Fasih Ullah Saleem
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Open to remote and on-site roles worldwide · Pakistan

Fasih Ullah SaleemBackend Engineer

Backend Engineer | Python | FastAPI | Django | PostgreSQL

I build Python REST APIs with FastAPI and Django, design PostgreSQL and SQL Server databases, write automation and scheduled tasks, and deploy on Linux with Docker, Redis and Nginx. I have built cloud-connected and IoT data pipelines and containerized services. Electrical Engineering background (CGPA 3.79/4.00) with strong debugging, system-integration and root-cause-analysis skills; effective in remote, cross-functional international teams.

Hire me for this roleSee relevant projects

Open to remote and on-site roles worldwide · Based in Pakistan · Available for freelance, contract and hobby-project work

In the stack

Where a backend engineer sits in a connected product.

The solid layers are the ones this role owns: network & iot, cloud & backend. The faded ones are the rest of the system I also build, so nothing is designed in isolation.

  1. 03Network & IoT
  2. 04Cloud & backend

Core competencies

What I bring to a backend engineer role.

  • REST API Design
  • Python Backend (FastAPI / Django)
  • Relational Databases
  • Automation & Scheduled Tasks
  • Containerization (Docker)
  • Linux Deployment
  • Version Control (Git)
  • AI-Assisted Development

Hire me for

Three things I can start on next week.

For a team, a startup, a research group or one person with an idea. Remote, worldwide, and I reply within a day.

  1. 01

    A REST API and database for your product, designed for the queries it will actually run.

  2. 02

    Automation, scheduled jobs and data pipelines that replace a spreadsheet-and-cron mess.

  3. 03

    Containerizing and deploying an existing Python service on Linux with Docker and Nginx.

Technical skills

Tools and technologies.

Backend & APIs

  • Python
  • FastAPI
  • Django
  • REST APIs
  • PostgreSQL
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Database Design
  • Redis
  • Automation Scripts & Scheduled Tasks

DevOps & Infrastructure

  • Docker
  • Nginx
  • Linux (Ubuntu)
  • SSH
  • Bash / Shell
  • Virtualization
  • VMware ESXi

Testing & Quality

  • PyTest
  • Unit Testing
  • System Testing
  • Debugging & Troubleshooting
  • Code Review
  • Root-Cause Analysis

IoT & Data Pipelines

  • MQTT
  • TCP/IP
  • HTTP/HTTPS
  • Client-Server Architecture
  • IoT Systems Development
  • Real-Time Data

Relevant projects

Backend work, built and photographed on my own bench.

Each card opens the full story: what it does, how it was built and which layers of the stack I built myself.

  • IoT sensor node on a breadboard, microcontroller board wired to a temperature and humidity sensor

    Embedded + cloud pipeline

    An IoT data pipeline that takes readings from embedded sensor nodes and publishes them over MQTT to a cloud database, where they feed into monitoring applications. The project demonstrates the full telemetry loop: device acquisition, lightweight pub/sub transport, persistence, and live visualization.

    • MQTT
    • IoT
    • Cloud DB
    • Embedded
  • Custom four-layer PCB for the fleet tracker on a cutting mat, with GPS patch antenna, GSM module and screw terminals

    Lead: firmware, PCB and integration

    An end-to-end fleet telematics system built on a custom STM32F427 board. The device reads GPS position and MPU6050 motion data in real time, detects accidents and rollovers, and streams everything over a SIM800L GSM link to a web dashboard. A full power subsystem handles automatic switching between the vehicle battery and an onboard backup, with charging and protection circuitry, so the unit stays online even if main power is cut.

    • STM32F427
    • Custom PCB
    • GPS
    • GSM
    • IAR
  • Open desktop workstation showing the graphics card used to run local language models

    Research & prototyping

    A local-first AI assistant built on open-source LLMs running entirely on-device. I explored Retrieval-Augmented Generation and vector-database concepts to ground the model in a private knowledge base, then experimented with prompt engineering, conversational interfaces, and agent workflows, evaluating model quality, hardware requirements, and deployment trade-offs along the way.

    • Local LLMs
    • RAG
    • Vector DB
    • LM Studio

Experience and education

Engineering work, in production, since 2024.

An application engineer on simulation-driven power-system and engineering software projects, with an Electrical Engineering degree and PEC registration underneath.

  1. June 2025 to presentPakistan · remote-friendly

    Application Engineer

    • Design, evaluate and implement engineering software solutions: system architecture, workflow optimisation and technical feasibility.
    • Build and extend engineering applications in Python and FastAPI, turning technical requirements into working backend features and automation.
    • Develop automation scripts, scheduled tasks and database-backed workflows; work on simulation-driven power-system projects and design validation.
    • Deploy, configure and troubleshoot applications in Linux and virtualised (VMware ESXi) environments.
    • Run technical investigations, feasibility studies and root-cause analysis across software, infrastructure and engineering systems.
    • Write technical documentation and design-review material for a multidisciplinary electrical, software and industrial team.
  2. June 2024 to June 2025Pakistan · remote-friendly

    Engineering Intern

    • Backend development, database tasks, automation, testing and software validation.
    • Design reviews and UI/UX work in Figma.
    • Engineering simulations, data analysis and technical documentation.
  3. 2021 to 2025Lahore, Pakistan

    Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

    University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore

    • CGPA: 3.79 / 4.00
    • Registered Engineer, Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC)

Questions

What people ask before hiring a backend engineer.

FastAPI or Django, which do you recommend?

FastAPI for API-first services, real-time or IoT ingest and anything that benefits from async and typed schemas; Django when you want the admin, ORM and batteries for a content-heavy product. I have shipped both and choose per project, not by habit.

Which databases do you design for?

PostgreSQL first, Microsoft SQL Server where the organisation already runs it, and Redis for caching and queues. Schema design, indexing for the real query load and migration discipline come with the API.

Do you handle deployment as well as development?

Yes, Docker images, Nginx as the reverse proxy, Ubuntu Linux hosts, SSH and shell automation, and virtualized environments on VMware ESXi. In my current role I deploy, configure and troubleshoot engineering applications in exactly those environments.

Are you available for remote backend roles or freelance API work?

Open to remote and on-site roles worldwide, and freelance backend projects for clients anywhere. I am based in Pakistan and work comfortably across time zones.

Also hire me as

The same engineer, seen from other angles.

One person, nine job titles. Each page argues the case from that field's side, with the projects that prove it.

Contact

Let's build something that works.

Hiring for a team, or need a product, prototype or hobby project built end to end? Either way it starts with one email. I reply within a day.

For teams hiringHire me as a Backend EngineerFull-time, contract or remote. Open to roles worldwide.Email about a role →For clients and makersBuild with meA product, a prototype, a website or a hobby project. Any size.Email about a project →
Phone / WhatsApp
+92 320 9450014
Based in
Pakistan · open to remote and on-site roles worldwide
Fasih Ullah Saleem, Solutions Architect and Full-Stack Engineer
Fasih Ullah SaleemBSc Electrical Engineering, UET Lahore · PEC registered engineer