Shad Arf
Backend Developer in Erbil, Iraq
REST APIs, Laravel, Vue.js, Nuxt, MySQL, VPS deployment, and production-ready web systems.
About Me
I’m Shad Arf, a backend web developer from Erbil - Erbil specializing in Laravel, API architecture, and production support. With a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Soran University (2021–2025), where I graduated with second rank in the university, I’ve built a strong foundation in PHP, database design, and server optimization. During my internship at Inforr LTD, I deepened my knowledge in DevOps, Laravel, and Vue.js while shipping custom APIs and deployment-focused work.
My experience also includes volunteer development work for Soran University and CDC, startup leadership at Pi Organization, and System Administrator & IT Specialist roles for enterprise systems. I enjoy solving backend problems, improving system reliability, exploring AI tools, and refining developer workflows.
"Shad, you can find a job very easily, and I'm not worried about your employment status."
— Sherwan Qurtas (University President, Soran University)
Quick Facts
- Current focus: Backend systems, REST APIs, and production system support
- Location: Turaq - Erbil, Iraq
- Achievement: Second rank at Soran University
- Languages: Kurdish (Native), English (Intermediate), Arabic (Beginner)
Interests & Hobbies
Technology ▪️ AI Exploration ▪️ Server Optimization ▪️ Chess ▪️ Web Development
Languages
Education
My academic background
Bachelor of Computer Science
Soran University (2021 – 2025)
Graduated: July 2025
Achievement: Second rank in the university
Professional Journey
My career path and key milestones
System Administrator & IT Specialist
Dwrandaz
- ✅ Centralized Server Infrastructure: Maintained and monitored the company’s centralized server, ensuring consistent uptime and seamless data sync across all POS/ERP endpoint.
- ✅Database & Backup Administration: Overseen centralized SQL database backup workflows and security measures to guarantee data integrity and disaster recovery.
- ✅ System Architecture Support: Handled core System Administrator & IT Specialist responsibilities for enterprise management systems, bridging communication between non-technical users and the development team to ensure smooth operations on the centralized platform.
Internship
Inforr LTD
- ✅ Studied Backend Development, DevOps, Laravel and Vue.js
- ✅ Created custom APIs and integrated them into projects
- ✅ Deployed sample applications on Contabo VPS
CEO & Web Developer
Pi Organization
- ✅ Led the startup, making key decisions
- ✅ Designed and built the official portal (Laravel, Blade)
- ✅ Managed content, user roles, and reporting modules
Volunteer Developer
CDC Soran University
- ✅ Built and maintained CDC’s online platform
- ✅ Implemented new modules and feature enhancements
Volunteer Full-Stack Developer
Soran University
- ✅ Maintained and improved the production registration system
- ✅ Handled real-time data entry and reporting for 1,500+ students
Featured Projects
A selection of my key development projects with roles, stack, and outcome details.
PERTWK
Role: Co-Founder & Full-Stack Developer
Team Size: 2 Members
Type: Startup Project
Co-founded and developed a multi-vendor book marketplace using Laravel 10, Nuxt 4, and Vue 3. Built and integrated the REST API backend, SSR customer storefront, and admin dashboard for tenant-aware store operations.
- Catalog and inventory management across isolated tenant stores
- Order workflows, authentication, and role-based access control
- SSR storefront for customers plus a dedicated admin dashboard
- 1,500+ books listed with 10+ bookstore partners
- Laravel API integrated with Nuxt 4, Vue 3, Pinia, and MySQL
Tavyar
Role: Full-Stack Developer
Developed a Laravel 12 chatbot backend that manages multiple bot configurations and exposes REST APIs for chat interactions. Built a secure AI proxy layer that forwards frontend requests to an external LLM provider.
- Supports PDF-based instruction uploads for bot configuration
- Applies request validation and rate limiting for secure API usage
- Includes Swagger API documentation and an admin dashboard
- Designed for multi-bot management through a centralized backend
71Bite
Role: Backend Developer
Developed a restaurant web application focused on online food ordering and customer engagement using Laravel, PHP, MySQL, Blade, and Vite.
- Built customer flows for browsing menus, managing carts, and placing orders
- Implemented table reservations, feedback submission, and protected user actions
- Created an admin area for orders, reservations, feedback, and user accounts
- Used Laravel MVC with routing, controllers, models, middleware, and migrations
Uber Post Delivery
Role: Backend Developer
Team Size: 2 Members
Duration: 9 months (Started September 1, 2024)
Type: Academic Project
A Flutter-based mobile app connecting users with drivers for package delivery. Built Laravel APIs for real‑time requests, authentication, and order tracking.
