Available for new opportunities

Hi, I'm Jedrzej
Senior Engineering Leader

I build and lead high-performing distributed engineering teams. With 20+ years of experience, I specialize in scaling organizations, technical leadership, and turning complex technical challenges into business success.

20+
Years Experience
100+
Engineers Led
8
Time Zones
Jedrzej Nowak (NJ) - Professional headshot
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Leadership
☁️
Cloud Architecture
🌍
Remote First
Get to know me

About Me

Passionate about building engineering cultures that deliver exceptional results

The easiest way to pronounce my name is NJ, which happens to be my initials backwards. I've been building and leading distributed engineering teams for over 20 years, with a focus on remote-first collaboration since 2015.

I'm still a fairly technical person and often step into Systems Architect or Technical Advisor roles when teams need that expertise. My approach combines deep technical knowledge with strong leadership skills to help organizations scale effectively.

Currently looking for my next challenge as an Engineering Manager or Head of Engineering where I can foster team growth and build strong, self-sustaining team dynamics.

What I Do Best

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Team Leadership

Building and scaling high-performing distributed teams across multiple time zones

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Technical Strategy

Architecting cloud-native solutions with Kubernetes, microservices, and modern DevOps

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Remote Operations

Expert in remote-first methodologies and building strong async collaboration cultures

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Organization Growth

Scaling engineering organizations from startup to enterprise with process optimization

My journey

Professional Experience

20+ years of technical leadership across cryptocurrency, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise software

Engineering Manager / Head of Engineering

Spacemesh
06/2022 - 03/2025

Led distributed engineers across 8 time zones to successfully launch Spacemesh mainnet, a revolutionary proof-of-spacetime blockchain network. Restructured and optimized the engineering team while maintaining productivity through strategic hiring and comprehensive onboarding.

  • Successfully launched a novel cryptocurrency mainnet
  • Built robust testing infrastructure and devnet deployments with comprehensive release processes
  • Drove community engagement and translated user feedback into actionable development plans
  • Coordinated cross-functional teams encompassing development, documentation, QA, and DevOps
Infrastructure: Kubernetes (GKE, AKS, Bare Metal), Cloudflare, Docker
Languages: Go, Rust, Python, TypeScript
Tools: Terraform, Ansible, CI/CD pipelines

Senior Engineering Manager & Site Manager

CodiLime
09/2021 - 06/2022

Orchestrated multiple cloud-native projects across various development phases while serving as Site Manager for the WrocΕ‚aw office location. Led cross-functional teams utilizing modern technology stacks.

  • Managed multiple concurrent cloud-native projects with zero delivery delays
  • Led cross-functional teams utilizing Go, C++, JavaScript, TypeScript, and Python
  • Successfully managed office operations and team coordination as Site Manager
Languages: Go, C++, TypeScript/JavaScript, Python
Platforms: VMware Tanzu, Kubernetes

Head of Engineering

Travelping GmbH
11/2019 - 09/2021

Spearheaded cloud-based mobile network core operations using Kubernetes. Established comprehensive team growth strategies and implemented robust infrastructure automation solutions for 24/7 operations.

  • Built cloud-based mobile network core serving millions of mobile subscribers
  • Established and executed comprehensive team growth and recruitment strategies
  • Optimized operations through strategic third-party integrations
  • Coordinated cross-functional teams including 24/7 operations support
Infrastructure: Kubernetes (GCP, AWS), Bare Metal deployments
Languages: Go, Erlang, C (telco core components)

Software Engineering Manager (Kubernetes)

Mirantis
05/2017 - 12/2019

Managed globally distributed teams across multiple time zones. Led development and deployment of Mirantis Kubernetes distribution and pioneered 5G edge cloud integration initiatives.

  • Successfully managed globally distributed engineering teams
  • Led development of enterprise Kubernetes distribution
  • Pioneered early 5G edge cloud integration initiatives
  • Coordinated development, documentation, QA, and DevOps teams
Platform: Kubernetes on Bare Metal
Languages: Go, Python

Kubernetes Development/Tech Lead

Mirantis
04/2016 - 05/2017

Led distributed engineering teams in Kubernetes ecosystem development and facilitated open-source community engagement and contributions during the early days of Kubernetes adoption.

  • Led distributed engineering teams in Kubernetes ecosystem development
  • Facilitated open-source community engagement and contributions
  • Drove technical leadership during critical Kubernetes growth period
  • Built expertise in container orchestration and cloud-native technologies
Platform: Kubernetes ecosystem projects
Languages: Go, Python
Focus: Open-source contributions, container orchestration

Senior Software Engineer

Mirantis
09/2015 - 04/2016

Joined greenfield project to solve orchestration issues on thousands of OpenStack nodes. Built foundational expertise in large-scale distributed systems and infrastructure management.

  • Solved complex orchestration challenges on thousands of OpenStack nodes
  • Developed orchestrator systems for large-scale infrastructure management
  • Gained deep expertise in distributed systems and cloud infrastructure
  • Contributed to solving real-world scalability challenges in enterprise environments
Platform: OpenStack on large scale
Languages: Python
Focus: Orchestration, distributed systems

Co-Owner

Codernity
04/2011 - 09/2015

Pioneered development of innovative PaaS solutions and cryptocurrency exchange platforms. Built advanced distributed storage solutions and data center analytics systems.

  • Pioneered PaaS solution featuring zero-downtime deployment
  • Architected cryptocurrency exchange platform and trading system
  • Developed advanced distributed storage solution
  • Created comprehensive data center analytics and monitoring system
Languages: Python, Node.js
Infrastructure: Bare Metal servers

Early Career

Various Organizations
2004 - 2011

Built foundational expertise in software engineering through diverse roles including enterprise development and independent consulting. Specialized in server management, DevOps practices, and open-source contributions during the early days of modern web infrastructure.

  • Python Engineer at Sodatech AG, Switzerland - developed enterprise software solutions
  • Independent consultant specializing in server management and DevOps practices
  • Active contributor to open-source projects and early adopter of emerging technologies
  • Built expertise in bare metal server infrastructure when cloud solutions were not yet mainstream
Languages: Python, early web technologies
Infrastructure: Bare metal servers (pre-cloud era)
Focus Areas: Server management, DevOps, open-source contributions
Technical expertise

Skills & Technologies

Deep technical knowledge across modern cloud-native technologies and leadership methodologies

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Leadership & Management

Team Building & Scaling
Remote Team Leadership
Technical Strategy
Process Optimization
Cross-functional Coordination
Mentoring & Development
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Cloud & Infrastructure

Kubernetes
Docker & Containerization
AWS, GCP, Azure
Public Cloud
Private Cloud
Hybrid Cloud
Terraform
CI/CD Pipelines
Bare Metal Operations
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Technical Foundation

Go Ecosystem
Python Stack
Rust Technologies
TypeScript/JavaScript
Systems Programming
Performance Engineering
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DevOps & Tools

Ansible
Monitoring & Observability
Security & Compliance
Performance Optimization
Incident Management
Documentation Systems
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Architecture & Design

Distributed Systems
Microservices
System Architecture
Database Design
API Design
Scalability Planning
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Domain Expertise

Blockchain & Cryptocurrency
Telecommunications
Financial Systems
Cloud Native Applications
Open Source Projects
Enterprise Software
Get in touch

Let's Connect

Ready to discuss how I can help lead your engineering team to success?

Ready to Connect?

Whether you're looking for technical leadership, want to discuss engineering challenges, or explore collaboration opportunities, I'd love to hear from you.