The Trap of "Just Code"
Early in my career, I thought software engineering was about syntax. I thought if I wrote the cleanest React component or the most optimized SQL query, I had done my job.
I was wrong.
Engineering without context is just typing. The real work—the work that matters—happens at the intersection of systems (what we build) and signals (how we measure reality).
Systems: The Economic Layer
Every piece of software exists within an economic system. When I built ERP modules, the challenge wasn't just "storing data"—it was ensuring data integrity because that data represented someone's livelihood.
When I optimized a platform for 100K+ users, the goal wasn't "high Lighthouse scores"—it was reducing friction so that transactions could happen. Performance is an economic feature.
If we ignore the incentives driving the users, we build fragile systems.
Signals: The Data Layer
This is why I pivoted deeper into Data Science. I realized that building the system is only half the battle. You need to know if it's working.
- Predictive Analytics isn't magic; it's about asking the right questions early enough to change the outcome.
- Federated Learning isn't just cool tech; it's a response to the growing need for privacy. It allows us to learn from data without owning it.
The Synthesis
My philosophy is simple: Build secure, performant systems. Measure them with rigorous data. Respect the human context.
That’s what "Systems & Signals" means to me. It’s about being a full-stack engineer who doesn't stop at the code, but looks at the entire ecosystem—from the database schema to the user's economic reality.