Meet Vašek, our talented Data Engineer. In this interview, you’ll learn why he changed careers, what attracted him to work at LOGEX, what role he plays, and what he’s currently working on. Vašek also shares what motivates him and his hobbies outside of work. Get inspired by his story!
Vašek, tell us to start – how long have you been working at LOGEX?
A year and a month.
Do you remember how you joined us and what attracted you to work at LOGEX?
In my previous job, I decided to leave because I wanted to work on a product rather than in a consulting role. I was looking for something that made more sense to me. I came across a job ad from LOGEX – I was intrigued by healthcare as a domain, the company’s own product, and the opportunity to be one of only three data engineers at the Czech branch. The challenge of building things from scratch really appealed to me. The hiring process was quick and straightforward, and I knew early on that it was the right fit.
Fun fact – the job ad originally said the position was in Prague. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have found it at all, so it was a lucky coincidence. Even though I like Brno and I’m actually happy now to go there regularly, to be honest, it wouldn’t have been my first choice. 😊
How would you describe your role as a Data Engineer to someone who’s never heard of it?
In general, Data Engineers have two main responsibilities: managing data (its quality, storage, and availability) and transforming and transferring it between different systems. At LOGEX, I focus on data transfers, creating libraries for developers, and data modeling for a new platform.
You mentioned a new platform – do you mean the Nightingale Data Platform?
Exactly. It’s named after Florence Nightingale, the first well-known nurse.
It’s a unified system for how we work with data at LOGEX – it’s meant to be a bridge between us and our clients. The goal is to create a scalable product with a unified data foundation. This makes onboarding new clients fast and simple. It also streamlines the development and management of all products across the company.
(Editor’s note: You can read more about the Nightingale Data Platform here.)
How many people work on it, and what does the team look like?
There are nine data engineers split into two parallel teams. Alongside us, we have a Product Owner and a Scrum Master. Around 30 people from various GDA (Global Data & Analytics) teams contribute to the platform’s development. What’s unique about our team is that we’re new and building many things from the ground up in a dynamic environment. It’s a kind of controlled chaos – but in the best possible way.
What are you working on right now?
We recently finished an important pipeline. Right now, I’m focusing on data modeling and developing libraries that will be used in future pipelines.
What technologies do you use most often?
The foundation is Python. We often use frameworks like Polars and PySpark, and
we have internal libraries for local development and data processing automation.
I spend about half my time improving the libraries and the rest on other tasks.
What’s great at LOGEX is that you can really choose whether you want to lean more towards software development (focusing on library creation) or classic data engineering – it depends on what you enjoy.
How did you become a Data Engineer?
It was a bit of a detour. I’ve always loved math and originally worked on simulations of airflow around aircraft. But then a friend showed me that a program did everything for him, and suddenly it didn’t feel as interesting or motivating anymore. So I decided to learn how to program. I enjoyed it and quickly found meaning in it. And now, it’s not only my job but also my hobby.
What do you enjoy and find most motivating about your work?
I enjoy the space we have to create and experiment. It’s easy to take ownership of things, and that’s very motivating. We divide the work based on what people enjoy and what they want to focus on. I believe that leads to long-term improvement – people grow in areas they care about. My biggest motivation? Building something that has real impact. Ideally, something that lasts and maybe even becomes the best in the world.
Candidates often meet you during interviews. What made you get involved in that?
Having the chance to influence who you work with is great. You can’t do everything alone, so being able to help choose a future teammate also shapes how the team functions.
You also learn a lot from others – it helps broaden your own horizons. 🙂
And I wanted to improve my communication and presentation skills.
You're also part of LOGEX Voices. Can you tell us what that’s about?
The idea is to share what we do at LOGEX and what it's like to work here. People often associate the name LOGEX with logistics or trucks, not healthcare – and that needs to change. The Brno office has around 80 people, so we’re a sizable company with a real product doing interesting work. And that deserves to be talked about. 🙂
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I walk a lot. I cover over 300 km a month on foot.
And I travel. I’d recommend the "Peaks of the Balkans" trail – I did it in 6 days.
Or Wisconsin, which I think is quite similar to Florida but with more beautiful nature. And in the Czech Republic, northern Bohemia – stunning trails without the crowds.
I also practice grappling (editor’s note: a wrestling discipline that combines elements of jiu-jitsu, judo, wrestling, and sambo).
Why are you at LOGEX – and what do you think might attract new colleagues?
It’s a place for ambitious people who aren’t afraid of responsibility.
Do you have any plans for the summer?
I’d like to cross the Alps in the spirit of Karel Hynek Mácha, and I’m also planning a trek in Kyrgyzstan.
And finally – tea or coffee?
Definitely tea. I even went all the way to Japan for it!
