Tokyo, Japan

Kibirigi Rachel

Software Engineer

Software Engineer focused on building reliable, maintainable web applications

Hello!

About

I’m a software engineer working with JavaScript, TypeScript, and Python, building and deploying web applications. I’m drawn to understanding how individual decisions in code shape the behavior and reliability of a system as a whole.

I work across the full development lifecycle, from early design conversations to implementation, deployment, and iteration. I value collaboration as a way to refine ideas and turn them into features that feel considered, durable, and grounded in real use.

My approach to engineering is grounded in empathetic product thinking. I focus on translating user needs into simple, efficient, and maintainable solutions, with attention to performance, accessibility, and how systems evolve over time.

Lately, I’ve been exploring agent-based LLM workflows, especially model reasoning, tool use, and step-by-step task execution. I see this as a natural extension of my interest in building systems that make thoughtful decisions and scale responsibly.

Outside of software, I love reading, practicing art, Ikebana, and karate. These interests influence how I approach engineering with patience, balance, and care for process as much as outcomes.

My Stack

JavaScriptTypeScriptPythonFastAPINode.jsExpressREST API DesignSQLAlchemyAlembicPostgreSQLMongoDBSupabase (Auth, Storage, Edge Functions)DockerGitHub Actions (CI/CD)Fly.ioVercelRenderSentryReactNext.js (App Router)ViteTailwind CSSZustandFramer MotionOpenAI APIProphet (Time Series)Tesseract OCRPytestReact Testing LibraryGitGitHubAgile DevelopmentPostmancurlTankyu PracticeRaspberry PiArduinoAppwrite (Self-hosted Backend)

Experience

  1. Full Stack Developer (Freelance) · Independent

    2023 → Present
    • Design and implement web applications across finance, e-commerce, and healthcare, contributing to backend APIs, frontend features, and cloud deployment.
    • Develop production-ready functionality including authentication, payments, OCR automation, and AI-assisted features used in real-world deployments.
    • Collaborate with designers and stakeholders to clarify requirements and translate them into implemented features across frontend and backend development.
  2. Full Stack Developer · CalenCents

    Selected Project
    • Developed a full-stack personal finance application using FastAPI, PostgreSQL, Next.js, and Docker to support budgeting, expense tracking, and savings goals.
    • Implemented forecasting and LLM-based features to analyze spending patterns and provide data-driven insights.
    • Built OCR-based receipt ingestion to reduce manual data entry and improve data accuracy.
    • Set up CI/CD workflows using GitHub Actions and Pytest to support reliable releases and faster iteration.
  3. Full Stack Developer · LuxLather

    Selected Project
    • Developed an e-commerce web application using React (Vite, TypeScript), Node.js, Express, and MongoDB.
    • Implemented an admin dashboard supporting product management, including CRUD operations, media uploads, and inventory updates.
    • Integrated Stripe payments and improved checkout reliability and user flow.
    • Applied state management with Zustand and implemented frontend tests using React Testing Library.
  4. Full Stack Developer · Health Management System

    Selected Project
    • Developed a MERN-based healthcare web application using TypeScript to support appointment scheduling and patient record management.
    • Implemented role-based access control and authentication using Appwrite to support data privacy and access management.
    • Built patient and doctor dashboards to replace manual booking workflows and improve usability.
  5. IoT Systems & Data Analysis Intern · SoftBank Corp., Tokyo

    2021 → 2022
    • Analyzed IoT customer and device data to support system-level insights for M2M roaming and connectivity use cases.
    • Worked with customer data platforms (CDPs) to identify usage patterns and technical constraints affecting IoT deployments.
    • Contributed to technical briefs and system overviews used in internal planning and executive discussions.
    • Collaborated with cross-functional teams across product, engineering, and partners on IoT solution planning.
  6. Graduate IoT Research (Njuna) · Kobe Institute of Computing

    2019 → 2021
    • Designed and prototyped an IoT-based women’s safety system using Raspberry Pi, Arduino, and mobile integration.
    • Presented research findings at academic seminars and conferences focused on applied technology solutions.
Selected projects

Projects

  • CalenCents — Personal Finance Dashboard with AI Insights

    CalenCents — Personal Finance Dashboard with AI Insights (opens in new tab)

    Full-stack personal finance application supporting budgeting, expense tracking, and savings goals using FastAPI, PostgreSQL, Next.js, and Docker.

    Replaced manual spreadsheet workflows with forecasting, LLM-based spending insights, and OCR-driven receipt ingestion, improving accuracy and financial visibility.

    ReactNext.js (App Router)TypeScriptTailwind CSSFastAPIPostgreSQLDockerGitHub Actions (CI/CD)ProphetOpenAI APITesseract OCRPytest
  • LuxLather — Full-Stack eCommerce Platform

    LuxLather — Full-Stack eCommerce Platform (opens in new tab)

    Production-ready e-commerce web application built with React (Vite, TypeScript), Node.js, Express, and MongoDB.

    Enabled reliable product management and purchasing through an admin dashboard, Stripe payments, improved checkout flow, and tested cart/order state.

    ReactViteTypeScriptTailwind CSSZustandNode.jsExpressMongoDBStripeReact Testing Library
  • Health Management System

    Health Management System (opens in new tab)

    MERN-based healthcare web application built with TypeScript to manage appointments and patient records.

    Replaced manual booking workflows with secure patient and doctor dashboards using role-based access control and Appwrite authentication.

    ReactNode.jsExpressMongoDBTypeScriptTailwind CSSAppwriteSentry
  • Njuna — IoT Women’s Safety System

    Njuna — IoT Women’s Safety System (opens in new tab)

    Graduate IoT research project focused on a women’s safety system using hardware prototyping and mobile integration.

    Demonstrated how connected devices and real-time alerts can support personal safety use cases through applied IoT design.

    IoTRaspberry PiArduinoPythonMobile IntegrationPrototypingApplied Research