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Paweł Łabaj

Paweł Łabaj

Java Software Engineer

ul. Markowskiego 6/32, Kraków, Małopolska, PL, 31-881
+48 604 092 079
Polish, English

Background


About

About

Java Software Engineer with 20+ years building backend systems and business logic — from monoliths to microservices. Enjoying solving tough problems, mentoring teammates, and improving code quality. Creative, resourceful, and flexible, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities while maintaining a positive attitude and strong work ethic. Excellent interpersonal skills and effective communication abilities.

Work Experience

Work Experience

  • Senior Software Developer (Contract)

    Mar, 2024 - Mar, 20262 years

    Implemented features in microservices and introduced quality improvements.

    • Implemented features in microservices

    • Introduced unit testing and CI quality checks in the process

    • Involved in migration from Java 8 to Java 21

    • Involved in introducing new employees to work with the system and mentoring juniors

  • Lead Software Engineer

    Jun, 2015 - Feb, 20248 years 8 months

    Served in multiple key roles across different clients including Liberty Global, Cigna, Thomson Reuters, and Royal Bank of Scotland.

    • Key Developer for Liberty Global (Jan 2020 – Jan 2024): Implemented microservices, involved in migration from Java 8 to Java 17, introduced helm deployment of services, implemented simple rule-based matching component, led Java classes for Cracow University of Technology students

    • Development Team Lead for Cigna (Jan 2018 – Dec 2019): Migrated Tibco services to open source technology stack, simplified code by unifying technology, designed algorithms for data reconciliation, engaged in automation tests harness implementing, led a team of 8 people

    • Development Team Lead for Thomson Reuters (Dec 2016 – Nov 2017): Implemented backend changes for migration to modern frontend framework, engaged in team skillset alteration, played Scrum Master role, led and managed a team of 6 members

    • Key Developer for Royal Bank of Scotland (Jun 2015 – Sep 2016): Developed Enterprise Integration Patterns flow, integrated system with ITRS Geneos monitoring framework, played Scrum Master role

  • Team Leader

    Apr, 2010 - May, 20155 years 1 month

    Led a team of developers and contributed to multiple software development efforts.

    • Developed process management component graphical interface

    • Developed DB-stored Groovy scripts execution engine

    • Developed and supported site management component

    • Maintained component displaying user-defined forms

    • Involved in introducing TDD approach in the project

    • Involved in introducing new employees to work with the system

    • Led a team of 4 developers

  • Senior Software Developer

    Jun, 2008 - Apr, 20101 year 10 months

    Senior developer working on airline solutions software.

    • Developed and maintained loyalty products

    • Designed code review procedures

    • Implemented PDF reports generation module

  • Contributor Software Developer

    May, 2006 - May, 20082 years

    Contributor-level developer on airline solutions software.

    • Organized and supervised web browser language tests with native speakers

    • Implemented rule-based language graphical editor

  • Associate Software Developer

    May, 2005 - Apr, 200611 months

    Associate developer on airline solutions software.

  • Group Leader

    Feb, 2004 - Jul, 20045 months

    Group leader at Nokia project based in Helsinki.

  • Test Engineer

    Nov, 2003 - Jan, 20042 months

    Test engineer on Nokia project.

  • Group Leader

    Sep, 2003 - Apr, 20051 year 7 months

    Group leader at Comarch, Kraków.

  • Software Developer

    Sep, 2002 - Aug, 200311 months

    Software developer at Comarch, Kraków.

  • Junior Software Developer

    Feb, 2002 - Aug, 20026 months

    Junior software developer at Comarch, Kraków.

  • Scuba Diving and Freediving Instructor

    Jul, 2012 - Present

    Scuba Diving and Freediving Instructor in Kraków.

    • M1 - scuba diving instructor

    • MN1 - nitrox diving instructor

    • MNO - night diving instructor

    • MNA - diving navigation instructor

    • MSS - dry suit diving instructor

    • MPE - explorator diver instructor

    • MPM - young diver instructor

    • MFD1 - freediving instructor

    • MZB - twinset diving instructor

  • Birdwatching Guide

    Mar, 2026 - Present

    Birdwatching Guide in Kraków.

