Jazz Garcha
Curious builder and problem solver through code.
I build reliable, scalable systems and help teams turn complex problems into shippable software.
- Rails systems at multi-million request scale
- Architecture & long-term maintainability
- Calm execution in complex environments
Engineering Philosophy
How I approach building software
Systems Over Tickets
I think in systems, not isolated features. Every change is an opportunity to improve the whole, not just close a ticket. Understanding how pieces connect leads to better decisions.
Clarity From Ambiguity
Many projects fail from unclear requirements, not technical challenges. I turn fuzzy problems into clear plans that teams can execute against.
Trade-offs Over Perfection
Perfect is the enemy of shipped. I make explicit trade-offs, document them, and move forward. The goal is the right solution for now, not an imaginary ideal.
Maintainability
Code is read far more than it's written. I optimize for the team that will maintain this code in six months. Which is often future me.
Reliability & Observability
If it's not observable, it's not reliable. I build systems that tell you when something is wrong before users notice, with clear paths to diagnosis.
Economic Thinking
Engineering is about allocating limited resources over time, attention, and compute. I weigh effort against value and choose the path that maximizes impact.
Core Experience
Full-stack depth across Rails, React, and beyond
Rails, Elixir & Backend at Scale
- • Ruby on Rails applications handling millions of daily requests
- • Elixir and Phoenix for concurrent, fault-tolerant systems
- • ActiveRecord mastery: complex queries, eager loading, N+1 prevention
- • Background jobs with Sidekiq, performance tuning
- • Memory leak diagnosis and production debugging
- • API design and long-lived integrations with external services
React & Frontend
- • ReactJS applications with Classes and Hooks
- • State management with MobX, Redux, and Apollo/GraphQL
- • Phoenix LiveView for real-time interfaces
- • Responsive design and component architecture
- • Full-stack feature development from UI to database
Architecture & Systems Design
- • Greenfield system design with technical leadership
- • Evolving monoliths into cleaner modular boundaries
- • Schema design, migrations at scale, backward compatible changes
- • Reducing operational risk while shipping features
- • Service extraction when (and only when) it makes sense
Data & SQL
- • PostgreSQL schema design, indexing strategies, query planning
- • Query optimization: from explain analyze to materialized views
- • Data integrity through constraints, validations, and careful modeling
- • Understanding how data models affect performance and product flexibility
- • Reporting and analytics query design
Quality & Reliability (QA Roots)
- • QA background influencing every engineering decision
- • Testability as a design concern, not an afterthought
- • Edge cases, failure modes, and observability built in
- • RSpec, integration testing, and continuous integration
- • Fewer incidents, faster recovery when things go wrong
How I Add Value
What you get when we work together
Reduce Operational Risk
Systems that don't wake you up at 3am. Proactive monitoring, graceful degradation, and fewer surprises in production.
Easier Future Changes
Code that's easy to understand and modify six months from now. Good abstractions, clear boundaries, minimal tech debt.
Predictable Delivery
Teams that ship on schedule. Clear planning, realistic estimates, and steady progress instead of last-minute heroics.
Calm & Clarity
A steady presence in complex situations. Clear thinking when things get messy, and a focus on solutions over blame.
Work Experience
Professional history and accomplishments
ProspectWise
Senior Software EngineerJune 2019 – Present · 5+ years
- • Spearheaded the maintenance of a robust Ruby on Rails application handling over a million daily requests.
- • Developed greenfield projects, collaborating closely with the CTO. Involved in comprehensive planning, architectural design, and successful implementation of applications.
- • Played a pivotal role in managing partner relationships, effectively communicating with external stakeholders to elicit key requirements for product enhancements.
- • Translated stakeholder requirements into actionable features and improvements, bridging the gap between business needs and technical implementation.
- • Diagnosed and addressed memory leaks, demonstrating a proactive approach to maintaining application health.
- • Achieved a 50% improvement in response time, showcasing a commitment to optimizing application performance.
ProspectWise
Software EngineerJan 2017 – June 2019 · 2.5 years
- • Developed, debugged multiple Ruby on Rails and Rails APIs.
- • Developed, debugged multiple ReactJS (Classes, Hooks) applications with Mobx, Redux, and Apollo/GraphQL.
- • Monitored application performance, fixed memory, and performance issues.
- • Built microservices on AWS Lambda for testing, and reporting.
- • Wrote SQL queries for reporting.
- • Consumed APIs with thousands of records daily.
- • Adopted agile best practices and delivered iterative features and API implementations.
CapLinked
QA to Web DeveloperNov 2013 – Dec 2016 · 3 years
- • Implemented features, resolved bugs in Ruby on Rails web app.
- • Co-Authored CapLinked-API gem.
- • Built an API with the development team on Ruby Grape.
- • Wrote RSpec, Cucumber tests to improve code coverage.
- • Code reviewed & assurance of best practices were used.
- • Worked in small agile team, pushed code bi-week to production.
- • Interviewed, hired, and mentored a junior QA analyst.
Leadership & Collaboration
Impact beyond individual contribution
Leading Large Initiatives
Breaking complex projects into executable phases. Setting milestones, identifying risks, and keeping teams aligned on outcomes.
Cross Functional Partnership
Working with PMs and stakeholders on fuzzy or risky work. Translating business needs into technical requirements and vice versa.
Mentoring Junior Developers
Volunteering personal time to help aspiring developers grow through code review, pairing sessions, and guidance on their learning journey.
Setting Technical Standards
Raising the bar through example. Establishing patterns, documenting decisions, and building shared understanding of quality.
Clear Written Communication
Remote work demands clarity. RFCs, technical documentation, and async updates that keep everyone informed and aligned.
Unblocking Others
The most valuable work often isn't code. It's removing obstacles, clarifying requirements, and helping teammates move forward.
Tools & Stack
Technologies I work with daily
Languages
Frameworks
Data & APIs
Infrastructure
AI & Tooling
Practices
Education & Certifications
Continuous learning and formal training
Elixir Web Developer
DockYard Academy
Meta Back-End Developer Specialization
Coursera
Meta Database Engineer Specialization
Coursera
Back-End Web Development
General Assembly
Front-End Web Development
General Assembly
Bachelor of Science, Business Marketing
California State University, Northridge
Let's Connect
Open to senior and principal engineering roles. Remote-friendly.
Based in Los Angeles, CA.