
Hi, I'm Branimir!
Engineering Manager • Mobile
Profile
Branimir Petakov
or just Brani
Email me
branimir [at] petakov.com • b.petakov [at] gmail.com
Education
Master of Computer Systems and Technologies
Technical University of Sofia (2 Years) - Graduation Dec 2011
Two years spent in learning different programming languages and patterns. I got broad view over a wide range of technologies. This helped me to define myself.
Bachelor of Industrial Management
Technical University of Sofia (4 Years) - Graduation May 2009
A mix of economic and engineering disciplines, where the idea is to be successful manager of companies dealing with some kind of production. At the end of day, am I economist or engineer? The answer is "a combination of".
Courses
Introduction to Machine Learning for Data Science
Udemy - Graduation: Ongoing
A primer on Machine Learning for Data Science. Revealed for everyday people, by the Backyard Data Scientist.
100 Days of Swift
HackingWithSwift - Graduation: Nov 2021 Certificate of Merit
This is a collection of videos, tutorials, tests, and more, all drawn from around Paul Hudson's existing work on Hacking with Swift. Lots of examples and most importantly challenges that require puting into work what has been taught.
Docker Mastery w/ Swarm and Kubernetes
Udemy - Graduation: Jan 2020 UC-9K5826BW
Build, test, deploy containers with Docker, Kubernetes, Compose, Swarm and Registry.
Dart Basics
RayWenderlich.com - Graduation: Nov 2019
An introduction to the basics of the Dart programming language, used for development with the Flutter SDK for mobile, web, and beyond.
Flutter & Dart
Udemy - Graduation: Aug 2019
A complete guide to the Flutter SDK & Flutter Framework for building native iOS and Android apps. Dart programming language specifics are covered as well. Simply put, Dart is a language optimized for client-side development for web and mobile.
Deliver an Exceptional Accessibility Experience
Udemy - Graduation: Mar 2019
Go beyond the basics and create apps with an exceptional accessibility experience. Learn how to design elements that appear in your app for maximum clarity and accessibility. Discover how to enhance the way users interact with your app even when presenting custom views, or drawing complex UI.
Drawing
Udemy - Graduation: Dec 2018
The hands-on course walks trough different techniques how to create advanced art that will stand up as professional work.
Presentation Skills in English
ES Bulgaria - Graduation: Oct 2018 30.10.18/1137
This presentation skills course is aimed at non-native speakers of English seeking to improve their ability to present clearly and effectively in English. It helps with developing the necessary language and presentation skills to express your ideas as well as techniques for the effective structuring of a speech. Tips and tricks are provided how to tackle issues such as using visual aids, cultural influences, body language and creating rapport.
Sketching for UX Designers
Udemy - Graduation: Feb 2018 UC-HZUMG6R0
Learn how to boost your UX design workflow with sketching user interfaces, animations and story-boarding.
UX Research for Apps
Udemy - Graduation: Nov 2017 UC-NY2UGQ6T
How do you design apps that connect with customers and get them excited?
Agile Software Development: Scrum Methodology
Udemy - Graduation: Mar 2017
Overview of Agile Project Management methodology called Scrum. It's organized as training and the idea is to prepare for the Scrum Master Certification. After taking the course, I had multiple SCRUM Open Assessments sessions with 100% score.
UX Design Fundamentals
Udemy - Graduation: Jul 2016 UC-5DL7X50D
This dynamic course guided me through the critical elements of user experience -- strategy, scope, structure, skeleton and surface.
iPhone Interface Design
Udemy - Graduation: Nov 2014 UC-BUWTQ7J5
Essentially the idea is to learn how to create an "attention" to your iPhone design. Some insights about mobile design and how to polish everything related to mobile. Getting real expression of the whole process - from prototypes to the "living" images.
JavaScript
IT-Academy.bg (2 Months) - Graduation: Jun 2014
My favorite and one of the strangest languages out there. I wanted to hear about the JavaScript from someone who is deeply involved in building apps, mainly using JS. Now I believe that Hristo Chakarov was the right choice. I learned some really useful practices and techniques.
Web Design
MMSoft (3 Months) - Graduation: Nov 2008
This course was the turning point of my "career", if we can talk about career at this time. At least it was really good start and changed my thinking when we talk about web. Well maybe it sounds a bit grandiose, but it really gave me the direction I needed.
Work Experience
Information Services JSC
Engineering Manager • Mobile - Dec 2021 - Current
In the beginning my role is to build native mobile team from scratch. So, I’m hiring 🚀 I will be also taking care of the iOS development tasks 🍎 until I hire iOS engineers 👀
Opto Smart Solutions • part-time
Product Designer • Mobile - Oct 2021 - Dec 2021
I helped a friend to bring the UX of the optometry mobile app to the next level. I think the mission was successful ✅
VMware
Engineering Manager • Mobile - Apr 2021 - Oct 2021
I was managing a small squad of iOS engineers responsible for delivering features/support for arguably the most secure email client on the market 🤯
i:FAO, an Amadeus Group Company
Engineering Manager • Mobile - Aug 2015 - Mar 2021
Managing the Mobile team that delivers native apps for Android and iOS. I was also responsible for Docker Swarm powered backend. One of the most challenging jobs but at the same time I managed to grow a lot 🙌🏻
IT-Academy.bg • part-time
Lecturer Cryptocurrencies Essentials - Feb 2018
One day course explaining the technology behind cryptocurrencies as well as what is forking and mining. More details are provided for crypto wallets, what is crypto trading and what are the different types of strategies when it comes to trading.
