Software Engineer · Nairobi, Kenya

Building reliable payment systems, APIs, and cloud infrastructure.

I’m Maarten (Martinus van Middelaar). I design and ship production systems: Python (Flask & FastAPI), GraphQL, React/TypeScript, and AWS (Fargate, CDK). I enjoy clear models, clean interfaces, and systems that are transparent and easy to monitor.

Get in touch → See selected work
Currently: building a payments platform and plan management system for ALX Africa.
Integrated 9+ payment gateways across Africa · Team lead of 6 (including myself).
At a glance
  • Backend: Python 3.x, Flask, FastAPI, SQLAlchemy, Strawberry GraphQL
  • Infra: AWS ECS/Fargate, CDK (TypeScript), Redis, Celery, MySQL/PostgreSQL
  • Frontend: React + TypeScript, Vite, React Router
  • Dev: Docker/OrbStack, PyTest, GitHub Actions
Payments GraphQL Observability Data Modeling

About

I value straightforward architecture, good naming, and predictable deployments. I like taking complex domains—subscriptions, invoicing, communication pipelines—and turning them into readable code and resilient services.

Beyond code, I’m passionate about music — I play the guitar and enjoy creating with others. I’m also a father, and that shapes how I think about building systems that are not just efficient, but sustainable and nurturing for people.

Based in Kenya; comfortable working across NL/EAT time zones.

  • Focus: payment flows, plan/invoice engines, async jobs
  • APIs: REST & GraphQL with strong typing and tests
  • Ops: metrics, alerts, and cost‑aware scaling
  • Collab: clear docs, small PRs, steady iterations
  • Leadership: team lead of 6 engineers, fostering collaboration and growth

Skills

Backend
  • Python · Flask · FastAPI
  • SQLAlchemy 2.x · Alembic
  • Strawberry GraphQL
  • Celery · Redis · RQ
Cloud & DevOps
  • AWS ECS/Fargate · CDK
  • Docker · OrbStack
  • CI/CD · GitHub Actions
  • Logging & Tracing
Frontend
  • React · TypeScript · Vite
  • React Router
  • Testing Library
  • UX for dashboards

Selected Work

ALX Payments Platform
Plan engine · invoicing · webhook processing · observability
  • GraphQL gateway + Flask services with SQLAlchemy 2.x
  • Async jobs (Celery) for invoice generation and comms scheduling
  • Deployed on AWS Fargate with CDK and autoscaling policies
Workslip — Inventory & Maintenance Management
Asset tracking · work orders · preventive maintenance · mobile‑first
  • End‑to‑end item lifecycle: intake, stock counts, location moves, disposals
  • Work orders with SLAs, assignments, and status transitions
  • Preventive schedules & reminders (cal/time/usage‑based)
  • Stack: FastAPI/GraphQL, React + TypeScript, PostgreSQL, Celery/Redis

Bahá’í Faith

I am a member of the Bahá’í Faith, a global community working for the unity of humankind. The Faith inspires my approach to software engineering: clarity, service, and a commitment to building systems that help people connect and collaborate. Its principles—such as consultation, justice, and universal education—guide both my professional and personal life.

“The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.” — Bahá’u’lláh

Learn more at bahai.org →

Contact

Quickest is WhatsApp. I’m open to interesting problems and practical collaborations.

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