Eight years owning production systems end to end — UI, API, database, deployment, and integrations for B2B teams. React, Node, TypeScript, and PostgreSQL on Vercel and Heroku; Salesforce, Microsoft Graph, and grounded AI assistants in daily use.
Platforms · APIs · internal tools · practical AI
Kissimmee, FL · Remote (US)
Full-stack product engineer with eight years in production — React, Next.js, Astro, Node, TypeScript, and PostgreSQL. I own systems from UI through API to deploy: Vercel/Heroku platforms, CRM and lead pipelines, internal tools, and grounded AI assistants.
I run Nexrena, my client web studio. This portfolio is for engineering hiring — Nexrena is separate from my job search.
From UI to API to database to deploy — the same engineer in standup, in the PR, and when production needs fixing. Product-minded full-stack work with integrations, internal tools, and practical AI.
React, Next.js, and Astro front ends backed by real APIs and data models — B2B catalogs, procurement flows, client portals, and admin ops surfaces teams use daily.
Forzabuilt · Nexrena · FPUSA · 200+ SKU catalog
Express/Node services, PostgreSQL schemas, Salesforce and form pipelines, migrations, audit logs, and sane boundaries the next engineer can extend.
Heroku/Postgres backends · Salesforce sync · multi-site forms
Grounded assistants and copilots with retrieval, guardrails, evals, and scoped tool access — sales chat, ops copilot, recruiting assistant, and internal Claude workflows.
Gemini sales assistant · OpenAI copilot · Meeting Master · Manager Hub
Vercel and Heroku production paths, health/readiness checks, redirect discipline, analytics, and release validation on business-critical migrations.
Forzabuilt 99% Lighthouse · SEO recovery · production lead pipelines
Applied AI engineering � retrieval, guardrails, scoped tools, and evals � not hype. These are systems I built and operate, with clear boundaries on what the model can say and do.
Multi-site client & agency chat
Gemini-backed sales consultant with lexical retrieval, intent routing, grounded fallback, guardrails, lead scoring, and Postgres analytics across Nexrena, FPUSA, portfolio, and client sites.
Gemini � Express � PostgreSQL � Retrieval
Nexrena ops dashboard
OpenAI tool-calling copilot over live CRM, inbox, and chat data � streaming UI, scoped read/write tools, confirmation flow for risky actions, and audit logging.
OpenAI � Vercel AI SDK � Express � Tool calling
nicoloperena.com
Grounded recruiter chat over resume, case studies, FAQs, and recommendations � lexical retrieval, citations, guardrails, and 270+ question eval suite before deploy.
OpenAI � Gemini � Astro � Evals
Forza internal tool
Voice brain-dump ? Claude structured extraction ? Microsoft Graph calendar match ? Neon Postgres persistence ? Resend email reminders on Vercel cron.
Claude � Microsoft Graph � Neon � Next.js
Forza internal tool
Claude-powered feedback generator from manager notes with DiSC/Crystal tone adaptation, role-based access, Upstash Redis persistence, and feedback history.
Claude � Next.js � Redis � Auth
Production systems I owned or led — split-stack platforms, CRM/ops backends, lead pipelines, commerce tooling, and practical AI assistants. Nexrena is my client studio; this portfolio is for engineering hiring.
Full-stack platform · 28 MQLs
ForzaBuilt split stack: Astro/Vercel frontend, Heroku Express/Postgres backend, Salesforce lead sync, layered redirects, admin catalog ops, and SEO recovery across 200+ SKUs. Internal AI tools: Meeting Master and Manager Hub.
Read case study →CRM · AI · multi-site APIs
Ops platform I built and operate: CRM, PM, invoicing, multi-site forms/chat, Gemini sales assistant, OpenAI ops copilot, and portfolio recruiting assistant with retrieval evals.
Read case study →+210% organic · CRM integration
B2B procurement UX and SEO program plus Nexrena integration: multi-site form API, chat intake, client portal, and migration from legacy Heroku Postgres leads.
Read case study →+285% traffic · automation
Sole US hire on Shopify — calculator/quiz flows, smart cart validation, international SEO, and testimonial automation pipeline (8→40+ reviews, still running).
Read case study →Multi-brand · shared API
React/Vercel brand site on shared PMST product API and Contentful content — separate identity without duplicate product databases.
