Julian - Software Architect and Engineering Leader

> software_architect.init()

I build things thatactually work.

Hey, I'm Julian—a software architect and engineering leader who turns messy problems into simple, scalable solutions. I care about clarity, craft, and making software that people genuinely enjoy using.

01.

About Me

I started writing code because I wanted to build things—not just any things, but solutions that actually made people's lives easier. That curiosity has shaped everything I've done since.

Over the years, I've grown from a hands-on developer into someone who leads teams and designs systems at scale. But I've never stopped being the person who loves diving into the details, understanding how things work, and figuring out how to make them better.

What drives me is the challenge of turning ambiguity into clarity. When someone says “we need to build this, but we're not sure how,” that's when I get excited. I enjoy the process of asking the right questions, exploring the trade-offs, and finding the path that balances speed with sustainability.

I've built full-stack applications from scratch, led engineering teams through complex product launches, and designed architectures that scale without becoming nightmares to maintain. But more than any specific technology, what I bring is a way of thinking—pragmatic, thorough, and always focused on what will actually work in the real world.

When I work with teams, I try to be the kind of leader I always wanted—someone who listens, who explains their reasoning, who trusts people to do great work while being there when they need support. Building software is a team sport, and the best results come when everyone feels ownership over what we're creating together.

If you're looking for someone who can bridge the gap between vision and execution—someone who's as comfortable in a strategy meeting as they are debugging a production issue—I'd love to chat.

02.

Selected Projects

A few examples of work I'm proud of. Each project taught me something new about building software that matters.

// Problem

Law enforcement and legal professionals needed a secure, centralized way to handle digital evidence across multiple formats without losing chain of custody.

// Impact

Streamlined evidence management for organizations, enabling secure upload, storage, normalization, sharing, and playback of multimedia evidence files.

// My Role

Built the platform end-to-end, implementing secure file handling, multi-format playback, and controlled distribution mechanisms.

Angular.NET Rest APISQL ServerAzure Cloud
// Problem

Organizations needed a lightweight, compliant electronic signature solution that integrated seamlessly with existing business processes without heavy development overhead.

// Impact

Enabled remote document signing for HR onboarding, court orders, and commercial contracts with full audit trails and Microsoft Azure security compliance.

// My Role

Developed the cloud application with mobile-compatible signing, QR code capabilities, and code-light integrations for enterprise workflows.

Razor Pages.NET Rest APISQL ServerAzure Cloud
// Problem

Families of individuals with cognitive disabilities had no way to share critical information with law enforcement during emergencies when their loved ones couldn't communicate.

// Impact

Created a community safety database connecting families with first responders, helping locate and safely assist vulnerable individuals who wander or go missing.

// My Role

Designed and built the platform with mobile profile management, law enforcement vehicle access, and multi-jurisdiction sharing capabilities.

BlazorSQL ServerAzure CloudMobile WebGIS Mapping
// Problem

Michigan's oldest Masonic Lodge (chartered 1764) needed a modern digital presence to manage events, membership, and preserve their 260+ year heritage.

// Impact

Transformed member engagement with event management, RSVP functionality, and a platform that honors their historic legacy while serving modern needs.

// My Role

Built the complete website with event calendar, membership petition system, newsletter integration, and historical documentation features.

AstroSupabaseTypeScriptTailwind CSSVercel

* Projects developed at i3 Verticals. All trademarks and copyrights belong to their respective owners.

03.

How I Work

Some principles I've learned to trust over the years. They guide how I approach problems and work with others.

Start with the problem, not the solution

Before writing any code, I make sure I understand what we're actually trying to solve. The best technical decisions come from deeply understanding the context.

Simple systems are reliable systems

I favor straightforward solutions over clever ones. Every line of code is a liability—the goal is to solve the problem with the least complexity possible.

Speed and quality aren't opposites

Moving fast doesn't mean cutting corners. I believe in doing things right the first time—thoughtful upfront work prevents painful rework later.

Code is for humans first

Software is read far more often than it's written. I prioritize clarity and maintainability because the next person to read this code might be future me.

Own the outcome, not just the output

Shipping code is just the beginning. I care about whether the thing I built actually solves the problem and creates value for the people using it.

Collaborate openly, decide deliberately

I believe in bringing people into decisions early, hearing different perspectives, and then committing fully once we've chosen a direction.

04.

Resume

A quick snapshot of where I've been and what I bring to the table. The full story is always better over coffee.

// Experience

Software Engineering Manager

2024 - Present

i3 Verticals

Leading a product-focused engineering team. Partnering with Product to translate business needs into technical roadmaps while driving engineering excellence through mentorship and best practices.

Team LeadershipAgileTechnical Strategy

Software Architect

2021 - 2024

i3 Verticals

Designed scalable architectures for multi-tier web services. Led technical design reviews, mentored engineers, and drove adoption of CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure as code.

System DesignMicroservicesMentorship

Software Engineer

2019 - 2021

ImageSoft Inc

Built and maintained full-stack web applications with a focus on performance and reliability. Collaborated cross-functionally to ship user-facing features aligned with product goals.

Full-StackPerformanceCollaboration

Support Development Engineer

2017 - 2020

ImageSoft Inc

Developed internal tools and scripts while diagnosing complex application issues. Worked closely with engineering to improve system reliability and operational excellence.

TroubleshootingInternal ToolsSystem Reliability

// Tech Stack

languages
C#TypeScriptPythonSQL
frontend
ReactAngularHTML/CSS
backend
.NETNode.jsRESTful APIs
databases
SQL ServerPostgreSQLMongoDBRedis
infrastructure
AWSAzureDockerKubernetesTerraformCI/CD
practices
System DesignMicroservicesTDDCode ReviewAgile

// Languages

EnglishItalianAlbanian
05.

Let's Talk

Whether you have a project in mind, want to discuss ideas, or just want to say hello—I'd love to hear from you. I'm always open to interesting conversations.

julian.vataj@gmail.com