Dev is Fun

About Oleksandr

Where Systems Meet Strategy, Code Meets Culture

Hey there! I’m Oleksandr Boiko, and I’ve been building backend systems for over 19 years, watching the industry evolve from monolithic applications to cloud-native architectures, from waterfall to DevOps, and from individual heroics to high-performing teams.

The Problem I’m Solving

Here’s what gets me excited: How do we build technology that doesn’t just work today, but scales gracefully tomorrow? And more importantly, how do we create engineering cultures where teams thrive, not just survive?

These are the challenges that make engineering leadership fascinating. It’s where technical excellence meets human collaboration, and I love exploring that intersection.

What You’ll Find Here

This isn’t your typical tech blog. Instead of chasing the latest trends, I focus on timeless principles that actually move the needle:

Systems That Scale Human Teams
Real talk about building architectures that grow with your organization, not against it. From handling 10 RPS to 10,000+ RPS, I share the decisions that matter and the ones that don’t.

Engineering Leadership That Actually Works
Practical insights on reducing turnover, improving team satisfaction, and creating environments where senior engineers want to stay and junior engineers can thrive.

The Art of Technical Decision Making
How to evaluate trade-offs, when to optimize vs. when to rebuild, and making choices your future self will thank you for.

From IC to Leader (Without Losing Your Soul)
The messy, human journey from writing code to leading teams. Spoiler alert: you don’t have to choose between being technical and being a good manager.

Why This Matters Now

We’re at an interesting point in our industry. The easy problems have been solved. What’s left requires us to be better at collaboration, communication, and long-term thinking. The teams and companies that embrace this will create amazing things together.

I write for engineers who are:

  • Tired of technical debt that never gets prioritized
  • Frustrated with processes that slow everyone down
  • Ready to level up from solving problems to preventing them
  • Curious about the intersection of technology and team dynamics

The Real Story

I didn’t start as a “natural leader.” I was the engineer who preferred code to meetings, who thought documentation was for other people, and who believed the best system was the most clever one.

I learned the hard way that sustainable engineering is about building systems that outlast the people who create them. That breakthrough didn’t come from a book or a conference talk—it came from watching talented teammates leave because our processes were broken, our systems were fragile, and our culture rewarded the wrong behaviors.

Everything I share here is battle-tested. The wins, the failures, and especially the “I can’t believe that actually worked” moments that taught me the most.

Beyond the Code

When I’m not optimizing database queries or facilitating architecture reviews, you’ll find me thinking about the bigger picture: How does technology shape society? What ethical responsibilities do we have as builders? How do we create inclusive environments in a field that historically hasn’t been?

I’m also passionate about mentoring the next generation of engineers. If you’re early in your career and feeling overwhelmed by the pace of change, know that everyone feels that way. The secret isn’t knowing everything—it’s knowing how to learn, how to ask good questions, and how to collaborate effectively.

Let’s Build Something Together

I believe the best insights come from dialogue, not monologue. Whether you disagree with something I’ve written, have a war story to share, or just want to geek out about system design, I’d love to hear from you.

I’m especially interested in connecting with:

  • Engineering leaders navigating the transition from startup to scale-up
  • Senior engineers considering the leap to technical leadership
  • CTOs and VPs dealing with team scaling challenges
  • Anyone building interesting things and willing to share what they’ve learned

Get In Touch

P.S. If you’re wondering whether to email me about something, the answer is probably yes. I reply to every genuine message, even if it takes me a while. Some of my best learning has come from conversations that started with “Hey, I read your post about…”

The views expressed here are mine alone and don’t necessarily reflect those of my current or former employers. Though honestly, I hope they do—that would mean I’m working with the right people.

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