University Student Enrollment Management System
Role: Full-Stack Developer
Team Size: 4 Members
Duration: 1 year (Started September 1, 2022)
Type: Production Project
Client: Soran University
Enhanced and maintained the student registration system for 2023–2024: backend workflows, real‑time validations, and UI improvements. Successfully registered over 1,500 students.
The Soran University Career Development Center
Role: Backend Developer
Team Size: 6 Members
Duration: 6 months (Started October 1, 2023)
Type: Production Project
Client: Soran University CDC
Online platform for CDC events: CRUD features, event management, and dynamic dashboards. Collaborated with staff to translate needs into functional features.
Solar Sales Project
Role: Full-Stack Developer
Built a Laravel-based solar sales management system to handle inventory, sales, purchases, customers, suppliers, and financial records in one platform.
- Implemented dashboard reporting for daily business visibility
- Added low-stock tracking and inventory adjustment workflows
- Built profit monitoring and PDF invoice export features
- Designed to centralize sales, purchasing, and record management
Pi Organization Portal
Role: Full-Stack
Team Size: Solo
Duration: 1 year (Started September 1, 2023)
Type: Startup Project
Status: Defunct (Owned)
Designed and developed the official LMS & content portal: course registration, lecture uploads, and certificate generation. Integrated FastPay for payments, managed roles for students/teachers/admins, and built an admin dashboard with real‑time reporting.
- 16+ table schema enforcing relational integrity via foreign keys
- Modules for course management, feedback, certificates, and teacher profiles
- Admin tools for payment status (pending/approved) and operational oversight
Tasks
Role: Full-Stack Developer
A multi-business task management platform with WhatsApp integration, built to organize assignments, communication, and operational workflows.
Chatbot
Role: Full-Stack Developer
Team Size: Solo
Duration: 6 months (Started February 1, 2023)
Type: Personal Project
A PHP‑based chatbot for Soran University: real‑time messaging, authentication, and message history. Presented at the University Showcase as my first major PHP project.
Technical Expertise
The tools and technologies I use to build efficient solutions
Laravel
Expert in backend architecture & API development
PHP
Strong foundation in server-side scripting
MySQL
Database design, querying, and data modeling
Vue.js
Building reactive user interfaces
Nuxt.js
Building SSR and full-stack Vue applications
Pinia
State management for Vue and Nuxt applications
JavaScript
Frontend scripting and dynamic behavior
TypeScript
Typed JavaScript for maintainable frontend code
C#
Building robust Console applications
Python
Data analysis & machine learning basics
Tailwind & Bootstrap
Responsive design & utility-first frameworks
VPS & Cloudflare
VPS setup, management, DNS, and Cloudflare configuration
React
Building component-based UIs
Linux Administration
Ubuntu server administration and basic server hardening
Git & GitHub
Version control & collaboration
OWASP Security
Secure validation, CSRF protection, and OWASP best practices
RESTful API Development
Designing secure, maintainable, and production-ready APIs
Laravel MVC
MVC architecture, custom middleware, and routing
Authentication & RBAC
Secure authentication and role-based access management
Clean Architecture & OOP
Maintainable object-oriented design and clean code practices
Database Optimization
MySQL and SQLite design, indexing, and query optimization
Performance Optimization
Application profiling, caching, and server optimization
Production Debugging
Error handling, logging, monitoring, and root-cause analysis
Queues & Async Processing
Background jobs, queues, retries, and asynchronous workflows
Payment Integrations
Secure payment gateway integration and transaction workflows
Courses & Certifications
Laracasts tracks + other self-learning milestones
Laravel 8 From Scratch
Instructor: Jeffrey Way
38 lessons • Completed 2023-07
Built a clone project while following along; cemented fundamentals of routing, Eloquent, queues, and tests.
Laravel API Master Class
Instructor: Jeremey McPeak
19 lessons • Completed 2024-07
Deep-dive into stateless auth, rate-limiting, API testing, and versioning; foundation for web applicaiton back-ends.
Vue 3 From Scratch
Instructor: Jeffrey Way
43 lessons • Completed 2024-08
Mastered reactivity, Composition API, Pinia state, and SPA routing.
Write Code That’s Easy to Maintain
Instructor: Katerina Trajchevska
14 lessons • Completed 2024-08
Learned SOLID principles, refactoring pattern.
Laravel Security Through Examples
Instructor: Stephen Rees-Carter
16 lessons • Completed 2024-8
Practiced XSS, CSRF, SQLi mitigation & OAuth.
Code Katas with PHPUnit
Instructor: Jeffrey Way
9 mini-episodes • Completed 2024-09
Practice-driven TDD exercises using PHPUnit—each episode is a focused Kata to build workflow habits, refactoring skills, and test-first thinking.
Contact
Connect with Shad Arf for Backend development, API work, and production web systems.
Location
Available for remote and on-site work
Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Need more detail about experience, projects, or technical background?