    • Birdwatching guide leading educational field excursions focused on bird identification, behaviour, and habitat observation. Specialising in tours for beginners and those starting their birdwatching journey — providing clear guidance, practical skills, and supportive learning in natural environments.

    • Planning and guiding tours, sharing expert knowledge, and fostering confidence in observing birds in the wild.

Projects Experience

Projects Experience

  • AutoRecord

    - Present

    AutoRecord is a code generator that helps you easily generate Java records. It provides an easy way to avoid writing repetitive boilerplate code. It generates the code with features such as: nullability checking, builders, memoization and ignoring specified fields in hashCode and equals methods.

Skills

Skills

  • Java Programming

    Java

    Java 8

    Java 17

    Java 21

    Backend Development

  • Microservices

    SpringBoot

    Dropwizard

    Microservices Architecture

    Helm

    Kubernetes

  • Software Design

    Design Patterns

    Enterprise Integration Patterns

    Software Architecture

  • Algorithms

    Data Structures

    Algorithm Design

    Data Reconciliation

  • Continuous Integration

    CI/CD

    Quality Checks

    Jenkins

    GitHub Actions

    GitLab CI/CD

  • Code Quality Assurance

    Code Review

    TDD

    Unit Testing

  • AI-assisted programming

    AI

    Claude Code

    Code Generation

  • Mentorship

    Team Leadership

    Coaching

    Onboarding

Education

Education

  • Computer Science, M.Sc, AGH University of Science and Technology

    Jan, 1997 - Jan, 2002

Certificates

Certificates

Awards

Awards

  • Honorary Blood Donor - Distinguished for the Health of the Nation , Ministry of Health of the Republic of Poland

    Awarded on: Apr 01, 2019

  • Polish Red Cross Meritorious Honorary Blood Donor (1st Class) , Polish Red Cross

    Awarded on: Jul 01, 2017

  • Polish Red Cross Meritorious Honorary Blood Donor (2nd Class) , Polish Red Cross

    Awarded on: Oct 01, 2013

  • Polish Red Cross Meritorious Honorary Blood Donor (3rd Class) , Polish Red Cross

    Awarded on: Jan 01, 2010

Volunteer Work

Volunteer Work

  • Honorary Blood Donor, Honorary Blood Donor

    Feb, 2006 - Present

    Honorary blood donor recognized with multiple awards.

    • Honorary Blood Donor - Distinguished for the Health of the Nation, issued by Ministry of Health of the Republic of Poland

    • Polish Red Cross Meritorious Honorary Blood Donor (1st Class)

    • Polish Red Cross Meritorious Honorary Blood Donor (2nd Class)

    • Polish Red Cross Meritorious Honorary Blood Donor (3rd Class)

  • Scratch Trainer, EPAM e-Kids

    Jun, 2015 - Jun, 2019

    EPAM's e-Kids program encourages young girls and boys to explore the world of software engineering. Based on MIT's Scratch Program, EPAM e-Kids challenges primary-aged children to find a connection to coding through hands-on challenges and close mentorship opportunities.

Publications

Publications

  • Theoretical morphology of foraminiferal shells: proposal of a new modelling method, Przegląd Geologiczny (Geological Review), vol. 52, nr 1, pp. 80-83

    Published on: Jan 01, 2004

  • 2D and 3D numerical models of the growth of foraminiferal shells, Computational Science - ICCS 2003, Springer-Verlag, Lecture Notes in Computer Science 2657, pp. 669-678

    Published on: Jun 01, 2003

    Presented at the International Conference on Computational Science, Melbourne, Australia and St. Petersburg, Russia.

  • Modelling of foraminiferan morphogenesis, 4th All-Polish Micropalaeontology Workshop, Kazimierz Dolny, pp. 51-54

    Published on: May 01, 2003

  • Modelling of foraminiferan morphogenesis: critical appraisal and preliminary results of simulations, Przegląd Geologiczny (Geological Review), vol. 51, nr 3, p. 258

    Published on: Jan 01, 2003

    Presented at the XVIII Paleontology Conference of Polish Palaeontologists, Poznań.

