Alex.
Bănică

Engineer at Heart

Automation Tinkerer

Mentor & Builder

Solution Architect

Hey! I’m Alex — a Senior Software Engineer from the Netherlands.

I build scalable systems at work and solder tiny ones at home. From Raspberry Pis to custom electronics and home automation, I love making things come alive with code (and sometimes a soldering iron).
When I’m not coding or wiring circuits, I’m probably gaming, reading mythology books, or hanging out with my little one.

Contact Me

About Me

My story

I’m originally from Romania, now happily living in the Netherlands with my family. I came here for the culture and the people — and I’ve found a place that inspires both my work and my curiosity.

I’ve spent over a decade crafting reliable, scalable software across industries — from e-commerce and fintech to global-scale platforms. I love designing clean architectures, mentoring engineers, and finding smart, practical solutions to complex problems.

Beyond work, I’m a maker at heart. I enjoy soldering, building electronic devices from scratch, and automating everything I can — often powered by Raspberry Pis and custom scripts. For me, technology isn’t just a job; it’s the fun of creating, learning, and making life a little smarter.

Residence: Netherlands
Address: Apeldoorn
e-Mail: alex@alexlab.nl

Services

What I Do

Software Architecture & Development

I design and build scalable, high-performance systems using modern technologies like Java, Spring Boot, and .NET. My focus is on clean architecture, reliability, and efficient delivery — whether it’s a microservice, API, or full-scale platform.

Technical Leadership & Mentorship

I guide teams through complex challenges by combining technical direction with collaboration and mentorship. I help engineers grow their skills, improve code quality, and build confidence in their craft.

Automation & Home Tech Projects

I experiment with automation, Raspberry Pis, and electronics — building devices from scratch, integrating sensors, and writing custom scripts that bring smart ideas to life. It’s where creativity meets engineering.

Process Improvement & Collaboration

I work across teams and domains to optimize workflows, reduce technical debt, and improve delivery processes. Collaboration and communication are key to creating sustainable, impactful software.

Custom Integrations & Tooling

I develop tailored integrations and internal tools to simplify complex workflows. From custom scripts to service orchestration, I enjoy creating solutions that make development faster, smarter, and more enjoyable.

Continuous Learning & Innovation

Technology evolves fast — and I love keeping up. Whether exploring a new framework, testing a device idea, or mentoring others through change, I embrace learning as the engine of both personal and professional growth.

Experience

Working with

2018 - Present

Just Eat
Takeaway.com
Senior Software Engineer

I design and deliver large-scale, high-performance systems that power one of the world’s leading online food platforms.

My work spans architecture, technical strategy, and mentorship — ensuring each project blends reliability with innovation.

Alongside coding, I mentor engineers, lead technical discussions, and continuously improve processes to keep teams efficient and motivated.

2018-2020

Axsys
Romania
Tech. Development Lead

I helped shape the architecture and delivery of new financial products, integrating external institutions through RESTful APIs and domain-driven.

I guided the team on code quality, project standards, and best practices while ensuring reliable, maintainable software delivery, transforming how we approached code reviews and long-term maintainability.

2016-2018

eMag
Software Developer

At eMAG, one of Eastern Europe’s largest e-commerce platforms, I played a key role in modernizing the backend system — migrating the platform from Sillex 2.0 to Symfony 4.1 and developing RESTful APIs to support mobile applications.
I contributed to the shift from monolith to microservices, led unit testing initiatives, and became a go-to engineer for performance optimization during high-load events like Black Friday.

2012-2014

Optaros
Software Developer

At Optaros, I worked on large-scale Magento Enterprise projects for major US and Swiss retailers. I developed full-stack e-commerce solutions with a focus on performance, clean architecture, and long-term scalability.

I also ran internal PHP and OOP trainings, sharing best practices and mentoring new developers — something that helped shape my future passion for coaching and team growth.

Education

Studied at

2013-2015

Master’s Degree in Advanced Software Systems

Polytechnic University
of Bucharest

Focused on advanced software engineering, system design, and scalable architectures. During my master’s, I deepened my knowledge of complex software systems, architectural patterns, and modern development methodologies, preparing me for large-scale, high-performance projects in professional environments.

2014

Zend PHP Certified Developer
(ZEND026695)

Validated expertise in PHP development, object-oriented programming, and best practices for building maintainable, high-quality web applications.

2009-2013

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science

Polytechnic University
of Bucharest

Built a strong foundation in computer science, studying compilers, low-level programming, operating system kernel development, and object-oriented programming. This period was crucial for developing problem-solving skills, understanding system internals, and gaining hands-on experience with algorithms, data structures, and software design principles.

Skills

Creative ability

Backend Development & Architecture

AWS, Java & Spring Boot, PHP, Symfony, Magento — designing scalable, high-performance systems, microservices, and robust e-commerce platforms.

I focus on clean, maintainable architecture and implementing solutions that stand the test of time in high-demand environments.

