01
AI Features & LLM Integration
AI built into everyday business workflows: practical, access-controlled and production-ready.
- LLM API Integration
- AI Ticket Assignment
- AI-Assisted Search
- Prompt Design
AI Software Engineer at APS AG
Hi, I'm Abdullah Rather — AI Software Engineer · PHP Backend
I build reliable backends for real businesses.
I build enterprise web platforms, internal tools and the integrations behind them, and bring AI features into everyday business workflows. 5+ years of experience with PHP (Yii, Laravel, Symfony), MySQL/MariaDB, REST APIs, Docker and CI/CD, from legacy modernization to new modules in production.
Working with
PHP, Yii, Laravel, Symfony, MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, LLM APIs, REST APIs, DATEV, Docker, GitHub Actions, PHPUnit, PHPStan, JavaScript, TypeScript, React, Python, FastAPI
About
Engineering the systems behind the screens
Experience Snapshot
I'm an AI Software Engineer and PHP backend / full-stack developer with 5+ years of experience building enterprise web applications, internal platforms and database-driven business systems. My core stack is PHP (Yii, Laravel, Symfony), MySQL/MariaDB, REST APIs, Docker and CI/CD.
Today I work on a central business platform used across a group of companies for customers, tickets, offers, orders, invoicing, projects and time tracking. I bring AI into everyday workflows, such as AI-based ticket assignment and an AI-assisted search across customer history, and build new modules like an in-house HR and time-tracking system. Earlier, I led a team of five developers and developed an Education Management Information System. Throughout, I care about clean, testable code, safe data handling and reliable releases.
Based in
Heilbronn
Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Local time--:--
5+Years Experience
20+Enterprise Integrations
15+Production Deployments
10+Core Technologies
Technical skills
- PHP, Laravel, Symfony, YiiExpert
- MySQL & PostgreSQLExpert
- REST APIs & IntegrationsExpert
- System ArchitectureAdvanced
- AI & LLM IntegrationAdvanced
- Python & FlaskAdvanced
- JavaScript & ReactAdvanced
- Git & GitHub ActionsAdvanced
- Team LeadershipAdvanced
- Docker & CI/CDAdvanced
Currently at
APS AG
AI Software Engineer
Bringing AI into the company's central business platform and building new modules: the same platform I developed at APS Services, now full-time and with a wider scope.
Mission
“I build business software that solves real problems: solid engineering, reliable integrations and practical AI, delivered as maintainable, production-ready code.”
Experience
Work Experience
A concise view of the roles behind the resume, focused on backend ownership, systems thinking, and delivery in production environments.
Oct 2026 — Present
1 month
Full-TimeAI Software Engineer
APS AGNeckarsulm, Germany
Bringing AI into the company's central business platform and building new modules: the same platform I developed at APS Services, now full-time and with a wider scope.
Key Impact(5)
- Built an in-house HR module replacing an external time-tracking tool: clock-in/out with breaks, time accounts with target hours, public holidays and statutory break rules, a live attendance overview, logged time corrections, and vacation and absence management.
- Developed AI features for the platform, including AI-based ticket assignment suggestions with server-side access control.
- Designed and built an AI-assisted search across customer history (tickets and order items).
- Integrated a telephony system and moved the UI to a modern Bootstrap 5 admin template.
- Ensured production quality through code reviews, automated tests and concurrency-safe database transactions.
Jul 2024 — Sep 2026
2 years 3 months
Part-Time · RemoteSoftware Engineer
APS Services GmbHNeckarsulm, Germany
Developed and maintained the group's central business platform (customers, tickets, offers, orders, invoicing, projects, time tracking and reporting), running as separate instances for several group companies.
Key Impact(4)
- Built REST integrations, including DATEV-related workflows, and contributed to authentication, role-based access control and internal process automation.
- Developed reporting, export and dashboard features; improved performance through query optimization and removal of N+1 queries.
- Modernized legacy areas through OOP refactoring, automated tests and continuous integration.
