Zachary Armstead

I am a full-stack engineer with over 7 years of experience in building scalable web applications and cutting-edge AI solutions. My recent focus has been on architecting and deploying retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) based AI applications, leveraging embedded models and systematic prompt optimization to achieve high accuracy in production environments. I thrive in dynamic startup settings, where I contribute across the stack, from developing web scraping agents and model optimization pipelines to conducting customer calls and making product decisions. My expertise also spans robust enterprise integrations, where I've designed and implemented solutions across platforms like Salesforce, Workato, and Wrike, processing millions of records and automating complex workflows using REST APIs, webhooks, JavaScript, and SQL. I have a proven track record of optimizing business processes, gathering stakeholder requirements, and ensuring data consistency. Prior to my AI-focused roles, I built and shipped features for high-traffic platforms serving over 40 million users, utilizing technologies such as React, Next.js, and TypeScript. I have a strong background in improving code quality, leading performance optimization initiatives, and mentoring junior engineers. I am adept at collaborating with product, design, and backend teams to deliver impactful solutions and maintain system reliability and scalability. I'm passionate about building end-to-end systems and continuously iterating based on feedback and data.