About me

Hello! I'm Marcelo Santos, a dedicated father and hands-on technical leader with over 20 years of experience transforming ideas into reality through scalable and high-impact systems.

I'm a hands-on technical leader who makes things happen. I drive initiatives from conception to delivery and maintenance, getting my hands dirty. My focus is to be a force multiplier—mentoring others and leading by example to deliver high-impact scalable solutions, while shaping the direction of engineering practices and systems.

Let's Talk?

I love exchanging ideas about technology, software architecture, career, or any related topic. If you want to chat:

  • LinkedIn: /in/marcelsud
  • Talks: Always open to sharing knowledge at events

What I do

  • Architect and Execute

    I design, build, and guide the implementation of complex systems that are scalable, reliable, and secure. I actively contribute code and ensure architectural decisions are reflected in real-world implementations.

  • Maintain Technical Excellence

    I elevate engineering standards and practices, focusing on high-quality, sustainable code and resilient systems. I play a key role in defining and applying technical direction.

  • Solve Ambiguous Problems

    I dive into undefined challenges, create clarity, and drive high-impact solutions aligned with strategic objectives. I thrive in complexity and enjoy turning challenges into opportunities.

  • Mentor and Influence

    I provide hands-on guidance to engineers through production code, code reviews, architecture discussions, and technical leadership. I promote a culture of continuous learning, curiosity, and knowledge sharing.

  • AI Integration and Automation

    I leverage advanced tools and AI-based technologies to automate workflows, optimize productivity, and drive innovation in engineering processes.

Featured Projects

Throughout my career, I've worked on innovative projects that made real impact:

Panoptes - Banco BV

Large-scale Event-Driven Architecture Transformation

I led the complete implementation of Event-Driven Architecture, coordinating 8+ multidisciplinary teams and training dozens of engineers. The transactional events platform revolutionized organizational data processing.

🎯 Business Impact
Significant increase in conversion rates through real-time insights and hyper-personalization of financial products.

Key contributions:

  • Large-scale EDA architecture transforming data processing
  • Strategic coordination of teams: Infrastructure, Platform Engineering, Data, Security, Architecture
  • Technical training with Confluent certifications and hands-on Apache Kafka workshops

Kronos - Banco BV

Composable Architecture for financial products

I architected and led the Kronos platform based on Composable Architecture, building 30+ modular Packaged Business Capabilities (PBCs) for credit products. I influenced the bank's technology strategy by promoting modularity and reuse.

⚡ Operational Efficiency
Significant reduction in financial product launch time with modular architecture allowing isolated changes without ecosystem impact.

Key contributions:

  • Modular architecture with 30+ independent and reusable PBCs
  • Discoverability patterns accelerating feature development
  • Innovation culture with training and workshops on Composable Business

Minespider Protocol - Minespider

Blockchain protocol for mineral traceability with global impact

I architected and implemented pioneering blockchain protocol translating whitepaper into functional platform. I developed Ethereum smart contracts and coordinated multidisciplinary team to create certification system with global regulatory compliance.

🌍 Global Recognition
First blockchain project recognized in the Responsible Minerals Initiative, influencing global guidelines and enabling transparent certification of critical metals by major industry players.

Key contributions:

  • Whitepaper translation into functional protocol for decentralized traceability
  • Ethereum smart contracts focusing on immutability and interoperability
  • Regulatory compliance with Responsible Minerals Initiative and EU/US regulations

What I bring to the table

  • Proven Technical Expertise

    20+ years of hands-on experience in software engineering, specializing in systems design, distributed systems, and building high-scale, high-availability services. Proven experience as a technical leader, driving projects from concept to delivery and influencing engineering direction across teams.

  • Hands-On Mindset

    I'm not just an architect—I'm a builder. I write and review code, solve problems at the fundamental level, and remain deeply involved in technical execution.

  • Problem Solving and Adaptability

    Strong problem-solving skills and comfort with ambiguity. I adapt quickly to ever-changing technical and business scenarios, focusing on finding the best solutions.

  • Leadership and Mentoring

    Experience mentoring engineers, leading by example, promoting technical growth, and helping teams scale their skills and impact.

  • Complex Architecture Expertise

    Deep expertise in service-oriented architectures and managing complexity in large-scale systems.

  • Global Communication

    Excellent communication skills, able to translate complex technical concepts into clear and actionable insights for engineers, product managers, and stakeholders. Fluent in English, with 10+ years collaborating with multinational teams across four different continents, enabling effective communication in diverse global environments.

  • Advanced AI and Automation

    Advanced experience with AI and automation tools, leveraging them to optimize development, increase efficiency, and multiply impact across teams.

Experience and Industries

My journey of over 20 years includes:

  • Diverse sectors: Banking, fintech, e-commerce, blockchain, supply chain
  • Professional evolution: From senior engineer to software architect and technical leader
  • Global collaboration: Experience with distributed teams across multiple continents

Education

  • Computer Science - Descomplica Uniamérica (2021-2025)
  • English: Bilingual fluency with international experience

Sharing Knowledge

I write on this blog about topics that interest me and that I believe can help other developers:

  • Event-Driven Architecture and modern patterns
  • Lessons learned in banking and blockchain projects
  • Reflections on AI in software development
  • Composable architectures and digital transformation