Hi, I'm Igor Topolski
About me
I am Igor, a software engineer passionate about building software. My software engineering journey started in 2004 when I was 9 years old. I was a pain in the bottom as a kid, and my parents were looking for ways to get me under control. As any other 9-year-old kid, I loved computer games, but again, I would get bored of them quickly. That's when my dad realised that this was an opportunity for me to learn something in a fun way. He used a great trick and said, "Do you want to create your own games?". I was like, "Of course, please, let me, let me!". He told me it's not that easy and that to create games, I have to learn programming; he then showed me the "magic of HTML". From the perspective of time, my dad played me like a fiddle, but I am grateful for it as he sparked my interest in programming, which became my life-long passion and career.
Do you remember when I said I was getting bored of things quickly? Well, that was the case with HTML, too; how long can you play with a static page? Not long, right? That's when I discovered PHP - a magical language that could give life to my static pages (not precisely, but that's how I saw it back then). I used to love it for years after that, but now I cringe a bit when I think about these days. But hey, we all have to start somewhere, right?
But let's fast-forward a bit; I never really got to create games (at least professionally), but I work as a Staff Software Engineer in London, UK. In my day-to-day job, I work across multiple teams and projects, providing expertise, guidance, and support wherever needed. I am an advocate for clean code and simplicity in software engineering. And you know what? I do not regret a thing! I love what I do, and solving real-life problems is even more fun than building games.
My interests
I am a problem solver, so naturally, like many other software engineers, I rock climb in my free time. I am also very keen on constantly developing my skillset. I love spending my evenings learning about anything related to science—usually catching myself following a chain of Wikipedia articles.
I also have various technical interests, including cyber security, artificial intelligence, data analytics and emerging technologies. I love working on personal projects that span across these areas as it is an excellent opportunity to learn more and use technologies I do not work with in my day-to-day job.
I speak a couple of languages; I am fluent in Polish and English. A few months ago, I started learning Arabic—I would want to say it is going well, but anyone who has ever worked with Arabic knows it is not the easiest task.
About my work
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Staff Software Engineer
Sainsbury's Digital, Tech and Data, London, UK
Working horizontally across 7 engineering teams, leading more than 40 engineers and striving for engineering excellence. Leading numerous initiatives within the organisation such as MongoDB Community of Practice or Clean as you Code trial. Working alongside Technical Leadership Group to drive engineering maturity in the organisation.
- C#
- .NET
- Java
- React
- TypeScript
- JavaScript
- Python
- MongoDB
- PostgreSQL
- MySQL
- AWS DynamoDB
- Apache Kafka
- New Relic
- Kubernetes
- Docker
- AWS
- Azure
- AWS Lambda
- Snowflake
- SonarQube
- Linux
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Software Engineering Consulting & Freelancing
Self employed, EMEA
Working with clients across various sectors providing them with software engineering and tech expertise.
- C#
- .NET
- Java
- React
- TypeScript
- JavaScript
- Python
- MongoDB
- PostgreSQL
- MySQL
- AWS DynamoDB
- Kubernetes
- Docker
- AWS
- Azure
- AWS Lambda
- Terraform
- AWS SQS
- AWS SNS
- Node.js
- Angular
- HTML
- PHP
- C
- WordPress
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Software Engineer
Checkout.com, London, UK
Worked as part of Notifications team and delivered multiple key initiatives that drove team's and company's OKRs. Developed bespoke migration software that helped migrate accounts between legacy and novel systems, reducing migration duration 20 times.
- C#
- .NET
- TypeScript
- JavaScript
- Python
- MongoDB
- AWS DynamoDB
- AWS Lambda
- AWS SQS
- AWS SNS
- AWS
- DataDog
- Docker
- Terraform
- Spacelift
- Atlantis
- Linux
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Software Engineer
WCKD RZR, London, UK
Developed company's flagship product - a data enablement suite - a data catalogue, AI-driven data labelling, data virtualisation and real-time policy enforcement engine.
- C#
- .NET
- TypeScript
- JavaScript
- Python
- Node.js
- MongoDB
- MySQL
- PostgreSQL
- Angular
- Docker
- Linux
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Technical Tutor
Middlesex University, London, UK
Lead the faculty's engineering team to manage infrastructure and software projects. Developed bespoke software for the needs of faculty. Ran labs and lectures for the future generations of computer scientists and mechatronics engineers.
- C#
- .NET
- TypeScript
- JavaScript
- Python
- MongoDB
- Node.js
- React
- Angular
- AWS DynamoDB
- AWS Lambda
- AWS
- MySQL
- Java
- Linux
- ESXi
- VMware
- vCenter
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Associate Lecturer in Design Engineering
Middlesex University, London, UK
Acted as a trusted advisor to the faculty's technical team, leading software engineering and infrastructure projects. Helped the future generations of programmers to learn their craft.
- C#
- .NET
- TypeScript
- JavaScript
- Python
- MongoDB
- Node.js
- React
- Angular
- AWS DynamoDB
- AWS Lambda
- AWS
- MySQL
- Java
- C
- PHP
- Linux
- ESXi
- VMware
- vCenter
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Graduate Academic Assistant
Middlesex University, London, UK
Acted as a trusted advisor to the faculty's technical team, leading software engineering and infrastructure projects. Supported academic staff in delivering engaging sessions to computer science students.
- C#
- .NET
- JavaScript
- Python
- MongoDB
- Node.js
- MySQL
- Java
- C
- PHP
- Linux
- ESXi
- VMware
- vCenter