Kaustubh Rai

About

Software engineer with ~2 years at UnitedHealth Group plus CMU coursework/TA experience, spanning backend modernization and cloud-native operations. Worked on migrating a customized open-source EDI system from Python 2 to Python 3 while improving SQLite database traceability via JSON exports, and has hands-on Kubernetes microservices deployment on Azure using Helm, HPA, and Jenkins-based Git-triggered CI/CD. Also built a large-scale real-time ride-hailing simulation using Kafka + Samza with explicit fault-tolerance strategies.

Experience

Education

Key Strengths

• Modernized legacy backend by migrating an EDI system from Python 2 to Python 3
• Improved database auditability/traceability by exporting SQLite DB changes to JSON
• Deployed and scaled microservices on Kubernetes using Helm and HPA (CPU target ~50%)
• Configured Azure ingress and Azure Front Door for routing/traffic management
• Built CI/CD automation triggered by Git pushes (Jenkins + GitHub webhooks) with containerized deployments
• Designed fault-tolerant streaming pipeline using Kafka partitioning and Samza state-store considerations

Reference Highlights

• Highly adept in Python
• Exceeded internship expectations (delivered 3–4 projects instead of one)
• Proactive problem-solving with minimal hand-holding
• Strong ownership and accountability
• Able to research independently and propose approaches
• Iterates on feedback to improve solutions
• Delivers cohesive, high-quality work
• Fast execution (completed expected 3–4 month project in 2–3 weeks)
• Strong learning curve / quick to pick up new technologies
• Significant impact (reduced API latency by ~70–80%)
• Works well with team; well-liked
• Reliable and delivers ahead of deadlines
• Good person / pleasant to work with