Jesse Kauppi

Senior Software
Developer

Backend-focused software developer and systems architect with 15 years of coding experience and 10 years of consulting experience.
Specialising in Python, PostgreSQL, authentication systems, cloud infrastructure, and business-critical web applications.
Former co-founder of a software consultancy that grew to 12 employees and €1M+ annual revenue.

15+
Years Coding
10+
Years Consulting
8
Years Entrepreneur
// About

Who I Am

Jesse Kauppi

Jesse Kauppi

I'm a senior software developer and systems architect with a backend focus, 15 years of coding experience and 10 years of professional consulting experience. Most of my work has been in Python, PostgreSQL, authentication systems, cloud infrastructure, and business-critical web applications.

Outside of client work, I spend a lot of time building things simply because I find them interesting. I've built large home automation and energy optimization system, self-hosted infrastructure, SaaS product, monitoring platforms, and various electronics projects using ESP32 and Arduino devices. I enjoy understanding how systems work end-to-end, from hardware and networking to databases and application code.

I was an early adopter of AI-assisted development and use tools like Cursor, Claude Code, and ChatGPT extensively in my daily work. For me they're practical engineering tools that help move faster, automate repetitive work, explore solutions and learn, not just code generators.

Started software development independently in 2011 as a self-taught mobile developer, publishing mobile applications with over 130,000 downloads. Transitioned into professional consulting in 2016 and later founded a software consultancy and product business, leading multiple projects ranging from enterprise systems to SaaS platforms and authentication infrastructures.
// What I Do

Skills & Expertise

Backend Development

Python, Django, DRF, Flask. Building robust APIs, microservices, and data pipelines.

Authentication & Identity

OIDC, OAuth2, JWT, Keycloak. Designing and implementing secure identity flows and authentication systems.

Frontend Development

Vue.js, Vuetify, JavaScript, CSS. Building clean, responsive user interfaces.

Infrastructure & Systems

PostgreSQL, Redis. Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD, Linux administration, monitoring and observability.

Technologies I work with:
Python Django/DRF PostgreSQL Kubernetes Docker Linux CI/CD Redis Claude Code Cursor Vue.js JavaScript OAuth2/OIDC Prometheus Grafana Elastic Stack
// Journey

Recent Projects

2026 - Present

Authentication and Authorization Specialist @ Corporate Client

Authentication and authorization specialist responsible for implementing and integrating Keycloak across different environments. Configured Microsoft Entra ID as an external identity provider, integrated multiple frontend applications and backend services with OAuth2, OIDC, and JWT based authentication, and contributed to RBAC and ABAC style authorization models. Also worked on custom Keycloak extensions and application level permission architecture.

Stack:
Keycloak Microsoft Entra ID OAuth2 OIDC JWT RBAC ABAC
2024 - Present

Founder & Lead Architect @ Trackifi Oy

Designing and developing a modern time-tracking, billing, and resource planning SaaS. Built multi-tenant architecture, role-based access, secure identity flows (OIDC, Google login, invitation workflows).

Stack:
Django DRF Postgres Redis Celery Vue/Vuetify GCP Docker
2022 - 2024

Lead Developer

Led development of an internal procurement platform for an online retailer. Full lifecycle ownership: requirements, architecture, delivery, stakeholder coordination. Heavy focus on data migration strategy.

Stack:
Django DRF Postgres JavaScript GCP App Engine
2021 - 2022

Lead Developer @ Telecom Industry

Technical lead for a team of five building the first customer-ready version of an international Telecom SaaS solution. Ownership over architecture, MVP delivery.

Stack:
Python Flask Plotly Dash JWT auth
2021

Lead Backend Developer

Led a four-person team delivering an OIDC authentication service for a public-sector organisation. Owned system architecture, implementation, and customer collaboration.

Stack:
Node.js MongoDB Redis
2020 - 2021

Data & Reporting Developer @ Healthcare Industry

Planned and implemented automated campaign reporting and internal analytics dashboards. Built reporting pipelines in Python + MySQL with Plotly and Elastic Stack interfaces.

2019 - 2020

Backend Developer @ Public Sector

Backend developer in a 20-person team building services for a major Finnish enterprise (>500k users). Implemented OIDC authentication integration, configured Keycloak, delivered backend features with ElasticSearch.

Stack:
Python Tornado ElasticSearch Keycloak
2018 - 2019

Java Backend Developer @ ERP Platform

Part of a 25-person Scrum team developing a cloud-hosted ERP system. Implemented business logic, APIs, and integrations.

Stack:
Java Spring MVC PostgreSQL
2018 - 2025

Co-Founder @ Fit Panda Technologies Oy

Co-founded a software consulting company that grew to 12 employees and exceeded €1M annual revenue. Worked as a hands-on software developer and technical consultant in customer projects. Led technology decisions, software architecture, development practices, and infrastructure choices across projects. Exited the company in 2025 and continued operating as an independent software consultant and with personal projects.

2016 - 2018

Junior Consultant @ Indagon Oy

Started professional consulting career working on a variety of smaller projects across different industries and tech stacks.

2013 - 2018

Student @ Aalto University

Studied Computer Science and Engineering Physics and Mathematics. Built side projects alongside studies.

2011 - 2013

Android Developer @Hobby

Developed Android apps in my free time while in high school. Combined 100k+ downloads on Google Play Store.

2011

Started Coding

Began programming in high school. Started with Java class and then quickly started to build Android apps in my free time.

// FAQ

Common Questions

What kind of projects do you take on?

Primarily backend-heavy web applications, authentication and identity systems, and cloud infrastructure work. I'm most effective on Python/Django stacks but I'm comfortable across the full backend spectrum. I've worked in teams ranging from 4 to 25 people and as a solo architect, across industries including telecom, healthcare, e-commerce, and public sector.

Do you work on-site or remotely?

Mainly remote. I'm based in Finland and have worked with clients across Finland and internationally in fully remote setups. Short on-site visits for kick-offs or workshops can be arranged when needed.

What are your consulting rates?

My day rate is in the range of €800–1100/day depending on the scope, duration, and nature of the engagement. For longer-term projects or retained arrangements, we can discuss a monthly rate. Reach out with your project details and I'll give you a specific quote.

Are you available for full-time or part-time engagements?

Both. I take on full-time engagements (5 days/week) as well as part-time consulting (1–3 days/week) alongside other projects. Let me know what you're looking for and we can find a structure that works.

How do I get in touch?

Email is the best way to reach me: [email protected]. Use the contact button on this page and your email client will open directly. I typically reply within one business day.

Do you offer fixed-price projects?

For well-scoped, shorter projects I can work on a fixed price. For larger or ongoing work I prefer time-and-materials to avoid scope risk on both sides. Happy to discuss what fits your situation.

// Let's Talk

Got a Project?

I'm always interested in hearing about new opportunities and interesting projects.

Let's Connect

Drop me an email and I'll get back to you.

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