Hi, I'm
Ariel Zimbrão
Tech Leader & Senior Backend Engineer
Node.js, NestJS and Python. Microservices and event-driven architectures.
I build scalable APIs and architectures for B2B and B2C digital products. I've worked in software since 2017, across software houses, fintechs, telecom and healthtech. I like to understand the business before writing code. I also work as a freelance developer, building custom websites and systems.
About me
I've worked in software since 2017. I've been through software houses, fintechs, telecom and healthtech, and also done freelance projects for startups. Today my focus is backend with Node.js, NestJS and Python, building APIs and architectures that scale.
I've helped build critical platforms: blockchain-based financial solutions at Bitshopp and customer-service and CRM systems in telecom (NOWO), always dealing with high data volumes, complex integrations and demanding performance.
I'm calm, strategic and I like working with people. Understanding the business comes before the technical proposal. I want to be a technical reference (staff or lead) and help teams design and grow systems that last.
Be a technical reference (staff/lead) and help teams evolve scalable, long-lasting systems.
Tech stack
Backend
Data
Infra & DevOps
Experience
Decskill
Technical leadership and backend engineering with Node.js/NestJS, driving architecture decisions and the team's quality standards.
Habit
Initially allocated through Findmore and, from 2025, internalized into the team. Built and evolved backend services in Python and Node-RED, supporting integrations with multiple clients and partners, ensuring reliability and performance in production.
Aubay Portugal · NOWO
Allocated at NOWO (telecom), maintaining and evolving the backend powering the customer area (web and mobile) and an internal app used across departments, including call-center and points of sale.
Meta · BRF
Allocated at BRF, building a web platform that integrated dashboards and statistics from the data-science team, delivering a systemic view across the whole company.
Bitshopp
Fintech focused on blockchain-based technology for the financial world. Built critical financial solutions and complex integrations.
A4PM
Applications for public primary healthcare. Legacy systems in PHP, Ext.js and native Android, plus new apps in VueJS, Node and React Native.
MV
Diagnostic Medicine / Pathological Anatomy team, developing with React and .NET Core, also acting as Scrum Master.
Alterdata Software
Where it all began. I started as an apprentice and QA analyst and grew into a full-stack developer on the Karoo Chat project, using NodeJS, NestJS, Python, Angular, PostgreSQL, PubSub, NewRelic and OpenShift.
Companies & Clients
Proprietary Software
Products I conceived and built on my own, end to end. I own the entire technical side, from architecture to running them in production.
Oliva
LiveChurch management platform
Management software for churches and communities: members, groups, events, finances and communication brought together in a single platform.
Manda
In progressDelivery platform for restaurants
Delivery platform for restaurants in Portugal that want to manage their deliveries with their own couriers, from order to the customer's door.
Achievements & Recognition
Honors & Awards
- 3rd place at the Alterdata Hackathon 2017
- 2018 Hult Prize Regional Final in Boston, USA
- 2nd place at the IV UNIFESO Internal Programming Marathon
- 3rd place at the VI UNIFESO Internal Programming Marathon
- XXII SBC Regional Marathon, representing UNIFESO
Publications
- SYM: Save Your Money
- Public Health Indicators Management Dashboard using Data Lake
Certifications
- Aubay Webinar: "Agile: Which Framework to Choose?"
- Blockchain Intensive Sprint
Education
- B.Sc. in Computer Science, UNIFESO (2015 to 2019)
Languages
- Portuguese (native)
- English (professional)
What I can build for you
Beyond my full-time work, I take on freelance projects to build custom websites and systems. I handle the technical side end to end so you can focus on the business.
Websites & Landing Pages
Company sites, landing pages and portfolios that are fast, responsive and built to convert. Like this one.
Web Systems & APIs
Custom web systems, admin dashboards and REST or GraphQL APIs, with a solid backend in Node.js, NestJS or Python.
Architecture & Scale
Microservices, messaging and event-driven architectures for when the system really needs to handle volume.
Integrations & Automation
Integrations with third-party services, payment gateways and MQTT, plus workflow automation between systems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ariel available for freelance projects?
Yes. Alongside my full-time role as a Tech Leader, I take on freelance projects to build custom websites, web systems and APIs. You can request a quote by email, WhatsApp or LinkedIn.
What services does he offer as a freelance developer?
Company websites and landing pages, web systems and admin dashboards, REST and GraphQL APIs, scalable architectures (microservices and event-driven) and integrations with third-party services, payment gateways and MQTT.
Which technologies and stack does Ariel master?
Backend with Node.js, NestJS, Python and Django; databases PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis and Elasticsearch; infrastructure with AWS, Docker and CI/CD; plus microservices, messaging, WebSockets and MQTT.
Does Ariel have experience in leadership and team management?
Yes. He works as a Tech Leader, driving architecture decisions and the team's quality standards, with experience as a Scrum Master too. He enjoys mentoring people and helping teams design and grow systems that last.
Does he work remotely and with clients outside Portugal?
Yes. He is based in Lisbon, Portugal, and works remotely with clients in Portugal, Europe and Brazil, in both Portuguese and English.
How much experience does Ariel have as a backend developer?
He has worked in software since 2017, with 8+ years of experience across software houses, fintechs, telecom and healthtech, on projects with high data volumes and complex integrations.
How can I hire Ariel or request a quote?
Get in touch via WhatsApp, email or LinkedIn. I reply quickly and help define the scope and budget of the project.
Let's talk
I'm open to technical leadership roles and architecture challenges. If you want to get a product off the ground or scale what you already have, reach out.