Read case study →Full-stack platform · 28 MQLs
Led ForzaBuilt's platform transition — WordPress to Astro/React on Vercel with serverless proxies to a Heroku Express/PostgreSQL API for products, blogs, contact, newsletter, and admin ops. Built lead pipeline with validation, honeypot, rate limiting, Postgres persistence, and Salesforce OAuth sync. Owned layered redirects, 200+ SKU catalog architecture, Vercel Blob media, and SEO recovery to 99% health. 28 qualified inbound submissions in four months.
CRM · AI · multi-site APIs
Built and operate the full-stack platform behind Nexrena — Next.js UI, Express APIs, PostgreSQL/Prisma for CRM, project management, invoicing, multi-site form submission, AI chat intake, sales assistant, and ops copilot. Single owned system replacing multiple SaaS tools with grounded AI, guardrails, and production analytics.
+210% organic · CRM integration
Led buyer-type procurement UX and SEO program for Florida furnishings — structured quote paths, redirect-safe migration, and analytics on high-intent actions. Integrated site into Nexrena multi-site form API, chat intake, client portal, and migrated legacy Heroku Postgres leads into unified CRM. Organic traffic up 210%; quote requests nearly doubled.
+285% traffic · automation
Sole US technical hire for VITO Fryfilter — owned shop.vitofryfilter.com on Shopify with custom Liquid, HTML/CSS, and JavaScript. Shipped product calculator and quiz flows, smart cart validation, SEO product pages, and automated testimonial pipeline (reviews 8→40+, still running). Store traffic up 285% YoY with 2.8% conversion.
Multi-brand · shared API
Launched Rugged Red as a separate brand experience on Vercel (React SPA) while reusing Forza's PMST Heroku/PostgreSQL product API and Contentful blog/news content. Multi-brand architecture without duplicate product databases or parallel CMS stacks.
What managers and teammates have said — real people from my LinkedIn profile.
Hruthika Gangoni VanjariSalesforce & NetSuite Specialist · CRM–ERP & integrations
“Nico is one of the most intelligent people I've had the pleasure of working with. His enthusiasm for web development goes beyond just getting things done — he's constantly finding new and creative ways to design and improve, and his technical skills are genuinely impressive. What sets Nico apart is his patience and communication. He takes the time to truly understand a problem before jumping to a solution, and then resolves it quickly and effectively. Even working across different teams, he was always willing to share his knowledge and make complex web development concepts approachable and interesting even for someone like me with no background in it. He's always eager to start new projects and actively seeks collaboration to discover better ideas and push the work further. Anyone who gets to work with Nico is lucky to have him.”
Recommendation 1 of 4
Randy BakesHead of Marketing · Forza
“You will NOT FIND a Web Developer (including AI bots) with a more positive and stronger 'can do' attitude than Nico. He reported to me for over a year while we built out our new website and upgraded our LinkedIn posts. Nico brought a lot of breadth to the development assignment — knowledgeable and quite current about most user-facing and backend tools and solutions, including AI. He worked remotely for me, and I was ALWAYS able to reach Nico directly. He kept me in the loop on deadlines, and he helped me set realistic deadlines, too. He worked extremely well with our lead graphic designer, our owner, and me. Finally, he gave his best consistently and without drama or attitude. You will be missed, Nico! Best in all your endeavors.”
Recommendation 2 of 4
Sydney SaathoffDigital Media Specialist · Forza
“Nico is extremely easy to work with. He is such a hard worker and will work overtime just to get something done. I had such a blast creating with him. We made such an amazing website together as a team! He is also very kind hearted and patient. I will miss working with him every day.”
Recommendation 3 of 4
Muhammad Tayyab HassanDigital Marketing · VITO Fryfilter
“I highly recommend Nicholas. Working with him has been a pleasure due to his friendly and supportive attitude. Nico is always willing to help with ongoing tasks and provides valuable suggestions and input. His front-end development, design, and digital marketing skills are outstanding, making him a great asset to any team.”
Recommendation 4 of 4
Remote senior full-stack roles on US product teams — own platforms from UI through API to database, deploy, and integrations.
React, Next.js, Astro, Node.js, TypeScript, PostgreSQL, Express, Vercel, Heroku · Remote · US-based · EST overlap
Senior full-stack band — happy to discuss after role scope and team fit.
I also run Nexrena, my client web studio — separate from this hiring site.
Hiring for a senior full-stack role? I'd like to hear about your team, what you're building, and whether I'm a good fit.
