Pj Pretorius

I’m PJ Pretorius, a passionate full-stack software developer and backend systems engineer based in South Africa, with a strong focus on solving complex problems through clean, scalable, and efficient code. I hold a BSc in Computer Science from Stellenbosch University, where I graduated with distinction in all core computer science modules. My academic background provided a solid foundation in algorithms, data structures, and applied mathematics, which I now apply daily in real-world systems.

I currently work at Tsolo Storage Systems, where I design and maintain a high-throughput, petabyte-scale data ingestion pipeline for the MeerKAT Radio Telescope, one of the world’s most advanced scientific instruments. My work includes developing APIs with FastAPI, orchestrating data flows with iRODS and Rucio, and managing distributed storage systems using Ceph-backed S3. I’ve also implemented robust error handling, replication automation, and monitoring tools to ensure fault tolerance and reliability at scale. This role has honed my ability to work on mission-critical systems that directly support international scientific research.

Previously, I worked at Orilla, where I developed smart AI-powered surveillance systems using PyTorch, TensorRT, and AWS, including a custom Telegram bot for managing detection systems remotely. I’ve also contributed to various projects in retail tech, building loyalty platforms, delivery apps, and digital receipt systems using the MERN stack, Django, and Docker.

I thrive in environments where I can take ownership of problems, collaborate with forward-thinking teams, and continuously push the boundaries of what software can achieve. My skill set includes Python, JavaScript, FastAPI, React, PostgreSQL, Docker, Linux, Git, and cloud platforms like AWS and Azure. I’m particularly passionate about automation, clean architecture, and systems that make a measurable impact in the real world.

Beyond my technical expertise, I value adaptability, communication, and a growth mindset. I’m always looking to learn from others, share knowledge, and contribute meaningfully to any team I join. I believe that technology should be used to empower people and make systems smarter, cleaner, and more sustainable — a vision I actively pursue in both my professional and personal projects.

Whether I’m helping to streamline scientific data pipelines or building tools for the next generation of intelligent retail systems, I bring energy, attention to detail, and a strong sense of purpose to everything I do.