Michaël Ortali.

Orchestrate backend technical visions and systems architectures. Mastermind behind the core multi-location business infrastructure, allowing users to authenticate and log in across multiple distinct businesses seamlessly. Directed core security layers, security architectures, and advanced authentication paradigms. Act as the catalyst for cross-functional alignment, scaling agentic AI workflows, and standardizing software development lifecycles.

Partnered directly with the CTO to design and execute comprehensive service-oriented architecture migrations utilizing Kotlin, Micronaut, and gRPC. Owned the development of mission-critical systems including new payment and user infrastructure, alongside user-centric features like multi-factor authentication. Scaling the technical department by standardizing interview processes, establishing the engineering career ladder, creating stack-focused groups to eliminate bottlenecks, and mentoring engineers of all levels, project managers, and designers.

Worked on the payment processing system that moves money between Cash App accounts, including the core payment state machine, and drove internationalization and localization efforts.

Steered architectural blueprints and long-range roadmaps for Customer platforms. Authored and architected a cloud-based customer search platform indexing over 20 billion datapoints under K+ QPS and trillions of variations, which enabled the revamp of first-party products. Introduced Elasticsearch at Square, running multiple workshops, holding office hours, and establishing an internal community. Owned Customer APIs, search patterns, and standardized public APIs. Established long-term omnichannel buyer visions and improved the corporate engineering ladder.

Fusing deep systems architectures with a passion for creative arts, founded and engineered collaborative networks for global creators. Scaled platforms like fllio.com (an inclusive network with over 5k members) and creativelist.io (a specialized search engine indexing over 150k creatives globally) using resilient, custom-built search indexes and portfolio rendering engines.

Managed the Software Architecture Team, ensuring overall system health and defining standard-setting specifications. Led the engineering team through a multi-year migration from a monolithic codebase to a polyglot distributed microservice architecture on AWS (utilizing EC2, DynamoDB, Terraform, Vault, Nomad, Consul, Nginx, Docker, PHP, Node.js, Python). Improved SDLC processes (test coverage, styleguides, CI/CD, code reviews), developed strict logging and security parameters, and built core authentication/authorization libraries and API gateways.

Joined as an early software engineer, driving core initiatives across monetization (ads), localized discovery, internationalization (spearheading the Japanese version launch), user education, and engineering processes. Managed junior engineers and structured onboarding programs for new hires.

As part of the YouTube WebDev team, twice led massive, site-wide redesigns of the platform (in 2012 and 2013). Led the engineering team responsible for developing YouTube Creators, partnering closely with the marketing team (led by Bing Chen) to build the core technological foundation for content creators. Led the evolution of front-end infrastructure in close collaboration with the UX team, and created and managed the YouTube Webmaster team. Contributed directly to key initiatives across YouTube Search, YouTube Social, YouTube Slam, YouTube Homepage (Los Angeles), YouTube Account (Los Angeles), YouTube Topics (Paris), YouTube EDU (Zurich), and the support team.

Worked in the Small Business team, creating rapid prototypes and driving feature development for Yahoo's flagship site building editor.

Faceted dynamic applications for premier global brands like Grey Goose and Bacardi. Merged complex backend web engines with high-end interactive layouts, creating pioneering typography-centric mobile environments.

Developed mobile content delivery web pages, contributing to core PHP APIs and participating in long-term product roadmap design.

Developed websites and created graphic elements for Marathon Media, a film and animation company well-known for producing popular children's television programs.

Added new features, created administrative tools, and developed discovery channels for Skyrock, then the most-visited French social website serving over 200 million monthly visits.

Consulted and developed the first website for an optician shop in Le Havre, proposing clean visual solutions aligned with the brand's 'Aller à l'essentiel' ('Getting Down to Basics') philosophy.