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hwwc

Re:Ask HN: Freelancer? Seeking freelancer? (September 2025) on Thursday September 11, 2025 @02:42AM (#45208561)
SEEKING WORK - Remote (global hours) | USA

Email: hwchen [at] hwc.io github: github.com/hwchen linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walther-chen-5b87a512/

Backend/systems/data engineer. Some notable projects include: - OLAP service for US census data (Rust + Clickhouse) - SQL query metadata extractor and pipeline (Rust + Python) - Bioinformatics pipeline (Python -> Rust)

Most comfortable working in Rust or better-C languages (Zig, etc), where efficient usage of resources is a priority.

Especially strong at the greenfield/prototype stage on small teams. Also happy tracking down stubborn bugs in complex systems.

I've worked remote for many years, both sync and async, with colleagues across many timezones.

Re:Ask HN: Who is hiring? (March 2021) on Monday March 01, 2021 @05:05PM (#26309082)
Select Star | Sr. Engineers (Front-end & Back-end), Data Relations | Remote (US, Canada, and Europe) | Full-time | https://selectstar.com

Select Star is a data discovery platform that automatically analyzes & documents your data. Many data scientists and business analysts spend too much time looking for the right data, often having to ask other people to find it. Select Star provides an easy to use data portal that everyone can use to find and understand data.

We're looking for experienced engineers to join our early team. We're a small, well-funded, fully remote team working closely with our initial customers. Our stack includes React, Typescript, Python, Django, and Rust.

We have multiple engineering & non-engineering positions open. Read more & apply here: https://jobs.selectstar.com/

Re:Ask HN: Who is hiring? (January 2021) on Wednesday January 13, 2021 @11:02AM (#25763746)
update: apologies, but the position is US-only.
Re:Ask HN: Who is hiring? (January 2021) on Friday January 08, 2021 @09:53AM (#25685266)
Select Star | Rust Engineer | Remote and Full-time

Rust Engineer - SQL Parsing

Select Star is a data catalog & management tool that solves data discovery problems inside organizations. Many data scientists and business analysts spend too much time looking for the right data, usually by asking other people, because data context in most companies amounts to tribal knowledge. Select Star is uniquely good at helping you understand your data - what data you have, where it lives, how it's structured, and how it's being used.

Qualities we’re looking for:

- 3+ years of experience of working as a backend or full-stack engineer - Self-starter with great communication skills - Comfortable working rapidly and independently - Experience with Rust required (example projects a plus) - Experience with (or interest in) parsing a plus - Experience working with SQL, BI / Analytics tools, and data platform tools is a plus

LOCATION: Fully remote. Working hours must overlap with Pacific time 9am-12pm.

ESTIMATED COMPENSATION: market rate, junior to mid level.

VISA: No

CONTACT: Find more details and apply here: https://jobs.getselectstar.com/

Re:Ask HN: Freelancer? Seeking freelancer? (June 2020) on Monday June 01, 2020 @04:36PM (#23383465)
SEEKING WORK | Backend Services; Data Engineering; Systems Engineering

Location: Boston, US | Remote: Yes

I'm an experienced software engineer looking for part-time and short-term contracts.

I've most recently worked in the data-analytics backend-stack: from ETL to database design to web-api to devops. One of my major projects is an analytics engine for web applications using Rust and Clickhouse (https://github.com/hwchen/tesseract).

However, I'm naturally curious and happy to work in any domain which requires high performance and maintainable code. I've worked with a distributed worker system, debugged async database drivers, and implemented text layout primitives.

Primary Skills: Rust, Python, Linux, Google Compute Platform, ClickhouseDB, Postgresql

Production Experience with: Python/Pandas, Node/JS, AWS, Docker, Redis, MySql, Nginx

Github: https://github.com/hwchen

Contact: [email protected]

Re:Ask HN: Freelancer? Seeking freelancer? (May 2020) on Friday May 01, 2020 @12:47PM (#23043955)
SEEKING WORK | Backend Services; Data Engineering; Systems Engineering

Location: Boston, US | Remote: Yes

I'm an experienced software engineer looking for part-time and short-term contracts.

I've most recently worked in the data-analytics backend-stack: from ETL to database design to web-api to devops. One of my major projects is an analytics engine for web applications using Rust and Clickhouse (https://github.com/hwchen/tesseract).

However, I'm naturally curious and happy to work in any domain which requires high performance and maintainable code. I've worked with a distributed worker system, debugged async database drivers, and implemented text layout primitives.

