Hansen Salim
AI and software engineer with 10+ years building scalable backend systems and production ready AI agentic architectures, LLM integration, and RAG pipelines. Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams, winning high-value contracts (£100k+), and delivering SaaS, mobile, and AI-driven products across FinTech, Energy, IoT, and E-commerce. Ph.D. in Computer Science with published research in AI-driven smart systems.
Experience
AI Engineer
- Leading technical development of AI features across the compliance platform, delivering new product capabilities and infrastructure improvements that reduce operational costs
- Architecting a bespoke Python agentic system with custom agent orchestration, driving LLMs via AWS Bedrock and integrating with backend services through the Model Context Protocol (MCP)
- Designing evaluation frameworks and production-grade LLM observability with OpenTelemetry and Langfuse. Running evals on agent outputs and monitoring token usage, cost, and performance
- Building GraphRAG over a Neo4j knowledge graph. Combining graph traversal with vector embeddings to ground model outputs in domain-specific compliance data
Lead Software Engineer
- Led and mentored several 4-6 person engineering teams running in parallel, delivering SaaS platforms, mobile apps, and AI-driven products from concept through to launch
- Won a £100k+ client contract by owning the technical proposal and project brief end to end — translating client needs into scope, architecture, and delivery plan
- Built the engineering team from the ground up through hands-on recruitment, structured onboarding, and a structured mentorship programme
- Set technical direction and standards across projects, keeping quality and delivery consistent as the team and client base grew
Head of IT Operations
- Directed the IT operations of a growing medium size wholesale company based in Jakarta, Indonesia
- Upgraded company IT infrastructure towards cloud facilities and modernised legacy systems (ERP & CRM)
- Developed a PHP based E-commerce platform from team recruitment to project completion
Senior Full Stack Developer
- Hands-on web development from start to completion for SME clients across retail, online business, and non-profit sectors
- Delivered a wide range of web solutions including e-commerce, CMS, ERP, and CRM
Skills
- AI & Machine Learning: LLMs, Agentic AI, AI Agent Orchestration, GraphRAG, RAG, Knowledge Graphs, Model Context Protocol (MCP), Prompt Engineering, LLM Evaluation & Observability (OpenTelemetry, Langfuse), Vector Embeddings
- Programming Languages: Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, Java, PHP, SQL
- Backend Technologies: REST API, GraphQL, Microservices Architecture, OOP, Design Patterns
- Infrastructure & Cloud: Docker, Kubernetes, AWS/Azure/GCP, Linux, Serverless Architecture
- Development Practices: TDD, CI/CD, Agile/Scrum, Code Review, Git Version Control
- Databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, Couchbase
I specialise in building scalable backend systems and AI-driven solutions. With a Ph.D. in Computer Science and published research in AI, I bring deep expertise in integrating machine learning models, automating AI workflows, and architecting robust API-intensive applications. I put emphasis on strong testing practices and formal documentation to produce highly maintainable systems.
Recent Projects
Harmonic
Role: Lead Developer
Responsible for the design and development of the IoT API, web dashboard, database design, and mobile app.
IoT, Microservices, RESTful API, mobile app, Azure
OnBuy.com
Role: Senior PHP Developer
Responsible for application modernisation including database migration, code-refactor, unit test, and caching strategy.
E-commerce, NoSQL, Monolith, Unit Test.
Xero
Role: Senior Laravel Developer
Responsible for implementing the payroll functionality to make payments to the UK faster payment system.
Microservice, FinTech, Unit Test, Laravel
Print Trail
Role: Senior Laravel Developer
Responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of PrintTrail's core back-end
logic and its API.
Microservices, Single Sign-On (Keycloak), RESTful API, OpenAPI, TDD, package development
Land Explorer
Role: Scrum Master, Senior back-end Developer
Responsible for constructing back-end system (not the wordpress site!) to
serve the map application.
Microservices, RESTful API, GeoJSON.
Cars Affair
Role: Senior Full stack developer
Responsible for designing overall back-end system that includes internal B2B
car auction system and integration with Singapore's National Digital Identity system.
Internal portal, OAuth 2.0, bespoke CMS
Education
Newcastle University
Newcastle University
1st Class
Publications
- Salim, H. Fitzgerald, J. (2017). "Towards Multi-Models for Self-* Cyber-Physical Systems." International Conference on Cyber-Physical Systems. [pdf]
- Fitzgerald, J., Bryans, J., Larsen, P. G., & Salim, H. (2014). Collaborative Systems of Systems Need Collaborative Design. Collaborative Systems for Smart Networked Environments (pp. 16–23). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg. [link]
Interests
Apart from being a software engineer, I enjoy developing my spiritual journey in Christianity. I'm a strong believer in a purpose driven life and always seek to help others discovering their own life purpose and living their best.
When I'm not being my most productive self, I spend a large amount of my free time playing games with my friends, reading books and being part of entrepreneurship projects.