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Meet the Team: Introducing Borislav Kulov, Director of Software Engineering
14 Nov 2024
4 min read
Borislav has over 20 years of experience in IT. His career started at the dawn of information technology, and his passion for programming has driven him throughout his journey.
Tell us about your educational background. What do you find most valuable about it?
I was good at math, which steered me toward programming. I'll never forget how challenging that first year in math during high school was — I could hardly manage with computers; it was so different back then. I got my first computer in 1993, which was just a box I had no idea what to do with. We only had two or three games installed at most, and while there were gaming enthusiasts, programming had just a few takers.
How did you get into this unfamiliar field of programming at the time?
I delved into whatever books I could find in our computer lab—there were only a few. Whatever I learned, I gathered from friends or acquaintances. By 10th grade, I was competing in programming competitions. I studied Computer Systems and Technology in college and continued my passion there. Interestingly, we only studied math and electrical engineering for the first two years since there was no one to teach computer systems. However, the university offered me something priceless—a community and network of people that broadened my horizons.
Starting in the early days of IT allowed me to gain much experience, although it wasn't easy. I also learned from dealing with hardware and electronics, which added to my knowledge.
What was your first job?
At 20, I was still a student on a scholarship, but it wasn't enough, so I took a job as a metalworker at a factory, making railway tracks. I worked three shifts, including nights, which was challenging since I'd bike there late due to the lack of night buses. I'd show up to class sleep-deprived, and then the cycle would repeat itself.
My first job in my field involved creating software for email marketing. After graduation, I secured my first contract as a developer at a large software company.
How did you feel at that time?
It was exciting. I was a junior surrounded by more experienced people. We were creating software for handheld devices used in Germany, similar to the tablets couriers use today. Later, I landed a more stable job and stayed at the company for nine years. I don't like changing jobs frequently; showing commitment is essential. In nearly 20 years, I've only worked at four companies.
How did you start working at Resolute?
I knew Hristo Georgiev and Veli Pehlivanov (our CEO and CTO) from the industry. When they started the company, they invited me to join. However, I was leading a fascinating project at another company then. When that project ended, I decided to take a break from the stress and quit. Just then, by chance, Hristo reached out to me again. I appreciated that they valued me. Meanwhile, I interviewed with other companies to get a feel for the market, but ultimately, I chose Resolute because of its environment and the respect they showed me. I've now been part of the team for four years.
What are your responsibilities as a Director of Engineering?
I manage three teams, and the most challenging and exciting aspect is ensuring people can perform their best. Besides the technical side and project execution, fostering team harmony and well-being is crucial. I'm also responsible for smooth client communication, which keeps our work effective. I play a pivotal role in pre-sales discussions, where I help clarify the best technological solutions for clients to meet mutual expectations.
What qualities do you seek in team members?
I aim to bring together people with different skills so they can complement each other. Emotional intelligence is essential for harmonious work. When relationships are good, work is smoother. I value cultural awareness and respect, avoid backroom politics in the team, and Resolute overall. Disagreements are normal, but with maturity and intelligence, there's always a solution.
What were your career's biggest challenges, and what did you learn from them?
One of the biggest challenges was experiencing burnout—not typical work fatigue, but emotional strain and conflicts I needed to resolve. I faced a fundamental disagreement with a colleague whose work was closely tied to mine. The solution was to distance myself and separate my emotions. Compromises from both sides and time helped us find balance. It was a major lesson, but we made it through.
What are your non-negotiables?
Quality is non-negotiable for me. I teach my team to work with quality in mind, even if it takes a bit longer. Rushing often leads to more errors and delays. I hold precision in high regard and strive to model this standard myself.
What motivates you?
People motivate me. I enjoy watching them come into the field and grow over time, both in terms of their confidence and the scale of their work.
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