Primary Skills: Rust, Python, Linux, Google Compute Platform, ClickhouseDB, Postgresql

Production Experience with: Python/Pandas, Node/JS, AWS, Docker, Redis, MySql, Nginx

Github: https://github.com/hwchen

Contact: [email protected]

Re:Ask HN: Freelancer? Seeking freelancer? (April 2020) on Wednesday April 01, 2020 @12:02PM (#22750128)
SEEKING WORK | Backend Services; Data Engineering; Systems Engineering

Location: Boston, US | Remote: Yes

I'm an experienced software engineer looking for part-time and short-term contracts.

I've most recently worked in the data-analytics backend-stack: from ETL to database design to web-api to devops. One of my major projects is an analytics engine for web applications using Rust and Clickhouse (https://github.com/hwchen/tesseract).

However, I'm naturally curious and happy to work in any domain which requires high performance and maintainable code. I've worked with a distributed worker system, debugged async database drivers, and implemented text layout primitives.

Primary Skills: Rust, Python, Linux, Google Compute Platform, ClickhouseDB, Postgresql

Production Experience with: Python/Pandas, Node/JS, AWS, Docker, Redis, MySql, Nginx

Github: https://github.com/hwchen

Contact: [email protected]

Re:Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (April 2020) on Wednesday April 01, 2020 @11:31AM (#22749700)
Location: Boston, US

Remote: Yes

Willing to relocate: No

Technologies: Rust, Python/Pandas, Node/JS, Clickhouse, Postgres, GCP/AWS, Linux

Resume: https://github.com/hwchen , https://www.linkedin.com/in/walther-chen-5b87a512/

Email: [email protected]

ABOUT:

I've most recently worked in a data-analytics backend-stack: from ETL to database design to web-api to devops. One of my major projects is an analytics engine for web applications (https://github.com/hwchen/tesseract) using Rust and Clickhouse.

However, I'm naturally curious and happy to work in any domain which requires high performance and maintainable code. I've worked with a distributed worker system, debugged async database drivers, and implemented text layout primitives.

Re:Ask HN: Who wants to be hired right now? on Monday March 23, 2020 @01:43PM (#22666549)
Location: Boston, US

Remote: Yes

Willing to relocate: No

Technologies: Rust, Python/Pandas, Node/JS, Clickhouse, Postgres, GCP/AWS, Linux

Resume: https://github.com/hwchen , https://www.linkedin.com/in/walther-chen-5b87a512/

Email: [email protected]

ABOUT: I'm an experienced software engineer looking for part-time or short-term contracts.

I've most recently worked in a data-analytics backend-stack: from ETL to database design to web-api to devops. One of my major projects is an analytics engine for web applications (https://github.com/hwchen/tesseract) using Rust and Clickhouse.

However, I'm naturally curious and happy to work in any domain which requires high performance and maintainable code. I've worked with a distributed worker system, debugged async database drivers, and implemented text layout primitives.

Re:Ask HN: Freelancer? Seeking freelancer? (March 2020) on Monday March 02, 2020 @09:36PM (#22471314)
SEEKING WORK | Backend Services; Data Engineering; Systems Engineering

Location: Boston, US | Remote: Yes

I'm an experienced software engineer looking for part-time and short-term contracts.

I'm most experienced in the data-analytics backend-stack: from ETL to database design to web-api to devops. One of my major projects is an analytics engine for web applications (https://github.com/hwchen/tesseract).

However, I'm naturally curious and happy to work in any domain which requires high performance and maintainable code. I've worked with a distributed worker system, debugged async database drivers, and implemented text layout primitives.

Primary Skills: Rust, Python, Linux, Google Compute Platform, ClickhouseDB, Postgresql

Production Experience with: Python/Pandas, Node/JS, AWS, Docker, Redis, MySql, Nginx

Github: https://github.com/hwchen

Contact: [email protected]

Re:Ask HN: Freelancer? Seeking Freelancer? (February 2020) on Monday February 03, 2020 @08:18PM (#22231340)
SEEKING WORK | Backend Services; Data Engineering; Systems Engineering

Location: Boston, US | Remote: Yes

I'm an experienced Rust software engineer looking for 10-20 hr/week contract writing robust, performant, and ergonomic backend services.

I'm most experienced in the data-analytics backend-stack: from ETL to database design to web-api to devops. One of my major projects is an analytics engine for web applications (https://github.com/hwchen/tesseract).

However, I'm naturally curious and happy to work in any domain which requires high performance and maintainable code. I've worked with a distributed worker system, debugged async database drivers, and implemented text layout primitives.

