In the fast-paced world of esports data, building robust and scalable systems is no small task. Today, we’re diving into the heart of GRID’s Data Platform Core team with Wiktor Krzyżanowski, one of our software engineers whose journey took him from medical imaging to the world of esports data. Wiktor shares his unique path, the challenges of handling diverse game data, and more about the passion that drives innovation at GRID.
1. What motivated you to become a software engineer, and what excites you most about being part of the Data Platform Core team at GRID?
My journey to becoming a software engineer had a few unexpected plot twists.
As a child, I spent countless hours in front of a computer – mostly gaming – but my first exposure to programming in primary school sparked a deep curiosity about how it all worked. I experimented with coding, though without spectacular results at first.
For years, I saw myself as a doctor, drawn by my desire to help others. I pursued studies at the Medical University of Warsaw and became a radiographer, working with diagnostic imaging technologies like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. But then, one conversation changed everything. A friend studying computer science shared his experiences as a software engineer, and suddenly, my childhood curiosity reignited. The very next day, I Googled, “What is Java?” – and that was the beginning of a whole new chapter. After months of self-learning, I decided to pursue a second degree in software engineering (in parallel with my master’s degree at a medical university). I haven’t looked back since.
If I had to sum up what motivated me in one word, it would be curiosity – and it’s still what drives me today.
As for what excites me about being part of the Data Platform Core team at GRID? The opportunity to tackle complex challenges every day, surrounded by an incredible team of supportive and highly skilled professionals. It’s a place where I can grow, contribute, and be continuously inspired.
2. If you could explain your work on the DP Core team to a non-technical friend, how would you describe it?
“We’re the nerdy geeks working behind the scenes at the heart of GRID’s ecosystem” – that’s the first thing that comes to my mind! But let me break it down.
The Data Platform Core team is responsible for a wide range of tasks, from integrating static esports data about tournaments, teams, and players to ensuring the security of our products. We also build programmatic tools for data analysis and support our data scientists in creating pre-game predictions.
In simple terms, we collect esports data from various game titles, standardize it in a title-agnostic way, and make it easily accessible. This allows our internal teams to create stunning visualizations and enables our customers to consume the data efficiently through our APIs (which, in non-tech terms, are interfaces that let different systems communicate with each other).
3. In your experience, what’s the biggest technical challenge in building robust and scalable systems for esports data?
The biggest challenge in building scalable esports data systems is handling the diversity of data formats across different game titles. Each game has unique APIs, schemas, and event types, requiring a flexible architecture to normalize and process data consistently. Scalability is another major hurdle – especially during high-stakes tournaments – where real-time processing, consistency, and reliability are critical.
To address this, we build a title-agnostic system with modular pipelines, standardized data models, and robust validation mechanisms. This not only ensures performance at scale but also unlocks deeper insights and enhances fan engagement.
4. How do you stay on top of the latest advancements in software engineering, and how have you applied them to your work at GRID?
Being a software engineer is a lifelong journey. The deeper you dive, the more you realize how much there is still to learn – especially in an industry that evolves at lightning speed. Whether tackling a new challenge at work or exploring the latest breakthrough technology, continuous learning is the key to staying ahead.
For me, staying up to date means regularly reading industry articles, following thought leaders, and taking online courses that allow me to learn at my own pace. This constant pursuit of knowledge has helped me become a valuable contributor to the Data Platform Core team, enabling me to bring fresh perspectives and informed solutions to the challenges we face every day.
5. When you’re not immersed in code, what’s a hobby or interest that helps you unplug and recharge?
As a tech enthusiast, I love immersing myself in all things technology-related – but when it’s time to unplug, I turn to sports. Whether running through the streets of Warsaw, carving down the sunlit slopes of the Dolomites, or swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean, staying active keeps me energized. Running is my go-to, and I’m proud to have completed a few half-marathons. The full marathon? It’s still a mental challenge I haven’t tackled – yet!
Look out for the next edition of Meet the Team!
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