CUSTOMER   ENGAGEMENT
PRODUCT   DELIVERY
ENGINEERING   MANAGEMENT
AI   ADOPTION
Max Kitaygora

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Business is not between companies or teams; it's between people.

My Principles

  • Customer Obsession. Focus on what truly matters to customers and create lasting value.
  • Trust is non-negotiable. Your word is your bond.
  • Empowered Delegation. Delegate authority, but own the responsibility.
  • The Power of One. One step each day moves you closer to the goal.
  • Celebrate Individuality. Don't change people; empower their strengths.

WHAT I BRING

  • I align teams to real goals. Whether it's speed, quality, cost, or customer satisfaction, I tailor execution to the objective and ensure teams deliver with focus and precision.
  • I speak everyone's language. From C-level executives to engineers, sales, and marketing, I translate across functions to align priorities and drive results.
  • I close strategic deals. I've successfully negotiated and closed 7- and 8-figure contracts, managing complex enterprise deals and long-term partnerships.
  • I build and scale teams. From 4 to 300+ engineers, I've built distributed, cross-functional teams focused on collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
  • I deliver. Cloud, on-prem, IoT, Fintech, Hospitality, Retail, VoIP — I'm not the expert in everything, but I know how to lead the right people to deliver the right outcome.

WHAT I DON'T DO

  • I don't micromanage. I empower teams to own their work. Micromanagement is a last resort — it erodes trust, slows progress, and stifles growth.
  • I don't overpromise. I set clear, realistic expectations to build credibility and deliver consistent results. Overpromising breaks trust and puts teams in impossible positions.
  • I don't waste time or budget. I push back on unnecessary complexity. I've seen both sides: engineers over-engineering, and customers demanding too much, too soon. I know how to find the balance — because our job is to make customers happy. And by "customers," I mean end users, executives, investors, and internal stakeholders alike.
  • I don't ignore data. Decisions should be grounded in evidence, not assumptions. I rely on metrics, customer insights, and team feedback to guide direction and course-correct when needed.
  • I don't tolerate silos. Cross-functional collaboration is essential in complex organizations. I break down barriers, encourage transparency, and ensure alignment across teams.

My Career Journey

My career in software engineering began in my third year of university, when I joined a team building a real-time disaster diagnostic system using acoustic-emission technology to detect structural failures. It was my first experience applying software to real-world problems—and a turning point that sparked a lasting passion for innovation and impact.

Since 1996, I've worked across the U.S. and Europe, delivering solutions for both high-tech enterprises and ambitious startups. With over 25 years in software engineering and two decades focused on technical leadership, I've helped organizations design scalable architectures, launch new products, and build high-performing, cross-functional teams.

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My family

Family photo

My family is my strongest source of support, backing me in both my personal and professional endeavors. They play a key role in motivating me to push forward, helping me strive for continuous improvement and new accomplishments.

My family is my strongest source of support, backing me in both my personal and professional endeavors. They play a key role in motivating me to push forward, helping me strive for continuous improvement and new accomplishments.

Meet the family ...