Interests

Interests

  • Outdoor Activities

    Wildlife PhotographyBird WatchingRock ClimbingScuba DivingFreedivingCycling
  • Reading

    Science FictionAdventure
References

References

  • Dominik Jezierski — Product Management & AI Execution (was senior to Paweł, February 2026)

    I had the pleasure of working with Paweł on one of our projects where I was the Product Manager and he was leading the backend efforts. Paweł is an outstanding Senior Backend Developer with deep technical expertise and a wealth of practical experience.

    What truly sets him apart is the way he approaches problems. He doesn't focus only on delivering a technical solution - he always takes a step back to understand why we are building something and what value it brings to the user. That mindset makes a real difference and, in my opinion, clearly distinguishes a senior engineer from a regular developer. Paweł consistently combined strong architectural thinking with a pragmatic approach, ensuring that what we built was not only technically sound but also meaningful from a product perspective.

    Technically, Paweł is exceptionally strong. On multiple occasions, he used his experience to react quickly to complex issues, troubleshoot critical problems, and provide broader insights that helped the whole team make better decisions. He is someone you can rely on when things get challenging.

    Beyond his skills, working with Paweł is simply a pleasure. He is thoughtful, collaborative, and solution-oriented. I would gladly work with him again and can confidently recommend him to any team looking for a highly capable and mature backend engineer.

  • Grzegorz Olech — Software Tester (worked on the same team, February 2026)

    Paweł, as a colleague, has proven himself to be an IT developer who delivers new functionalities quickly and efficiently while maintaining quality and stability. He stands out for his effectiveness in resolving bugs, good work organization, and responsible approach to assigned tasks. He is an engaged, results-oriented person who genuinely supports the growth of the project.

  • Ryszard Mikocki — Delivery Manager at EPAM Systems (was senior to Paweł, December 2023)

    Yet another year of co-work with Pawel closed ... Still showing great engagement, knowledge of new trends and expertise in backend technologies. But what is more ... still showing how to build team spirit by bringing positive vibes, private passions, every day smile to the office. It is pleasure Pawel to work with you.

  • Grzegorz Kisiel — Senior Software Engineer (worked on the same team, December 2023)

    I am thrilled to provide a glowing recommendation for Paweł, a highly skilled Java programmer, an amiable teammate, and a passionate advocate for open-source initiatives.
    Paweł's proficiency in Java programming is truly exceptional. His extensive knowledge and expertise in Java have been pivotal in the success of various projects. His ability to translate complex requirements into efficient and elegant code is commendable, consistently delivering high-quality solutions.

    Beyond his technical acumen, Paweł's collaborative spirit shines through his interactions with teammates. He fosters a positive and supportive work environment, always ready to lend a helping hand and share his knowledge generously. His amiable nature and strong teamwork skills make him an invaluable asset to any project or team.

    What's equally impressive is Paweł's dedication to open-source projects. His commitment to contributing to the community by sharing his expertise and collaborating on open-source initiatives underscores his commitment to advancing the field and giving back to the programming community.

    In summary, Paweł is a highly skilled Java programmer with exceptional technical capabilities and a strong commitment to collaborative teamwork. I am confident that he will continue to excel in any role that values technical prowess and a positive team-oriented approach.

  • Robert Gonciarz — Distributed, event-driven systems (worked on the same team, October 2016)

    Pawel is a hard working Java Developer.
    I had a chance to work with him in RBS project for about a year. During that time he was a top contributor in our team.
    He proved his value as a technical leader when we were developing very complex multi-threading ETL platform.
    He is oriented on solving problems. The more challenging they are, the more satisfied Pawel is.
    Apart from that Pawel is really friendly person, he likes to share technical knowledge with team and constantly tries to expand it.

  • Kostiantyn Morozov — Project/Program Manager (managed Paweł directly, September 2016)

    I had a pleasure to work with Pawel for more than one year.
    And despite the environment and assignment complexity Pawel managed to succeed in delivering sophisticated IT solutions.
    He is a calm and stable developer, ready to work on the whole variety of task. Which is extremely important for the most of the clients.
    Has got plenty of experience from the past assignments and familiar with wide technological stack.
    Pawel is always committed to learn something new and easily participates trainings in both business and IT domains.
    All the best!

