Dickens Alphonce Juma
Tech Lead | Senior Backend Engineer | Distributed Systems | FinTech | Messaging Platforms | AI
Available for remote work | Flexible to US/EU/UK time zones | GMT+3
Currently Working On
🚀 Building AI-powered features for Spark platform | 📚 Deepening expertise in distributed systems & event-driven architecture | 🌍 Exploring opportunities with US/EU fintech companies
About Me
Hello There!
I'm Dickens Juma, a Backend/Platform Engineer with 6+ years of experience building event-driven, multi-tenant SaaS & fintech systems. I specialize in Node.js, TypeScript, Kafka, and AWS, with a proven track record of leading architecture modernization, reliability improvements, and cost optimization initiatives. I've built resilient integration workflows, data pipelines, and cross-system automations for government APIs, payments, and messaging systems. Currently available for remote opportunities with US, EU, and UK companies, with flexibility to work across time zones.
Location : Nairobi, Kenya (GMT+3)
Availability : Remote | US/EU/UK Time Zones
Email : dickensjuma13@gmail.com
Phone : +254 704 868 023 (WhatsApp/Signal)
Backend & APIs
Node.js & TypeScript
Express, GraphQL, REST
Python
Architecture & Patterns
Microservices & Event-Driven
Kafka, Pub/Sub, Saga Patterns
Multi-Tenancy & Idempotent Workflows
Cloud & DevOps
AWS (Lambda, ECS, EC2, S3)
Docker & Kubernetes
CI/CD (GitHub Actions)
Redis Caching
Data & Databases
PostgreSQL, MongoDB, MySQL
Query Tuning, Indexing, Partitioning
Security & Integrations
OAuth2, SAML, JWT
Payments (M-Pesa, Multi-currency)
Twilio/SMS, Webhooks, API Integrations
AI & Observability
OpenAI API, LangChain, Vector Search
Structured Logging, Tracing, Metrics
Education
September 2022 - Present
The Cooperative University Of Kenya
Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering
- Approached problems in an analytical and rigorous way, formulated theories, and applied them to solve computational problems.
- Applied understanding of computer software principles and SDLC in designing and developing programs.
- Advanced numeracy and analyzing large quantities of data using statistical software i.e MATLAB and SPSS.
- Accurately develop, secure, maintain the performance, integrity, and security of a computerized database.
- Analyze security breaches that may or have occurred, and restore or reinforce systems against such breaches, to ensure that confidential data is protected.
November 2019 – Present
Microverse Inc
Full stack Software Developent
- Spent 1300+ hours mastering algorithms, data structures, and full-stack development while simultaneously developing projects with Ruby, Rails, JavaScript, React, and Redux.
- Developed skills in remote pair-programming using GitHub, industry-standard git-flow, and daily standups to communicate and collaborate with international remote developers.
March 2018 - August 2019
Lakehub Academy
Full stack web development
Selected Backend & Platform Projects
Mobile Wallet Service
Node.js wallet microservice for account provisioning and verified user financial interactions.
Key Features: Unique wallet creation, verified-email onboarding, transaction-ready account model, and MongoDB-backed persistence.
Impact: Demonstrates core fintech primitives for secure wallet onboarding and lays a reliable foundation for payment product extensions.
Technologies: JavaScript, Node.js, MongoDB, microservice architecture
Caret
USSD platform that allows employees the financial flexibility to access their already earned salary at any time during the month.
Key Features: USSD-based salary advance system, real-time salary calculation, secure payment processing, employee self-service portal.
Impact: Provides financial flexibility for employees. Reduces financial stress by enabling early access to earned wages. Improves employee satisfaction and retention.
Technologies: Node.js, USSD gateway integration, Payment APIs, Database management
Spark - Founder & Lead Engineer
All-in-one SaaS platform for the Beauty Industry that empowers businesses by streamlining operations, boosting productivity, and elevating client experiences.
Key Features: Multi-tenant platform with CRM, scheduling, staff & inventory modules. AI-powered integrations (WhatsApp, payments, scheduling). Containerized deployments (Docker) for rapid environment spins.
Impact: Enabled 100+ SMEs in Africa to digitize operations. Built with React, Node.js, MongoDB, AWS. Drove closed beta adoption with established feedback loops for accelerated iteration cycles.
Technologies: React, Node.js, TypeScript, MongoDB, AWS, Docker, AI/ML Integrations
WhatsApp Booking Bot with RAG and Redis
AI-assisted booking and support workflow for WhatsApp conversations.
