About Me

Full-Stack Software Engineer at KQED, where I build end-to-end features for platforms serving hundreds of thousands of people — and increasingly, the tooling and training that make my team faster.

Over the past 4 years I've worked across React, TypeScript, Java, Spring Boot, Node, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Docker, and GCP. I recently designed and built KQED's first internal AI product — a self-serve election results pipeline using the Claude API — and I lead developer-experience work across the team: an internal AI Maker Workshop series, a shared library of reusable AI skills, and our team's Postman standard. I've mentored three junior engineers and four interns.

Outside of work: Golden State Valkyries games, cozy Nintendo Switch games, hiking, tea latte experiments, and coding alongside my golden retriever who's convinced he's my pair programmer.

Professional Experience

Frontend Developer

KQED

June 2025 - Present

Full-stack scope: React/TypeScript frontends, Node.js/Java/Spring Boot APIs, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Docker/GCP.

  • Delivered end-to-end development for a Membership & Account platform rebuild using React, TypeScript, Node.js, Java, Spring Boot, and MongoDB
  • Improved donor and member experience through clearer account interactions and streamlined authentication workflows
  • Built backend APIs for authentication, profile management, and internal integrations
  • Deployed features through CI/CD pipelines using Docker and GCP
  • Collaborated with product managers and designers to create scalable, user-centered software
  • Mentored junior engineers and participated in architecture discussions and reviews
  • Developed full-stack AI applications including an OpenAI-powered chatbot and recommendation engine

Frontend Developer

KQED

June 2023 - June 2025
  • Engineered major features for Voter Guide & Election Results platforms supporting high-traffic election periods
  • Rebuilt the global navigation system for improved accessibility, clarity, and performance
  • Redesigned banner ad components and enhanced ad delivery integration
  • Integrated dynamic election APIs using React, Redux Toolkit, TypeScript, Sass, and Jest
  • Supported Youth Media's WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility achievement with accessible component patterns
  • Integrated WordPress as a headless CMS supporting editorial workflows

Junior Software Developer

KQED

June 2022 - June 2023
  • Implemented frontend and backend features using React, JavaScript, Python, and REST APIs
  • Contributed to foundational accessible UI patterns adopted across platforms
  • Translated product and design requirements into engineering tasks
  • Improved documentation and test coverage through QA collaboration and reviews

Featured Projects

Featured

KQED Election Results AI Pipeline
Designed and built KQED's first internal AI product: a self-serve tool where a data lead selects a county and either uploads a results file or triggers an automated scrape, with the Claude API standardizing the output into sheet-ready data. Validated against live election data during the June 2026 midterms; connecting to KQED's public election results site for full production in November 2026. Replaced a manual process that required about a dozen people entering county results by hand with a self-serve tool run by a much smaller team, repeatedly over the month-plus results period, while retaining human QA review. Built solo using Claude Code and Cursor.
React
Node.js
Claude API
Google Sheets API
Case study

Developer Experience & Enablement

AI Maker Workshop Series
Created and taught a 6-session internal workshop series (over six weeks) on practical AI/LLM tooling and prompt engineering, attended by 10 of the 15 people on the product team, engineers and non-engineers alike. Every attendee graduated by shipping their own portfolio site with an AI chatbot, and at least a PM and three engineers have carried what they learned into their day-to-day work since.
Internal Training
AI/LLM Tooling
Prompt Engineering
Shared AI Skills Repository
Built and maintain an internal library of 3 reusable AI skills — covering engineering documentation, Jira ticket formatting, and document summarization — open to the full team, including non-engineers.
Claude API
Internal Tooling
Postman Standard
Established the team's Postman standard: wrote the documentation, maintain a canonical forkable collection pattern, and configured role-based access permissions across the team's 13-15 engineers and contractors.
API Design
Documentation
Access Control

Professional Work at KQED

KQED Voter Guide
Developed a comprehensive voter guide application that helps users make informed decisions during elections. Features include candidate information, ballot measures, and voting locations.
React
TypeScript
Node.js
MongoDB
View Project
Navigation System Redesign
Completely reinvented KQED's navigation menu system to improve user experience and accessibility. Implemented responsive design and performance optimizations.
JavaScript
TypeScript
Sass
Accessibility
View Project
Micro Websites
Built and maintained various micro websites for KQED, focusing on performance, SEO optimization, and user engagement. Each site tailored to specific content needs.
HTML5
Sass
TypeScript
SEO
View Project
User Account System
Built backend APIs for authentication, profile management, secure account deletion, and integration with a third-party membership provider handling sensitive patron data.
Authentication
Security
UX Design
Java
Node.js
View Project

Personal Projects

Crittr
An AI-powered pet care platform built with Next.js & FastAPI. Features intelligent chatbot, health tracking, digital journaling, and Google OAuth. Deployed on Railway + Vercel with PostgreSQL database. Helping pet parents create lasting memories while monitoring their furry friends' wellbeing.
Next.js
FastAPI
PostgreSQL
TypeScript
Redux
Google OAuth
OpenAI API
Live site Frontend Backend Case study

Client Work

The BauWau Haus
Designed and developed a modern small business website for a dog training brand, focused on clear service communication, trust-building design, and a seamless contact experience. Delivered end-to-end from implementation to deployment.
Next.js
React
TypeScript
Vercel
Resend
GoDaddy (DNS)
Live site Case study
AI-Powered Note Taking App
Built a sophisticated note-taking application that leverages OpenAI API for intelligent summarization. Features include smart categorization, automatic summaries, and search functionality.
React
TypeScript
Node.js
OpenAI API
PostgreSQL
Web Content Summarizer Extension
Developed a Chrome extension that provides instant AI-powered summaries of web page content. Helps users quickly understand lengthy articles and documents.
TypeScript
Chrome APIs
OpenAI API
Web Extensions
Interactive Mini Games Collection
Created a collection of engaging mini games with modern web technologies. Features responsive design, smooth animations, and intuitive gameplay mechanics.
TypeScript
HTML5 Canvas
Sass
Game Development
AI Job Search Agent
Developed an intelligent job search agent that uses OpenAI API to aggregate and analyze job postings. Provides personalized recommendations and insights.
Python
OpenAI API
Web Scraping
Data Analysis

Technical Skills

Frontend Development

TypeScriptJavaScriptReactHTML5/CSS3Sass/SCSSResponsive DesignAccessibility (WCAG 2.1 AA)

Backend Development

Node.jsJavaSpring BootPythonAPI DevelopmentREST APIsSQLPostgreSQLMySQLDatabase DesignSystem Maintenance

Cloud & DevOps

DockerGoogle Cloud Platform (GCP)CI/CD

AI & Integration

OpenAI APIClaude APIClaude CodeCursorGitHub CopilotAI-Assisted DevelopmentAI IntegrationWeb ScrapingChrome ExtensionsData Analysis

Leadership & Practices

Intern MentoringCode ReviewUnit TestingTest-Driven Development (TDD)Agile MethodologiesTechnical LeadershipWorkshop FacilitationCurriculum DesignPublic SpeakingDeveloper ExperienceTechnical DocumentationSEO Optimization

Get In Touch

Let's Connect

I'm always interested in discussing new opportunities, collaborating on projects, or just having a chat about technology.

csarkki.swe@gmail.com
LinkedIn Profile
GitHub Profile
San Francisco Bay Area
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