# Ashwin Tiwari **Software Engineer** — San Francisco, CA, United States > Backend-focused software engineer working mostly in Python, Node.js, and SQL, with hands-on work on query optimization, Redis caching, and CI/CD pipelines. Currently pursuing an MSc at Duke Fuqua while working on a capstone with Rail Inc. Career Archetype: **Launchpad Trailblazer** (HS-MG) — One of the first Launchpad Trailblazers on Saywise ## Links - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ashwin-tiwari-fuqua - GitHub: https://github.com/tiwaker ## Experience ### Solutions Engineer, Changing The Present (2026-08 – present) San Francisco Bay Area · Building the backend for a data migration from Excel spreadsheets to PostgreSQL and HubSpot. Python parses, validates, and loads records into a structured schema, and the HubSpot API integration syncs them into the CRM, including field mapping and handling of duplicate or malformed entries. Deploys the services on AWS in Docker containers with GitHub Actions for automated deployments. ### Backend Software Engineer (Capstone), Railinc Corp. (2026-03 – 2026-05) Durham, NC · Built RESTful microservices with Python (FastAPI) and Docker to process logistics data streams, aiming for high availability in core operational systems. Optimized PostgreSQL queries and added Redis caching, cutting average API response times from 800ms to under 120ms at peak traffic. Set up GitHub Actions CI/CD pipelines that doubled deployment frequency and reduced production regressions. ### Graduate Teaching Assistant, Duke University - The Fuqua School of Business (2025-10 – 2026-01) Durham, NC · Supported Quantitative Methods coursework by helping students with problem sets, concepts, and analytical modeling. ### Software Engineering Lead, Duke Advanced Degree Consulting Club (2025-07 – 2026-02) Durham, NC · Led a team of 3 developers in an Agile setting to build a full-stack internal resource management platform, shipping 2 major releases on schedule. Designed the Node.js and Express backend with standardized API contracts and JWT role-based authentication, supporting 200+ concurrent internal users. ### Software Engineer Intern, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India, ET&P (2025-01 – 2025-06) India · Built Python backend automation services with error handling, logging, and PyTest unit tests, reaching 75-80% code coverage. Wrote asynchronous data ingestion pipelines that processed 50,000+ daily transaction records, replacing slow legacy batch scripts and cutting core processing overhead by 25%. ### Product Manager, Ecell, VIT (2024-06 – 2025-05) Managed projects and coordinated the team’s initiatives for VIT’s Entrepreneurship Cell. ### Backend Developer Intern, ITC Infotech (2023-08 – 2023-12) India · Split legacy monolithic inventory logic into decoupled Python microservices, cutting algorithmic execution time by 45% and lowering memory use. Tuned core SQL queries and indexing on the supply chain database, reducing average query latency by 35% and speeding up real-time dashboard rendering. ### Teaching Assistant, Vellore Institute of Technology (2022-05 – 2025-04) Vellore · Assisted with Data Structures and Algorithms courses over 3 years, running problem-solving sessions and helping students debug and build solutions. ## Education ### Master of Science in Quantitative Management, Duke University - The Fuqua School of Business (2025-07 – 2026-05) GPA 3.3. Merit Scholarship recipient. Graduate Teaching Assistant (Quantitative Methods). ### Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science and Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology (2021-07 – 2025-05) GPA 3.7. Dean's List (Top 10% of Cohort). Head of student council. ## Projects ### Distributed Task Queue & Rate Limiter Async background job processing with a custom token-bucket rate limiter · Built a distributed, asynchronous task processing system with Python, Redis, and Celery. Wrote a custom token-bucket rate limiter API that protects downstream third-party services from overload, dropping excess inbound requests with a 0.01% error rate. ## Skills Data Warehousing, Software Development, Project Management, Software System Analysis, Human Capital Management, Software Analysis, Statistical Data Analysis, Performance Analysis, Oracle Database, JavaScript, Real-time Monitoring, AWS CloudFormation, Predictive Modeling, React.js, Google BigQuery, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Dashboards, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), OpenCV, GitHub, Sentiment Analysis, Analytics, Python, JavaScript (Node.js), TypeScript, SQL, Java, FastAPI, Express.js, Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD (GitHub Actions), PyTest, Microservices, System Design, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, GCP, AWS Certified Developer - Associate, Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD) ## Credentials - **Amazon Web Services Solutions Architect - Associate** — Amazon Web Services (AWS) - **Amazon Web Services Cloud Practitioner** — Amazon Web Services (AWS) - **Synergizing CNNs: An Ensemble Framework for Enhanced Image Classification** - **Sentiment-Based Rating Model using VADER and TextBlob** ## AI Fluency - **Cursor** (https://cursor.com) - **Claude** (https://claude.ai) - **ElevenLabs** (https://elevenlabs.io) ## Q&A ### [What are your biggest strengths?](https://saywise.com/q/16458e492490) - My biggest strengths are problem-solving, adaptability, and taking ownership of my work. I approach challenges by breaking them into manageable steps, asking thoughtful questions, and focusing on practical solutions. I’m comfortable learning new tools and processes, and I stay open to feedback so I can keep improving. I also value clear communication and collaboration. I listen carefully, share ideas, and work to understand different perspectives before making decisions. When I take on a responsibility, I follow through, pay attention to details, and communicate early if something needs clarification or support. I aim to be someone my team can rely on—not only to complete my own work, but also to contribute wherever I can help us move forward. (https://saywise.com/s/64ce448ff8c8) ### [What AI tools do you use the most?](https://saywise.com/q/10c2b363a976) - I use ChatGPT and Perplexity the most. I use ChatGPT to brainstorm ideas, work through coding problems, refine my writing, and prepare for interviews. I use Perplexity to research companies, explore technical topics, and find sources I can review in more detail. I treat both as tools to support my thinking rather than replace it, checking important information and making sure I understand the outputs before using them. (https://saywise.com/s/cdbc6c0616a2) --- Source: https://saywise.com/member5168 (last modified 2026-10-20T17:55:47.221Z)