Asher Cohen
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Curriculum Vitae

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Asher Cohen

Creative Developer

  • Email: asherccohen@gmail.com
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asherccohen
  • GitHub: https://github.com/asherccohen
  • X: https://x.com/asherccohen
  • Location: Zurich, Switzerland

Summary

I am a principal-level systems and platform engineer with 10+ years of experience designing, scaling, and operating business-critical software in complex, high-stakes environments. My work focuses on creating reliable, evolvable systems that align technical architecture with organizational goals, enabling teams to deliver sustainably at scale. I operate at the intersection of engineering, architecture, and delivery. Beyond hands-on development, I define technical strategy, establish architectural standards, and lead cross-team initiatives that improve reliability, data quality, and time-to-market. I specialize in turning ambiguous business requirements into durable technical platforms, reducing operational risk while increasing team autonomy and execution speed. I have led and influenced large initiatives at Transport for London, EF Education First, SwissQuant and now UBS, spanning customer service platforms, data analytics systems, financial applications, and web/mobile products. My impact includes modernizing legacy architectures, introducing platform abstractions, improving observability and CI/CD pipelines, and raising engineering quality through shared patterns and practices. Technically, I bring a full-stack and systems perspective: frontend and mobile (React, React Native), backend services (Node.js, REST, GraphQL), data stores (SQL/NoSQL), and production infrastructure. I place strong emphasis on reliability engineering, testability, and operational excellence, ensuring systems are resilient, observable, and maintainable over time. As an open-source contributor (redux, xstate, react-table), I stay deeply connected to the broader engineering ecosystem and apply proven patterns inside organizations. I am particularly effective in mentorship and technical leadership roles, growing senior engineers, unblocking teams, and creating environments where high standards and fast delivery coexist. Fluent in English, French, and Italian, with minimal working German, I have extensive experience leading multicultural, distributed teams and collaborating with stakeholders across product, design, and business. I am most effective in roles with company-wide scope, where I can shape platforms, guide architectural decisions, and multiply impact across teams rather than focusing on isolated components.

Skills & Technologies

Frontend

React, React Native, Next.js, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, Three.js, WebGL, Figma

Backend

Node.js, GraphQL, PostgreSQL, Redis, Docker, Drizzle, langchain, opeanai, sqlite, mongo db

Gen UI

Gemini, Anthropic, Groq, v0 Vercel, copilot

Tools & Methods

Git, CI/CD, Agile, TDD, System Design

Experience

Software Engineer Frontend

UBS

Oct 2023 - Present

Software Engineer (Frontend) at UBS, shaping customer-facing platforms at enterprise scale. I design and deliver high-performance, resilient web applications with a strong focus on React, TypeScript, and modern frontend architecture, balancing user experience, scalability, and long-term maintainability in a regulated financial environment. Beyond hands-on delivery, I operate as a technical multiplier across the Crew (9 Pods): defining and aligning frontend standards, mentoring and upskilling engineers, and influencing technical direction without formal authority. I regularly translate complex business and regulatory requirements into intuitive, API-driven interfaces, while keeping a pragmatic eye on delivery, quality, and operational scale. I work closely with product, design, backend, and platform teams to untangle complexity, evolve legacy patterns, and promote modern, cloud-native and API-first approaches where they create real business value. Currently part of the UBS AI Think Tank, a cross-functional community focused on applying LLMs to build next-generation automations—supporting both financial advisors and internal engineering teams with practical, production-ready AI solutions. Building microfrontends at scale, improving tooling to simplify and extend infrastructure. I'm driven by technical craft, clear architectural thinking, and building systems—and teams—that scale.

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions
  • Coordinate standard practices across 9 Pods
  • Develop complex requirements into intuitive, user-friendly interfaces

Tech Lead / Front-end JavaScript Developer

SwissQuant Group AG

Jan 2021 - Oct 2023

Analyzed and architected a large ecosystem of Frontend products used by financial experts. Core developer of the Design System and Component Library.

  • Lead the architecture, development and modernization of the flagship product Impaqt Plus Wealth Management
  • Mentored a group of five developers
  • Increased productivity through aligned coding conventions
  • Introduced clean code best practices
  • Liaised with different business areas to integrate Frontend technologies
  • Refactored React applications to align with modern best practices
  • Integrated branded Design System with UI Component Library in React and Storybook
  • Configured CI/CD pipeline to automate deployment tasks

Full-stack JavaScript Developer

EF Education First

Nov 2019 - Aug 2020

Developed server-side rendered NextJs landing pages and blog, focusing on performance optimization and modern React practices.

