Check out the latest from The Better Build Podcast! Listen now
Mission MatchSmarter, faster hiringMission SignalReal-time insightsMission NetworkTop-tier global talent
How to joinBecome a memberOpportunitiesLeads and opportunitiesCommunitySupporting careersTalent FAQFind answersMember StoriesMeet our community
All/Building Beyond the Limits with Gabriel Khan-Figueroa

Meet the Toronto-based engineer exploring game engines, embedded systems, and building his own programming language.

Early fascination with logic and invention

Gabriel grew up in Toronto and has always loved how active and energetic the city feels. His introduction to technology came through Minecraft, where experimenting with the Redstone system opened a door into logic, circuitry, and the satisfaction of building something that actually worked. Soon after, he was creating an LED display at home, diving deeper into the principles of how digital systems operate.

He had some exposure to technology growing up through his father’s interests and his older brother pursued a programming career, but Gabriel’s motivation came from pursuing ideas that felt uniquely his. In school, he explored game development and discovered that software could be as expressive as music, which was an equally constant force in his life. He started piano lessons when he was three, learned to play drums and several other instruments, and then returned to piano when he found a teacher who encouraged exploration over repetition. That freedom to follow instinct and his creativity is something that still guides him.

Turning ideas into software

Throughout high school and early internships, Gabriel spent time working with Unreal Engine and building a multiplayer game prototype hosted on AWS. He pushed himself to understand full rendering pipelines, engine architecture, and the layers of technology that make a real game function.

During the same period, he held an internship writing simple JavaScript on the front end, which helped him get comfortable with practical development. Later, a co-op placement at Blue Cat gave him exposure to backend work at scale. He learned a lot in that role, but quickly saw that traditional software work without a creative challenge wasn’t where he wanted to spend his career.

“The code was never the exciting part, but the pursuits, the goals, the ability to take my ideas and create is what interests me about programming,” says Gabriel.

His next move brought him to OK Synthesizer, an audio technology company working at the intersection of firmware, embedded systems, and signal processing. It blended two of his long-standing passions: music and engineering.

Outside of any job title, Gabriel kept experimenting with engines, graphics, and tooling. That drive eventually led to the realization that existing scripting languages couldn’t support the kind of multi-threaded environment he wanted to build.

Building Sync, a programming language born from necessity

Sync began as a solution for his own engine, but it has grown into something larger. The language is designed with three principles in mind: embeddability, security, and the ability to fully take advantage of modern CPU cores through multi-threading.

He has completed two prototypes, and the final feature-complete version is now in development. Gabriel expects to publish it publicly in the coming months and is building documentation and a site so engineers can explore, experiment, and share feedback.

For Gabriel, this is part of a familiar pattern: use technology, identify where it falls short, then build something better.

Freelancing with Mission.dev

Gabriel joined the Mission Network in September and is currently working on a confidential client project through Mission.dev. The work he is engaged in there is deeply aligned with what motivates him. He is able to challenge assumptions, experiment with better approaches, and help shape technology that is capable of more than what is currently expected. He thrives in environments where experimentation isn’t just accepted, but expected; so it’s been a great fit for him.

For Gabriel, engineering is the process of turning possibility into something real. Ideas are exciting, but the act of constructing them is where he feels most at home.

“I love the doing of ideas”.

Beyond the keyboard

Outside of engineering, Gabriel keeps many creative outlets alive. Music remains central, and he plays piano, drums, trumpet, and flute. Cooking is another interest, and he approaches it with the same curiosity he brings to software, testing ingredient changes and refining techniques to discover what works best.

Teaching has also played an important role in his life. He has taught karate and programming to children, and he sees mentorship as a way to develop clarity, patience, and leadership skills. Being able to guide someone through a concept has always helped him understand it more deeply himself.

Looking ahead

Right now, his focus is on releasing Sync in the next four months, stay tuned! He hopes to gather feedback from the engineering community, and continue to refine how the language handles performance, safety, and embedded execution. It is a project built on the belief that practical limitations can be solved when you’re willing to examine them closely and build with intention.

We’re glad to highlight Gabriel and his work as part of our Mission Network. His path reflects how engineering can be both highly technical and deeply personal, and we’re looking forward to seeing where his ideas lead.

Want to work with talented software engineers and product builders like Gabriel?

Join Mission.dev and connect with a global network of vetted software engineers.

Software talent trust Mission.dev

Abhinav P.

Abhinav P.

Product Manager & Team Lead at Mission.dev

The team at Mission.dev really understood my skills and helped me land a role I was truly excited about, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.

Siamak S.

Siamak S.

Team Lead at Mission.dev

Mission.dev offers a rare opportunity for developers and product leads to work on real products with true end-to-end ownership.

Nadia

Nadia

SQA Engineer at Mission

Working with Mission has been a rewarding experience, with a collaborative culture and strong support from the team. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have contributed and grown professionally during my time here.

Zawar N.

Zawar N.

Senior Software Engineer at Mission.dev

I'm proud of the impact I was able to make and deeply grateful for the opportunities to grow, learn, and collaborate with such talented individuals at Mission.dev

Nicolas M.

Nicolas M.

Tech Lead at Mission.dev

Working with Mission.dev has connected me to exciting projects and an incredible network of talented professionals

Laleet A.

Laleet A.

Senior Full Stack Engineer at Mission.dev

Freelancing with Mission.dev makes it possible to do meaningful work across time zones without sacrificing balance.

Faith A.

Faith A.

Senior Software Developer at Mission.dev

The onboarding and communication were smooth, supportive, and Mission.dev followed through on every commitment.

Mateus S.

Mateus S.

Android Developer at Mission.dev

Mission.dev offers meaningful projects and stability, while supporting the personal balance that matters most.

Real experiences from engineers in the Mission Network

Stop scrolling, start building.

Join as a Member

Explore the advantages of Mission.dev’s network and access top projects, skill growth, and a global community.

Start hiring

Access Mission.dev’s platform to gain a hiring edge, streamline your process, and build with confidence.