-centered person.”
Most projects are fixed-price after a short scoping call, so you know the number before any work starts. Ongoing work and smaller fixes can also be billed hourly.
Not at all. Describe the problem in plain words; I make the technical decisions and explain the trade-offs in plain English.
I'm in Lahore (UTC+5) and work remotely with a Sydney-based team every day. My hours overlap well with Australia, the Gulf and Europe for calls.
You do, from day one: your repository, your hosting accounts, and documentation so any developer can pick it up.
For the right role, yes. Download my resume, or pick "I'm hiring" in the form below.
08. What's next?
A rough idea is enough. I'll reply within one business day with questions, an approach and a ballpark timeline.