# Jon Lazar > Lead/Staff Engineer Location: White Plains, New York, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/jonlazar I'm a Lead/Staff-level software engineer who focuses on building and scaling systems that drive real-world impact. My experience spans backend architecture, APIs, and full-stack systems, with a strong emphasis on designing reliable, scalable services that support day-to-day business operations. I've led initiatives involving system design, data flows, and integrations—owning problems end-to-end from ambiguous requirements through production delivery. At Meta, I worked on complex infrastructure challenges, including contributing to the development of a new identity and access management system. This required balancing long-term architectural decisions with immediate product needs, while collaborating across teams and stakeholders. More recently, I built and operate Bargain Bricks, a production mobile app (iOS and Android) that aggregates and tracks LEGO pricing across major retailers in real time. I own the full stack - distributed data pipelines, normalization, a Node.js/Express API, and a Python backend - designed, shipped, and iterated on solo. I bring a combination of technical depth and product mindset: - Designing scalable systems and APIs with long-term maintainability in mind - Leading technical direction and making high-impact architectural decisions - Translating ambiguous problems into clear, executable solutions - Balancing speed, quality, and business outcomes I'm particularly interested in opportunities where I can operate at a high level of ownership—shaping system architecture, mentoring engineers, and building products that meaningfully impact users, especially in areas involving AI-driven systems, data platforms, and intelligent workflows. ## Work Experience ### Founder and Lead Engineer @ 8 Bit Bricks LLC Jan 2025 – Present • Built and launched Bargain Bricks, a cross-platform iOS and Android app for tracking LEGO set pricing across major retailers. • Engineered the full stack: Node.js/Express API, MySQL, Redis caching, and Python scrapers monitoring thousands of products across Amazon, Target, Walmart, and more. • Designed and implemented RESTful APIs supporting real-time price tracking, filtering, and deal alerts. • Integrated AI-assisted parsing and data normalization into scraper infrastructure to improve product matching accuracy across retailers. • Led all product design, feature development, and application architecture as sole developer. • Implemented affiliate-based monetization through partner retailer integrations. • Leveraged AI-assisted development tools (Claude, ChatGPT, Loveable) to accelerate feature development, debugging, and system design across the full stack. • Produced and hosted the Tales From the Brick podcast, growing an audience within the LEGO enthusiast community. ### Contract Engineer @ Unknown Jan 2023 – Present • Building backend applications utilizing Python. • Utilizing PHP and MySQL to build interactive web applications. • Creating and editing web based video properties. • Facilitating communication for automotive sales. • Building software for financial services. • Training and evaluating LLM models. ### Full Stack Developer @ Meta Jan 2021 – Jan 2023 | New York, New York, United States • Tech lead for a team of four engineers. • Building and maintaining internal applications utilizing PHP, Hack, Python, and React. • Research, explain, and present technologies utilized by the engineering team. • Facilitating communication between contract and full-time engineers on technical projects. • Team lead for an identity based management system project. ### Lead Backend Developer @ NYC & Company Jan 2019 – Jan 2021 | New York, NY • Building and maintaining the backend for web applications for tourism applications. • Utilizing PHP, MongoDB, and MySQL to build interactive web application. • Building and maintaining APIs for microservice architecture. • Creating and maintaining APIs for external use by partner organizations. ### Senior Software Engineer @ MedPut Jan 2017 – Jan 2019 | New York, NY • Building web applications for medical payments. • Utilizing PHP and MySQL to build interactive web application. • Made use of Laravel framework to build application. • Instituted project management workflows and Kanban project management software. ### Contract Developer @ Freelance Developer Jan 2017 – Jan 2017 • Building web applications for advertising client • Utilizing PHP and MySQL to build interactive web application • Made use of Python to run server processes ### Developer, Future Technologies @ Pearson Jan 2015 – Jan 2016 • Exploring and developing prototypes utilizing innovative technologies for educational exploration. • Restored and Maintained Prototype projects • Explored cutting edge technology for use in education • Worked with Virtual Reality projects • Started education technology podcast The Creators Call • Built database to manage team and technologies ### Freelance Developer @ Freelance Jan 2009 – Jan 2015 • Built and Maintained Websites For Clients • Programmed and maintained web applications utilizing PHP and MYSQL • Created Websites Utilizing Wordpress as the CMS • Built Server Based Twitter Applications For Clients ### Administrator / Owner @ RonFez.Net Jan 2001 – Jan 2015 • Updating and modifying existing web site • Updating and modifying Cold Fusion messageboard • Managing site staff of eight people • Adding new functionality to coincide with Ron & Fez radio program • Utilizing Cold Fusion, HTML and MSSQL • Migration of Cold Fusion and MSSQL website to PHP and MySQL ### Senior Developer - Contractor @ EnvIO Networks Jan 2010 – Jan 2010 | New York City • Maintained and Edited Recommendation Engine Software with PHP and MYSQL • Built and Maintained