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I'm Mikael Araya.

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About Me

Mikael Araya

Freelance full-stack software engineer based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with 8+ years of professional experience. I'm a core contributor to Unchained Engine — a high-performance headless Node.js e-commerce framework with 199+ stars on GitHub — and the product owner of the Unchained Admin UI, the Next.js-based control panel used to manage the entire platform.

My journey in software engineering began with a fascination for how lines of code can come together to create powerful applications. I've since built a robust foundation in both frontend and backend development, working on projects from Web2 e-commerce to Web3 marketplaces. With 93 repositories, ranked #42 top committer in Ethiopia, and contributions recognized by the Arctic Code Vault, I take every project on with a high sense of ownership and strive to deliver exceptional solutions.

Beyond the technical aspects, I deeply value ethical and inclusive software practices. I believe that technology should not only be functional but also respectful of diverse perspectives and accessible to all.

Name Mikael Araya Mengistu
Role Freelance Full-Stack Software Engineer
Location Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Email mikaelaraya12@gmail.com
Top committer in Ethiopia Arctic Code Vault Contributor GitHub Developer Program Pull Shark x3
Hire Me Download CV
0+ Years Experience
0+ Projects Delivered
0 GitHub Repositories
0+ Commits on Unchained
0+ Students Mentored

Open Source

Core contributor and Admin UI Product Owner

Unchained Engine

High-Performance Headless Node.js E-Commerce Framework

I'm a core contributor to Unchained Engine and the owner of the Admin UI — a Next.js-based control panel featuring real-time analytics, inventory management with stock alerts, order processing with automated workflows, bulk product editing with multi-language support, rich media management, and dark mode.

199+Stars
6,400+Commits
30+Packages
24Forks
View on GitHub Visit unchained.shop

Admin UI (Product Owner)

Next.js control panel with real-time analytics, inventory alerts, automated order workflows, and dark mode.

Core Engine

Business logic, GraphQL API layer, modular architecture with 30+ packages in the monorepo.

Payment Plugins

Integrations for Stripe, PayPal, Datatrans, Cryptopay, Apple IAP, Braintree, and invoice-based payments.

Ticketing System

Event ticketing with PDF/wallet pass generation, Apple & Google Wallet, and QR-code validation.

GitHub Activity

GitHub Stats GitHub Streak
Mikael Araya's GitHub Contribution Graph

Tech Stack

Technologies I use daily to build production systems

Front-End

React React
Next.js
TypeScript TypeScript
Angular Angular
Tailwind CSS
HTML5 HTML5 / CSS3
Zustand
Radix UI
Headless UI
Tiptap Editor
i18n (next-intl)

Back-End

Node.js Node.js
GraphQL GraphQL Yoga
Fastify
MongoDB MongoDB
PostgreSQL PostgreSQL / MySQL
Redis
C# C# / ASP.NET Core
Keycloak / OAuth2
Nodemailer
OData / SOAP

Payments & E-Commerce

Stripe
PayPal
Datatrans
E-Commerce
QR / Wallet Pass
Sharp (Images)

Testing & QA

Cypress Cypress
Playwright
Vitest
Jest Jest
Testing Library
Zod (Validation)

DevOps & Observability

Docker
Jenkins CI/CD
OpenTelemetry
Sentry
Pyroscope
Git / GitHub

Blockchain & Mobile

Ethereum Ethereum / Solidity
Hyperledger Hyperledger Fabric
React Native React Native
Android (Kiosk)
LiveKit (WebRTC)
React PDF

ERP Integrations

MS Navision
Selectline ERP
Crossbase PIM
Apache Solr
Drizzle ORM

AI & Developer Tools

Building intelligent tooling with modern AI frameworks

AI Agents

Building autonomous AI agents using the Claude Agent SDK for enterprise workflows — product data enrichment, customer support automation, and intelligent document processing.

Claude Agent SDK TypeScript

MCP Servers

Building Model Context Protocol servers that connect AI assistants to production systems — including an MCP server for the Unchained Engine that exposes e-commerce operations to AI agents, and a Solr MCP server for intelligent search across enterprise data.

