Aleksei Kogan

Hi. I'm Aleksei Kogan.

Python Backend Developer with 7+ years building scalable APIs using Django and FastAPI. Experienced in full development lifecycle: requirements, architecture, implementation, CI/CD automation, and testing. Skilled in database optimization (PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redis), asynchronous task processing (Celery, RabbitMQ), and containerization (Docker). Also experienced in frontend development with JavaScript and React, integrating UIs with backend APIs for high-performance apps.

Passionate about modern web technologies and system reliability. I enjoy mentoring and collaborating with teams to deliver scalable solutions.

Familiar with AI concepts (LLMs, prompt engineering, embeddings) and integrating AI APIs into backend services, using AI assistant tools for development and prototyping.

See my experience

Work Experience

KOKOC GROUP

Leading Russian digital marketing agency with 1000+ employees

Senior Backend Developer | Nov 2024 – Present
  • Refactored critical MySQL queries by optimizing Django ORM calls and adding indexes, reducing response times for key API endpoints from ~5s to under 1s.
  • Led the migration of user-generated file storage from on-premise servers to AWS S3, which unblocked server performance bottlenecks and enabled horizontal scaling.
  • Built and documented a new suite of REST APIs to integrate with three key business partners, automating a previously manual data-sharing process.
  • Implemented a background processing system using Celery and Redis to handle long-running tasks like report generation, preventing API timeouts and improving user experience.
  • Established a testing framework with pytest, achieving 80% test coverage for new services and creating a culture of writing tests within the team.

Technologies: Python, Django, FastAPI, React, JavaScript, MySQL, Celery, Redis, SOAP, S3, Docker

National Research Center «Kurchatov Institute»

Major national research center focused on nuclear energy and physics

Backend Developer | Aug 2021 – Nov 2024 (3+ years)
  • Architected and delivered a new internal portal for submitting research requests, replacing a legacy email-based system for over 200 scientists.
  • Identified and resolved performance bottlenecks in the main application by optimizing PostgreSQL queries and refactoring legacy Django views, which cut server CPU usage during peak hours.
  • Automated the institute's event notification system using Celery, sending customized reminders to participants and eliminating hours of weekly manual work for administrators.
  • Implemented a caching layer with Redis for the public-facing API, significantly improving response times for frequently accessed datasets and reducing database load.

Technologies: Python, Django, PostgreSQL, Celery, pytest, Docker

Bauman Moscow State Technical University

Top-ranked Russian technical university

Backend Developer | Sep 2019 – Aug 2021 (3+ years)
  • Developed backend modules for internal university web applications, including user authentication, data processing, and form handling using Django.
  • Built REST API endpoints for an internal research tool, which automated data submission and retrieval for the department.
  • Wrote Python scripts to automate the generation of weekly data reports, saving the team several hours of manual work each week.
  • Contributed to system maintenance by debugging and fixing issues in existing Django applications, focusing on database queries and form validation.

Technologies: Python, Django, DRF, PostgreSQL, Git, REST APIs, Linux (basic), Docker (basic)

My Stack

Main

Python | JavaScript
Django | DRF | NGINX
FastAPI

Databases

MySQL
Redis
PostgreSQL
SQLite

Message Brokers

Celery
RabbitMQ
Kafka

Documentation

Swagger
reDoc

Containerization

Docker
Docker Compose

Code Versioning

GitHub
GitLab

Testing

pytest
Jest
unittest
coverage

Also familiar with

gRPC • Grafana • Prometheus
AWS • SOAP • GraphQL • Stripe

Personal Projects

SweetHome

SweetHome

E-commerce furniture platform: catalog, filters, cart, delivery & payment. Production deployment on AWS (EC2).

Django • PostgreSQL • Celery • Redis • JavaScript • AJAX

Live site GitHub
CookShare

CookShare

Social recipe platform with subscriptions, favorites and shopping lists.

Django • DRF • React • PostgreSQL • JWT

GitHub
Genes Human API

Genes Human API

API for uploading and retrieving gene CSV files — local storage or AWS S3.

FastAPI • PostgreSQL • Docker • TUS • pytest

  • Storage abstraction — pluggable backends (filesystem, S3, GCS, MinIO); a dedicated layer (e.g. obstore-style) keeps switching storage straightforward.
  • Resumable uploads — TUS for interrupted transfers (e.g. tuspyserver).
  • Pagination — paginated, filterable GET /files for large file catalogs.
  • Async I/O — FastAPI async flows for uploads and persistence so clients get faster responses.
  • Docker — Compose setup to run the API and PostgreSQL locally with minimal setup.
GitHub
Loopy — recurring tasks Loopy — calendar

Loopy

Recurring Task Manager for iOS — routines like bills and cleaning. An AI agent helps with creating and managing tasks and doubles as a general assistant. Commercial product — source is not published.

SwiftUI • Core Data • Local-first • AI agent • Django • REST (PostgreSQL-ready)

  • Tasks — CRUD; repeat daily, weekly, monthly, or custom N-day interval; optional start date and auto due-from-period logic.
  • Workflow — Overdue / Today / Upcoming; complete on time or late; archive with history and restore.
  • Calendar — month view with per-day markers (overdue distinguished).
  • UX — swipe actions, in-app demo tutorial, RU / EN.
  • Architecture — SwiftUI client with Core Data; Django-oriented API and APIClient.swift for future sync.

Get in touch

Open to interesting Python Backend / Full-Stack (learning) opportunities