Pankaj Rai
@pankajrai
Full-stack engineer with 9+ years building React/Next frontends and Laravel/PHP backends for SaaS, AI, and marketplaces.
What I'm looking for
I’m a full stack engineer with 9+ years of experience, mostly building React.js/Next.js frontends and PHP/Laravel backends. I like owning a feature from the API to the UI, and I’ve worked across SaaS products, AI/ML platforms, ERP systems, mobile gaming admin panels, and marketplace apps for clients in India, South Africa, and the US.
Recently, I worked on the National Horse Racing Authority member portal, building registration and licensing flows end-to-end with React, TanStack Query, Zustand, React Hook Form, and Zod—then integrating Laravel APIs with the backend team and client. I also build Laravel APIs for subscription-based platforms with scheduled cron sync, and I’ve supported multi-platform product work using tools like Firebase/Firestore and AI-assisted development with Claude and Cursor to move faster.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
Senior Frontend Engineer
National Horse Racing Authority
Apr 2026 - Present (3 months)
Developed the member portal frontend used by owners, trainers, jockeys, officials, and stable staff for identity verification and racing licence applications. Built registration and licensing flows and collaborated with backend and client teams during Laravel API integration.
Developer I & II
Evon Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
Apr 2022 - Present (4 years 3 months)
Worked on the frontend for Evon client projects, including a member registration and licensing flow and integration with Laravel APIs. Used React with modern data fetching, state management, forms, and validation tools.
Backend Developer
Reveal Backend (Background Verification Platform)
Jul 2025 - Apr 2026 (9 months)
Built Laravel APIs for a subscription-based background verification platform integrating with third-party vendors. Implemented scheduled cron jobs to keep data synchronized between the web portal and admin dashboards.
Senior Frontend Engineer
Fort Conquer — Royal Maratha Running Game
Jun 2025 - Jul 2025 (1 month)
Built an admin panel using Next.js (App Router) for an Android/iOS running game to manage players, new signups, and in-game announcements. Integrated Firebase for authentication/hosting/storage and implemented multilingual announcements triggered by player level.
Senior Frontend Engineer
QvantiaAI (No-Code Enterprise AI/ML Platform)
Oct 2024 - May 2025 (7 months)
Built frontend modules for a no-code AI/ML platform to model and run generative AI use cases on multi-modal data. Implemented UI for setting up and running AI workflows in coordination with backend teams using Python-based ML services.
Senior Frontend Engineer
Pathik (Marketing SaaS Platform)
Sep 2023 - Jul 2024 (10 months)
Worked on both front-office and back-office sides of a marketing/advertising SaaS platform. Supported delivery by guiding junior developers and reviewing their work.
Senior Frontend Engineer
SMS — Support Management System (Internal Project)
Aug 2023 - Sep 2023 (1 month)
Led frontend development for an internal support management system, building core pages and layout from scratch. Reviewed code, helped other team members get up to speed, and fixed production issues.
React Developer
BeyondBox (Digital Legacy Platform)
Dec 2022 - Aug 2023 (8 months)
Built a digital legacy platform where users store messages, videos, and photos for delivery to family after death. Implemented admin access management with death-certificate verification and contributed to Android debugging and production release relaunch on Google Play.
Senior Backend Engineer
Carlsberg & BigCity Trade Hub
Nov 2021 - Feb 2022 (3 months)
Worked with the client to pick up tickets and build backend features and APIs. Developed using PHP frameworks and relational databases.
Software Developer
Optimal Virtual Employee Pvt. Ltd.
Apr 2020 - Feb 2022 (1 year 10 months)
Software Developer role at Optimal Virtual Employee Pvt. Ltd. (details not specified in the provided experience text).
Senior Backend Engineer
Tangible Listing (Multi-Category Marketplace)
Jul 2021 - Oct 2021 (3 months)
Fixed a login/session bug already in production and built the admin side for managing master data and listings. Supported multiple listing categories across real estate, automobiles, and watches.
Senior Backend Engineer
Microsites
Apr 2021 - Jun 2021 (2 months)
Built backend and database support for promotional campaign microsites in collaboration with the UI/UX team. Developed for multiple client brands including HSBC, Coca-Cola, Colgate, Philips, Cadbury, PepsiCo, and Nivea.
Senior Backend Engineer
E-TAP — Hyper Tracking
Jul 2020 - Dec 2020 (5 months)
Built an internal sales tracking tool with OTP-based logins across different role levels. Delivered the implementation in two phases.
Senior Backend Engineer
BigCity CRM
Apr 2020 - Jun 2020 (2 months)
Built CRM modules for user management, reporting, and sales tracking, including an order tracker from start to finish. Implemented using CodeIgniter and MySQL.
Software Engineer
Codebibber (Data & Design Labs)
Jan 2016 - Jan 2020 (4 years)
Software Engineer role (2016–2020) across multiple client projects, building backend web services and APIs using Core PHP and CodeIgniter. Also contributed to CRM and operations-related development and supported migration of a PHP service to AWS.
Software Engineer
Hotelogix India Pvt. Ltd.
Jan 2016 - Jan 2020 (4 years)
Software Engineer role (2016–2020) across multiple client projects, building backend web services and APIs using Core PHP and CodeIgniter. Also contributed to CRM and operations-related development and supported migration of a PHP service to AWS.
Software Engineer
Provica Developers Pvt. Ltd.
Jan 2016 - Jan 2020 (4 years)
Software Engineer role (2016–2020) across multiple client projects, building backend web services and APIs using Core PHP and CodeIgniter. Also contributed to CRM and operations-related development and supported migration of a PHP service to AWS.
Software Engineer
Chetu India Pvt. Ltd.
Jan 2016 - Jan 2020 (4 years)
Software Engineer role (2016–2020) across multiple client projects, building backend web services and APIs using Core PHP and CodeIgniter. Also contributed to CRM and operations-related development and supported migration of a PHP service to AWS.
Software Engineer
Beno Support (Longrun Software)
Jan 2016 - Jan 2020 (4 years)
Software Engineer role (2016–2020) across multiple client projects, building backend web services and APIs using Core PHP and CodeIgniter. Also contributed to CRM and operations-related development and supported migration of a PHP service to AWS.
Senior Frontend Engineer
Internal Bulk Email Tool (Evon Internal Project)
Jul 2025 - Present (1 year)
Built an internal React tool for creating, scheduling, and sending bulk personalized emails from templates for Evon teams. Reduced manual handling of bulk email workflows.
React Developer
Precision Pro
Aug 2023 - Present (2 years 11 months)
Built a web admin panel for a mobile app to enable admins to manage app data day-to-day. Implemented UI using React and Next.js.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
SMS, Varanasi
Master of Computer Applications (MCA), Computer Applications
Grade: 1st Division
Completed a Master of Computer Applications (MCA) at SMS, Varanasi in 2012 (1st Division).
V.B.S. Purvanchal University
Bachelor of Science (Mathematics), Mathematics
Grade: 2nd Division
Earned a Bachelor of Science (Mathematics) from V.B.S. Purvanchal University in 2008 (2nd Division).
U.P. Board
Intermediate (10+2)
Grade: 1st Division
Completed Intermediate (10+2) from U.P. Board in 2005 (1st Division).
U.P. Board
High School (10th)
Grade: 1st Division
Completed High School (10th) from U.P. Board in 2003 (1st Division).
Availability
Location
Authorized to work in
Job categories
Skills
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