About

I’m Ilolo Izu (e-lo-lo e-zu), a Product-oriented Full-Stack Software Engineer from Houston, TX—currently building and optimizing Auto-Invest tools at Vanguard. Former All-American Track & Field athlete turned technologist, blending technical depth with sharp communication, empathy, and adaptability. My journey from healthcare to software engineering fuels a passion for solving real user problems and building intuitive, high-impact solutions. Outside of work, I’m all about fitness, photography, traveling, cooking, and creating genuine connections wherever I go.



Experience

Jan 2025 — Present

Application Developer 2 · Vanguard

Vanguard is one of the world's largest investment companies, offering a large selection of low-cost mutual funds, ETFs, advice, and related services.

Developed high-performing web applications and RESTful microservices using React, Node.js, Angular, and AWS, improving load times by 70% and ensuring 99.95% uptime across six microservices. Led product-aligned engineering efforts for the Auto-Invest app, translating business goals into technical deliverables and training 30+ engineers and PMs on performance, observability, and reliability best practices.

ReactNode.jsAngularRxJSNgRxAWS LambdaAWS S3AWS GlueJiraAppian
Aug 2023 — Dec 2024

Application Developer 1 · Vanguard

Vanguard workplace

Delivered the New Investor IRA Experience, driving $250M in investments, boosting investment rates by 4%, and raising accessibility compliance from 85% to 95%. Led reliability and validation improvements that reduced user errors by 15%, mentored junior engineers through an ERG mentorship program, and earned top performance ratings for innovation and leadership.

AngularRxJSNgRxFastifyAWSPagerDuty
2023

Full-Stack Software Engineer I · Resilia

Resilia workplace

Resilia is a technology platform with a human touch. Resilia enables nonprofits to increase capacity and funders to go beyond the grant with technical assistance, coaching, and capacity-building support.

Built end-to-end solutions across Heroku and AWS, integrating Stripe, Auth0, and Contentful to enhance usability and scalability for nonprofit users. Collaborated with Product and Design teams to deliver impactful features, surface technical risks early, and strengthen the engineering foundation as an early team member.

TypeScriptNode.jsReactGraphQLAuth0StripeAWS
2022

Full-Stack Software Engineer · RippleMatch

RippleMatch workplace

RippleMatch is the recruitment automation platform changing how Gen Z finds work. By replacing job boards with matching and automation, RippleMatch eliminates the most time-intensive parts of the recruitment process for both employers and job seekers.

Built scalable, state-managed features from concept to launch, improving recruiter analytics, accessibility, and load performance through optimized data handling and third-party API integrations. Designed consistent UI components, contributed full-stack unit tests, and strengthened engineering culture through event planning and cross-team collaboration.

Vue.jsPythonSQLAlchemyJest
2015 — Present

Internal Auditor & Quality Analysis · Izu Group Restaurants

Izu Group Restaurants operates Jack in the Box locations in Houston, Texas, focusing on quality service and operational excellence in the fast-food industry.

  • Conducted data entry and performed detailed analyses of the speed of service and food cost metrics to identify areas for operational improvement. Managed payroll processing, ensuring accuracy and timely compensation for all employees.
  • Automated KPI dashboards with JavaScript + Google Sheets API, reducing manual errors by 40%.
  • Designed custom operational tools to track food cost and service speed, enabling data-driven decision-making.
  • Supported Qu Software pre-sales team in onboarding and solution design, gaining client-facing engineering exposure.
JavaScriptGoogle Sheets APIData AnalysisPayroll ProcessingKPI Dashboards

Projects

Project
SkillTrack

Built with HTML, CSS, Typescript, ReactJS. A Learning Management System (LMS) website that allows users to track their skills and progress.

Project
Stylo

Built with HTML, CSS, Typescript, React Native, and Supabase. A mobile platform connecting stylists, suit tailors, and style consultants with clients, enabling portfolio showcases, bookings, and community engagement. Designed scalable infrastructure and built a cross-platform app with role-based access.

Project
ServePro Accounting Software

Built with HTML, CSS, Typescript, Angular, Node.js, GraphQL, Intuit Developer API. A web-based accounting software for small businesses to manage their finances, invoices, and expenses.

Blogs

Let's connect.

I am always open to connecting and hearing about potential opportunities. If you're interested in mentorship or arranging a meeting, please feel free to reach out and let me know.