About

Saif Idrees

Software engineer · Faisalabad, Pakistan

I am a backend developer with thirteen years of building production systems for companies in Qatar, Sweden and Pakistan. Java, Spring Boot and PostgreSQL, mostly. The systems a business runs on, not the ones it shows off.

For most of that time I have been the only developer on the system. Data modelling, API design, third-party integration, deployment, and the support years afterwards. One of the platforms I built is still in daily use and I still maintain it, six years on.

More recently that has included reviewing codebases built with AI coding tools. Founders who shipped something that works, and need an honest read on what it will cost them at scale, before it gets expensive to find out.

Experience

2025–now

Freelance backend consultant and technical auditor

Independent · Remote

Architecture and integration audits of AI-assisted codebases, plus continuing support and feature work on a live medical research platform in Qatar.

2021–2025

Backend developer

PaperTale Technologies · Sweden, remote

REST APIs behind iOS and Android apps for supply-chain traceability. ERP integration exposing supplier workforce data, and the core PostgreSQL schema as the product grew.

2018–2019

Team lead, part time

TRIGSoft · Faisalabad

Architecture decisions, planning and mentoring junior developers on client projects, alongside the Qatar work.

2016–2021

Java developer

Fuego Digital Media · Qatar, remote

Led the backend for a government-backed national awards platform, delivered solo to a fixed public deadline. Built a location-based capacity-booking app used by grocery stores and pharmacies through the COVID lockdowns.

2013–2016

Java developer

QShield · Doha, Qatar

Sole owner of an immigration services portal end to end: design, development, deployment and client contact. Used by companies to manage visa applications and document renewals.

2011–2013

Junior Java developer

Fuego Digital Media · Doha, Qatar

Client web applications on an in-house CMS. Placed with a Fuego client as an in-house developer after two years.

What I work in

Languages: Java, SQL
Frameworks: Spring Boot, Vaadin Flow, jBPM, JPA
Databases: PostgreSQL (+ PostGIS), SQL Server
Integration: Zoho CRM, ERPNext, Klaviyo, BankID / GrandID
Cloud: Docker, AWS, Azure
Mobile: Flutter (Android, iOS)

Education
BS Computer Science · Government College University, Faisalabad · 2010

If that is the arrangement you are looking for, email me.

How I work sets out what contracting me directly actually involves.

sidrees.idrees@gmail.com