  • Dawid Łuczkowski — Consultant at Comarch (worked on the same team, November 2014)

    Paweł is definitely someone I found it a pleasure to work with. Our cooperation started more than four years ago and I have seen him progress from being an independent programmer to a team leader coordinating work of others. In each case, Paweł proved to be an excellent, open-minded team player, always eager to discuss problems from different perspectives and listen to the opinions of others.
    What strikes me the most in Paweł's approach is his detail planning and in-depth analysis that precede every task. Due to this, the following activities are performed in an organized and well-paced manner.
    I strongly recommend Paweł as an excellent co-worker and hope that we will still have an opportunity to work as part of the same team.

  • Kamil Janeczek — Technical Solution Director @ Pegasystems (Paweł was senior, November 2012)

    I had the privilege of working with Paweł in Comarch SA. Paweł is very dedicated to his tasks and always ready to help. I saw Paweł as enthusiastic and full of energy person. He is honest and loyal employee with interpersonal skills. Working with Paweł I found him as a reliable co-worker and good friend. I'm impressed with his great and deep programming skills.

  • Stanisław Jagiella — Senior Frontend Developer at Zendesk (worked on the same team, March 2009)

    Pawel is person who introduced me in technical details of our project. He is smart Java Developer and great GUI designer as well.
    For new hires he is not only focused on technical details but also to behavioral skills.

  • Wojciech Eliasz — Senior Software Engineer at Splunk (worked on the same team, August 2007)

    I would like to highly recommend Pawel, as a very smart and responsible Java developer with good interpersonal skills. His help and advices given to younger colleagues were very useful. It was a pleasure to work with Pawel.

  • Petra Hietaniemi — QA Lead at Fujitsu (managed Paweł directly, August 2007)

    Working with Pawel was very nice throughout the whole time we worked together. Pawel was a good team player with innovative improvement ideas for our working methods. I regard Pawel as a person who takes great responsibility of his work.

  • Jacek Dyjak — Sr. Principal Applications Architecture at Sabre Corporation (managed Paweł directly, August 2007)

    Pawel is a detail-oriented and very organized team member. He continuously demonstrates his expertise and passion for making products better and easier to use. In addition to his professionalism he shows balanced sense of humor and graphical skills that help our team being recognized within the organization.
    It is pleasure working with him!

  • Kathy Benson — Retired (was senior to Paweł, August 2007)

    Pawel is a significant contributor to our growing product line because of his technical expertise.

  • Łukasz Bałamut — Head of Engineering at HERE Technologies (worked on the same team, August 2007)

    I was studying, living in the same dormitory and after that working with Paweł. He is reliable, honest and cheerful fiend. I can always relay on Paweł's help and advice. He is person with I was studying and working with great pleasure! I wish I meet more people like him in my life.

  • Agnieszka Bugajska — Senior Java Developer (worked on the same team, August 2007)

    I highly recommend Pawel. He is experienced software developer with analytical skills and very good knowledge of desing patterns. He always cares about quality of the software he develops. Pawel is clever, reliable, willing to help and always cheerful. He is a great co-worker!

  • Marcin Grzesiak — Cloud Architect at Google Cloud Platform (worked on the same team, November 2006)

    Pawel is well organized person. He has time for everything. He knows exactly how to divide the time for work and for pleasure (for instance by riding by bike to office :) )

  • Piotr Madej — Area Product Owner (worked on different teams, June 2006)

    Pawel was working in a parallel team, but even cross-team I was able to experience his kindness, supportive openness and technical help whenever needed. Very friendly guy, group worker, composed and reasonable specialist.

  • Radoslaw Gola — Expert Cloud Developer / Expert Software Engineer (Paweł was senior, May 2006)

    We were working together in Comarch in project for developing management software for high-end telecommunication technology. Pawel was doing great not only as senior Java programmer, but also as a Group Manager. Pawel had also great communication skills, that alowed him to manage team in very efficient way.

  • Jan Pogodski — Department Manager at Comarch (worked on the same team, May 2006)

    We were working together in Nokia. Pawel is responsible and always I could rely on him. Pawel had also great communication and organisational skills. He is very good team player. It was a pleasure to work with him.