# Heshan Sandamal Gunarathne

> WoW Software Engineer | Technical Lead | AWS SAA | PSM1 | ex-Sysco

Location: London Area, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Profile: https://flows.cv/heshan

I hold a first-class degree in Computer Science and Engineering and currently work as a software engineer at NatWest, one of the leading banking groups in the United Kingdom. Previously, I served as a Technical Lead at Sysco Labs Sri Lanka, the engineering partner of Sysco USA, the largest food distributor in the United States, and a Fortune 500 company.

With extensive years of industry experience, I specialize in developing highly scalable, cost-optimized applications across the full software development lifecycle, including requirements gathering, analysis, design, and implementation. My expertise spans database design, microservices architecture, front-end development with React, back-end-for-front-end development using Lambda/Node.js, back-end development with Java, as well as unit and integration testing. I also have extensive experience in continuous integration, utilizing tools like Jenkins and AWS pipelines. Further, I also engaged in building AI applications using techniques such as RAG, AI agents in Natwest to improve efficiency of exising workflows.

I am also an AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, with more than 5 years of hands-on experience in leveraging AWS services to build scalable solutions. My skills include working with EC2, ECS, Lambda, S3, CloudFront, VPC, Route 53, RDS, AWS Pipeline, and Certificate Manager, among other services.

## Work Experience
### WoW Software Engineer (SBP Platform) @ NatWest Group
Jan 2023 – Present | London, England, United Kingdom
Working as a software development engineer for the SBP Platform, which consists of multiple agile teams that handle different customer journeys. SBP is a complex platform that consists of 30+ internal services, integration with internal and external channels, which serves a large number of corporate customers.
My Key involvements are,

Backend Development
- Implementation of matching logic for payment queries and delivered within 1 Quarter to automate 70% of the Remitter Details Payment Queries received by SBP
- Low-level design and implementation of the Eform to SBP integration with multi-party capabilities.
- Implement the SBP Mandates workflow to handle multi-party mandate requests.
- Implementation of Digi Mandates Journey to cater to Bankline Requests
- Implement Additional Card Holder Journey to cater to ACH requests in the SBP Platform.
- Implement reusable action handlers for workflow actions.
- Implementing unit tests to achieve 85+ coverage.
- Refactoring legacy code using best engineering practices.
- Supporting production deployments and sanity tests.
- Supporting new developers in the ACH team to get onboarded and solve critical issues.
- Handle environment configurations and Tyk endpoint configurations.
- Consume Kafka messages and implement e2e request persistence flow and integration with Camunda workflows.

Projects
- Eform Mandates
- Additional Card Holder
- Payment Queries
- Digi Mandates

### AI-Guild Member @ NatWest Group
Jan 2024 – Jan 2025 | London Area, United Kingdom
As part of the roadmap to bring AI into SBP, I am working as an AI Guild member to implement Generative AI-based solutions for SAMMBR. This role was created internally to lead the introduction of AI capabilities at SBP, aiming to improve efficiency and innovation. Below are my major contributions:

- First RAG-based AI application for the SBP Platform Secure Messaging Workflow to automatically classify customer messages and generate follow-up questions and answers. (Demonstrated this solution in SAMMBR Townhall, showcasing e2e flow + architecture)
- Handled the implementation e2e, including the low-level design as the sole developer for AI for SSR Journey
- Developed a generic Embedding service to store embeddings and perform similarity searches.
- Designed an end-to-end low-level design for SSR AI Integration using RAG architecture.
- Developed a multi-agent GenAI template to simplify the creation of AI agents using CrewAI.
- Conducted a POC (Proof of Concept) on leveraging GenAI capabilities in SBP by using internal GenAI models via Azure-OpenAI and the GenAI Gateway.
- Created comprehensive documentation for GenAI integration to help other developers get started with AI.
- Deployment of RAG based applications in PCF Cloud.

### Technical Lead @ Sysco LABS Sri Lanka
Jan 2022 – Jan 2023 | Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Working as a Technical Lead for the CDM team, leading a team of 5 developers & 2 QAs, providing the deliverables related to the Costing Domain. Key involvements are,
- Self Supplier Portal work, which serves more than 1500+ users
- RME Modernization which migrates the legacy workflows to modernize design from RME to CDM 
- Enterprise cost service which builds an enterprise API which provides supplier cost on demand for any consumer in Sysco. 

