Jan Drabner is a seasoned software engineer and programmer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. Based in Tampere, Europe, he has established himself as a versatile professional, adept in a multitude of programming languages and software development disciplines. His unique background as a qualified game designer further enriches his approach to software engineering, allowing him to blend creative design principles with technical expertise.
Throughout his career, Jan has demonstrated a commitment to continuous learning and adaptability. He is proficient in languages such as C/C++, Python, and JavaScript, and has extensive experience with both relational and non-relational databases, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, Redis, and MongoDB. His skill set also encompasses modern frameworks and tools like Flutter/Dart for rapid user interface development, as well as a variety of integrated development environments (IDEs) such as the JetBrains suite, Visual Studio, and Qt Creator.
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Since 2013, Jan has been working as a freelancer and consultant, engaging in a wide array of projects that span backend and frontend development, cross-platform porting, video encoding, game engine integration, and data visualization. His roles have included serving as a consultant for Etteplan and its clients, where he supported software teams across diverse platforms and technologies, ranging from embedded development with C and Asterisk to 3D development and browser-based applications using Python and JavaScript. Notably, from April 2023 to September 2024, he contributed to SMS Group as part of an Etteplan team supporting Andritz software development, utilizing C++ and C# to maintain and develop various codebases, human-machine interfaces (HMIs), backends, model calculations, and reporting systems.
Jan’s professional journey also includes significant roles such as a C++/Qt/Video Encoding/Backend/Generalist Developer at boom.tv from May 2016 to June 2021, where he worked on user software development, video capturing and encoding, and integration with streaming services like Mixer, Twitch, and YouTube. He also developed backend services for Discord integration and tournament bots, employing technologies such as Python, Node.js, and CSS. Additionally, he has experience as a backend developer at zipstrr GmbH, a lecturer at institutions like the School for Games and Games Academy, and as a technical director for Flash and Engine at Zoobe Message Entertainment.
Beyond his technical roles, Jan has contributed to the open-source community, notably serving as the MinGW maintainer for the Ogre 3D engine from July 2012 to September 2015. In this capacity, he ensured compatibility of the engine with the GCC compiler for Windows, supported the development team with various tasks, and provided assistance on official forums and the Ogre wiki.
Jan’s educational background includes studies in Game Design and 3D Programming at the Games Academy from 2008 to 2010. His interests outside of professional work encompass gaming, programming as a hobby, music appreciation, consumption of digital media, and language learning, with a current focus on achieving proficiency in Finnish.
In summary, Jan Drabner is a dedicated and adaptable software engineer whose extensive experience and diverse skill set have enabled him to successfully navigate and contribute to various facets of the software development industry. His blend of technical proficiency, creative design insight, and commitment to continuous learning positions him as a valuable asset in any development endeavor.
