I am Edward Whitehead
A SEASONED SOFTWARE DEVELOPER, AND ENTREPRENEUR.
An seasoned software developer and entrepreneur with two decades of experience, focused on AI, web, mobile, and leadership.
- RemoteWorldwide collaboration
- South East AsiaThailand, Malaysia, Vietnam
- South AfricaCape Town
Core Skills & Key Highlights
Core capabilities that drive real-world delivery
Languages & Frameworks
C#, .NET, .NET MAUI, Xamarin Forms, Jetpack Compose/Kotlin, React, Next.js, Flutter/Dart, TypeScript, HTML, CSS, Python (Basic – FastAPI)
Cloud & DevOps
Azure DevOps, Azure CI/CD Pipelines, Azure Cognitive Services, YAML, GitHub
Architecture
Mobile & Web Solution Architecture, SaaS, Microservices, API Development
Tools
Figma, Canva, Vercel, Firebase, VSCode, Windsurf, AI Tools (OpenAI, Gemini, OpenRouter, Ollma, LM Studio and Vibe Coding)
Soft Skills
Management/Leadership, Project Management, Mentoring, Vendor Management, Technical Documentation, HR & Performance Management
Key Highlights
- Product Development & SaaS: Built multiple platforms (Qirvo, Violt, Orby) from the ground up, including dashboards, CLIs, mobile apps, and plugin marketplaces.
- Full-Stack Engineering: Expertise in Next.js 15, React 19, Mantine UI, Zustand, Node.js, Firebase, MongoDB Atlas, TypeScript, Docker, and cross-platform mobile development (Flutter, .NET MAUI, Kotlin).
- Systems Architecture: Created production-ready modular architectures with separation of frontend, backend APIs, and databases, supporting extensibility and enterprise scaling.
- Open-Source Leadership: Published SDKs, plugin frameworks, and CLI agents (e.g., Echo CLI for Qirvo) to support community growth and developer adoption.
- Business & Strategy: Directed branding, pitch decks, investor relations, and GTM strategies.
- Creative & Marketing: Produced branding, animated explainers, social media campaigns, and landing pages to support product adoption and community growth.
Professional Experience
Founder/Developer
- Started Qirvo, an AI-powered command platform that connects apps, devices and workflows.
- Designed and built a plugin marketplace (free and paid) so outside developers can create and publish plugins using the Qirvo SDK.
- Built the Echo CLI, a developer tool with AI automation, memory and task tracking, and GitHub integration.
- Added AI Dev Agent features such as Telegram and email notifications.
- Set up a monorepo with multiple services and layered memory in MongoDB so AI agents keep context.
- Launched the qirvo.ai website and app with full branding, policies and investor pitch deck.
- Ran the go-to-market push: beta testing, social campaigns, LinkedIn outreach and open-source drives.
Skills: Founder · Lead Architect · Next.js · Product Lifecycle Management · Mantine · Command Line Interface · MongoDB · Go-to-Market Strategy
Software Developer
- Upgraded Xamarin Forms solution to .NET MAUI, enabling Android/iOS releases on latest OS versions.
- Led UI modernization with refreshed design and improved user experience.
- Delivered critical platform upgrades allowing new deployments after legacy system stagnation.
- Development of native applications using Jetpack Compose and Kotlin.
- Implementation of NFC, Facial Recognition, QR Code scanning throughout multiple applications.
Skills: Azure DevOps · C# · Programming · Maui · Xamarin Products · Microsoft Azure
Software Developer (Contract)
- Developing a mobile application project for beauty industry client (IIAA).
- Implemented NFC features, refactored to MVVM, and resolved performance bottlenecks.
- Improved UI responsiveness, eliminating frequent hangs/crashes.
Skills: Xamarin · Programming · Mobile Application Development · Xamarin Products · Agile Application Development · Software Development
Senior Software Developer (Contract)
- Conducted architectural reviews and solution upgrades in Xamarin Forms for UK & South African clients.
- Produced expert technical reports and participated in candidate technical interviews.
Skills: Solution Architecture · Azure DevOps · C# · Programming · Mobile Application Development · Xamarin Products · Leading · Software Development
Founder
- Built Flutter/Firebase app for gratuity payments in the restaurant industry.
- Leading expansion toward global FinTech gateway with blockchain integration (Go, Rust, Solidity).
Skills: Leadership · Ethereum · Blockchain · Programming · Web Development · Leading · Team Management · Smart Contracts · Flutter · Web3 · Start-up Leadership · Start-up Ventures
Senior Software Developer / Team Lead
- Team Lead for cloud-based insurance solution (C#, .NET Core, Angular, Azure).
- Designed & implemented Azure DevOps pipelines with YAML.
- Led upgrade of MobeeWash (mobile car wash booking system) in Ionic framework.
- Served as SME for architecture patterns and modernization strategies.
Skills: Azure DevOps · JavaScript · .NET Framework · C# · Programming · Mobile Application Development · AngularJS · Microsoft Azure · Leading
Senior Software Developer (Contract)
- Led development of Sanlam mobile app (PWA deployed to Android/iOS via Capacitor).
- Delivered first enterprise mobile app for division within two sprints.
- Designed responsive hybrid/mobile solutions with scalable architecture.
Career Break
- Took planned time off to start an events business and upskill in Angular, .NET Core and cloud tech.
Mobile Software Architect / Senior Application Developer
- IT Lead for Mobility & Customs Clearance (Southern Africa).
- Migrated legacy customs clearance to SaaS cloud solution.
- Developed & launched courier mobile application adopted nationally.
- Improved data transfer speeds by 200% through client/server architecture upgrade.
- Directed vendor project to port legacy mobile app from Windows Mobile to Xamarin.
About Me
Seasoned Software Engineer, Architect, and Entrepreneur with 20+ years of experience designing, developing, and scaling cross-platform applications, SaaS platforms, and AI-driven systems. Proven ability to lead full-cycle product development from concept to deployment, with expertise spanning Next.js, React, TypeScript, Node.js, MongoDB, Firebase, and cloud infrastructure (Vercel, Azure, AWS, Firebase Hosting).
Founder of multiple ventures including Qirvo (AI-powered command platform with plugin marketplace and CLI agent), Violt (AI-driven smart-home automation platform), and Orby (modular personal/business command center) — each built with open-source cores, extensible plugin systems, and premium cloud-based layers.
Strong track record of building scalable architectures, multi-agent AI systems, automation workflows, and open-source SDKs while managing branding, go-to-market strategies, and investor pitches. Adept at leading distributed development, integrating AI/ML, robotics, IoT, and automation, and aligning technology execution with business growth strategies.
Product Strategy
Systems Architecture
Full-Stack Engineering
Leadership & Coaching
Featured Projects
A snapshot of initiatives, product launches, and architecture work.
PayBee™
A FinTech gratuity/payment solution built with Flutter and Firebase. I was the founder of this project.
View project
MobeeWash
A mobile car wash booking application. I served as the Team Lead for this project at Bumblebee.
View project
FedEx
Redesigned and developed courier application, which significantly improved national delivery operations for FedEx in Southern Africa.
View project
Qirvo
An AI-powered life dashboard designed to manage various aspects of life. It uses AI to deliver intelligent analysis of tasks, health, projects, and more.
View projectLet’s Build Something Together
Available for remote engagements across time zones.
Ready to modernize your platform, ship an AI-driven product, or accelerate a multi-platform rollout? Drop a note and I’ll follow up with a tailored plan and next steps.