🎓 Mathematics Graduate
💻 Software Developer | Full Stack Developer | AI Engineer
📍 Johannesburg, South Africa

I started in Mathematical Sciences, where I developed strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
I’ve since transitioned into software engineering, focusing on backend systems and scalable architectures.

My work is centered around building systems that are structured, maintainable, and production-ready.

I am currently designing and developing a microservices-based system with a strong focus on scalability, modularity, and real-world deployment readiness.

The system is structured into independent services, each responsible for a specific domain:

• Authentication Service

  • Handles login and registration
  • Issues and validates JWT tokens
  • Manages access control

• User Service

  • Manages user profiles and data
  • Handles updates and user-specific operations
  • Works in coordination with the Auth service for secure access

• API Gateway (In Progress)

  • Acts as a single entry point for all client requests
  • Routes requests to appropriate services
  • Handles authentication verification before forwarding requests

• Secure communication between Auth and User services
• Token validation across services
• Separation of concerns while maintaining integration

• Centralized routing layer
• Request forwarding and response aggregation
• Middleware for authentication and logging

1. Client logs in via Auth Service
2. Auth Service returns JWT token
3. Client sends token with each request
4. API Gateway validates token
5. Request is forwarded to the appropriate service

• Services can be deployed independently
• Each service has its own responsibility and logic
• System designed to scale horizontally

• FastAPI for high-performance backend services
• Flask for modular service development
• Node.js / Express for API structuring
• JWT for authentication
• SQLAlchemy for database abstraction

• Designing production-grade backend systems
• Structuring API Gateways similar to real-world systems (e.g., Netflix, LinkedIn)
• Handling distributed system challenges
• Managing authentication across multiple services
• Building systems that are scalable, secure, and maintainable

Languages:
Python | Java | JavaScript | TypeScript | C | MATLAB

Frontend:
React

Backend:
FastAPI | Flask | Node.js | Express

Database:
PostgreSQL | MySQL | MongoDB | Pinecone

Tools:
Git | Docker | REST APIs | Babel | Mocha | ESLint

• Full-stack system built with React and Flask
• JWT-based authentication
• Product, cart, and order management
• Stripe integration (in progress)

• Structured Express servers with controllers
• Built reusable backend architectures
• Implemented file handling and server-side logic

• Build a production-ready API Gateway
• Implement rate limiting, caching, and logging
• Containerize services using Docker
• Move towards cloud deployment

I am focused on becoming a Backend Engineer specializing in distributed systems, with strong skills in:

• Microservices architecture
• API design and system integration
• Scalable backend infrastructure

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karabo-mahlare/
• Email: mahlarekarabo.702@gmail.com

I enjoy designing systems where each component has a clear responsibility and works seamlessly with others.
My goal is to build software that is not only functional, but structured for scale.