Hey, my name is
Justin Tahara
Founding Infra Engineer at Onyx AI
Building scalable infrastructure and crafting elegant solutions to complex problems.
Hey, my name is
Founding Infra Engineer at Onyx AI
Building scalable infrastructure and crafting elegant solutions to complex problems.
I'm a Founding Infrastructure Engineer at Onyx AI based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With a Master's degree in Computer Science from UC San Diego, I specialize in building robust, scalable infrastructure that powers cutting-edge AI applications.
My journey in tech starts with tutoring CS students at UC San Diego to working at companies like Applied Intuition, Amazon, and Western Digital. I've gained experience across the spectrum—from Silicon Valley startups to established tech giants.
Beyond engineering, I'm deeply passionate about photography and soccer. I speak both English and Japanese at native proficiency, which has enriched my perspective and ability to collaborate across cultures.
H.A.R.D. Hack 2019 (70+ teams)
Computer Science, UC San Diego
Chicano Latino Research Center
Building the foundational infrastructure for Onyx AI's open-source AI enterprise search platform.
Developed and maintained large-scale distributed systems serving millions of customers worldwide.
Led tutoring sessions for computer science courses, helping hundreds of students master complex programming concepts.
Beyond my professional work, I love exploring new technologies and building side projects. Tinkering with my Synology NAS and building my own home lab to self serve my own photo workflows. Whether I'm coding for work or for fun, it's always fun to learn something new.
I capture landscapes and portraits using my Sony A7III and Ricoh GR1V. Mainly focusing on enjoying my hobby but I have displayed my work in museums and won awards. Maybe you've seen some of my work in some Applied blog posts!
I've been playing soccer since I was 9 years old. Played club and still play pickup games when I can. My favorite teams are Borussia Dortmund, FC Barcelona, and LA Galaxy, and I'm always down to watch a game.
I'm always open to discussing new projects, creative ideas, or opportunities to be part of your vision. Feel free to reach out through any of the platforms below!