Software To Process iTunes Data • Utilized PHP, MYSQL, Memcache and Sphinx • Performed QA To Test iPhone and Server Based Software • Utilized PHP, MYSQL, Memcache and Sphinx ### Senior Developer @ KlickableTV Jan 2009 – Jan 2009 | New York City • Launched new version of Klickable website • Programmed and maintained web applications utilizing PHP and MYSQL • Created new website features on the CakePHP framework • Publicly promoted and demonstrated Klickable at events ### Senior Developer @ The Media Power Group Jan 2008 – Jan 2009 | New York City • Led team of up to six programmers and IT support people • Programmed and maintained web applications utilizing PHP and MYSQL • Wrote applications to work with mobile based Augmented Reality applications • Built web front end to send advertisements to mobile devices • Built AJAX websites for the display of company information and presentations • Built Myspace and Facebook applications to work with mobile applications ### Senior Developer @ Media Power Jan 2008 – Jan 2009 | New York City • Led team of up to six programmers and IT support people • Programmed and maintained web applications utilizing PHP and MYSQL • Wrote applications to work with mobile based Augmented Reality applications • Built web front end to send advertisements to mobile devices • Built AJAX websites for the display of company information and presentations • Built Myspace and Facebook applications to work with mobile applications ### Senior Developer @ WHI Solutions Jan 2006 – Jan 2008 | Rye Brook, NY • Programmed and maintained web applications utilizing PHP and MSSQL • Enhanced existing web applications utilizing PHP and MSSQL • Introduced new functionality to existing applications utilizing PHP and MSSQL • Lead developer on data warehousing project utilizing Dimensional Insights integrator ### Contractor @ Kelly IT Resources Jan 2005 – Jan 2005 • Programmed and maintained web applications utilizing PHP and MSSQL • Enhanced existing web applications utilizing PHP and MSSQL • Updated and repaired web applications utilizing Coldfusion and MSSQL ### Programmer @ Anime News Network Jan 2004 – Jan 2005 • Updating and modifying existing web site • Updating and modifying PHPBB messageboard • Writing administrative web site software • Creating article management software for Protoculture Addicts magazine • Utilizing PHP, HTML and MySQL ### Contractor @ Reflexions Data Jan 2005 – Jan 2005 | White Plains, NY • Programmed and maintained web applications utilizing PHP and MySQL • Enhanced existing web applications utilizing PHP and MySQL ### Senior Developer @ Fotolog Jan 2005 – Jan 2005 | New York City • Programmed and maintained web applications utilizing PHP and MySQL • Programmed and maintained scripts utilizing Perl • Assisted in the migration of servers • Reviewed and analyzed system logs ### Retail Associate @ LEGO Group Jan 2004 – Jan 2005 | West Nyack, NY • Interfaced with and assisted customers • Managed and stocked merchandise • Designed directions for in-store products • Built projects for in-store display ### Developer @ Purdue Pharma Jan 2003 – Jan 2004 | Stamford, CT • Programmed and maintained websites and intranet sites written in ASP.Net and Jscript • Migrated website to Documentum – http://www.purduepharma.com ### Director of Information Technologies @ StarChefs.com Jan 2001 – Jan 2003 | New York City • Writing online applications utilizing PHP with an Oracle backend – http://www.starchefs.com • Building, customizing and maintaining Jobfinder program – http://www.culinaryjobfinder.com • Creating and managing the website for the 2002 James Beard awards – http://www.jamesbeard.org • Building, customizing and maintaining e-commerce solution – http://www.thirdagegifts.com • Hiring and managing a team of interns • Assigning, managing and coordinating projects among employees, contractors and interns • Overseeing and purchasing the company hardware and software requirements • Instituted in-house IT training program • Facilitated communication between Sales/Customer Service and IT staff • Search Engine Optimization ### Technical Co-founder @ Unnamed Internet Portal Jan 2001 – Jan 2001 • Created a new Internet venture • Planned and designed new portal website • Programmer – Wrote code in PHP with MySQL for new website • UNIX Administrator – Installed, maintained and administered a Red Hat Linux box ### Programmer @ Pivot Technologies Inc Jan 2000 – Jan 2001 | Valley Cottage, NY • Worked with code in C and Java to maintain legacy code • Created reports utilizing Crystal Reports, Remedy and MySQL Databases • UNIX Administrator - Maintaining and administrating multiple HP-UX boxes • Installation, maintenance and administration of a Red Hat Linux box ### Programmer @ AT&T Jan 1988 – Jan 2000 | Somerset, NJ • Developed consumer billing applications in teams of different sizes • Wrote consumer data management applications to interface with Oracle databases containing bundled consumer data • Wrote test plans and executed test procedures to quantify and resolve application, data and connectivity errors • Developed servers and batches primarily utilizing C, ProC, Oracle, SQL, and UNIX shell scripting • Developed on AIX and NCR UNIX platforms • Intranet Web Development - Site design and implementation - Image development, creation and modification - Wrote raw HTML code ## Education ### M.S. in Computer Science New Jersey Institute of Technology ### BS in Computer Science Ramapo College of New Jersey ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jonathanlazar - Portfolio: http://www.justjon.net - GitHub: https://github.com/justjon - Portfolio: https://bargain-bricks.com --- Source: https://flows.cv/jonlazar JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/jonlazar/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-19