--- title: "Mhamad El Itawi | Backend Tech Lead & Solutions Architect" url: https://mhamadelitawi.com/ description: "Mhamad El Itawi, backend tech lead and solutions architect in Beirut. Building, modernizing and scaling software systems since 2017 across AWS, GCP, Azure and Kubernetes." --- Backend Tech Lead · Solutions Architect · Beirut # I build systems that scale, and lead the teams that ship them. Since 2017 I have been turning strained, expensive software into fast, reliable, cost-efficient systems. Deep engineering, an MBA, and a habit of tying every technical decision back to the business. Who I am ## An engineer who reads the balance sheet, and a manager who still reads the code. Since 2017 I've worked at the intersection of **engineering and business**: leading backend teams, modernizing legacy systems, and making sure the technology actually moves the numbers it's supposed to move. My work runs from hands-on architecture (microservices, multi-cloud, performance) to the parts nobody sees on a resume: coaching engineers, aligning teams, and turning vague business goals into systems that ship. The MBA wasn't a detour; it's why I can sit in either room and be useful. I also speak regularly at **AWS Community Days, GDG DevFests and universities** across Lebanon, on scalable systems, the cloud, and how large AI models actually work. [See where I've spoken →](https://mhamadelitawi.com/events) - Based in Beirut - 9+ years - Executive MBA - AWS Community Builder - EN · FR · AR Selected impact ## Numbers only mean something with the story behind them. Platforms I've worked on: the challenge each one faced, what I changed, and the measurable result. ### LYXA _Backend Tech Lead · 2026–now_ Grocery & food-delivery platform mid-migration from a monolith to microservices. I led the backend team through the V2 split, optimized the hottest endpoints, and ran a cost plan that cut infrastructure spend by **$72K a year**. **30×** Faster on key APIs ### eddress _Tech Lead / Senior Software Engineer · 2023–26_ A marketplace and delivery-management platform running hot on cloud spend. I led the backend and integration teams, optimized services to cut resource usage, and oversaw the **GCP → AWS** migration with an external partner. **$120K+** Annual infrastructure cost removed ### HiCart _Software Engineer · 2018–22_ The delivery engine behind an e-commerce giant's **11/11** mega-sales. I restructured it to survive the traffic spike, and it held while the platform processed record volume on the busiest day of the year. **$3M** Peak-day sales, kept online ### Intalio _Tech Lead · Lebanon–France · 2022–23_ Brought in to stand up new product lines. I **delivered the core microservice system in the first month**, containerized the product suite, and shipped a medical and a data-management solution from scratch. **10+** Production projects supported How I help ## Where teams bring me in. Whether it's a full-time seat or a focused engagement, this is the work I do best. ### System modernization Breaking monoliths into microservices, refactoring legacy code, and running cloud migrations that don't take the business offline. ### Cost & performance Finding the six-figure waste in your cloud bill and the seconds hiding in your APIs, then engineering both of them out. ### Engineering leadership Building and coaching backend teams, setting architecture direction, and translating business goals into what actually gets shipped. International experience ## Work that crossed borders. **30 countries** across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. Countries: Lebanon, France, Kuwait, Iraq, India, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Syria, Türkiye, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, South Africa, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Romania, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Bermuda, Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Singapore, Australia. The path ## From competitive-programming kid to tech lead. _2026 – Present_ ### Backend Tech Lead · LYXA Leading backend for a food-delivery platform through its microservices era. _2023 – 2026_ ### Tech Lead / Senior Software Engineer · eddress Led backend and integrations for a delivery-management platform; oversaw the GCP → AWS migration. _2022 – 2023_ ### Tech Lead · Intalio (Lebanon–France) Led multiple units; built medical and data-management products from zero. _2018 – 2022_ ### Software Engineer · HiCart Owned the delivery-management system through record-breaking sales campaigns. _2019 – 2021_ ### Executive MBA · Paris-Dauphine PSL / Sorbonne / USJ Learned to speak the language of the business, not just the codebase. _2012 – 2017_ ### M.Eng, Computer & Telecom · Université Antonine Plus a wall of programming-competition placements along the way. Credentials ## Certified where it counts. - AWS Solutions Architect – Associate - AWS Developer – Associate - AWS Cloud Practitioner - K8S Certified Kubernetes Administrator - K8S Certified Kubernetes App Developer - AGILE Professional Scrum Master I In their words > Mhamad is one of the fastest learners I have ever met in the software engineering field. > _AbdurRahman ElGammal · Chairman, Gammal Tech_ > A dedicated software engineer, very eager to learn and develop his skills. > _Salah Awad · CTO, Intalio_ > So exceptional that he was able to exceed all my expectations. > _Ahmad El Hajj · Head of Technology, Related_ Let's talk ## Hiring, or need someone to own a system? - [Email: mhamadelitawi@gmail.com](mailto:mhamadelitawi@gmail.com) - [Phone: +961 70 20 29 98](tel:+96170202998) - [LinkedIn: /in/mhamadelitawi](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mhamadelitawi/) - [Articles: dev.to/mhamadelitawi](https://dev.to/mhamadelitawi)