Illustration of a developer working at a computer

ILIA YASAU

Senior Software Engineer
specializing in front-end architecture
and full-stack web applications

Based in Toronto, Canada

Building maintainable digital products with modern web technologies, strong UI/UX judgment, and AI-assisted engineering workflows.

Hi,

I am a Senior Software Engineer with extensive experience building modern web applications, enterprise platforms, and e-commerce solutions.

My primary specialization is front-end engineering, including application architecture, reusable component systems, complex state management, API integration, responsive interfaces, accessibility, performance, and maintainable user experiences.

I also work across the full stack using Node.js, Next.js, Strapi, REST APIs, GraphQL, databases, authentication services, CI/CD, and cloud infrastructure.

Before focusing primarily on software engineering, I worked professionally in UI/UX and digital product design. That background continues to influence how I approach development: I consider not only whether a feature works, but whether it is intuitive, maintainable, visually consistent, and useful to the people who rely on it.

I also use AI coding agents, including OpenAI Codex, as part of a structured engineering workflow for repository analysis, implementation planning, refactoring, testing, documentation, and repetitive automation. AI-generated changes are reviewed against architecture, project conventions, business requirements, security, and regression risks before being incorporated into production code.

I have contributed to projects for organizations including Evenica, Points, BMO, OMERS, CIBC, and Freedom Mobile, working independently and within multidisciplinary product teams.

EXPERTISE

Front-End Architecture

Building scalable front-end applications, reusable component systems, complex user workflows, and maintainable interfaces.

  • React
  • Next.js
  • TypeScript
  • JavaScript
  • Component architecture
  • Design systems
  • Redux / Redux Saga
  • Zustand
  • MobX
  • Apollo Client
  • Responsive UI
  • Accessibility
  • Performance optimization

Full-Stack Development

Developing application functionality across the web stack, from user interfaces and API integration to server-side services and content-management systems.

  • Node.js
  • Express
  • Strapi
  • Flask
  • REST APIs
  • GraphQL
  • MongoDB
  • MySQL
  • Authentication
  • Authorization
  • Third-party integrations

Engineering & Delivery

Improving reliability through testing, code review, automation, cloud delivery, and structured collaboration.

  • Git
  • GitHub
  • GitLab
  • CI/CD
  • Jenkins
  • Docker
  • AWS
  • Microsoft Azure
  • Terraform
  • Jest
  • React Testing Library
  • Vitest
  • Cypress
  • Agile / SCRUM

Product & AI Workflows

Combining engineering judgment, product thinking, and human-reviewed AI workflows to deliver useful and maintainable software.

  • UI/UX
  • Interaction design
  • Prototyping
  • Design-to-development workflows
  • OpenAI Codex
  • Coding agents
  • Repository analysis
  • Implementation planning
  • AI-assisted refactoring
  • Documentation automation

EXPERIENCE

  • 2023 - 2026

    Evenica

    Senior Software Engineer

    Developed and maintained enterprise e-commerce applications, internal platform tools, and reusable software packages within Evenica's digital commerce ecosystem.

    • Built complex front-end functionality using React, TypeScript, state-management libraries, and reusable component packages.
    • Developed and extended full-stack functionality using Node.js, Next.js, Strapi, REST APIs, and GraphQL.
    • Worked with server components, client-side state, search interfaces, product listings, carts, checkout workflows, and content-management functionality.
    • Integrated authentication and authorization using Microsoft Azure AD, Azure AD B2C, MSAL, OAuth, and role-based access control.
    • Contributed to reusable internal libraries and shared application architecture used across multiple products and implementations.
    • Improved maintainability through component refactoring, typed interfaces, validation, automated testing, and clearer separation of responsibilities.
    • Worked with GitLab CI, Docker, Terraform, AWS, and deployment-related workflows.
    • Collaborated with backend developers, QA specialists, designers, business analysts, and product stakeholders.
    • Used OpenAI Codex and other coding agents for repository analysis, implementation planning, refactoring, testing, and documentation, while retaining ownership of architecture, review, and production quality.
  • 2022 - 2023

    Points

    Software Engineer

    Developed and maintained an internal React application integrated with a Flask backend.

    • Built reusable interface components and complex application workflows.
    • Integrated front-end functionality with internal APIs and data services.
    • Created and maintained component tests and resolved existing defects.
    • Collaborated with backend developers, QA, business analysts, and product stakeholders in an Agile environment.
  • 2021 - 2022

    BMO

    Front-End Developer

    Developed functionality for an internal enterprise application built with React, Redux Saga, and Spring Boot services.

    • Developed functionality for an internal enterprise application using React, Redux Saga, and Spring Boot services.
    • Implemented asynchronous workflows and API integrations.
    • Translated product and business requirements into maintainable user-facing functionality.
    • Participated in testing, code review, defect resolution, sprint planning, and coordinated releases.
  • 2020 - 2021

    OMERS

    Front-End Developer

    Developed a large enterprise application using React, Redux Saga, and Node.js.

    • Developed a large enterprise application using React, Redux Saga, and Node.js.
    • Built reusable interface components and complex application workflows.
    • Created and maintained automated tests using Jest, Enzyme, and React Testing Library.
    • Supported test coverage above 90%.
    • Participated in architecture discussions, code reviews, bug resolution, and cross-functional delivery.
  • 2019 - 2020

    MobileLIVE

    Front-End Developer

    Contributed to enterprise client engagements across different technology stacks.

