Ala'a Shurrab
Building scalable backend solutions
I'm Alaa, a Full Stack Engineer specializing in microservices, CI/CD, and high-performance web applications. Let's build something amazing together.
About Me
My journey and philosophy as a developer
A backend-focused Node.js developer with a growing passion for Microservices with AI integration. My expertise lies in building scalable, efficient, and reliable backend systems that power seamless user experiences.
I enjoy tackling complex challenges, optimizing performance, and creating solutions that stand the test of time. Collaboration is at the heart of my work. I thrive in team environments where knowledge-sharing and problem-solving come together to achieve common goals.
"For the Next and the After." It reminds me that every effort we invest in today shapes the successes of tomorrow.
What I Do
Backend Development
Building robust APIs and server-side applications with Node.js, Express, and NestJS.
Microservices Architecture
Designing and implementing scalable microservices for complex applications.
Database Optimization
Optimizing database performance with MongoDB, PostgreSQL, and Redis.
Professional Experience
My journey through the tech industry
A timeline of my professional growth and key achievements
Full-Stack Engineer & Technical Lead (acting Product Manager)
- Led the product end-to-end (roadmap, code, delivery) and rebuilt how we ship. Within 90 days, relaunched with stable CI/CD, faster releases, and fewer production issues.
- Set up Jira (workflows, backlog, sprints), aligned priorities with stakeholders, and ran stand-ups and acceptance tests.
- Defined branching model, PR reviews, versioned releases, clear changelogs, and safe rollbacks.
- Dockerized services, provisioned on DigitalOcean, and standardized dev/stage/prod with secure env configs.
- Built CI/CD pipelines (build, test, deploy) with GitHub Actions/Azure DevOps to cut manual steps and release risk.
- Tuned queries, introduced caching, and fixed hot paths to reduce latency and error rates.
- Stabilized database connections, refactored legacy endpoints, and added new REST APIs.
- Added monitoring and alerts (uptime checks, error tracking, log visibility) to surface issues early.
- Shipped cross-stack features (Node.js/NestJS backend; React frontend).
Back-End Developer
- Built and maintained RESTful APIs using Node.js, Nest.js, and Express, ensuring seamless front-end integration.
- Reduced error rate by 30% by resolving critical backend bugs and adding new features that improved user satisfaction.
- Optimized MongoDB and PostgreSQL queries, reducing data retrieval time by 25%.
- Integrated third-party services and established CI/CD pipelines with GitHub Actions to automate testing and deployment.
- Collaborated with front-end teams for efficient data flow, using JWT/OAuth for secure endpoints and deploying on AWS/Azure.
Full Stack Engineer
- Built a serverless, microservices backend using Azure Functions, focusing on performance and modularity.
- Led front-end development for the first four months, introducing a scalable React-based component architecture.
- Handled infrastructure management with Terraform; migrated production databases, redesigned data models, and implemented Redis caching, which reduced response times below 200ms.
- Integrated third-party auth systems and enforced pre-deployment measurements, cutting production issues by 70%.
- Designed CI/CD pipelines replacing manual deployment, reducing deployment time by 50%, and supporting Salesforce integrations.
Financial Manager & Secretary
- Managed daily financial records (income, expenses, and patient payments) using spreadsheets and simple tracking tools.
- Designed and built a simple internal web app to manage patient records, appointments, and payments, reducing paperwork.
- Prepared monthly summaries for the clinic owner, helping with budgeting and basic financial decisions.
- Handled appointment scheduling, organized patient files, and coordinated communication between patients and the doctor.
Back-End Developer
- Worked as part of the backend team on high-impact projects.
- Managed and implemented the subscription department in an e-commerce app using AWS Lambda, AppSync, and Cognito.
- Discovered flaws in the business logic of a major project, providing solutions that boosted productivity by 5%.
- Diagnosed and fixed a performance issue that increased speed by 30% while minimizing code complexity.
- Collaborated with various services (AWS, Pusher, OrderGroove) to enhance functionality.
Technical Skills
Technologies and tools I work with
A collection of technologies I've mastered throughout my professional journey
Backend Development
Databases
DevOps & Cloud
Other Skills
Featured Projects
Some of my recent work
Explore my latest projects showcasing backend expertise and problem-solving skills
Scalable Microservice Architecture
Designed and implemented a scalable microservice architecture for a high-traffic e-commerce platform.
API Gateway & Authentication
Built a robust API gateway with advanced authentication and authorization features.
Education
My academic background
Formal education and specialized training that shaped my technical foundation
Bachelor's degree, Computer Engineering
The Islamic University of Gaza
Code Academy Boot-camp
Gaza Sky Geeks
Talent Acceleration Program (TAP)
Kiitos Technologies - Back-End Developer Intern
Get In Touch
Let's discuss your project or opportunity
I'm always open to new challenges and collaborations