Primary Skills: Rust, Linux, Google Compute Platform, ClickhouseDB, Postgresql

Production Experience with: Python/Pandas, Node/JS, AWS, Docker, Redis, MySql, Nginx

Github: https://github.com/hwchen

Contact: [email protected]

Re:If You Can't Buy the Keyboard You Want, Build It Instead on Sunday December 15, 2019 @02:55PM (#21798537)
Ergodox EZ was also a game-changer for me. It's been key in solving some posture problems, and I love having a programmable keyboard.
Re:Reflecting on 8 months of full-time self-study on Friday December 06, 2019 @03:22PM (#21725610)
I'm also taking a sabbatical! I guess mine is also self study, although I never quite thought of it that way. I've taken this time to be able to have in-person lunches with many interesting people, work on open source projects, and sit in on seminars at the local university. I think I'm just beginning to learn how to access local resources for learning.

I'm also thinking of freelancing, and have been gearing up for contracts, and also to perhaps start an agency with a friend. I really value the freedom that has allowed me to explore my programming and math (and climbing/yoga/martial arts) interests these last few months.

One unexpected thing about my sabbatical: my social life is better, I have way more time and energy for it :)

Re:Ask HN: Freelancer? Seeking Freelancer? (December 2019) on Wednesday December 04, 2019 @06:28PM (#21708313)
SEEKING WORK | Design, Full Stack Development & Data Engineering Location: US Remote: Yes

We're a multidisciplinary designer/developer team experienced in the entire web application stack:

- Wireframing & design mockups

- Design systems

- Front & back-end development

- Web accessibility & responsive design

- ETL

- Database design & Data APIs

- Devops & build tooling

For every client, we focus intensely on:

- a coherent design system for better user experience

- performance as a part of the user experience

- maintainable code

- timely and transparent communication

Relevant projects include:

- A web platform for reporting & analyzing the state of open source software (https://opensourcecompass.io/).

- An analytics engine for web applications (https://github.com/hwchen/tesseract).

Primary Skills: Sketch, Photoshop, (S)CSS, JS, React/Vue/Svelte, Rust, Linux, Google Compute Platform, ClickhouseDB, Postgresql

Production experience with: Python/Pandas, Node/JS, AWS, Docker, Redis, MySql, Nginx, PHP

Github: https://github.com/hwchen | https://github.com/perpetualgrimace

Contact: [email protected]

Re:Ask HN: What database should I use for analytics data? on Sunday November 03, 2019 @10:10AM (#21434267)
I’ve also had a great experience with clickhouse. Very easy to set up and maintain. Perhaps a little rough around the edges compared to Postgres, but I would look to clickhouse first for analytics.
Re:Ask HN: Freelancer? Seeking Freelancer? (November 2019) on Saturday November 02, 2019 @12:09PM (#21428413)
SEEKING WORK | Backend Services and Data Engineering

Location: US Remote: Yes

I'm a software engineer experienced in all parts of a data-analytics backend-stack: from ETL to database design to web-API to devops. One of my major projects is an analytics engine for web applications (https://github.com/hwchen/tesseract).

I'm looking for a 10-20 hr/week contract writing robust, performant, and ergonomic applications for processing and querying data.

Primary Skills: Rust, Linux, Google Compute Platform, ClickhouseDB, Postgresql

Production Experience with: Python/Pandas, Node/JS, AWS, Docker, Redis, MySql, Nginx

Github: https://github.com/hwchen

Contact: [email protected]

For me, back and shoulder pain increases with time spent in front of a computer. Probably a combination of posture and weakness.

Yoga, mobility, and strength training (weights or body weight) have significantly reduced my back tension.

Ymmv, and I don’t know all your details. Feel free to ping me if this resonates though.

Re:The Secret History of Dune on Monday September 02, 2019 @04:11PM (#20861477)
Another vote for God Emperor. For me, it was a bit overwhelming on first read, but I love that I can keep going back to it. The ones I reread the most (and probably consider the most mind-expanding) are Dune, God Emperor, Heretics, and Chapterhouse.
Thanks! I did a port of it and this could be my way in to discovering more about SAT solvers. (Doing ports is one of my preferred means of jumpstarting my motivation for more complex areas of study).
Re:Ask HN: Freelancer? Seeking Freelancer? (April 2019) on Monday April 01, 2019 @09:39PM (#19550281)
SEEKING WORK | Backend Services and Data Engineering

Location: US Remote: Yes

I'm a software engineer experienced in all parts of a data-analytics backend-stack: from ETL to database design to web-API to devops. One of my major projects is an analytics engine for web applications (https://github.com/hwchen/tesseract).

I'm looking for a 10-20 hr/week contract writing robust, performant, and ergonomic applications for processing and querying data.

Primary Skills: Rust, Linux, Google Compute Platform, ClickhouseDB, Postgresql

Production Experience with: Python/Pandas, Node/JS, AWS, Docker, Redis, MySql, Nginx

Github: https://github.com/hwchen

Contact: [email protected]