Freelance · Backend & IT

Backend systems & IT that just work.

I'm Karina — a backend engineer and IT specialist trusted by NASA-scale teams. I build Python/AWS APIs, configure Google Workspace and Microsoft 365, and make DNS and email actually deliver.

★ 5.0 24 reviews 100% Job Success Top Rated · Upwork
karina@the.dev — zsh
karina@the.dev ~ % whoami
Karina Garces · backend engineer + IT specialist
karina@the.dev ~ % cat stack.txt
python · pyramid · node · aws · postgres
google workspace · m365 · okta · dns/email
karina@the.dev ~ % clearance --status
Public Trust: ACTIVE ✓  
Backend Engineering IT Administration DNS & Email Identity & SSO Cloud Infrastructure
About

Backend depth and IT sense — in one hire.

I've worked backend and IT across startups, enterprise, and federal systems — shipping APIs, migrating tenants, and sorting out the DNS and identity problems that nobody else wanted to touch.

If it involves Python, AWS, Google Workspace, M365, or email that won't deliver, I've probably fixed it before.

How I help

What I'll take off your plate.

Bring me one problem or hand over the whole stack — the backend, the workspace, and the infrastructure that connects them. Tooling is never the blocker; I work in whatever systems you already run.

01Code

A backend that scales

Ship features and APIs that hold up under real traffic — on a codebase your team can actually maintain.

  • REST APIs in Python/Pyramid & Node/Express
  • AWS infra — Lambda, S3, RDS, API Gateway
  • CI/CD pipelines & SaaS integrations
  • Legacy refactors & performance tuning
PythonPyramidNodePostgreSQLAWSGitHub Actions
02Admin

Google Workspace, managed

Migrations, security, and onboarding handled — so your team just logs in and gets to work.

  • Tenant setup, migrations & configuration
  • User onboarding / offboarding workflows
  • Security policies, MFA & access control
  • Shared drives, groups & Vault
Admin ConsoleGroupsVaultOkta SSO
03Admin

Microsoft 365, sorted

Teams, SharePoint, Exchange & OneDrive — provisioned, secured, and quietly kept running.

  • Exchange & email administration
  • SharePoint, Teams & OneDrive management
  • Compliance & least-privilege access
  • PowerShell & Power Automate scripting
ExchangeSharePointTeamsPowerShellIntune
04Infra

Email & access that hold up

Repair domain health, get mail landing in the inbox, and set up access that passes an audit — without locking your team out.

  • Domain health repair & DNS config — records, TCP/IP, VPN
  • Email deliverability — SPF, DKIM, DMARC
  • Okta SSO, SAML & MFA rollout
  • IAM, access reviews & security audits
DNSSPF/DKIMOktaSAMLMFA
By the numbers

Outcomes, not just tickets.

1M+
monthly users served on NASA's image platform
54→90%
department NPS lift through new support processes
98%
support satisfaction with <10-min critical response
100+
employees onboarded & offboarded, ~30% less manual work
Companies

Teams I've done the work for.

From a federal NASA platform to fast-moving startups and enterprise IT.

V! Studios
NASA · federal digital platforms
itcontrols.ai
IT compliance & automation
mementa.net
Software & web platform
Calibrate
Health-tech startup
Ripple
Enterprise fintech
Geek Squad
Consumer tech & retail
Testimonials

What working with me is like.

Every engagement on Upwork, rated a perfect 5.0. Here's what clients actually say.

★★★★★

"It's always a pleasure to work with Karina. She is extremely fast and continues to be my go-to freelancer for web/domain/systems needs."

Domain transfer
★★★★★

"Karina is probably one of the better freelancers on the platform. She will do things quickly and knowledgably, and has the patience to figure things out if there's a snag."

DKIM / DMARC setup
★★★★★

"Karina is a 5-star super-pro! Smart, fast, and easy to work with — we highly recommend her!"

Microsoft 365
★★★★★

"Super fast, great work, easy to work with, figures out solutions to get things done."

Web design
★★★★★

"Karina is awesome! She was extremely patient with my lack of technical knowledge and completed the job quickly. She was very polite, professional, smart, and overall lovely to work with."

Web administration
★★★★★

"Karina was a godsend. I had been struggling with something on my site and she worked quickly and diligently to resolve it. She was very knowledgeable."

MERN dev environment
★★★★★

"She not only completed the job on time and to perfection, she made some suggestions that improved the overall performance of the script."

Google Sheets scripting
★★★★★

"Karina was very enthusiastic and skilled, going above and beyond to help. Always responded promptly to messages also."

Zoom troubleshooting
★★★★★

"Karina was extremely efficient and had a positive attitude during her time with us."

Power Apps / O365
★★★★★

"Any IT problems — she's got you!"

Gmail support

Read all 24 reviews on Upwork →

Contact

Let's fix what's broken and build what's missing.

Free 20-minute call to scope the work — no commitment. Or just send a note and I'll reply same day.