Henri Hulski

Python Backend Developer

Open Source Maintainer | Morepath & Django Expert | Remote Freelancer

Building robust backend systems and maintaining widely-used open-source projects

About Me

I'm a senior Python backend developer specializing in scalable web applications and RESTful APIs. As the maintainer of several prominent open-source projects including Django Mezzanine CMS and Cartridge e-commerce platform, I bring deep expertise in backend architecture, API design, and database systems.

Based in the Carpathian Mountains of Poland, I work remotely with clients worldwide. My primary focus is backend development with Python (Morepath, Flask, Django), though I'm also comfortable with frontend technologies when projects require full-stack involvement. I specialize in clean API architecture, database design, and maintainable code.

I manage my own production infrastructure with 25+ years of Linux/Debian experience, including automated deployment pipelines (git hooks, CI/CD), gunicorn/supervisord process management, nginx configuration, and PostgreSQL administration. This gives me deep understanding of the complete application lifecycle from development to production.

I've worked with clients including Lucidogen Sàrl (educational platform) and Service and Logistics Group (rail cargo system), delivering secure backend systems and complex frontend applications with permission management.

I specialize in not just building new systems, but also modernizing legacy codebases - upgrading Python versions, introducing modern tooling (pyproject.toml, type hints), implementing CI/CD, and establishing professional development workflows. I've created comprehensive type stubs for complex libraries like PonyORM, solving typing challenges that enable full IDE support.

Languages

🇬🇧 English - Fluent
🇩🇪 German - Native
🇵🇱 Polish - Fluent

Open Source Contributions

As a maintainer of widely-used open-source projects, I contribute to the Python and web development ecosystem:

PROJECT MAINTAINER

Django Mezzanine CMS

Maintainer of Mezzanine, a Django-based content management system. Mezzanine provides a flexible, powerful CMS solution built on Django.

Django Python CMS
PROJECT MAINTAINER

Cartridge E-commerce

Maintainer of Cartridge, a Django/Mezzanine-based e-commerce platform providing shopping cart and payment integration capabilities.

Django E-commerce Payment Systems
PROJECT MAINTAINER & CREATOR OF EXTENSIONS

Morepath Web Framework

Maintainer of Morepath, a Python web framework with automatic URL routing and model-driven design. Created multiple extensions including more.jwtauth (JWT authentication), more.pony (PonyORM integration), and more.cerberus (validation).

Python Web Framework JWT Extensions
PROJECT MAINTAINER & CORE CONTRIBUTOR

Overmind State Management

Maintainer of Overmind and its ecosystem, including the core library and developer debugger. Added features enabling isolated modules with root namespaces, enhanced debugger with state machine visualization, and architected solutions for framework-agnostic components.

TypeScript React State Management Developer Tools
CREATOR & MAINTAINER

Overmind Router

Created a state-based router using Overmind state machines, published as @ovtools/router on npm. Managed in a mono-repo with CI/CD pipeline (GitHub Actions), comprehensive documentation, and example applications.

TypeScript State Machines Multi-Framework CI/CD npm

Technical Skills

Backend Development

  • Python (Advanced)
  • Morepath (Expert - Maintainer)
  • Flask (Experienced)
  • Django (Experienced)
  • Node.js & GraphQL
  • Type Hints & Type Stubs
  • RESTful API Design

Frontend Development

  • TypeScript
  • React
  • Overmind (Maintainer)
  • Frontend Architecture
  • Modern JavaScript (ES6+)

Comfortable with frontend when needed, but backend is my primary focus.

