Software Engineer • Tech Lead • Cloud

Hi, I'm João Prates.

Senior Software Engineer & Tech Lead building cloud-native systems, developer tools, and productivity platforms. Currently focused on microservices, event-driven architectures and high-impact financial products.

View projects About me

Cloud & Architecture

Azure, microservices, event-driven, CI/CD

Full-Stack Engineering

Java, Spring Boot, Node.js, TypeScript, React

At a glance

• Tech Lead in large-scale financial systems and modernization initiatives.
• Experience with cloud migration, legacy integration and event-driven workflows.
• Building tools for mock interviews, financial planning and productivity.
• Preparing for big tech interviews and competitive exams while keeping a solid routine.

Currently exploring opportunities that connect software engineering, cloud and finance — and building my own ecosystem of tools along the way.

Java · Spring Boot · Node.js · TypeScriptAzure · Microservices · Event-driven

What I focus on

Architecture, engineering and systems that last.

I enjoy connecting strong technical foundations with real-world business impact — especially in financial systems, developer tools and productivity platforms.

Cloud & Architecture

Designing cloud-native systems with microservices, EDA, API gateways, monitoring and observability.

AzureMicroservicesEDACI/CD

Full-Stack Engineering

Building robust backends and clean frontends with Java, Spring, Node.js, TypeScript and modern frameworks.

JavaSpring BootNode.jsTypeScriptReact/Next

Developer Tools & Productivity

Creating tools for mock interviews, salary calculations, study routines and financial control.

Mock InterviewsProductivityDev ToolsFinance

Projects & Platforms

Building an ecosystem, not just isolated apps.

These projects represent how I think about software: products that are useful, well-architected and connected to real pain points from developers and everyday life.

DevMock Platform

In active development

Mock interview platform focused on big tech style interviews, with scheduling, profiles, ranking and feedback.

Role: Architecture · Backend · Frontend

JavaSpring BootNode.js BFFTypeScriptMicroservices

View more soon↗

CLT ↔ PJ Salary Calculator

Internal tool / WIP

Advanced calculator to compare CLT and PJ scenarios, taxes and real net income, built for Brazilian devs.

Role: Product · Backend · Frontend

Next.jsNode.jsTypeScript

View more soon↗

Productivity Hub

Experimental

Personal productivity platform that mirrors my real routine: BUJO, study dashboards, goals and weekly tracking.

Role: Design · Architecture · Frontend

Next.jsAPIsAnalytics

View more soon↗

Financial Control Toolkit

Private

Tools to manage debts, simulate scenarios, study exits and decisions — connecting spreadsheets, rules and automation.

Role: Architecture · Modeling

Node.jsAPIsSpreadsheets

View more soon↗

About me

A mix of engineering, structure and long-term thinking.

I'm João, a Brazilian Software Engineer and Tech Lead with a strong focus on cloud-native architectures, financial systems and developer experience. Over the years, I've moved across different areas — from telecom and infrastructure to backend, full-stack and technical leadership.

I like roles where I can understand the business deeply, design solid solutions and still be close to the code. I enjoy dealing with real constraints: legacy systems, risk, performance, teams with different seniority levels and tight deadlines.

Outside of work, I'm also very intentional about studying, building my own tools and structuring my life — from financial planning to study tracking and preparing for competitive exams and interviews.

This website is the central place where I connect my technical work, side projects, study journey and personal interests into one coherent story.

Quick snapshot

Current role: Senior Software Engineer & Tech Lead
Focus areas: Cloud, microservices, financial systems, Dev Tools
Tech stack: Java, Spring, Node.js, TypeScript, React, SQL/NoSQL
Currently working on: Mock interview platform, salary calculators, study and financial tools
Parallel goals: Preparing for competitive exams and long-term international opportunities

Books & ideas

A few books that shaped how I think about work and life.

I don't just read for inspiration — I read to adjust my systems: how I study, how I work, how I design software and how I structure my days.

Clean Architecture

Robert C. Martin

Helped reinforce how boundaries, separation of concerns and use cases shape a system that survives change.

Designing Data-Intensive Applications

Martin Kleppmann

Deepened my understanding of data flows, consistency and trade-offs when designing large-scale systems.

Deep Work

Cal Newport

Aligned with my own experience of focused study cycles, sprints and deliberate practice for exams and tech prep.

Atomic Habits

James Clear

Reinforced the idea that small, consistent systems and routines beat motivation in the long run.

Outside the editor

The habits that keep my head clear and my systems sustainable.

I see life as a long-term project. Training, cooking, reading and structuring things on paper (or screens) are all part of how I stay grounded and make better decisions.

Training & physical preparation

Balancing tech work with physical conditioning, focusing on routines that support exams, TAF and long-term health.

Cooking & experiments in the kitchen

I enjoy cooking as a way to disconnect, test new recipes and pay attention to details in a different context.

Systems, planning & notebooks

Bullet journals, dashboards, spreadsheets and tools — I like turning complex goals into clear, trackable systems.

Games, tech and exploration

From classic games to new tools and frameworks, I like exploring systems, rules and how things are built under the hood.

Trajectory

A path that connects infrastructure, code, architecture and systems thinking.

Early career

Telecom & infrastructure

First contact with large systems, reliability concerns and how critical infrastructure behaves under pressure.

Transition

Backend & full-stack development

Moved into software development, working with Java, APIs, databases and frontends for real-world products.

Leadership

Tech Lead & architecture

Coordinating squads, aligning stakeholders and making architectural decisions in financial systems.

Now

Building my own ecosystem

Creating tools for developers, financial control and study workflows — while preparing for big tech and public exams.

The next steps connect tech leadership, finance and international opportunities — while keeping strong roots and discipline.

Systems & productivity

I don't chase motivation — I design systems.

My productivity stack is a combination of bullet journals, digital dashboards, custom tools and weekly reviews. It's not about doing more, but about doing what matters, consistently.

Study systems

Dashboards, question tracking, spaced repetition and weekly reviews to prepare for exams and technical interviews.

Financial planning

Simulating scenarios, tracking debts and decisions, and using tools I build myself to keep a realistic long-term view.

Weekly sprints

Breaking goals into weekly sprints with clear priorities, reflections and adjustments.

Tooling & automation

Connecting notes, spreadsheets and custom tools to reduce friction and keep decisions grounded in data.

Contact

Let's talk about systems, products or opportunities.

If you want to discuss a project, an opportunity, a collaboration or just exchange ideas about architecture, productivity and long-term planning — feel free to reach out.

Direct contacts

Email: joaoprates.dev@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dev-joaoprates/
GitHub: github.com/joaoprates