Freelance · Available for new projects

Muhammad Musaab

Freelance Senior Full-Stack & Mobile Engineer

AI-Assisted Development · Backend · Mobile Apps · APIs · Cloud

I'm an independent engineer building backend systems, APIs, and web & mobile apps for international clients — from PHP/Symfony and Node.js services running in production for global media brands, to native Android/iOS and React Native apps, to large-scale platforms deployed across 80+ campuses. Over 15 years turning complex requirements into reliable, well-tested software.

15+ yrs Experience
PHP · Node.js · React Native Core stack
AWS Cloud
Freelance Available now
About

A full-stack engineer with deep backend and mobile experience

Backend systems should be boring in the best way — reliable, well-tested, and built to outlast whoever wrote them.

I'm a freelance Senior Software Engineer with over 15 years of experience building web, mobile and backend systems — with a core specialism in PHP, Symfony and Laravel, and growing depth in Node.js, Next.js, and native mobile development (React Native, Android and iOS). My work spans modern API-first backends — including Symfony 6/7 applications with API Platform, running on AWS — alongside cross-platform and native mobile apps, for clients who need their product to be fast, well-tested and easy to operate.

Right now I'm juggling several concurrent engagements: building a multi-country VPN product from the ground up, developing an AI-powered health and coaching platform, and maintaining a long-running Symfony/API Platform backend — with AWS infrastructure and a MongoDB-backed data layer — for an international digital media company. Earlier engagements include a two-way accounting integration between a construction SaaS platform and Xero, and a fixed-term remote contract building Symfony 7 billing and reporting APIs with Stripe and ClickHouse.

Earlier in my career I delivered backend and full-stack projects for education-sector platforms — including an ERP system deployed across 80+ school campuses — and built mobile-backed applications with React Native, Angular and Laravel/Yii2 APIs. That range, from enterprise systems to modern cloud-native APIs, is what I bring to every engagement. Day to day, I also make deliberate use of AI-assisted development tools to move faster on implementation while keeping code review, testing and architecture decisions firmly in my hands.

Availability
Open for freelance & contract work — remote, long-term or fixed-scope
Core stack
PHP, Symfony, Laravel, Node.js, Next.js, React Native
Cloud
AWS (EC2, RDS, Lambda, API Gateway, S3)
Education
B.Sc. Electrical Engineering (Telecom), Air University, Islamabad · 2009
Core Expertise

Technologies I build with

A backend-strong stack with real depth across web, mobile and cloud.

Backend

PHP Symfony Laravel API Platform Node.js NestJS Yii2

Frontend & Mobile

React Next.js TypeScript React Native Android (Kotlin) iOS (Swift) Angular JavaScript jQuery Bootstrap

Cloud & Infrastructure

AWS EC2 RDS Lambda API Gateway Route 53 S3 SQS / SES Docker CI/CD

Databases

MySQL PostgreSQL Amazon RDS MongoDB ClickHouse Prisma / Drizzle ORM

Integrations

Stripe Xero API OpenAI API HealthKit WireGuard VPN Payment gateways FFmpeg SMS / mail gateways Push notifications Biometric devices

Python & Embedded / IoT

Python C Linux MQTT Arduino Raspberry Pi
Project Timeline

Projects I've delivered & am building now

A chronological look at the systems and platforms I've built — and am currently building — for clients since 2010.

Commercial VPN Product — Multi-Country Privacy Service

Aug 2026 – Present

Building a commercial VPN product on WireGuard with DNS-based ad, malware and phishing blocking, deployed across 5 servers in multiple countries (one co-hosting an application gateway) — differentiated by multi-hop routing, split tunneling and flat, honest pricing.

WireGuard DNS Filtering Multi-hop Routing Split Tunneling Linux Android iOS
  • Architecting and deploying infrastructure across 5 servers in multiple countries.
  • Implementing DNS-based ad, malware and phishing blocking.
  • Designing multi-hop routing and split tunneling for enhanced privacy and flexibility.
  • Building companion Android and iOS apps for server selection and connection management.
  • Planning the phased rollout from infrastructure to a launched, paying product.

AI Health Monitoring & Coaching Platform

Jun 2026 – Present

An AI-powered health monitoring and coaching platform giving coaches real-time visibility into client health data and progress, connecting to wearables (Apple Health, Google Fit/Fitbit) and using AI to generate insights and check-in prompts.

