I'm Ilona Zaika. Software Engineer based in the UK.

I specialise in full-stack development with a focus on scalable systems and user experience. Over the years, I’ve worked across startups, product companies, outsourcing, and independent consulting - building software in different domains. My experience ranges from small teams of 3–6 people to large distributed organisations of 120+ engineers. Along the way, I’ve participated in international hackathons, spoken at conferences, and continued to grow through both technical and personal challenges. You can find my full CV here ilonazaika.github.io/ilona.zaika.

After more than 14 years in tech, I realised that my interest extends beyond technology itself. I’m equally interested in the people behind it - how teams grow, how careers evolve, how trust and communication shape great engineering cultures, and what leadership means in practice.

Today, my focus is not only on becoming a stronger engineer, but also on developing the human side of technology: mentoring, communication, personal leadership. Especially in the age of AI, being human feels more valuable than ever.

This blog is a space where I explore technology, career growth, leadership, and the thinking behind building a meaningful life in tech. If you’re someone who thinks beyond the code, welcome.