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Kousha Nikkar

Backend Engineer & Applied AI Systems

Torino, Italy

Profile

I am a Software Engineer with primary expertise in Backend development and Internet of Things (IoT) systems. Alongside this core focus, I have solid experience in Artificial Intelligence and Mobile Application development. My background also includes Data Analysis and applied technology in interdisciplinary domains.

I have professional work experience in Europe and am legally eligible to transition to a new role and start immediately. I am particularly interested in projects that integrate backend architectures, connected devices, and intelligent systems, and I have experience collaborating and teaching in these areas.

Work Experience

Backend Engineer & Applied AI Systems

LINKS Foundation — Torino, Italy | 2025 – Present
  • Designing and developing backend systems that combine data collection automation and applied AI for collaborative R&D projects with PR.I.S.MA S.c.r.l., including the ENACT project.
  • Building scalable automation and web service-based data pipelines (RESTful APIs) for large-scale data collection, data encoding/decoding, management, and processing of physiological signals (ECG, PPG) acquired via Shimmer wearable sensors.
  • Developing and integrating AI and machine learning models for data modeling, feature extraction, data fusion, and analytics within backend services and experimentation workflows.
  • Implementing backend-driven automation tools, API-centric architectures, and web-based management dashboards for experiment orchestration and big data handling.
  • Designing and maintaining relational database architectures, including schema design, indexing strategies, and performance-oriented query optimization.
  • Applying layered, modular, and service-oriented architectures to ensure scalability, maintainability, and clear separation of concerns across automation and AI components.
  • Collaborating with cross-functional teams while maintaining version control, and traceability using Git and Jira.

Backend Engineer

Mauriziano Hospital — Torino | 2023 – 2024
  • Designed and implemented a core algorithm for an indoor positioning system capable of generating real-time location updates every second, despite hardware constraints allowing data capture only every 5 seconds.
  • Utilized Python for algorithm design and core system logic, achieving near real-time positional accuracy.
  • Programmed embedded modules using C++ on Arduino and Python on ESP devices, Raspberry Pi platforms.
  • Developed an interactive web dashboard for visualization and monitoring using PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
  • Containerized services and managed deployment environments using Docker and related tools.
  • Collaborated in a team environment with GitLab for version control, CI/CD, and project coordination.

Software Engineer

TafriheMan Startup Company — Shiraz, Iran | 2018 – 2019
  • Contributed to an early-stage startup that built a comprehensive customer-loyalty platform for retailers, delivering all services within a single mobile application.
  • Served as the Android developer (Java, Kotlin) and owned the app frontend.
  • Implemented backend services using PHP (initially Symfony, later migrated to Laravel).
  • Integrated RFID tag reading and enabled in-app QR code scanning via device cameras for seamless checkout and loyalty interactions.
  • Used Git for version control and team collaboration.

Python & Android Developer

SSC Startup Project — Tehran | 2015 – 2016
  • Developed an Android application for smart shopping carts in hypermarkets.
  • Designed and implemented backend services using Flask-Python.
  • Integrated RFID technology for seamless user experience.

Projects

Full-Stack Mobile Developer

Google Play | 2019 – Present
  • Developed and maintained native Android apps (Java/Kotlin), published on Google Play and Bazaar, following Material Design and responsive UI principles.
  • Built backend services and RESTful APIs using PHP, integrating MySQL databases with focus on performance and scalability.
  • Leveraged Android Jetpack components (ViewModel, LiveData, Room) and Firebase services (Auth, Firestore, Realtime DB, FCM).
  • Created Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) for cross-platform support and automated frontend-backend workflows.
  • Maintained code quality, version control (Git), and optimized app performance.

Challenges | Politecnico di Torino

2022 – 2024
  • Developed IoT solutions, including Smart Cabinet project.
  • Built backend applications using Python, PHP, and Redis.
  • Designed scalable database structures for IoT applications.
  • Implemented real-time data processing and monitoring tools.
  • Analyzed data and developed a suggesting system for Car2Go and Enjoy Services with ML methods.

Education

MSc in ICT Engineering

Politecnico di Torino | 2022 – 2025

Thesis: Mapping the Neighborhood of Microtonal Music Scales Using Self-Organizing Maps to Enhance Modulation Techniques and Discover Innovative Shifts.

MSc in Artificial Intelligence

Apadana University | 2019 – 2021

Bachelor’s Degree in Software Engineering

Jahrom University | 2014 – 2018