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My name is Maksim Zhirnov. I’m a Growth Marketing Expert & MarTech Engineer. I help tech companies scale through data-driven marketing strategies, powered by my engineering background. I love building marketing systems that drive growth and sharing insights on the intersection of technology and customer acquisition.
The Case Against Junior Developers in Critical Backend Systems

The Case Against Junior Developers in Critical Backend Systems

Introduction In the fast-paced world of software development, the debate over whether junior developers should be involved in critical backend systems is a hot topic. On one hand, junior developers bring fresh perspectives and enthusiasm. On the other hand, their lack of experience can potentially lead to costly mistakes. In this article, we’ll delve into the arguments against involving junior developers in critical backend systems, providing practical insights and examples to help you make informed decisions....

October 5, 2026 · 3 min · 624 words · Maxim Zhirnov
Automating Boring Engineering Tasks with AI Agents: Dependencies, Changelogs, Migrations

Automating Boring Engineering Tasks with AI Agents: Dependencies, Changelogs, Migrations

Introduction In the realm of software engineering, there are certain tasks that feel like they were designed to test our patience—managing dependencies, updating changelogs, and handling database migrations. These tasks are essential, but they can be incredibly time-consuming and prone to human error. Enter AI agents: the perfect sidekicks for streamlining and automating these tedious yet critical aspects of our workflow. In this article, we’ll dive deep into how AI agents can revolutionize the way we handle dependencies, changelogs, and migrations....

October 2, 2026 · 4 min · 848 words · Maxim Zhirnov
Stop Refactoring: When Ugly Legacy Code is Exactly What Your Business Needs

Stop Refactoring: When Ugly Legacy Code is Exactly What Your Business Needs

The Beauty of Ugly Code In the world of software development, there’s an ongoing debate about the necessity of refactoring legacy code. On one side, we have the purists who argue that refactoring is essential for maintaining code quality and ensuring long-term maintainability. On the other side, there are those who believe that sometimes, leaving well enough alone is the best approach. I’ve been in the trenches for many years, and I’ve seen both sides of the argument....

September 28, 2026 · 3 min · 622 words · Maxim Zhirnov
Engineering habits that compound over years

Engineering habits that compound over years

Engineering habits that compound over years In the world of software engineering, the difference between good and great engineers often boils down to habits. Some habits have an immediate impact, while others compound over years, leading to significant improvements in skills, productivity, and career growth. In this article, we’ll explore some engineering habits that can have a lasting impact on your career. 1. Continuous learning The tech industry is constantly evolving, and it’s essential to keep up with the latest trends and technologies....

September 25, 2026 · 4 min · 733 words · Maxim Zhirnov
The Monolith Strikes Back: Why Big Balls of Mud Keep Winning

The Monolith Strikes Back: Why Big Balls of Mud Keep Winning

The Resurgence of the Monolith In the ever-evolving landscape of software architecture, the monolithic approach has long been considered the heavyweight champion—reliable, straightforward, and effective for many applications. However, with the advent of microservices and the distributed systems paradigm, the monolith was often painted as an antiquated behemoth, slow to adapt and difficult to scale. Yet, despite the rise of its more agile counterparts, the monolith persists, and in some cases, thrives....

September 21, 2026 · 3 min · 604 words · Maxim Zhirnov