EXPERTISE
ABOUT
I help startups and engineering teams ship faster, reduce technical debt, and adopt AI without breaking what already works. With more than 20 years in software development — including Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, Node.js, React, and DevOps — I bring both hands-on execution and strategic clarity — whether you need a technical audit, a reliable developer, or a coach who can level up your team.
Turn AI from a buzzword into a real competitive edge.
Spot problems before they become expensive to fix.
Ruby on Rails, React, Node.js and more — shipped and production-ready.
Level up your engineers — or your entire team.
For Solo Founders, Indie Hackers & Vibe Coders
Code quality, security, architecture gaps, and a clear go / no-go verdict for your AI-built app. Fixed scope, fixed price.
After the Audit — Step Two
I personally repair the critical issues the audit found — security holes, fragile architecture, production blockers — and hand the project back verified and ready to ship.
For Small & Medium Businesses
Full professional control over your AI project — weekly code reviews, architecture oversight, and developer guidance. Keep your codebase from becoming unmaintainable.
For Beginners in Vibe Coding & AI
1-on-1 sessions with a senior engineer on your real project — learn vibe coding, programming fundamentals, and how to get unstuck. First intro call is free.
For Women in Vibe Coding
A personal offer for women building their own products with AI tools — audit from $350, retainer from $2,000/mo. Same professional quality, half the price.
We call Ilya a Unicorn — someone with genuine depth across an unusually wide range of technologies, which is rare to find in a single person. We’ve been working with him since 2012, and what stands out isn’t just the technical skill — it’s how deeply he engages with the actual business problem. He doesn’t just execute tasks; he understands what we’re trying to achieve and consistently recommends the most practical and cost-effective approach. For our online magazine and store, that combination has been invaluable.
What they typically reach out for:
Send me a text or give me a call and briefly describe your project or challenge. No lengthy documents needed — a few sentences is enough to get started.
Call or TextWe'll get acquainted, talk through your tasks and challenges, and decide together whether we're a great fit for each other. Prefer a scheduled slot? Book a 20-minute call →
A fixed-scope audit of your AI-built project — code quality, security vulnerabilities, architecture gaps, and a clear go / no-go verdict. Tangible deliverables for a fixed, transparent fee.
If the audit finds critical issues, I fix them personally — on a fixed quote you approve before work starts. Security holes closed, architecture stabilized, project verified and ready for real users. See the Fix & Ship offer →
Once the project is stable, we agree on what comes next — the Engineering Retainer for ongoing professional control, project-based work, or a clean handoff. Scope, timeline, and contract — then we start.
AI-first Coaching Platform — San Francisco, USA
Fortune 500 Company — Ohio, USA
PV Project — Pennsylvania State University, USA
Toptal (Core team) — USA
For over 16 years I have been building open source projects, earning recognition and high praise from engineers around the world.
Ruby framework for building AI agents with multiple LLM provider support, lifecycle hooks, and a clean DSL. Designed for Rails but compatible with plain Ruby applications.
the-teacher/active_harnessRails application on Docker with Postgres, Redis, Sidekiq, and Elasticsearch pre-configured. Designed to accelerate setup of new Rails projects and provide a safe playground for experimentation.
the-teacher/rails7-startkitAuthorization library for Ruby on Rails. Simple and flexible role and permission management, ensuring secure access control to sensitive data and resources.
the-teacher/the_roleUI solution for rendering large node trees with drag-and-drop. Significant performance boost for managing complex hierarchical data structures.
the-teacher/the_sortable_tree
Toptal is an exclusive talent network connecting the world's top 3% of software engineers, designers, and finance experts with leading companies. To join, candidates must pass a rigorous multi-stage screening process covering technical skills, problem-solving ability, and communication.
Fortune 500 companies and high-growth startups — including Airbnb, Pfizer, and JPMorgan Chase — rely on Toptal to source pre-vetted experts for their most critical projects. Being part of this network is an independent validation of professional excellence.
For many years I was a Toptal Core Team member and personally participated in the interview process — evaluating candidates and helping Toptal recruit the best experts. I know firsthand how high the bar is. If you're searching for a top-tier professional in a highly specific field, Toptal may be exactly what you need.
Find the best specialists →Institute of Applied Psychology in the Social Sphere · 2023–2024
I am a certified coach and spent several years as a Senior Technology Coach at an internal corporate academy. Coaching tools and techniques help me work effectively with senior engineers and company leaders — turning complex technical conversations into clear, actionable outcomes.
Ivanovo State University · 2002–2007
I spent many years as a college instructor and taught a private web technologies course at a university. Working with both small groups and large audiences comes naturally to me — and this foundation in teaching directly shapes how I communicate, mentor, and consult.
Anthropic Education
Toptal
Udemy