  • Reduced bundle size by 50%
  • Introduced lazy loading of images, reducing Time to Interactive by 30%
  • Refactored legacy project into more structured modules
  • Modernized components with React hooks
  • Transposed design into server-side rendered React NextJs pages
  • Built and maintained content schemas from Contentful CMS
  • Restructured project to follow Atomic Design practices

Front-end JavaScript Developer

Onedot AG

May 2019 - Oct 2019

Developed a responsive web application with complex data manipulation capabilities, similar to Microsoft Excel's functionality.

  • Increased performance of React DataGrid to support up to a million rows
  • Introduced copy/paste functionality across cells
  • Increased test coverage with Jest and Cypress
  • Designed improved notification system for React Grid WebApp
  • Prepared groundwork for Onedot Platform
  • Designed mockups and incorporated Playground area in the codebase

Full-stack Javascript Developer

Freekik

Nov 2018 - Apr 2019

Developed React and React Native cross-platform Apps connecting local tourist companies with customers worldwide.

  • Designed Profile page in React Native with authentication
  • Implemented geofencing for data filtering
  • Added infinite scrolling for events screen
  • Developed Node.js Express API endpoints
  • Introduced separation of concerns for App stylesheet

Consultant - Software Developer

Transport for London

Feb 2017 - Dec 2018

Developed multiple web applications and tools for improving customer service and data analysis.

  • Created Vue.js Centralized Agent Dashboard
  • Developed the Multiple Device Calculator, an automatization tool for customer refunds that tackled the complex calculation of Oyster tap across multiple devices
  • Delivered the serverless FAQ platform, a knowledge base for customer service agents
  • Created Social Media Platform with Big Data analysis
  • Exceeded 100% target of correspondence cases resolution
  • Received 3 Spotlight awards

Freelance JavaScript Developer

Various Clients

Jan 2016 - Jan 2017

Provided web development and IT system services for small companies and online customers.

  • Specialized in database maintenance (SQL, MongoDB)
  • Developed websites and web apps using JavaScript
  • Created bot development and home automation solutions
  • Performed CLI, PowerShell, and Bash automation

IT Administrator / SysAdmin DevOps

Andrea Stainer SAS

May 2005 - Nov 2016

Managed IT infrastructure and developed custom software solutions for an elite chocolate firm.

  • Managed database for 150 sales advisers and 200 stakeholders
  • Developed custom CMS for 2000 customers and 50+ suppliers
  • Created Bot assistant to automate electrical consumption
  • Reduced administration costs by 30%
  • Decreased delivery time by 40%
  • Increased brand visualization by 40%

Junior Front-end JavaScript Developer

GS International SRL

Feb 2013 - May 2016

Developed platform for managing international wine export relationships.

  • Built platform to manage overseas customer relationships
  • Increased sales by 25% in 2 years
  • Developed company website
  • Established API for Chinese customer servers

Selected Projects

Onedot Platform

https://en.onedot.com/produkt

Searchable directory of product data suppliers that will revolutionize how manufacturers interact with customers. Developed a responsive web application with complex data manipulation capabilities, similar to Microsoft Excel's functionality.

React • Machine Learning • CSS Grid • Jest • Cypress

Transport for London Agent Dashboard

https://tfl.gov.uk/

Vue.js frontend with multiple tools for agents using Transport for London's Unified API. Includes a Centralized Agent Dashboard, Multiple Device Calculator for refunds, and a Social Media Platform using TF-IDF analysis to capture live disruptions.

Vue.js • Big Data • TF-IDF • Social Media Analytics • Serverless

Freekik Community App

Cross-platform mobile application connecting local tourist companies with customers worldwide. Features geofencing, infinite scrolling, and authentication with Auth0 and Facebook.

React Native • Node.js • Express • Auth0 • Geolocation

EF Education First Landing Pages

https://www.culturalcare.ch › aupair

Server-side rendered NextJs landing pages and blog with performance optimization, including translations for over 50 languages and following Atomic Design practices.

NextJs • React • Contentful CMS • Styled Components • Performance Optimization

SwissQuant Design System

Comprehensive Design System and Component Library for financial applications, built with React and Storybook to improve productivity and UI consistency across frontend products.

React • Storybook • Component Library • Design System • Monorepo

SwissQuant Impaqt Plus Wealth Management

https://swissquant.com/

Analyze and manage your wealth with Impaqt Plus Wealth Management, a suite of products for financial experts and investors.

React • Storybook • Component Library • Design System • Monorepo

Andrea Stainer CRM System

https://www.stainerchocolate.it/

Custom CRM software managing 2000 customers, 10 logistics contractors, and over 50 suppliers. Included a Node-RED bot to automate electrical consumption and supply chain management.

Custom CMS • Node-RED • Database Management • Automation • Supply Chain

GS International Wine Export Platform

https://www.giovannisarti.com/

Web platform to manage relationships with overseas customers in the wine export industry, increasing sales by 25% and establishing API integration with Chinese customer servers.

Frontend Development • API Integration • Customer Management • Web Platform