MCP Unchained Engine Solr

AI Pipelines

Designing AI-powered data pipelines for automated product classification, medical device categorization, and content enrichment in e-commerce platforms.

AI/ML Pipeline ETL Node.js

Work Experience

Unchained Commerce

June 2019 — Present

Core Contributor & Product Owner (Admin UI)

Core contributor to Unchained Engine, a high-performance headless Node.js e-commerce framework (199+ stars, 6,400+ commits, 30+ packages). Product owner of the Admin UI control panel. Building and maintaining core modules, plugins, ETL data connectors, and client-facing storefronts for enterprise Swiss e-commerce clients.

Key contributions include: GraphQL API layer, payment integrations (Stripe, PayPal, Datatrans, Cryptopay), ERP data connectors (Microsoft Navision, Selectline, Crossbase PIM), AI-powered product classification pipelines, Keycloak SSO/OAuth2 authentication, OpenTelemetry observability, Cypress & Playwright E2E test suites, and Jenkins CI/CD pipelines with Docker-based deployments.

TypeScript Node.js React Next.js GraphQL MongoDB Playwright Cypress Docker Jenkins

Springboard

2020 — Present

Software Engineering Mentor

Mentored 160+ students through Springboard's Software Engineering bootcamp. Providing 1-on-1 guidance on full-stack development, code reviews, project architecture, and career development to help students transition into professional engineering roles.

Mentorship Code Review Software Engineering

Bionic System Solutions

June 2019 — Present

Freelance Full-Stack Software Engineer — ERP Solutions

Designed and built modular ERP solutions for small to mid-size organizations. Modules include Inventory Management, CRM, Production Management (MRP), Procurement, and Accounting — all integrated into a full-fledged enterprise system.

Angular ASP.NET Core MySQL C#

AppDiv System Development

July 2017 — June 2019

Full-Stack Developer

Built enterprise applications including a COC Student Registration system for the Ethiopian government, a full Accounting ERP module with multi-level reporting (Balance Sheet, Income Statements, Trial Balances), and a hybrid mobile application for Ethiopian migrants using React Native.

Angular React Native PHP MySQL

Idopz Trading PLC

July 2016 — 2017

Website Developer

Designed and developed the company website while attending CS classes at Unity University. Built product catalog, order placement system, and contact functionality.

Education

Unity University

July 2013 — July 2017

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science

Graduated with honors (GPA: 3.4)

View Degree

ConsenSys Academy

Sep 2019 — Dec 2019

Blockchain Developer Certificate

Ethereum network fundamentals, smart contract development, security, and testing tools.

View Certificate

Featured Projects

Key projects delivered with Unchained Engine and independently

Publicare

B2B Medical Commerce

Switzerland's largest medical aids supplier. Multi-service platform with recipe-based ordering, customer-specific pricing, Microsoft Navision & Crossbase PIM integration, AI product classification, Keycloak SSO, and Playwright E2E testing. 1,000+ req/min.

Next.jsGraphQLKeycloakPlaywrightAI Pipeline
Visit Site →

Lorem GmbH

B2B Commerce

Swiss technical paper sales specialist. B2B portal with price tiering, bundle pricing with surcharges and mandatory accessories, consumables reordering, Selectline ERP connector, and Solr-powered search. 20,000+ articles.

Next.jsGraphQLApolloSolr
Visit Site →

Gastro Zurich

B2B Portal

Zurich's largest gastronomy association (2,500+ members). Member self-service portal with course registration, event ticketing with QR codes, Google Maps integration, CRM sync, and Playwright E2E testing.

Next.jsGraphQLApolloPlaywright
Visit Site →

Unchained Admin UI

Product Owner

Next.js control panel for Unchained Engine. Real-time analytics, inventory management, automated order workflows, bulk product editing, multi-language support, Cypress E2E test suite with 20+ spec files, and dark mode. Used by all Unchained clients.

Next.jsApolloCypressRadix UI
View on GitHub →

NFT Marketplace

Web3 E-Commerce

On-demand NFT-minting platform for artists and galleries. Just-in-time minting on purchase, powered by Unchained Engine, Next.js storefront, and Alchemy-based smart contract monitoring. 55 stars.

