Stargazer Insights
25 years of hands-on engineering expertise. No agency overhead, no long retainers — just targeted, fixed-price engagements that unblock your team and move the work forward.
Fast, fixed-price triage for slow queries, broken schemas, and messy pipelines.
My core specialty is the data layer: SQL performance tuning, Python mid-layer orchestration, and backend stabilization. When your product slows down under real load, the root cause is almost always in the queries, the schema, or the pipeline moving data in and out of your database — and that is exactly where I work.
I fix slow queries, redesign schemas for growth, and clean up the Python → SQL → Python data flow that quietly accumulates technical debt as a product scales. That includes ETL/ELT pipeline triage, taming ORM-generated SQL, and stabilizing overloaded RDS instances before they force an expensive upgrade.
These are high-ROI micro engagements built for founders and fractional CTOs who need a senior hand — not a long retainer. The fix is almost always in the queries, the schema, and the pipeline — sharper SQL and a cleaner data flow are usually all it takes to restore fast, predictable performance.
Every engagement is scoped and fixed-price, with fast turnaround. You get a precise diagnosis, a concrete fix, and a clear explanation of what was wrong and why — so the problem stays solved.
Common Problems I Solve
Every automated script, backend pipeline, and database optimization I build for your business is engineered against this strict, 4-tier cloud standard.
Tier 1
High-Availability Ingestion
Reliable, scalable entry points for all inbound data and events. Whether triggered by a user action, a third-party webhook, or a scheduled job, every request is routed cleanly before any processing begins.
API Gateway · Webhooks · Route 53 · CloudFrontTier 2
Serverless Compute
Business logic runs in isolated, event-driven Python functions — no servers to manage, no idle costs. Scheduled cron jobs and async workflows handle heavy lifting without blocking the critical path.
Python Lambda · EventBridge Cron Jobs · SQS · Step FunctionsTier 3
Relational & Structured Storage
Data is stored in the right engine for its access pattern — normalized relational records in RDS for transactional queries, raw files and exports in S3 data lakes for reporting and archival.
RDS / Aurora · PostgreSQL · S3 Data Lakes · DynamoDBTier 4
Ironclad Security Foundations
Every function operates under least-privilege IAM roles. API keys and third-party credentials are stored in Secrets Manager and injected at runtime — never hardcoded, never exposed.
IAM Roles & Policies · Secrets Manager · VPC · Security GroupsStarting prices shown. Additional work billed at $150/hr, only with your explicit approval.
Starting at $1,200
End-to-end database services: schema design, implementation, and performance optimization. I design normalized schemas, build production databases, and fix slow queries.
SQL Expertise: 25+ years across PostgreSQL, SQL Server, and MySQL.
Scope: Up to 10 Tables OR 5 Query Optimizations OR a Complete Small Database Design.
Starting at $1,200
Python-based data processing solutions and automated pipelines when your business data is stuck in Excel, CSVs, or isolated application silos. I build lightweight serverless automation to sync your third-party tools (like Stripe or HubSpot) directly into your core database, cleanly handling field transformations, fuzzy deduplication, and custom reporting on autopilot.
Scope: Python Scripts, Scheduled Jobs, AWS Lambda Automation, S3 Workflows, API Webhook Integration, and SQL-Based Transformations.
Delivery: Single Workflow or Pipeline Automation.
Starting at $800
Stop letting chaotic software development cycles cause missed deadlines, developer burnout, and broken deployments. I audit your team's current delivery bottlenecks and build a lightweight, friction-free Agile or Kanban workflow tailored to your exact team size. No bloated corporate ceremonies — just clear operational guardrails so your team can ship software faster and with total predictability.
Context: 15 Years at Garmin with 3 Promotions to Senior Team Lead.
Scope: Complete Jira, Trello, or GitHub Projects board configuration, custom issue/ticket template design, and a 1-Hour Team Kickoff & Training Workshop. Best for scaling teams, boutique agencies, or non-technical founders looking for structural clarity.
AWS Infrastructure
A marine routing and weather-forecasting SaaS built end-to-end on a cost-efficient, automated AWS stack -- used by sailors worldwide. Demonstrates all four tiers of the architecture framework in production.
Tier 1: CloudFront & S3 App Host
Tier 2: API Gateway & Lambda Workers
Tier 3: DynamoDB NoSQL Storage Engine
Tier 4: IAM Isolation & Encrypted Parameters
Leadership Coaching
A Director-assigned challenge: step into a disrupted team with hidden trust issues, run a direct Trust Audit, uncover the one repeated blocker, and restore team velocity within weeks -- no process overhaul, just the right diagnosis.
Read the full story →Database Optimization
Persistent slow pages and high database load with no obvious fix. Traced to one over-generalized OR-based query causing full table scans under load. Millisecond response times restored without any infrastructure changes.
Read the full story →25+ years building mission-critical systems. Deep hands-on expertise in backend engineering, data pipelines, and AWS serverless architectures -- from Garmin production to founder-scale startups.
Fixed-price engagements eliminate uncertainty. Scope is agreed upfront, additional work requires your explicit approval, and pricing is transparent from day one.
Most projects begin within 3-5 business days of payment. I respond to all inquiries within 24 hours. No calendar ping-pong, no administrative delays.
Stuck on a slow database, backend, or data pipeline?
Building your first engineering team?
I can help you get unstuck.
Share your challenge by email and receive next steps within 24 hours.
I confirm the work falls within typical scope, or we adjust pricing upfront. No surprises.
Simple, transparent checkout. Work begins within 3-5 business days of payment.
Fast turnaround, clear communication, and production-ready results.
I've spent 25 years building systems that actually had to work — production software at Garmin, serverless infrastructure for live SaaS products, data pipelines under real load. I work in small, focused engagements because that's where I can make the biggest difference: no retainers, no bloat, just targeted work that gets your team moving again.
Senior Team Lead at Garmin
15 years, 3 promotions, and hands-on ownership of production voice systems used by real customers in high-stakes environments. Enterprise-grade technical judgment, delivered without the bureaucracy.
Founder, Stargazer Insights
Building and shipping production SaaS — Forecast My Route, consulting tools, and data automation pipelines — as a solo engineer and product owner. Everything I recommend, I've built myself.
Scott Vickery
Software Architect & Engineering Consultant
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