Abraham Cuenca

Abraham Cuenca

Software Engineer & Game Developer

About Me

With over 20 years of professional software engineering experience, I specialize in solving high-availability challenges, driving deployment velocity, and reducing technical debt in complex legacy environments. I design APIs, build scalable databases, and craft modern frontend and mobile experiences.

My game studio, Pixel Pilgrim Studios, shipped its first title — The Drug Name Emoji Game — in May 2025.

I'm available for contract work, consulting, and technical partnerships.

Languages: English · Spanish

Skills

Frontend
HTML CSS JavaScript TypeScript React React Native AngularJS Tailwind CSS
Backend
Node.js Python C# Java Express.js WebSocket GraphQL Apollo GraphQL Webpack
Databases
SQL MongoDB PostgreSQL Firebase Appwrite
Cloud & DevOps
AWS
Game Dev
GDScript Lua Godot

Certifications

Portfolio

CarCode.com

CarCode

Frontend Engineer

Built and maintained consumer-facing frontend features for CarCode's vehicle marketplace application at Edmunds.

React.js · JavaScript · TypeScript · AngularJS · Bootstrap


CarCode →
Belislist.com

Beli's List

Co-Creator

A cross-platform mobile app built with a collaborator to help plan quinceañera events — creating wish lists, tracking items, and organizing event details.

TypeScript · React Native · Express.js · GraphQL · Apollo GraphQL · PostgreSQL · Firebase · Appwrite · Tailwind CSS


BelisList App →

Pixel Pilgrim Studios

Founder & Lead Developer

Founded and serve as lead developer for Pixel Pilgrim Studios, an independent game studio. Responsible for full-stack development including game client, studio website, and backend infrastructure.

GDScript · C# · Express.js · GraphQL · Apollo GraphQL · PostgreSQL · Firebase


PixelPilgrimStudios.com →

Wayfarer Framework

Creator & Maintainer

An open-source Godot 4.x framework for building games quickly. Features modular scene loading, cross-platform input (keyboard, mouse, gamepad, touch), a settings/localization system with 7-language support, in-editor translation tools, and a developer console.

GDScript


Github Project →

The Drug Name Emoji Game

Solo Developer

A web-based, mobile-friendly educational rebus game that helps pharmacy students and healthcare professionals learn anti-infective drug names. Built in approximately 40 hours of weekend work, in collaboration with Dr. Timothy Gauthier of idstewardship.com. Features custom shaders, an in-game store, a lives/timer system, and 40 drug name puzzles.

Godot 4.4.1 · GDScript · Wayfarer Framework · Adobe Illustrator · FL Studio · Audacity

Released: May 5, 2025


Read the Case Study →

Work Experience

Edmunds.com, Inc.

Software Engineer V · Oct 2022 – Present

Software Engineer IV · May 2018 – Oct 2022

Worked across frontend and platform teams on consumer-facing products, third-party integrations, accessibility initiatives, and infrastructure improvements. Led an internal accessibility committee that measurably improved compliance across all properties.

React · AngularJS · Node.js · TypeScript · AWS · PostgreSQL

Pixel Pilgrim Studios, LLC.

Founder & Lead Developer · 2023 – Present

Independent game studio. Built an open-source game development framework and shipped a commercial title in collaboration with a subject-matter expert.

Godot · GDScript · C#

Nucamp Coding Bootcamp

Instructor · Mar 2021 – Mar 2023

Taught full-stack web and mobile development in a part-time instructor role alongside industry work.

React · React Native · Node.js · PostgreSQL · MongoDB

Inter-Con Security Systems

Tech Lead · 2016 – 2017

Senior Programmer Analyst · 2014 – 2016

Delivered automation pipelines and ETL solutions that eliminated significant manual processing overhead across HR and payroll operations. Built cross-system data reconciliation tooling integrating multiple enterprise platforms.

C# · Python · SQL Server · SSIS · Oracle

Speaking & Presentations

Honors & Awards

Edmunds Disrupt 2019 Hackathon — 3rd Place (out of 20 competing teams)
Built an internal Chrome Extension providing Dev Tools for Edmunds applications and APIs, working with a two-person team.

California State Assembly Certificate of Recognition — Apr 2012
Recognized for hard work and dedication as Marketing Director for San Miguel Foundation.

What People Say

"Abe is a very knowledgeable and diligent Full-stack Software Engineer, who's also a great, pleasant teacher and coworker that's fun to work with. Abe especially shows that by sharing his knowledge and projects, especially using the latest tech, in his delightful presentations he regularly gives to us fellow engineers. So, I'm very grateful to be working with Abe."

— Peter P., Software Engineer, Edmunds.com

"I was fortunate enough to work with Abraham on several projects at Inter-Con Security. Not only is he a great programmer, he is also a solution focused technology professional. More than any programmer that I have worked with, Abraham is able to speak to business leaders using clear language. He will ask probing questions to get a deep understanding of requirements and deliver robust solutions that are scalable and adaptable to future business needs. I look forward to having the opportunity to work with Abraham again in the future."

— Jermaine H., Technology Leader

"As the former CFO and exec sponsor for many projects, I had the pleasure to work with Abraham at Inter-Con for 2.5 years. Abe is clearly one of the best IT professionals I have worked with during my career and I could not recommend him more highly.
As a non-technical person I cannot attest to his programming skills, but I can attest to his positive attitude, dedication to the work, and ability to deliver to users. What I observed that really sets Abe apart from other IT professionals, was his unique skill in communicating technical issues or decisions in a non-technical way, so users can understand the situation and work with him on determining the best outcome. He is also outstanding at patiently probing with users to determine the long-term requirements for every project, increasing efficiency and eliminating rework in future project phases. Additionally, Abe leads all other IT professionals I have worked with in his interest and ability to understand the underlying business of the company. This knowledge allows him to understand the context of his assignments and add much more value to the organization as a result.
Abe has an exceptional attitude and is willing to jump in and complete any project that the company has prioritized. For example, he single-handedly came in during a payroll system implementation and completed all Inter-Con products on-time, after 2 prior programmers suddenly resigned. This work was completed without any complaints or negativity from him. He is constantly looking to improve not only his own work product, but contributes to building up his team and the company as a whole.
I would eagerly work with Abe any time in the future if and when the occasion arises. Any organization is lucky to have him, whether working on staff or as a consultant."

— Robin S., Chief Financial Officer, Inter-Con Security Systems

Contact

Interested in working together? I'm available for contract software engineering projects, technical partnerships, and consulting engagements.

hello@abrahamcuenca.com