Open to opportunities

Leo Santillan

@leosantillan

Message

I build scalable, reliable PHP APIs and modernize legacy systems across complex business platforms.

Argentina

Message

What I'm looking for

I'm looking to build scalable, reliable backend platforms, improve legacy systems, make sound technical decisions, and keep learning—especially in AI Engineering.

I've built and scaled PHP backend systems for Multibox, Al Préstamo, Virtuagym, and other product-focused organizations for more than 10 years. My work centers on reliable APIs, maintainable architecture, performance optimization, and improving legacy platforms.

At Multibox, I lead backend development for the core Laravel application and contributed to migrating the codebase from PHP 7.1 to PHP 8.4. I also support API integrations with FastAPI services while building features around business and scalability requirements.

Previously at Virtuagym, I designed a complete billing REST API, integrated Stripe and Salesforce, and led API architecture decisions. At Truelogic Software and Boxeway, I refactored monolithic applications, introduced API-driven architecture, JWT authentication, caching, database improvements, RBAC, and service-layer patterns.

I'm always eager to learn through books, articles, hands-on experimentation, meetups, and conferences. I'm currently learning AI Engineering and enjoy writing, travel, football, ping-pong, and rock music.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Backend Developer

Current

Multibox

Jan 2023 - Present (3 years 7 months)

Lead backend development of the core application using Laravel (PHP 8.4). Contributed to the migration of the codebase from PHP 7.1 to PHP 8.4 and API integrations using FastAPI (Python) services.

Laravel PHP 8+MySQL fastAPI Python AWS Git Gitlab Jira

Backend Developer

Al Préstamo

Jan 2022 - Jan 2023 (1 year)

Developed and maintained a financial platform using Symfony (PHP 8.1). Implemented new business features and refactored existing modules to improve maintainability.

Symfony PHP 8+MySQL Docker Git GitHub Jira

Backend Developer

Virtuagym

Jul 2019 - Dec 2021 (2 years 5 months)

Designed and developed a complete Billing System REST API using Laravel (PHP 7.4). Integrated Stripe and Salesforce APIs to synchronize subscription and billing data.

Laravel MySQL Vue.Js Stripe Salesforce Docker Kubernetes Git GitHub Jira

Backend Developer

VigLogic

Oct 2017 - Jun 2019 (1 year 8 months)

Designed and developed a RESTful API using Lumen (PHP 7). Maintained and supported hybrid mobile application (Cordova + AngularJS).

Laravel Lumen PHP MySQL Cordova AngularJS Docker Kubernetes Git Bitbucket Jira

Backend Developer

Truelogic Software

Feb 2016 - Oct 2017 (1 year 8 months)

Refactored a monolithic Yii2 application by removing backend logic embedded in frontend templates and introducing a clean API-driven architecture. Designed and implemented RESTful endpoints using ActiveController.

Laravel Scrum Git Bitbucket Jira

Backend Developer

Boxeway

Jan 2015 - Jan 2016 (1 year)

Implemented Yii2 RBAC using DBManager, defining role hierarchies and migrating legacy permissions. Introduced a Service Layer to extract business logic from controllers, improving code organization and testability.

MySQL CouchDB SVN Redmine

Backend Developer

Teceng Gaming

Oct 2012 - Jan 2015 (2 years 3 months)

Developed and maintained backend features for a casino platform using legacy application in PHP. Worked with PostgreSQL for transactional systems.

PostgreSQL Git Redmine

Technical Leader & Backend Developer

Azultel Inc

Apr 2003 - Dec 2011 (8 years 8 months)

Designed and developed internal platforms and customer-facing applications for a telecommunications company, including CRM systems, ticketing platforms, e-commerce sites and corporate websites. Led a small cross-functional technical team.

MySQL HTML CSS Apache