AI Native Developer

Hi, I'm Zane Li

Software engineer building at the intersection of AI and real-world systems. I work across the stack — from backend infrastructure to LLM integration — with a focus on making AI practical, reliable, and fast.

Experience
2026 — Present

Software Engineer

AI Platform · Infrastructure & Payments

Building core infrastructure and payment systems for an AI platform. Working on the systems that power AI agents at scale.

Infrastructure Payments Python AI Platform
2023 — 2025

Backend Engineer

Game Studio · Backend & AI Systems

Built backend game systems in C++ and Unreal Engine 5. Designed NPC AI powered by LLMs with function calling and structured output. Achieved 40% CPU reduction and 65% hallucination reduction in production LLM systems.

C++ Unreal Engine 5 LLM Integration Game Systems
Education

B.S. & M.S. Computer Science

4.0 GPA

Research on haptic rendering and motion capture interpolation using LSTM networks and quaternion representations. Led development on a third-person adventure game with a 30+ person team.

Research Haptics Deep Learning Game Dev
Projects

Realtime AI Voice on Discord ↗

Real-time AI integration via voice channels on Discord. Low-latency voice interaction with AI agents — building toward natural, conversational AI experiences in multiplayer environments.

Real-time AI Voice Discord Streaming

LLM-Powered NPC Intelligence ↗

Production NPC AI system using LLMs with function calling for dynamic behavior in Unreal Engine 5. Structured output pipelines reduced hallucinations by 65% while keeping CPU overhead minimal.

LLM UE5 NPC AI C++

Motion Capture Interpolation ↗

Research project using LSTM networks with quaternion representations for smooth motion capture interpolation. Part of haptic rendering research at USC's HaRVI Lab.

LSTM Quaternions Motion Capture Research
What I Work With

Languages

C++, Python, TypeScript, HLSL

AI / ML

LLM Integration, Function Calling, Structured Output, Multi-Agent Systems

Backend

FastAPI, Flask, Databases, Infrastructure, Payment Systems

Graphics & Engine

Unreal Engine 5, Shaders, Inverse Kinematics, Rendering

Real-time

Voice AI, Streaming, Discord Bots, Low-latency Systems

Tools

Git, Docker, Linux, CI/CD, Cloud Platforms

Let's talk.

Always interested in new ideas, collaborations, and hard problems.