Kostas Ziovas

ATTHENS · GREECE · k_ziovas@yahoo.gr

Engineer turned programmer. Able to combine a problem-solving mentality with hands-on programming skills effectively. I am especially interested in back-end software development and data science.

As an engineer I studied up to a PhD level at Uni of Cambridge and worked for various large companies such as Unilever and Mondelez. Even though I learned extremely valuable things, this path wasn't meant to last. During my PhD studies I have contracted the programming "bug" and it kept growing on me. Finally I decided to make the leap.

Building on my strong engineering background, I decided to change careers and move in software development. And I took that change seriously! I completed a 2-year computer science conversion course, earned a scholarship as first-in-class and gained great experience as a .NET, BI and Python developer working for amazing companies.

In my current software development role I am lucky to work with various tools and technologies daily. But, more importantly, I make sure to allocate some of my personal time in professional development too. I completed many personal project, followed various courses and read some (pretty hefty) software engineering books. My learning list keeps growing and this makes my software engineering journey more exciting.

Feel free to contact me if you think I can help in any way!

Experience

Back-end Python Developer

Plum Fintech

Backend developer in a rapidly growing fintech startup. Working in a cross-functional squad within an agile framework. Best coding and design practises are prommoted both in a team as well as in a company level. Some of the principles used daily include test driven development and domain driven design. Designed, documented and developed multiple core activation features during my 2 years in Plum. Won Plum Hackathon 2023!

June 2022 - April 2024

RnD Python Developer

Orca-AI

Developing components for a, ground-breaking, AI powered, collision avoidance system for the shipping industry. Utilizing best coding practices and modern programming tools in all aspects of my work.

July 2021 - June 2022

Junior Developer

SWORD S.A.

Developed ETLs applications with Python and SQL. Also build SharePoint applications using C# and JS. Customers included major European organizations such as the European Patent Office and European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority

December 2019 - June 2021

Full-Stack Developer

NetBee

Working as full-stack developer in parallel with my computer science conversion course. Developed various web-apps using .NET framework, C# and Angular.

March 2019 - November 2019

Process Scientist

Unilever UK

Had great success in data driven optimization of existing processes, data analysis for loss minimization and development of new processes for multiple European sites.

July 2016 - August 2018

Process Engineer

Mondelez UK

Worked as a process engineer, responsible for two manufacturing lines in the Gum and Candy category. Most of the projects that I initiated, or that I was supporting, resulted in important benefits for the business in terms of safety, quality, cost saving and performance.

September 2015 - July 2016

Education

University of Piraeus

Master of Science
Dept. of Informatics - Informatics Conversion Course (2 years)

GPA: 9.6/10 - First in Class

October 2018 - August 2020

University of Cambridge

PhD in Engineering
Dept. Chemical Engineering - Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Laboratory

Passed CPGS

October 2011 - August 2015

Imperial College London

Master of Science
Dept. of Chemical Engineering - Advanced Chemical Engineering

GPA: 6/10 - Pass

October 2010 - September 2011

National Technical University of Athens

Master of Engineering
Dept. of Chemical Engineering - Process Engineering

GPA: 8/10 - Merit

September 2005 - September 2010

Skills

Programming Languages & Tools

  • Languages: Python, SQL, Bash, C#, JS, Java
  • Frameworks: Sanic, Flask, Django, .NET
  • Python Tools: Asyncio, SQLAlchemy, Injector, Pytest, Scikit-learn, Tensorflow, Hypothesis, Alembic, SocketIO
  • Databases: PostgreSQL, MongoDB, InfluxDB, Redis, RethinkDB, MySQL
  • Messaging: RabbitMQ, Sockets
  • Version Control: Git, GitLab, GitHub, BitBucket
  • Deployment: Docker, Docker-Compose, Kubernetes, GitLab CI/CD
  • Cloud: AWS, Heroku
  • Other Tools: Ansible, Apache Airflow, Rundeck, Consul, Vault, Vagrant

Methodologies

  • Agile Development & Scrum
  • Test Driven Development
  • Code Reviews
  • Pair Programming
  • Microservices Based Architecture
  • Cross Functional Teams
  • Continuous Integration - Continuous Deployment

Awards & Certifications

  • Academic Excellence Scholarship - First in Class in Informatics MSc at University of Piraeus
  • Second place as co-founder of the “ZeroWaste” app - Ennovation Competition 2021
  • Scholarship for PhD Research - Nestle Research Centrer, Laussane

  • Ansible for the Absolute Beginner Hands-On DevOps - Udemy
  • Design Patterns in Python - Udemy
  • Professional RESTful API Design using Python Flask - Udemy
  • 2021 Python for Machine Learning & Data Science Masterclass - Udemy
  • Create an API with Python | Django | MySQL | REST Framework - Udemy
  • Database Design for Relational Databases using SQL Server - Udemy
  • 2021 Complete Python Bootcamp From Zero to Hero in Python - Udemy
  • Applied Data Science with Python Level 2 - IBM
  • Data Science Foundations Level 2 - IBM
  • Hadoop Foundations Level 1 - IBM

Interests

Apart from expanding my knowledge on software engineering and programming, I enjoy spending time on:

  • Playing music, mainly the drums but I also fool around with the guitar, ukulele and baglama. I am always intriged about learning new stringed instruments.
  • Boxing and other combat sports. Mostly for working out and keeping in shape.
  • Running. Started jogging to loose weight but somehow ended up running Athens Original Marathon. Kept going since, occasionally doing some 10k runs and half-marathons.
  • Sea sports. I really enjoy the sea in the summer time. Swimming and SCUBA diving mostly. Also planning to start sailing classes.
  • Occasionally playing tennis, especially when on holidays.

When spending time with friends I really enjoy playing board-games for hours, travelling, going to live music events and of course trying yummy food and drinks!