New Horizons Bulgaria • part-time
Lecturer @ UniCredit Bulbank - Dec 2017
One day course/workshop related to Mobile Applications Management. I shared my hands-on experience about the following key topics: idea validation, value of user personas, design principles, building MVP, go to market and metrics assessment.
IT-Academy.bg • part-time
Lecturer HTML(5) / CSS(3) - 1st Edition: Jan 2015 - Feb 2015, 2nd Edition: Apr 2015 - Jun 2015
This was something totally new for me, but when I got the invitation, I've never considered the option to decline it. I wanted to extend my communication skills and to try to impart my knowledge and experience to the students. In first place, I had some doubts about the final result, but it really worked out. The feedback was positive and this fact makes me happy.
i:FAO, an Amadeus Group Company
User Experience Designer • Mobile - Jan 2015 - Jul 2015
Started as backup UX designer for the cytric Mobile app and in one month took over all activities related to our Android and iOS app.
i:FAO, an Amadeus Group Company
Front-end Developer - Aug 2011 - Dec 2014
Implementing UIs for i:FAO's main product cytric Travel & Expense as well as for some internal apps.
RSS Ltd
Web Developer / Administrator - Jul 2010 - Jul 2011
Simply said, One-Man Show, when we talk about the company's e-shop.
GFK Bulgaria
Online Survey Developer - Aug 2009 - Nov 2009
All day long dealing with Online Surveys based on HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
Pro Studio Ltd
HTML/CSS Developer - Jul 2008 - Oct 2008
Slicing and coding already approved designs. Of course my activities were limited to HTML/CSS, because at that time, JavaScript was beyond my knowledge.
Events
Firebase Remote Config
28 Nov 2019 - Work & Share Co-working Space, Sofia, Bulgaria
How to better control your app behavior using Firebase Remote Config.
Beer.js Meetup
27 Feb 2019 - Kanaal, Sofia, Bulgaria
Web apps best practices. Open discussion with JS architects and developers.
Digital Product UX
11 Mar 2018 - Betahaus, Sofia, Bulgaria
Presentation and discussion about Mastering the end-to-end Customer Experience.
Web Summit 2017
06 - 09 Nov 2017 - Lisbon, Portugal
This is the largest tech conference in the world with more than 60k attendees and 1200+ speakers. It was intriguing to meet a lot of interesting people who are working on various products/ideas.
User Experience Workshop
23 Dec 2016 - Online @ GiveGoodUX.com
It's an online workshop that addresses three critical questions that have to be asked before starting developing new product or feature. (1) What's worth doing? (2) What we are creating? and (3) What value does it provide?
How.Camp 2016 - #JS and #UX Workshops
21 Feb 2016 - Betahaus, Sofia, Bulgaria
Useful workshops on User Experience and Java Script by world famous instructors: Sebastian Witalec (Angular2 + NativeScript), Dory Zidon (Ember.js), Anna Dahlstrom (Storytelling for multi-device design) and Danielle Reid (From concept to MVP).
Balkan Business Analysis 2015
07 October 2015 - Belgrade, Serbia
Balkan Business Analysis Conference has been established with the goal to advance profession by providing an opportunity for regional IIBA Chapter members as well as wider audience from businesses and government to share experiences and know-how in the field of Business Analysis.
Skills
Professional Skills
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Leadership
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Communication
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Creativity
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Drawing
Software Skills
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Adobe Experience Design (Xd)
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Sketch
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Adobe Photoshop (Ps)
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Android Studio, xCode, Visual Studio Code
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Adobe Illustrator (Ai)
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Principle
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Rotato
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Framer X
Code Skills
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HTML / CSS / JS
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Swift
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Dart
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Java, Kotlin (Android SDK)
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Objective-C
Frameworks Skills
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Bootstrap / Foundation
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SwiftUI
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Flutter
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WordPress
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React Native
Interests
UX
User Experience is my passion, because it encompasses not only the interaction with the product, but all aspects of the end-user's interaction with the company and its additional services. Plus, not only the user's needs have to be met, but the business' too.
New Techs
I am always excited to explore new technologies. It helps me to stick to the newest trends in both mobile and web.
Football
This is the way of switching myself off the reality and to 'refresh' my mind. In the same time, it helps me to get inspired for new ideas.
Craft Beer
Beer is great, we can all agree on that, so for fun I am tasting and reviewing beers from microbreweries. Once, someone said: "Anyone can drink beer, but it takes intelligence to enjoy beer."