Key Features: RAG-backed answers, Redis session/context caching, conversational booking flow, and integration-ready messaging endpoints.
Impact: Improves response consistency and enables 24/7 booking/support automation, reducing manual follow-up effort for operations teams.
Technologies: JavaScript, Node.js, Redis, RAG workflows, WhatsApp APIs
Customer Support Ticket System
Support operations backend for tracking, routing, and resolving customer issues.
Key Features: Ticket lifecycle states, assignment and prioritization flows, status tracking, and team-oriented handling workflows.
Impact: Centralizes customer support execution and shortens handoff loops between teams, improving response discipline and visibility.
Technologies: TypeScript, Node.js, API-first backend design
Debt Summary Generator
Backend automation utility that converts structured debt input data into printable PDF summaries.
Key Features: CSV ingestion, validation and transformation pipeline, structured PDF report generation, and table-based financial output formatting.
Impact: Reduces manual spreadsheet-to-report effort and standardizes finance reporting output for faster operational review.
Technologies: JavaScript, Node.js, PDFKit, CSV processing
Render-Email API
An API that lets you POST a payload of HTML, device type, and target app and it returns a screenshot of that HTML rendered as an email on that device in that app.
Key Features: Email rendering across multiple devices and email clients. Screenshot generation for email previews. Support for various device types and email applications.
Impact: Simplifies email testing and preview workflows. Enables developers to verify email appearance across different platforms without manual testing.
Technologies: Node.js, Express, Puppeteer/Playwright, REST API
EmailCheckMate
Professional email validation service that performs comprehensive email verification checks.
Key Features: SMTP validation, disposable email detection, free email provider identification, MX record verification, DNS checks. Real-time email validation API.
Impact: Helps businesses reduce bounce rates and improve email deliverability. Prevents fake or invalid email addresses from entering systems.
Technologies: Node.js, Express, DNS libraries, SMTP validation, REST API
The Auger Network
Data marketplace platform to find and explore consumable, relevant data for businesses and developers.
Key Features: Data discovery, catalog browsing, API access, ratings, and licensing workflows.
Impact: Enabled better data discovery and monetization workflows for teams building data products.
Technologies: TypeScript, Node.js, React.js, RPC API
Teletiba
Telemedicine platform that allows patients to consult with Kenyan licensed medical practitioners via video call upon booking.
Key Features: Video consultation platform, appointment booking system, Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), Electronic Health Records (EHRs), IVR, and secure patient data management.
Impact: Improved healthcare access for remote users and supported service digitization at scale.
Technologies: WebRTC, Microservices architecture, AWS, Node.js
Impact Snapshot
Quantifiable results from my engineering work across multiple projects and companies:
25%
Infrastructure Cost Reduction
Service modularization & cache optimization
+35%
Throughput Increase
Event-driven claims & payment routing
80%
Automation Achieved
Payroll + appointment handling
20%
Latency Reduction
API optimization + query tuning
70%
Manual SLA Reduction
Onboarding digitization
100+
SMEs Enabled
Digitized operations via Spark platform
Certifications & Education
Professional Certifications
Ongoing
AWS Developer Associate
Amazon Web Services - Cloud development and deployment expertise
Ongoing
Azure Developer Associate
Microsoft Azure - Cloud application development and services
2019-2023
freeCodeCamp Certifications
Certificates:
- Back End Development and APIs
- JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structure
- Responsive Web Design
Blog & Articles
I write practical engineering content for backend teams: reliability, event-driven architecture, and payment-safe integration patterns.
AI Didn't Replace Senior Engineers. It Changed What We Get Paid For.
A practical perspective on how AI is shifting senior engineering work toward architecture, production decision-making, and system-level responsibility.
I Worked on Payments for Years. Here's What Most Developers Get Wrong.
Lessons from production payment systems: idempotency, webhook retries, asynchronous states, and why trust depends on failure-safe design.
Workflow Automation with Resilient Retries
Building reliable automation workflows that handle failures gracefully. Covers exponential backoff, circuit breakers, and dead letter queues.
Event Choreography Deep Dive
Understanding event-driven architecture patterns. Explores saga patterns, outbox pattern, and building decoupled microservices.
Contact Me
Nairobi, Kenya (GMT+3)
+254 704 868 023
(WhatsApp/Signal available)
Remote Availability
UK: 1pm-6pm | US ET: 8am-1pm overlap