In the technical aspect, working on the microservices-based backend using java, backend-for-front-end using nodejs/lambda, data persistence using RDS, front-end using react, unit testing using JUnit & Jest, Quality checks using sonarqube & eslint, logs through AWS cloud watch, deployment through AWS code pipeline & Jenkins and infrastructure configuration using AWS Cloud services such as ECS, EC2, S3, CloudFront, Route53, ALB, Auto Scaling, etc.

Key Involvements:
Technical
1. Architectural decision making for the Self Supplier Portal, RME Modernization and Enterprise Cost Service
2. Doing required POC to identify feasibility Eg: Elastic Search, Data Migration Service
3. Setting up infrastructure for the agreement service etc.
4. Engage in fullstack development

Management
1. Leading all the deliverables providing timelines and delivering the agreed features according to the timelines
2. Identify & assign development tasks based on the requirements provided by the product owner
3. Conducting 6 months & annual performance reviews for the team mambers
3. Having frequent one-on-one discussions with team members to identify any issues & improvements
4. Grooming new team members

### Associate Technical Lead @ Sysco LABS Sri Lanka
Jan 2021 – Jan 2022 | Colombo, Western, Sri Lanka
Working as an Associate Technical Lead for the CDM Application contributed to the conversion of the existing legacy PCP application with a few internal users to a publicly exposed application which is consumed by more than 1500 users including external vendors and which is a very critical component for Sysco Supplier costing
In the technical aspect working on the microservices-based backend using java, backend-for-front-end using nodejs/lambda,  data persistence using RDS, front-end using react, unit testing using JUnit & Jest, Quality checks using sonarqube & eslint, logs through AWS cloud watch, deployment through AWS code pipeline & Jenkins and infrastructure configuration using AWS Cloud services such as ECS, EC2, S3, CloudFront, Route53, ALB, Auto Scaling, etc.

Key Involvements:
1. Engage in deliverables for CDM Dashboard Application
 - Provide timelines, Work closely with the Project Manager on the release timelines, Report the progress of the deliveries, etc. 
2. Architectural decision making for the CDM Application
3. Automation of SYGMA pricing workflow and production deployment
- Designing of end to the architecture, Engaging with external Sygma, RME team for the integration
- Drive the discussion and production releases for Sygma and real-time data integrations
4. Providing KTs and onboarding of new joiners to the CDM team and help them to gain skills required for the development and their career growth
5. Data Analysis and perform Performace test of the features to ensure the product is reliable with expected load

### Senior Software Engineer @ Sysco LABS Sri Lanka
Jan 2019 – Jan 2020
Worked as a senior software engineer in the CDM team (Cost Data Management team).
Key Involvements: 
1. Leading the design & development for exposing the CDM dashboard to external users
 - Identify architectural changes, proposed the architecture, and the reviewed it with the security & EAG teams
- Worked with external teams on the external integration
- Integration with Okta to facilitate external vendor login
2. Performing security audit on the existing application Tools: Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP, Veracode and hardening the security of the application
- Design Content Securit Policy (CSP) for the application
3. Implementation of micro-services for CDM Dashboard application including Master-Data -Service, Auth-Service, etc.
4.  On-call production support for critical production incidents
5. Modernize the existing legacy workflows of the PC pcircing application while adding new features such as Cost Audit Report.
6. Integration of tools to ensure product quality 
 - Sonar Integration for the pipeline, Sonar Integration for Github PR analysis

### Software Engineer @ Sysco LABS Sri Lanka
Jan 2018 – Jan 2019
Worked as a software engineer in the CRMS team (Customer Rebate Management Service).
Key Involvements:
1. Design and implement 100% serverless application using AWS serverless technologies such as S3, API Gateway + Lambda, Fargate etc.
2. Design and implement Calculation Microservice using Spring Boot which is implemented using Pipeline design pattern to cater to future scenarios.
3. Engage in business discussions and design the application architecture
4. Collaborative development with local and US teams
5. POCs to identify new technologies for new requirements eg: POC for running Spring boot applications on top of Lambda functions