95%
Databases & APIs

PostgreSQL, MySQL, NoSQL, RESTful APIs — building efficient, maintainable, and high-traffic-ready integrations.

I ensure data consistency, optimize query performance, and design APIs that simplify complex system interactions.

90%
Automation & Embedded Systems

Raspberry Pi projects, custom electronics, home automation, and scripting solutions from scratch.

I combine hardware and software creatively to automate tasks, experiment with prototypes, and develop fully integrated systems.

90%
DevOps & Deployment

Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, cloud-native deployments, and workflow automation for reliable system delivery.

I focus on resilience, scalability, and seamless release processes to keep production systems robust and efficient.

85%
Testing & Code Quality

Unit testing, integration testing, SonarQube, code reviews — ensuring maintainable, high-quality software across teams.

I promote best practices, reduce technical debt, and help teams achieve consistent standards for reliable software delivery.

90%
Mentorship & Team Leadership

Onboarding, coaching, and guiding engineers while fostering collaboration, communication, and professional growth.

I take pride in helping teams improve technical skills, resolve challenges efficiently, and reach collective goals.

90%
Problem Solving & Innovation

Creative and analytical thinking to tackle complex technical challenges and integrate new technologies efficiently.

I enjoy finding elegant solutions that balance innovation, performance, and maintainability.

95%
Version Control & Agile Collaboration

Git workflows, branching strategies, code reviews, and Agile methodologies — enabling smooth team collaboration and efficient project delivery. I ensure code consistency, effective communication, and alignment across distributed teams to deliver high-quality software on time.

90%

Language Skills

Reading and writing

English
C2 (Fluent / Professional)

Proficient in reading, writing, and speaking; comfortable in technical, professional, and casual contexts.

100%
Dutch
A2 (DUO Certification)

Basic conversational and written skills, improving through daily practice and immersion in the Netherlands.

35%
Romanian
(Native)

My mother tongue, used daily for personal and professional communication.

100%

Coding Skills

Developing on

95%

Java, Springboot

Extensive experience building scalable enterprise systems, resilient APIs, and applying DDD principles.
90%

PHP, Symphony

Symfony, Laravel, Magento, and backend development for e-commerce and custom platforms.
95%

SQL / Databases

PostgreSQL, MySQL, NoSQL, DynamoDB; query optimization, schema design, and data integrity.
80%

VueJs, Typescript

Front-end scripting, integration with backend services, and occasional UI work.
90%

AWS, Kubernetes, Docker

Containerization, orchestration, and cloud-native deployments for scalable solutions, and experience with AWS services for scalable infrastructure.
75%

Shell Scripting, Python

System administration, automation, and server-side scripting, automation scripts, and experimental hardware-software projects.

Reviews

What co-workers say

Gabriel Martin

Principal Software Engineer / Technical Lead

Alex is a very reliable software engineer with in-depth knowledge on web development and it's associated technologies. He is always interested in choosing the best tech stack and always analyses his options before choosing a decision - this decision will frequently be the most optimal one due to these traits that describe his above standard quality as an engineer. When it comes to his team, he's always reliable and looking to help others so deadlines are met.

Adrian Floarea

Technical Coordinator

I had the pleasure to work closely with Alex for almost two years on the same projects, and I witnessed him go from Associate Software Engineer to Senior Software Engineer. In this regard I must say that it was a great opportunity to have worked with such a skilled and dedicated developer. Alex is one of the most passionate individual I have ever worked with, has a high level of perseverance and drive than most anyone else, and he can be counted on to get things done. He is very professional when it comes to his work, offering a huge amount of attention to details. He is also one of the best developers I have worked with, with very good technical skills that include PHP, Magento, Drupal, as well as client facing and communication skills.As a team member Alex would be a great asset in any project or company.

Daniel Uta

Senior Backend Developer

Alex displayed great team integration skills as well as flexibility in thinking and adaptability to intense situations.
We worked together as part of the performance & security team where we were able to implement a fast scalable solutions for app related APIs as well as web app related features.
I would recommend Alex not only for his curiosity towards coding but also for his witty but polite sense of humor.

Andrei Pirvulescu

CEO & Co-Founder

I had the great pleasure to work with Alex more than one year on the same project. I would like to say it that it was amazing to see him grow from an intern position when he started, to a fully grown and mature Senior Software Developer. Since the beginning when he joined the project, it was easy to see that Alex was a "magnet" of information, being able to absorb huge amount of information in regards to the new technologies that he encountered: from development frameworks to automation frameworks.
Alex is the colleague that always has a smile on his face, having a positive attitude towards everything that he does and sees everything as an opportunity to learn.

In my opinion, Alex is a must have in any team, successfully combining professional attitude with dedication and wanting to learn as much he can from every thing that he does.

Contact

Let's talk

Alex. Banica

Senior Software Engineer

Age: 34
Residence: Netherlands
Address: Apeldoorn
E-mail: alex@alexlab.com

ABanica

Alex. Bănică