Databases & ORMs

  • PonyORM
  • Django ORM
  • SQLAlchemy
  • PostgreSQL
  • MySQL
  • Database Design

DevOps & Infrastructure

  • Linux/Debian (25+ years)
  • CI/CD Automation
  • Git Hooks & Deployment
  • Gunicorn & Supervisord
  • Nginx Configuration
  • PostgreSQL/MySQL Administration

Architecture & Practices

  • Software Architecture
  • API Design
  • Legacy Code Modernization
  • CI/CD Implementation
  • Code Review & Maintenance
  • Open Source Collaboration
  • Mono-repo Management
  • Package Publishing (npm, PyPI)

Professional Experience

Open Source Maintainer & Developer

Multiple Projects | 2000s - Present

Backend Developer & Architect

Various Projects | Throughout Career

Commercial Experience

Frontend Developer - Service and Logistics Group

Oct 2023 - Apr 2024 | Remote

Backend Developer - Lucidogen Sàrl

Jul 2018 - Dec 2018 | Remote

Current Projects

I'm actively developing commercial applications that showcase my full-stack capabilities and production-ready code:

IN DEVELOPMENT

Artist E-commerce Platform

A multi-tenant e-commerce platform where individual artists can create their own shops and sell products. Features include shop management, product listings, payment integration, and order processing. Developed comprehensive type stubs for PonyORM to enable full type checking and IDE support.

Morepath PonyORM PostgreSQL React Overmind RESTful API Python Type Hints
IN DEVELOPMENT

Car Wash & Service Management System

Workflow management application for car washing and servicing businesses. Handles appointment scheduling, service tracking, customer management, and business operations optimization.

Morepath PonyORM PostgreSQL React Overmind RESTful API Python Type Hints

Technical Approach: Both projects use RESTful APIs with clean backend-frontend separation. I specialize in Morepath (which I maintain and extend with tools like more.jwtauth, more.pony, more.cerberus), though I'm equally experienced with Flask and Django depending on project requirements.

Code Modernization & Development Workflows

Beyond building new applications, I specialize in modernizing legacy codebases and establishing professional development practices:

Workflow Modernization Expertise

  • Build System Modernization: Migrated projects from setup.py to pyproject.toml-based builds, introduced modern packaging standards
  • CI/CD Implementation: Set up GitHub Actions pipelines, automated testing, linting, and code quality checks across multiple projects
  • Python Version Upgrades: Successfully migrated Morepath framework from Python 2 to Python 3, ensuring compatibility and modernizing code patterns
  • Advanced Type Hinting: Created comprehensive type stubs for PonyORM, solving complex typing challenges that enable full IDE autocomplete and type checking support for "magical" ORM syntax
  • Framework Compatibility: Refactored Cerebral library to work with modern React (including React 19), maintaining backwards compatibility while enabling new features
  • Mono-repo Management: Created and maintain repo-cooker, a tool for handling complex mono-repository workflows with semantic releases
  • Code Quality Standards: Introduced linting tools, formatting standards, pre-commit hooks, and best practices across 10+ open-source projects

This experience helps teams rescue aging codebases, reduce technical debt, and establish sustainable development practices for long-term maintainability.

Services I Offer

Backend Development

Building robust, scalable backend systems using Python and Django. RESTful API design, database architecture, and integration services.

RESTful API Development

Design and implementation of RESTful APIs with clean architecture. Experience with Morepath, Flask, and Django frameworks. Database modeling and PostgreSQL optimization.

Django Expertise

Django application development, Mezzanine CMS customization, Cartridge e-commerce implementation, and Django consulting.

Full-Stack Development

Complete application development from database design to React frontend. Specializing in backend-frontend separation with modern state management.

Security-Critical Systems

Backend development for applications requiring high security standards, including educational platforms, secure messaging, and data protection compliance.

Permission & Admin Systems

Complex user permission logic, admin panels, role-based access control, and authentication systems for enterprise applications.

Legacy Code Modernization

Upgrade aging codebases with modern tooling, CI/CD pipelines, type hints, linting, and best practices. Reduce technical debt while maintaining backwards compatibility.

Type Hinting & Code Quality

Add comprehensive type hints to Python projects, create type stubs for complex libraries, implement linting and quality tools. Improve code maintainability and IDE support.

Let's Work Together

I'm available for remote freelance projects, both short-term and long-term contracts. I work with clients worldwide from my location in Poland (CEST timezone).

Contract Type: I work under "umowa o dzieło" (work-for-hire contracts) including copyright transfer, suitable for both Polish and international clients.

Get in Touch