From Ukraine to Switzerland: Iurii’s 13 years at EPAM from Software Engineer to Solution Architect

Meet Iurii Bura, Head of Solution Architecture and Technology Consulting at EPAM Switzerland. 
Iurii’s story is nothing short of a tech enthusiast’s dream come true: his 13-year-long adventure with EPAM has taken him from coding games to architecting solutions in countries including Ukraine and Switzerland, with a game-changing pitstop in China. Here’s how he navigated these shifts and shaped his career at EPAM. 

From His First Computer to Entrepreneurial Ventures

"This tale might seem ancient, as I've been on the EPAM journey for over 13 years now, and the details are a bit hazy to recall," Iurii jokes as he begins telling us about the path that led him here.

His fascination with the tech world started early with a computer he received from relatives as a gift. This early exposure sparked a deep interest in technology, leading him to explore how computers work and, eventually, programming. Iurii's initial dream was to develop games, and he pursued this passion both independently and professionally within the game development industry. His commitment to this passion led him to write a book on game development in JavaScript, filling a gap in available resources.

Transition from Independent Studio Owner to EPAM's Dynamic Tech Environment 

As his career progressed, Iurii experimented with creating his small studio alongside friends. They operated a small software company, taking on various projects and even hiring additional staff. Despite the initial success and the thrill of entrepreneurship, the instability of project continuity and the demanding lifestyle led Iurii to seek more stable opportunities. When discussing his transition to EPAM, Iurii remarked, "Moving from my studio to EPAM’s more diverse technology landscape required a swift adaptation. Initially, I thought corporate life would be rather straightforward compared to the startup environment, but I soon appreciated that engaging in first-class, complex projects requires being around other people who are equally driven to innovate."

Lead Developer and Community Leader at EPAM

In his role as Lead Java Developer at EPAM, Iurii significantly enhanced his technical skills and learned to manage large-scale software projects, setting the stage for his subsequent roles. "I realized that the level of engineering I could achieve in my start-up was limited compared to what was possible here at EPAM. Despite doing more at the studio, it often felt casual and trivial. Instead, I found a rich menu of challenging projects and a community of experts who understand technology on a deeper level.”

At EPAM, Iurii also had the chance to cultivate his passion for community-building and knowledge-sharing when organizing the Software Engineering Conference in 2014 to foster a community of developers and tech enthusiasts. This initiative reinforced EPAM’s dedication to continuous learning and community engagement and established the company as a technology leader in Eastern Europe. "Organizing the conference was a tremendous experience, offering a platform for professionals to exchange insights, debate ideas and expand technological possibilities." 

New Beginnings: A Bold Move to China

Iurii Bura took up a pivotal geographical and professional journey when he moved to China with his family in 2014. Assigned to spearhead the expansion of EPAM’s operations into the Asia-Pacific region through the acquisition of another company, his role was to infuse EPAM's culture and develop its business and personnel in the newly established branch. Iurii noted, "China was the next big thing for EPAM, and that was huge. I saw that as a thrilling adventure and a great opportunity for me to explore a whole new world. It was also a chance to deeply understand and develop both myself and my role.” These three years in China were a transformational phase for Iurii's career growth.

Transition from Management to Solution Architecture

Initially attracted to management, Iurii first pursued a managerial career path. "I devoured business and management books, dreaming of becoming a manager and seeing it as my career path, so when the opportunity came, I took on the role for about a year...and I felt miserable. The role lacked the fulfillment I craved. I realized I needed technology in my life. I can't live without my keyboard and delving into the lower-level, nitty-gritty details." 

This led Iurii to follow a career path in Solution Architecture, where he found the perfect combination of making impactful business contributions while staying rooted in technology. “I found that the role of Solution Architect was just my cup of tea,” he shares. “I love what I do. I feel the impact of my work. I'm not just building software — I'm designing solutions, whether they're technological, analog or a combination of both. That's the mindset of a pragmatic solution architect." 

Switzerland: A Journey of Growth and Strategic Impact

After contributing significantly to EPAM's growth in China and deepening his expertise as a Solution Architect, Iurii had the opportunity to relocate to Switzerland. This move has proven to be fulfilling both personally and professionally, allowing him to continue impacting the business landscape. "When the opportunity arose to return to Switzerland, a country I knew and loved, I didn't hesitate to take it,” states Iurii. “Although I miss some of my good old friends, I have no regrets about the move. I firmly believe it was the right decision.” 

As Head of Solution Architecture and Technology Consultancy in Switzerland, Iurii prioritizes knowledge sharing and staying abreast of industry trends. “Actively engage with people — that's the core of my approach,” he shares. “Besides keeping up with online sources from a business perspective, my real passion lies in networking. I thrive on building connections with those who are equally passionate about their fields, fostering a common learning environment. This exchange of knowledge can occur anywhere, from conferences and meet-ups to personal interactions." 

Endless Geographical and Professional Career Paths at EPAM

Expanding from technical roles into leadership across new regions, Iurii's career journey is the perfect example of the strategic growth and global impact possible at a company like EPAM.

Do you want to shape your path to leadership and do work that makes an impact? Explore EPAM as your next career destination and join a forward-thinking community that is set on shaping the landscape of technology and business www.epam.com/careers