TypeScriptNext.jsSolidityMongoDB
View on GitHub →

Theater im Hof

Event Ticketing

White-label ticket shop with Apple & Google Wallet integration, QR-code validation, label printer connection, and entry control. 0% transaction fees.

Unchained EngineReactNode.js
Visit Site →

Weng Contemporary

Art E-Commerce

Artwork selling e-commerce platform for well-known artists. React/Next.js frontend, Unchained Engine backend with GraphQL API, and Cockpit CMS.

ReactNext.jsCockpit CMS
Visit Site →

1-2-eat

Mobile Commerce

Digital ordering and delivery solution with GPS-based delivery, pre-order scheduling, native Android tablet kiosk app, and custom Unchained Engine plugins.

React SPAAndroidUnchained Engine
Visit Site →

Event Ticketing DApp

Blockchain

Ethereum-based decentralized event ticket buying & selling application built with Solidity smart contracts. 19 stars.

SolidityEthereumWeb3
View on GitHub →

Accounting ERP Module

Enterprise

Full accounting module with multi-level account management, ledger entries, and financial reports (Balance Sheet, Income Statements, Trial Balances). 10 stars.

AngularASP.NET CoreMySQL
View on GitHub →

COVID Telegram Bot

Bot / Automation

Telegram bot delivering real-time COVID-19 statistics by country. Built during the pandemic to provide quick access to case counts, recoveries, and deaths via simple chat commands.

RubyTelegram APIBot
View on GitHub →

Rent Manager

Enterprise

Property rental management application for tracking tenants, lease agreements, payments, and property portfolios. Angular frontend with a modular component architecture.

AngularTypeScript
View on GitHub →

Safeway Hybrid App

Mobile / Social Impact

Hybrid mobile application providing essential information and resources to Ethiopian migrants in the Middle East — safety guidelines, legal rights, embassy contacts, and emergency support. 4 stars.

React NativeHTMLMobile
View on GitHub →
View All 93 Repositories on GitHub

Latest Articles

Technical writing on Medium about web development, Angular, and blockchain

Mar 11, 2020

Javascript Objects

Deep dive on Objects in Javascript — prototypes, methods, and patterns.

Read on Medium → Mar 4, 2020

Snapshot Testing

The easiest way to test your code hasn't changed since last time.

Read on Medium → Feb 15, 2020

Angular Runtime Optimization Using Caching

Decrease server requests using HTTP Interceptors for better performance.

Read on Medium → Feb 5, 2020

Component Visibility with Angular Structural Directives

Controlling DOM elements based on user claims for secure UI rendering.

Read on Medium → Feb 2, 2020

Claim-Based Authorization with Angular Router Guard

Restricting user access using claim-based authorization patterns.

Read on Medium → Jan 17, 2020

Distributed Network with Hyperledger Fabric

Building a single-organization permissioned blockchain network from scratch.

Read on Medium →
View All Articles on Medium

What I Do

Services I offer with high quality and reliability

E-Commerce Development

Headless e-commerce solutions built with Unchained Engine, custom storefronts, B2B portals, payment integrations, and ERP connectivity for enterprise-grade online commerce.

Full-Stack Development

End-to-end web application development with React, Next.js, Node.js, and GraphQL. From architecture design to deployment, I build scalable and maintainable solutions.

Enterprise Solutions

Custom ERP modules including Inventory, CRM, Procurement, Production Management, and Accounting — integrated into comprehensive enterprise systems.

Blockchain / DApp

Certified Ethereum blockchain developer. Smart contract development, DApp architecture, and decentralized application solutions using Solidity and Web3 technologies.

Technical Consulting

Architecture reviews, technology selection, system design, and strategic advice for your next project based on years of hands-on engineering experience.

Mentorship

Mentored 160+ students through Springboard's Software Engineering course since 2020. 1-on-1 guidance on full-stack development, code reviews, project architecture, and career support.

Get In Touch

Have a project in mind? Let's talk about it.

Location

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Email

mikaelaraya12@gmail.com

Telegram

@starboy_12