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Julian Jelfs

@julianjelfs

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Principal Software Engineer at OpenChat who built a communications platform and AI bot integrations.

United Kingdom

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What I'm looking for

I'm looking for a full-stack role leading development on large-scale, complex, rich systems that intelligently integrate AI as a force multiplier.

At OpenChat, I built a fully featured communications platform on the Internet Computer platform and developed AI bot integrations using RAG, tool use, and MCP. I also built a flexible PWA and a cross-platform native app using Tauri.

At Education First, I led the modernization of the corporate portal and delivery of a new teacher web portal. Earlier, as Principal engineer leading development of dnata group web sites, I rebuilt travel websites and an agent desktop system, and created a multi-tenant platform.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Co-founder and Principal Software Engineer

Current

OpenChat

Jul 2021 - Present (5 years 3 months)

Co-founded and led development of a communications platform on the Internet Computer, integrating AI bots and building a PWA and native app. Grew a community of ~250,000 users and helped launch a community-governed DAO.

AI RAG MCP PWA Tauri IndexedDB WebWorkers Internet Computer DAO

Senior Software Engineer

Education First

Dec 2018 - Jul 2021 (2 years 7 months)

Led modernization of EF's corporate portal with Elm, delivered a new teacher portal, and owned front-end architecture. Mentored juniors, advised on back-end, and built teams in London and Lucerne.

Elm Frontend Architecture Mentorship Distributed Systems Team Building

Principal Engineer

dnata

Sep 2013 - Dec 2018 (5 years 3 months)

Rebuilt travel agent desktop and web systems from scratch using Elm and Haskell, creating a multi-tenant platform. Led a front-end team, introduced testing culture, and influenced back-end architecture.

Elm Haskell Multi tenant architecture Team Leadership Testing Frontend Development

Lead Solution Architect

Active Risk Group

Jan 2005 - Jan 2013 (8 years)

Built frameworks for new functionality and UI test automation, modernized legacy systems, and introduced engineering standards. Mentored the team and managed offshore resources.

Testing Automation Test Driven Development Continuous Integration Security Testing Mentorship Legacy Modernization

Consultant

Active Risk

Jan 1999 - Jan 2005 (6 years)

Delivered work across multiple client environments including Merrill Lynch, Dixons, Courts, and Guardian Disaster Recovery. Contributed to systems spanning C++, COBOL, VB/VC++, Unix, IBM MQSeries, and Microsoft DNA web applications.

C++COBOL VB VC++Unix IBM MQ Microsoft DNA

Principal Analyst Programmer

Sainsbury's Plc

Jan 1996 - Jan 1999 (3 years)

Developed and maintained COBOL, CICS, and DB2 mainframe systems for critical stock-control operations. Supported high-pressure systems where failures could affect the whole supply chain.

COBOL CICS DB2 Mainframe Stock Control