Rafael Quijada
Software Engineer · San Juan, PR
I build accessible, performance-focused web experiences with React and modern JavaScript — most recently at enterprise scale for The Home Depot. I'm now based in San Juan, PR, looking for the next challenge and learning toward AI engineering on the side.
// who i am
I learned to build high-performance engines before I learned to build software. When I was 20, I attended S.A.M. to study engine building and machining. That hands-dirty instinct carried over — I want to understand a system deeply before I optimize it, whether that's a V8 or a complex codebase.
I relocated to San Juan, PR in 2026, seeking a change of pace and new challenges. These days my biggest passion outside of work is off-roading. I have a Jeep Wrangler I've modified for trail adventures — mechanical work on weekends, React on weekdays.
// how i work
Product-minded engineering
I like understanding the "why," collaborating with design and product, and balancing quality with shipping speed.
Performance & accessibility
I care about fast experiences, resilient UI architecture, and inclusive UX — Core Web Vitals to keyboard navigation.
Ownership
Comfortable taking a feature from planning through release — writing docs, breaking down tasks with Product & Design, and keeping stakeholders informed.
Mentorship & teamwork
I like pairing, code reviews that teach, and leaving systems clearer than I found them. Contributed to multiple intern-to-full-time conversions.
// stack
core
AI / ML (in progress)
Currently learning and building toward AI engineering — not yet shipped in production, but actively working through LLMs, RAG, and agent patterns.
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