Denys L.

Background

About Denys L.

Engineering leader with 20+ years building scalable web applications and leading high-performing teams in fintech and payments. Currently directing engineering for Upwork's Payments Experience & Tax Platform, serving millions of users globally across 190+ countries. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS: Led engineering teams through 4+ years of payments platform evolution at Upwork Architected front-end systems supporting billions in transaction volume Built and scaled engineering teams from individual contributor to director level (3→15+ engineers) Expert in translating complex business requirements into technical solutions Delivered critical EU regulatory compliance (DAC7, GDPR, VAT) ensuring market access Proven track record in AI/ML integration, payment optimization, and cross-border fintech solutions Spearheaded digital transformation initiatives across enterprise-scale, high-growth environments using Agile and DevOps methodologies GLOBAL LEADERSHIP: Fluent in Ukrainian, English, and Russian - enabling effective communication with diverse international teams, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies across Eastern Europe, North America, and CIS markets. REMOTE-FIRST LEADERSHIP: Portland-based with 8+ years managing distributed, global engineering teams across multiple time zones. Expert in building high-performing remote cultures and delivering complex technical projects with international stakeholders. PERSONAL INTERESTS: Passionate about home automation (Home Assistant ecosystem), self-hosting infrastructure (Docker, Debian, UniFi, Synology), hardware prototyping, and photography. Weekend woodworking enthusiast and avid gamer across multiple platforms. Open to strategic leadership opportunities in fintech, payments, and regulatory technology.