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Available for consulting

Data & AI systems,
architected to last.

Got a data platform that can't keep up? Streaming architecture that needs rethinking? ML stuck in prototype? I work with engineering teams and businesses to design and build systems that scale reliably. 20 years of production experience across banks, fintechs and global data companies.

Work with me → View track record
~ architect.profile
Vajo Lukic
roleSoftware / Data Architect
currentIFS · Data & Analytics
experience20 years
certAWS Solutions Architect
locationMálaga, ES · remote
statusavailable
20+
Years experience
6+
Industries
4
Countries lived & worked in
5
Books published
01

How I help teams

Most teams come to me with a platform that needs to scale, legacy systems that need modernising, or ML stuck in prototype. I work hands-on from the high-level design all the way to the code that proves it. Engagements usually fall into four areas.

[ ARCH ]

Data Architecture & Strategy

Modern cloud data platforms, lakehouses and governance designed to scale. High-level designs, technology selection and roadmaps that survive contact with production.

[ STREAM ]

Real-Time Data & Streaming

Event-driven systems and Change Data Capture with Apache Kafka, Debezium and Flink. Moving data the moment it changes - reliably, at high volume.

[ ML/AI ]

Machine Learning & AI

From raw data to deployed models: feature engineering, forecasting and credit-risk scoring, built on AWS SageMaker and proven ML practice.

[ CLOUD ]

Cloud & Data Engineering

Migrating legacy systems to AWS and GCP, building dependable ETL/ELT pipelines, and mentoring teams so they can own what we build together.

02

Building in the AI era

I help teams adopt modern AI-assisted development and the practices that make it stick - shipping faster without losing rigour.

[ AI ]

AI-augmented engineering

Using Claude, Cursor and GitHub Copilot across the workflow - from architecture and design to production code and reviews - to ship faster with confidence.

[ SDD ]

Spec-Driven Development

Specs as the source of truth: clear, reviewable definitions that engineers and AI build from, keeping intent and quality intact at speed.

[ ENABLE ]

Developer enablement

Defining the processes, guardrails and daily workflows so a whole team - not just individuals - adopts these tools effectively.

03

Skills & technology

Data modelling, streaming pipelines, cloud infrastructure, deployed ML. Everything needed to take your platform from design to production.

architecture
Data ArchitectureSolution DesignData WarehousingEvent-Driven DesignData Governance
ai_devtools
ClaudeCursorGitHub CopilotSpec-Driven DevelopmentAI-assisted architectureDeveloper enablementPrompt engineering
data_eng
Change Data CaptureApache KafkaDebeziumApache IcebergRedpandaApache FlinkSparkdbtAirflowETL / ELT
cloud
AWSAWS GlueSageMakerAthenaGCPOpenShiftKubernetesDocker
ml_ai
Machine LearningGenerative AI & LLMsForecastingNeural NetworksPandasscikit-learnJupyter
languages
JavaPythonRPL/SQLSQLJavaScript
databases
OracleSQL ServerPostgreSQLCockroachDBNeo4jMongoDBHBaseDB2
04

Where I've worked

Two decades across financial services, business-data, gaming and media - today as Software Architect for Data & Analytics at IFS, and founder of the data agency Companion Code.

2025-nowMadrid, ES

IFS

Software Architect - Data & Analytics

On the Data Services team: change-data-capture pipelines with Debezium, Kafka and Apache Iceberg, and scalable platforms on Spark, Kubernetes and Polaris - feeding analytics, machine learning and LLM training.

2024-25Málaga, ES

Companion Code

Founder & Lead Developer

Founded and led an IT freelancing agency specialising in data engineering and solution architecture, delivering tailored data systems and infrastructure for clients.

2022-23Stockholm, SE

Dun & Bradstreet

Senior Data Engineer

Built advanced credit-risk scoring products on stream processing and machine learning. Led extraction and migration of legacy systems into a modern streaming architecture.