Worked as a software engineer in the CDM team (Cost Data Management team).
Key Involvements:
1. Analyze the existing legacy monolithic application and identify issues and provide support
2.  Proposal for the new application design to modernize the existing PC Pricing application
3. The initial design of the microservices for CDM Application: Costing Service, Notification Service
4. Taking the full ownership of the Front-end and BFF applications which are created using React and Node.js and the deployment
5. Implement CICD pipelines for the application using AWS Codepipline (a Single pipeline from DEV to PROD connecting multiple AWS Accounts)
6.  Initial design and implement CDM application using technologies such as S3, API Gateway + Lambda, ECS, SES, etc.
5. Deliver the MVP for CDM Dashboard

### Software Developer @ Velaris
Jan 2021 – Jan 2021
Velaris is a startup company that create a tool to solve a problem common to many B2B organizations: the inability to deliver true customer-centricity. I engaged as a software developer to create a playbook and tasks microservice using Node.js, Mysql Database, Sequelize ORM etc. This is deployed as an ECS service in AWS Cloud. 

Key Responsibilities.
- Design the data model and the creation of DDLs for Playbooks and Tasks
- Create the playbook-task micro service to implement functionalities related to playbooks and tasks
- Define Playbook and task templates, dynamically created, etc.
- Deployment of the microservice
- Communicate with Front end developers and expose necessary APIs which is required for front end implementation

### Freelance Software Engineer @ Unknown
Jan 2013 – Jan 2021 | Sri Lanka
As a freelance engineer, both independently and as a group (D2S2 Solutions & Interflext labs), I have worked with multiple clients to provide software/ website solutions for their businesses. The main responsibilities are, 
- Identify client requirements and propose the best architecture
- Provide technical guidance to improve clients' businesses
- Design and implement software products
- Deployment of the software products

Key projects,
- Cloud-based Enterprise Item & Sales Management System for Singapore Center
- Online Purchasing Platform for Singapore Center (Ongoing)
- Workflow Management System for Lihini Fashions(Pvt.) Ltd.
- Website for Limac Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd.
- Point of Sales & Stock Management System for Spade Industries(Pvt.) Ltd.
- Photo Studio Management System for Studio Sri.(Pvt.) Ltd.

Further, as a freelance engineer, I have engaged in multiple projects through platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork, working with multiple clients to deliver solutions for various kinds of problems.

### Computer Science & Engineering Undergraduate Student @ Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Moratuwa
Jan 2014 – Jan 2017
Completed the Bachelor's degree with a first-class and having a GPA of GPA: 3.78 ( Out of 4.2 ). I was on the dean's list for 3 semesters having a GPA of 4+. Core modules include OOP, Database, Distributed Systems, Advanced Algorithms, Security, DB Internals, Advance Databases, Wireless Computing, Computer Security etc.

### Software Engineering Intern @ ShipXpress, a GE Transportation company
Jan 2016 – Jan 2016 | Sri Lanka
Worked on multiple software products as a trainee software engineer. The main products that I engaged with are ShipX-AppCenter and the EBOL application. 

Contributions:
1. Development of ShipX AppCenter which is an application that centrally manages and connects ShipX internal products. Applications can be registered in the App Center and it will provide the authentication and access to shared resources through OAuth2. Main technologies are Spring Boot, Java, OAUTH2, Angular2.

2. Development of Rule engine for EBOL application to have dynamic rules that can be changed without need for a change in the source code. Main technologies Java, JSP, Oracle Db, Drools

### Institute of java and software engineering Student @ Institute of java and software engineering
Jan 2012 – Jan 2013 | Panadura DS Division, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Acquired skills in Java development, database management and design, web development, and Java RMI. Completed training and delivered multiple projects, including:

1. Point of Sale System
2. Studio Management System
3. RMI-Based Multi-location POS System


## Education
### Cloud DevOps Nano Degree in Cloud Computing
Udacity

### Bachelor's degree in Computer science & Engineering
University of Moratuwa

### Java SE in Java RMI, MySql, UML Modelling
Institute of java and software engineering

### Mathematics
D. S. Senanayake College

### GCE Ordinary Level
D. S. Senanayake College


## Contact & Social
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/heshansandamal

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Source: https://flows.cv/heshan
JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/heshan/resume.json
Last updated: 2026-04-05