React TypeScript Node.js / Express PostgreSQL Drizzle ORM React Native Android iOS HealthKit OpenAI API WebSockets
  • Built a full-stack platform with React, TypeScript, Node.js/Express, PostgreSQL and Drizzle ORM, with coach/client roles, JWT auth, MFA and email verification.
  • Developed a cross-platform mobile app (React Native New Architecture, Expo Router) shipping on Android and iOS, with native HealthKit sync and Google Fit/Fitbit OAuth integration.
  • Built a provider-agnostic health data integration layer with pluggable adapters for new wearables and platforms.
  • Implemented AI-driven insights and auto-generated coach check-in suggestions using the OpenAI API.
  • Engineered real-time features with WebSockets for live dashboard updates and coach-client messaging.
  • Built an admin dashboard for user/resource/subscription management with white-label branding support.

Classified Ads Platform

2022 – Present
Client: Classified ads marketplace · ongoing engagement

A Laravel-based classified ads marketplace with seller listings, buyer checkout and inventory-aware scheduling, extended with appointment scheduling and capacity management.

Laravel MySQL Blade JavaScript
  • Extended a Laravel classified ads marketplace with appointment scheduling, per-day capacity inventory and waiting lists.
  • Built intake forms and age-restricted checkout flows.
  • Owned full-stack features: DB migrations, APIs/controllers, Blade UI, front-end JS, and seller/buyer account flows.

Media Platform Backend & Upload Infrastructure

2020 – Present
Client: International digital media company · ongoing remote engagement

Backend and cloud infrastructure for an international digital media company serving major TV and media broadcasters worldwide.

Symfony 6/7 API Platform AWS MongoDB MySQL Docker
  • Designed and built a dedicated S3 multipart upload microservice for large media files.
  • Manage AWS infrastructure directly, including production deployments.
  • Led PHP, Symfony and AWS version upgrades.
  • Built a Dockerized development workflow with unit and functional test coverage.

Cross-Platform Parental Control Platform

Dec 2025 – Aug 2026

A Google Family Link–style parental control platform letting parents monitor screen time, set app limits, activate family modes, filter web content via VPN/DNS and track location, across a NestJS API, React Native parent & child apps, and a web dashboard.

NestJS PostgreSQL Prisma React Native Android iOS Kotlin Swift WireGuard VPN
  • Shipped a full product spanning a NestJS backend, React Native parent/child apps and a web dashboard.
  • Built Android child enforcement with Device Owner, UsageStats, Accessibility Service, Room DB and WorkManager sync.
  • Architected iOS child controls on Apple Family Controls / ManagedSettings / DeviceActivity, including Screen Time auth and WireGuard VPN via NetworkExtension.
  • Implemented low-latency parent–child sync for limits, modes and usage via silent push.
  • Integrated VPN + SafeDNS content filtering with per-child WireGuard provisioning.
  • Delivered family modes (Bedtime, Study, Gaming, Family Time) with remote activation.

Enterprise Two-Way Xero Integration

Sep 2025 – Nov 2025
Client: Construction project management SaaS platform

A full two-way accounting integration between a construction project management SaaS platform and Xero Accounting, replacing a legacy CODAT-based connector with a direct integration layer.

Symfony 5.4 Xero API OAuth 2.0 REST APIs
  • Built OAuth 2.0 authentication, token refresh and entity synchronization from scratch.
  • Synced suppliers, subcontractors, VAT/tax codes, nominal codes and contacts.
  • Pushed invoices, labour applications, supply & fit items, variations and external costs to Xero.
  • Implemented validation, auto-matching logic, error handling and retry mechanisms with integration status tracking.
  • Collaborated with an Angular developer on real-time sync management UI.

Billing & Analytics API Platform

2024 – 2025
Client: UK-based technology company · remote engagement

A fixed-term remote engagement building billing and internal reporting APIs in an Agile environment with weekly sprint cycles.

Symfony 7 API Platform Stripe ClickHouse PHPUnit
  • Integrated Stripe for billing, invoicing and webhook handling.
  • Built ClickHouse-backed reporting APIs with daily/monthly aggregation.
  • Delivered user management: email change requests, confirmation flows, secure token validation.
  • Wrote a full PHPUnit suite (TDD, mocked services, data providers) covering APIs, payments and background jobs.

Dancing Application — Social & Video Platform

2019 – 2020
Client: Digital product studio

A Laravel-based social application for user-generated dance videos, with a custom streaming pipeline.