- Built responsive AJAX-based interfaces for day-to-day operations across multiple modules.
Jan 2023 — Apr 2024
1 year 4 months
Full-Time · On-siteTechnical Team Lead
Qualven Pvt LtdIslamabad, Pakistan
Led a team of five through the design, development, deployment and support of business web applications, while staying hands-on in development.
Key Impact(2)
- Designed REST APIs and relational database schemas for growing data volumes; managed deployments on Docker and Linux/CentOS with CI/CD.
- Ran code reviews, set coding standards and wrote technical documentation; turned client requirements into deliverable solutions.
Nov 2021 — Jan 2023
1 year 3 months
Full-Time · On-siteSoftware Engineer
Qualven Pvt LtdIslamabad, Pakistan
Developed frontend and backend features for client web applications in PHP and JavaScript.
Key Impact(1)
- Acted as the team's point of contact when leads were absent, keeping coordination and delivery on track.
Apr 2022 — Apr 2024
2 years 1 month
Full-Time · RemoteSoftware Engineer
The Science SchoolIslamabad, Pakistan
Developed and maintained the school's Education Management Information System in PHP, covering student, staff, finance and user-administration modules.
Key Impact(3)
- Managed the relational database with a focus on data integrity and performance.
- Implemented authentication and role-based access control for administrators and staff.
- Worked with school management on requirements, new features and fixes; carried out system upgrades and troubleshooting.
Jan 2021 — Jul 2021
7 months
InternshipTechnical Intern
Qualven Pvt LtdIslamabad, Pakistan
Contributed to full-stack feature development: PHP backend logic and HTML/CSS, JavaScript and Bootstrap frontends.
Key Impact(1)
- Supported deployments, technical documentation, user training and client presentations.
Focus
Where I add the most value
02
Enterprise Platforms & Workflow Systems
Internal platforms for operations, project tracking, document handling, and multi-role workflows.
- Workflow & Ticket Modules
- Document Management
- HR & Time Tracking
- Role-based Access Control (RBAC)
- Multi-language Support
03
API Integrations & Automation
Integrations and automation for third-party systems, including German accounting standards.
- REST API Integrations
- DATEV & ZUGFeRD Compliance
- Data Sync & Automation
- Secure Webhooks
04
PHP Backend & Full-Stack
Backend services and APIs with clean architecture and tests, plus the dashboards and interfaces on top.
- Laravel / Yii / Symfony
- REST API Design
- Authentication & RBAC
- PHPUnit & PHPStan
- React & Admin Dashboards
05
Legacy Modernization & Performance
Upgrade and refactor legacy PHP systems for stability, security, and speed.
- PHP 7.4 to 8.2 Upgrades
- Legacy Refactors
- OOP Design Patterns
- Performance Optimization
06
Technical Leadership
Lead teams and deliver predictable releases with clear standards.
- Team Mentoring
- Code Reviews
- Release Planning
- Agile Delivery
Selected work
Featured Projects
Selected work highlighting enterprise platforms, integrations, and end-to-end delivery.
Featured
Enterprise Management System
Central business platform for customers, tickets, offers, orders, invoicing, projects and time tracking, running for several group companies, with DATEV integration, ZUGFeRD e-invoicing, AI features and an in-house HR module.
- Yii Framework
- PHP
- MySQL
- JavaScript
- +3
Education Management Information System
Education management system for admissions, student and staff records, parent access, and finance workflows built with PHP.
- PHP
- PHPMaker
- JavaScript
- jQuery
- +1
Donor Management System
Donor and campaign management platform with Laravel and React for contribution tracking, reporting, and outreach workflows.
- Laravel
- React
- MySQL
- JavaScript
Showing 7 of 14
Contact
Let's build something together.
Questions, ideas, or want to talk about backend engineering or practical AI in business software? I'm happy to hear from you.
- Location
- Heilbronn, Germany
- Current Role
- AI Software Engineer at APS AG
- Availability
- Open to interesting conversations