2020-22Stockholm, SE

SEB Bank

Solution Architect - Data & Analytics

Designed payment-event publication with Kafka across DB2, SQL Server and Hadoop, implemented Change Data Capture for legacy databases, and set streaming best practices in Accounts & Payments.

2018-20Stockholm, SE

Webstep

ML, AI & Data Architecture Consultant

Built Bisnode's core AWS data platform and a real-time ML credit-check system; forecasted construction markets for Prognoscentret; engineered Invidi's adtech reporting; modelled AMF Pension's data warehouse.

2012-18Stockholm, SE

Unibet / Kindred Group

Data Architect & DW Team Lead

Architected the next-generation data platform on CockroachDB, Kafka and event-driven design; built real-time fraud detection; established and led a Data Warehouse / BI team of 11.

2005-12Ljubljana, SI

NLB Vita

IT Manager / Senior Oracle Developer

Cut reinsurance premium calculation from 14 days to 30 minutes; built an Oracle audit-trail security mechanism; delivered the Solvency II data programme.

Let's work together → // got a data problem worth solving?
05

Industries

Enterprise Software & ERP
IFS
Financial Services & Insurance
SEB · Banking
AMF Pension
NLB Vita · Life Insurance
Business & Credit Data
Dun & Bradstreet
Bisnode
Gaming & Entertainment
Unibet
Kindred Group
Media & AdTech
Invidi Technologies
Market Research
Prognoscentret
06

Books I've written

Five practical guides for engineers and curious minds - published on Amazon, with thousands of readers.

Python Data Engineering
Python Data EngineeringData, ML & AI
Practical Prompt Engineering
Practical Prompt EngineeringChatGPT & AI
SQL Crash Course
SQL Crash CourseBeginner to expert
Practical Linux Handbook
Practical Linux HandbookEveryday tasks
Discover the Unstoppable You
Discover the Unstoppable YouBeat self-doubt
07

Resources I've built

Two free technical sites I built and run for the data engineering community.

[ CDC ]

changedatacapture.net

Deep technical reference for engineers building Oracle CDC pipelines. Interactive guides and tools covering Debezium, GoldenGate, Kafka, Redpanda and Apache Iceberg.

Visit site →
[ PYTHON ]

pythondataengineering.net

Free directory of 400+ curated resources for Python data engineers. Hands-on projects, tools and learning paths — all verified for production use.

1,000+ engineers 400+ resources 4.7 / 5 rating
Visit site →
08

Certifications

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate
Amazon Web Services
2019
Machine Learning Engineer Nanodegree
Udacity
2021
Deep Learning Specialization
deeplearning.ai
2018
Machine Learning Specialization
University of Washington
2017
Data Science Specialization
Johns Hopkins University
2014
BSc, Management of Information Systems
University of Maribor
2011
09

What colleagues say

"""
Vajo has a really good understanding of Data platform and Data applications. During my days in Kindred (Unibet) we worked together on a couple of cases and I must say it has been a privilege to work with him.
Ashok Samal, Director - Gen AIKindred Group
"""
Vajo has such a profound understanding of database design and the way databases work that he can come up with great solutions to the most intricate problems one might encounter. He was deeply involved in the design and implementation and had constantly helped the team in finding different ways to improve the data model with creative solutions.
Uzi Landsmann, Developer / Architect / Tech LeadGeisli
"""
I have never worked with a candidate who was more of a pleasure to speak to. Vajo is always friendly, reliable and conducts himself with the highest degree of integrity at all times. I can unreservedly recommend him on a personal and professional basis.
Charlie Dormehl, ClientKing Edward VI School
// let's talk

Have a data problem
worth solving?

I take on a small number of consulting and architecture engagements. Tell me what you're building - I'll tell you honestly whether I can help.

Email me → LinkedIn GitHub Blog CDC site Python DE site
EMAILvajolukic@gmail.com
BASED INMálaga, Spain - remote worldwide
LANGUAGESEnglish · Swedish · Slovenian · Serbian