Portrait of Joseph Kanakaraj

We build thoughtful, high-impact digital experiences.

Grateful Orange is a software engineering company focused on SaaS products, websites, and AI projects. With 20+ years of experience, we design and deliver scalable front-end systems, collaborate closely with product and design partners, and mentor developers to ship high-quality software.

Brooklyn, NY

Services

Strategic services spanning product engineering, architecture, and technical leadership.

  • Full-Stack Product Development

    From UX to APIs, full-stack products are built to launch quickly, scale reliably, and drive measurable business outcomes.

  • SaaS Product Engineering

    Scalable SaaS platforms combine clean architecture, maintainable code, and a user-first approach to performance and long-term extensibility.

  • Modern Front-End Architecture

    Modern component systems and front-end architecture create consistent UX, faster delivery cycles, and stronger foundations for complex applications.

  • E-commerce Experience Design

    Conversion-focused commerce experiences blend brand storytelling, technical reliability, and frictionless customer journeys across every touchpoint.

  • AI-Enabled Product Implementation

    AI concepts become production-ready features through intelligent workflows and model-driven functionality aligned to real customer value.

  • Technical Leadership & Team Mentorship

    Cross-functional teams move faster with clear technical direction, practical mentorship, and engineering standards that elevate quality and collaboration.

Work

I build digital products that connect business goals, user needs, and engineering quality. Over the last 20+ years, I have grown from producer and web developer into a full-stack and frontend architecture leader focused on shipping thoughtful, high-impact software.

Recent Experience

Apr 2024 - Present • Remote

Staff Software Engineer, Full Stack E-commerce

Eargo

I lead full-stack e-commerce work focused on customer experience, performance, and measurable business outcomes.

  • Partner across product, design, and engineering to ship customer-facing improvements end to end.
  • Balance speed and quality while keeping the storefront stable, reliable, and conversion-focused.
  • Own technical decisions from architecture through implementation and release.

Feb 2013 - Jan 2024 • New York, United States

Frontend Leadership Across Consulting and Enterprise Delivery

Rightpoint + TandemSeven

I led frontend architecture, client strategy, and team delivery across major consulting engagements in data-heavy and enterprise environments.

  • Advised clients on frontend strategy, framework selection, and architecture decisions.
  • Led frontend teams through complex engagements from planning through delivery.
  • Built and scaled reusable frontend tooling, standards, and implementation patterns.
  • Built production applications and interactive prototypes for testing and stakeholder alignment.
  • Supported major institutions including Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse, and Barclays.

Major League Baseball

2010 - 2012 • New York, NY

User Interface Engineer

I designed and developed the presentation layer for MLBAM web properties, focusing on high-traffic reliability and polished user experience.

  • Built advanced JavaScript, HTML, and CSS interfaces for MLB and associated properties.
  • Implemented UI features that supported large-scale content and traffic demands.
  • Delivered front-end integrations across XML/JSON and JSP/JSTL-driven systems.

2006 - 2010 • New York, NY

Sr. Technical Producer

I managed technical production projects from concept to implementation across MLBAM network features and functionality.

  • Collaborated with design, technical, editorial, and marketing teams on cross-functional launches.
  • Balanced multiple concurrent initiatives while delivering under strict deadlines.
  • Improved production execution through tighter planning and implementation oversight.

2005 - 2006 • New York, NY

Marketing Producer

I partnered with MLB clubs and internal teams to optimize official team sites and improve digital marketing performance.

  • Supported club-focused web strategy and performance improvements.
  • Worked directly with teams including the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals.
  • Aligned marketing and technical execution to strengthen site outcomes.

Career Timeline

  1. 2012

    Software Developer • exfm

    Built client-side and server-side apps with Node.js and JavaScript while supporting mobile app efforts.

  2. 2004 - 2005

    Senior Producer / Project Manager • Direct Holdings Worldwide

    Led e-commerce process and frontend workflow improvements across design and engineering teams.

  3. 2003 - 2004

    International Web Developer • Slim Fast Foods Company

    Owned development across international and domestic web properties and CMS-integrated experiences.

  4. 2000 - 2001

    Web Developer • Breakaway Solutions

    Delivered corporate web solutions with designers and project managers across client engagements.

Skills

Core capabilities across product engineering, front-end architecture, back-end integration, and technical leadership.

Product Engineering

  • Full-stack web application development
  • E-commerce platform engineering
  • SaaS product delivery
  • Performance and reliability optimization
  • Shipping customer-facing improvements end-to-end

Front-End & UX

  • Front-end architecture and component systems
  • React application and UI framework development
  • Data-rich, interactive interface engineering
  • JavaScript, HTML, and CSS implementation
  • Responsive and accessible interface development
  • Design and product collaboration
  • Interactive prototyping and stakeholder alignment

Back-End & Integration

  • Node.js application development
  • API and data integration (JSON/XML)
  • Server-rendered application integration patterns
  • CMS-connected experience implementation

Leadership & Delivery

  • Technical strategy and architecture decisions
  • Cross-functional team leadership
  • Client collaboration and stakeholder communication
  • Engineering standards and reusable tooling
  • Mentorship and developer coaching
  • Project delivery in enterprise and high-traffic environments

Contact

Have a project in mind or looking for a technical partner? Let's connect.

Email joe@gratefulorange.com