    • Contributed to a large Angular application for CIBC.
    • Contributed to a React, Redux Saga, and Node.js application for Freedom Mobile.
    • Built user-facing functionality, integrated APIs, maintained tests, and resolved defects.
    • Adapted to different enterprise teams, technology stacks, delivery processes, and business domains.
  • 2016 - 2019

    Arfront Technologies

    Front-End Developer / UI/UX Designer

    Contributed to an augmented-reality support platform and its supporting product sites.

    • Helped define application architecture and developed an AngularJS, Drupal, and Node.js portal for the Sensei augmented-reality platform.
    • Built more than 10 product websites and landing pages using Angular, React, and JavaScript.
    • Designed application interfaces, interaction flows, product websites, branding assets, and promotional materials.
    • Collaborated with software developers, backend engineers, and computer-vision researchers in a startup environment.
  • 2013 - 2016

    BrandVibes Media

    Front-End Developer / UI/UX Designer

    Delivered commercial web interfaces and UI/UX design across multiple industries.

    • Developed more than 15 commercial web interfaces using React, AngularJS, Vue, jQuery, and Node.js.
    • Worked on e-commerce websites, appointment-booking systems, healthcare projects, and service-business websites.
    • Created UI/UX designs, responsive layouts, prototypes, CMS themes, and brand assets.
  • 2007 - 2013

    Earlier Design & Development Experience

    Worked in freelance and in-house roles involving web development, UI/UX design, mobile and desktop interface design, branding, illustration, digital production, and client delivery.

    ITVA, Paxum, Infoempire, and independent client work.

SELECTED WORK

A selection of public work from earlier stages of my career. Much of my recent enterprise work is protected by confidentiality agreements, so current projects are described through responsibilities, architecture, and outcomes rather than client screenshots.

CONTACT

Have an engineering opportunity or project in mind? You can contact me directly by email or through LinkedIn.


The Major Studio website screenshot

The Major Studio

2018

Overview:

Single-page website for a music recording studio in Chicago, IL.

My role:

Front-End Developer.

Key contributions:

Designed and built a responsive single-page marketing site, including layout, navigation, and content sections.

Technologies:

Bootstrap, jQuery, PHP.

Viasiellie Films logo design

Viasiellie Films

2018

Description:

A logo for a wedding videography agency. The logo form was inspired by Belarusian folk ornament (the company owner's country of origin). "Viasiellie" means "wedding" in Belarusian.

Built with:

Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop.

Sensei Portal interface, main view

Sensei Portal

2017

Overview:

Private enterprise portal for managing users, contacts, digital assets, and 3D models used by an augmented-reality support platform.

My role:

Front-End Developer and UI/UX Designer.

Key contributions:

Helped define application structure, designed key workflows, and implemented portal functionality in collaboration with backend development and computer-vision teams.

Technologies:

AngularJS, JavaScript, Drupal, Node.js, HTML, CSS.

Companions App mobile mockup, main view

Companions App

2013

Overview:

Mockups for a social network on mobile platforms (iOS, Android) that allows users to find nearby people with similar interests and interact with them in groups on a local map.

My role:

UI/UX Designer.

Key contributions:

Designed the core interaction flows, map-based discovery experience, and visual design system for the mobile mockups.

Technologies:

Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop.

Eugene Parechyn portfolio website homepage

Eugene Parechyn

2016

Overview:

Portfolio website for a freelance filmmaker/videographer based in Chicago, IL, with a video background on the main header.

My role:

Front-End Developer and Designer.

Key contributions:

Designed and built the full site, including the video-background header and portfolio-showcase sections.

Technologies:

Bootstrap, jQuery, PHP.

Connector messenger app mockup, main view

Connector

2012

Overview:

Online messenger concept that brings friends from different social networks into one place and shows their current location on a local map, with visibility controls.

My role:

UI/UX Designer.

Key contributions:

Designed the messaging, map, and file-sharing flows, including voice/video call and text-message entry points.

Technologies:

Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop.

Classic Homeopathy website homepage

Classic Homeopathy

2015

Description:

Website for the Classic Homeopathy Health Centre in Toronto, ON, including an online shop page with PayPal integration.

Built with:

Bootstrap, jQuery, PHP.

NiceHTML website builder mockup, main view

NiceHTML

2011

Description:

Mockups for a website-builder concept for iPad, letting users construct an HTML layout with a touch-first, no-code interface.

Built with:

Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop.

Radiocent app mockup, main view

Radiocent

2012

Description:

Mockups for an Android app for radio listening, with a catalog of over 80,000 stations and the ability to download a full track even if recording started mid-way through.

Built with:

Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop.

Arfront Technologies corporate website homepage

Arfront Technologies

2016

Overview:

Corporate website for an augmented-reality startup in Toronto, ON.

My role:

Front-End Developer and UI/UX Designer.

Key contributions:

Designed and built the full marketing site, including product messaging, layout, and branding.

Technologies:

Bootstrap, jQuery, PHP.

Lyubov Films website homepage

Lyubov Films

2019

Description:

Website for a wedding videography agency in Chicago, IL.

Built with:

Bootstrap, React, Node.js.