Aaron
Elkin
Software Engineer I · Little Caesar's
MS Computer Science · Johns Hopkins University
I love shipping fast on problems that don't have an answer yet. The most satisfying work is the kind where you have to figure out the right approach before you write the first line — then move quickly once you do. Every day I'm solving something new, and that's exactly how I like it.
About
A bit about me
The thing I find most interesting about software isn't the tech stack — it's figuring out why a system works the way it does, and what it would take to make it meaningfully better.
I've owned features end to end: React and TypeScript on the front, C# on the back, Azure Functions for the async work. I've set up pipelines, written the tests, and pushed back in code review when something was more complicated than it needed to be.
Teaching data structures at MSU taught me how to explain hard things clearly. That turns out to be one of the most useful skills I have.
I'm at Johns Hopkins now because I want to go deeper — on the theory, on the systems, and especially on understanding what AI models actually change about how software gets built.
Currently
Career
Experience
Jan 2025 – Present
Detroit, MI
Jan 2025 – Present
- ▸Led full-stack enhancements to the Fundraising platform using React.js, TypeScript, and C#, improving user workflows and overall platform performance.
- ▸Directed development of careersatilitchcompanies.com, transforming it into a scalable full-stack job search platform using MongoDB, Azure Functions, and advanced multi-criteria filtering — set up deployment pipelines and stream processors for real-time job listings.
- ▸Designed and maintained automated testing pipelines to ensure robust feature delivery across multiple environments.
Jun 2023 – Jan 2025
Detroit, MI
Jun 2023 – Jan 2025
- ▸Collaborated as a key member of a front-end Agile team, delivering high-quality production code across multiple release cycles.
- ▸Utilized React.js and Theme UI to modernize the Fundraising platform, enhancing user experience.
- ▸Implemented account notifications and creation features using C#, and deployed the Ilitch Careers site with Next.js at careersatilitchcompanies.com.
Dec 2023 – May 2025
East Lansing, MI
Dec 2023 – May 2025
- ▸Led the creation of Python-based, real-world project assessments for Data Structures and Algorithms.
- ▸Facilitated hands-on workshops to help students grasp Object-Oriented Programming and complex programming concepts.
- ▸Developed a comprehensive suite of automated unit tests for student projects to ensure functionality.
Academic
Education
Fall 2025 – Present · Baltimore, MD
Aug 2021 – May 2025 · East Lansing, MI
- ▸Concentration in Smart Systems
- ▸GPA: 4.0 / 4.0
- ▸Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Member
Work
Projects
MSU Fourpoint
Rebuilt and significantly optimized MSU's academic system with a dual-backend architecture. Redesigned data exchange using a comprehensive GraphQL schema enabling seamless real-time communication between Python and TypeScript backends.
On the Rise MSU
Front-End Team Lead
Spearheaded web development of a full-stack community service application. Led Agile sprints, enforced engineering best practices, and collaborated closely with clients to deliver a platform providing internship experience to students.
Animation Application
Cartoon animation software built with C++ and wxWidgets. Implemented advanced animation features with a focus on intuitive user interface design, using object-oriented programming for flexibility and maintainability.
Expertise