Laravel Bootstrap 4 MySQL FFmpeg
  • FFmpeg-based video conversion (trimming, resizing, rotating).
  • Chunked-delivery video streaming server.
  • Social features: timeline, follows, likes, comments, chat.

Lockers Application

2019 – 2020
Client: Digital product studio

A locker management platform with an Angular frontend on a Laravel API.

Angular Laravel MySQL Bootstrap 4
  • Admin panel built with Laravel and Bootstrap 4.
  • Multilingual CMS.
  • Role-based access control (ACL).

Field Patrol Application

2019 – 2020
Client: Digital product studio

A React Native field patrol app backed by a Yii2 API and admin panel.

React Native Yii2 MySQL
  • Yii2 backend API and admin.
  • Multilingual CMS.
  • Role-based access control (ACL).

Multi-Campus ERP System

2015 – 2019
Client: Private academy network

An ERP platform deployed across 80+ campuses to manage admissions, finances, HR and daily operations.

PHP Bootstrap 3 MySQL Amazon RDS AWS LAMP
  • Role-based access with dynamic menus.
  • Graphical dashboards and student reports.
  • Payment gateway integrations, hostel and HR/payroll modules.

School Management System

2015 – 2019
Client: Education sector

A full school operations platform covering academics, communications and hardware integrations for teachers, students and parents.

Angular Laravel MySQL Amazon RDS
  • Separate teacher, student and parent modules.
  • Online testing and biometric device integration.
  • Push notifications and mail/SMS gateway integration.

University CMS & Alumni System

2015 – 2019
Client: University

A public CMS plus an alumni platform with elections, reunions and social features.

Laravel Bootstrap 3 MySQL AWS LAMP
  • Role-based access, dynamic pages, events and media gallery.
  • Alumni elections module with OTP-based voting.
  • Student social dashboard, reunions and messaging.

Workforce & Fleet Tracking Platform

2015 – 2019
Client: Pharmaceutical distribution company (confidential)

A real-time field-operations system tracking vehicles and field staff.

PHP Bootstrap 3 MySQL Amazon RDS Android iOS
  • GPS location tracking with real-time map visibility.
  • KPI dashboards and sales-target alerts.
  • Role-based approval workflow.

IoT Home Automation

2015 – 2019

A home automation system built on Arduino and Raspberry Pi hardware.

Linux MQTT C PHP Python MySQL
  • Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa integration.
  • Control, schedule and monitor nodes remotely.

Online Shopping SaaS Platform

2015 – 2019

A Shopify-like store management SaaS built on WordPress.

WordPress AWS LAMP MySQL Amazon RDS
  • Store signup with pre-configured templates.
  • Subscriptions and online payments.
  • POS and mobile app integration.

Remote Device Monitoring & Control System

2010 – 2015

Early-career project building GSM/GPRS/EDGE-based remote data reception and device control, with PHP and Android APIs.

PHP Android MySQL
Technical Approach

How I work

The kind of engineering work I focus on, project after project.

01

Architecture & API Design

Designing RESTful, well-structured APIs and services that stay maintainable as they grow.

REST APIsAPI Design
02

Backend Systems at Scale

Building systems that hold up under real usage — from single-tenant apps to 80+ campus deployments.

PHPSymfonyLaravel
03

AI-Assisted Development

Using modern AI tooling to speed up implementation, while keeping review, testing and architecture decisions firmly hands-on.

AI ToolingCode Review
04

Cloud Infrastructure

Managing AWS services directly — EC2, RDS, Lambda, API Gateway, S3 — rather than treating infra as a black box.

AWSEC2RDSLambda
05

Third-Party Integrations

Stripe and Xero billing, OpenAI-powered features, wearable health data, payment gateways and push notification systems.

StripeXeroOpenAI
06

Testing & Code Quality

TDD with PHPUnit, static analysis with PHPStan and CS-Fixer, and disciplined code review.

PHPUnitPHPStanCS-Fixer
07

Performance & Reporting

Purpose-built reporting APIs, including ClickHouse-backed analytics at daily/monthly granularity.

ClickHouseAnalytics
08

Legacy Modernization

PHP and Symfony version upgrades, and migrating older systems onto current, supported foundations.

PHP UpgradesSymfony Upgrades
Contact

Have a project, or looking for a senior full-stack & AI-assisted engineer?

I'm happy to talk through requirements, timelines and how I can help — whether that's a long-term engagement, a fixed-scope project, or AI-assisted development work.