From a middle school passion for mathematics to building the project from the ground up at TechQuarter, Cristi’s journey in DevOps is defined by a single philosophy: “fall in love with the process, not just the result.” Specializing in robust and scalable infrastructure solutions, he’s the colleague who brings clarity to the most complex technical challenges, described by his team as a natively solution-oriented professional with a contagious sense of humor.
Beyond code and automation, Cristi is a true aviation geek who views technology and the future of AI with the same curiosity he brings to tracking planes on FlightRadar. Read on to discover how he manages to turn the unpredictability of a DevOps day into a constant source of motivation.
Bianca Cornaciu [BC]: What do you enjoy most about DevOps, and what led you to choose this career path?
Cristian Alb [CA]: It all started in middle school, when I discovered two things that would go on to define me: a passion for mathematics and, along with it, the pleasure of finding solutions to problems. I remember that the satisfaction wasn’t just in writing down the final answe, it was shaped by every decision that ultimately led me to solving the problem. And that’s exactly what I find in DevOps: you build a solution step by step and eventually arrive at the final result. DevOps has given me a framework where analytical thinking meets real-world impact: you automate, optimize, and build solutions that shape the invisible side of a user’s interaction with a software product. As for what drew me to DevOps, I think that, out of all the possible answers to the question “what would I like to do?”, this branch of IT is the one that aligns most naturally with the way I think.
[BC]: What has been the most challenging project you’ve worked on at TechQuarter so far, and what made it such a rewarding one?
[CA]: Every project comes with its own challenges. Some are technical, others are more human in nature. But if I had to name just one, I’d say the most challenging is the project I’m currently working on. What makes this project truly different is that we’re building it from scratch. Unlike other projects where there’s already a foundation you’re improving upon, here every decision carries long-term weight. You can’t afford to pick a convenient solution today if it’s going to become a problem two years down the line, every architectural choice has to be made with the system’s robustness, scalability, and long-term sustainability in mind. Beyond the technical complexity, communication plays an equally important role. In a fast-paced work environment, a lack of clarity can lead to costly mistakes. Clearly presenting risks and maintaining open dialogue within the team are, in my view, just as critical as any technical decision. As for the satisfaction, it comes in many forms: from helping a colleague get past a blocker, from seeing a new infrastructure component deployed and running, or simply from the feeling that you’re building something that matters. It’s these small victories that fuel motivation and keep me moving forward.
[BC]: What does a day in the life of a DevOps engineer look like for you?
[CA]: As a DevOps engineer, I can say with certainty that the number of coffees consumed in a day is directly proportional to the complexity of that day. The ideal day starts with a moment for myself, a coffee, after which, once my own system is fully up and running, I either pick up where I left off the day before or start on a new ticket. Around 11 we have our daily standup with the team, where we share progress, unblock impediments, and clear up any questions around the tasks in progress. The rest of the day is spent in code, terminals, and occasionally other meetings that nail down technical or product details. That’s the ideal day. In reality, though, life tends to write its own script. Sometimes, right in the middle of a ticket, something far more urgent comes up that needs to be dealt with immediately and all of this is seasoned with a constant stream of Teams messages and notifications that, at a certain point, become more annoying than a morning alarm, yet somehow still add a certain charm to the day. But it’s precisely this unpredictability that makes every day different and, never boring.
[BC]: What are your predictions for this field over the next 3–5 years?
[CA]: One of the topics that fascinates me most when I think about the future of IT is the way Artificial Intelligence will reshape the industry and, just as importantly, what its limitations will be.
Based on personal experience, I see AI as an accelerator of development speed, a tool that can be incredibly powerful when used by an engineer with solid knowledge in their field. With that in mind, what I’m most curious about in the years ahead is just how far I’ll be able to expand my own knowledge with the help of artificial intelligence.
[BC]: What advice would you give to someone aspiring to become a DevOps engineer?
[CA]: If I had to give just one piece of advice, it would be this: fall in love with the process, not the result. In DevOps, the journey matters just as much as the destination. The desire to truly understand things in depth, to find solutions, and to keep growing are the qualities that, over time, build a genuinely great engineer. Nobody knows everything from the start, but those who stay curious go far.
[BC]: Have any films, books, or series caught your attention lately?
[CA]: Although it’s not a recent read, the last few days have brought my thoughts back to one of my favorite books: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne. It’s a book that deals with the Holocaust but does so through an unexpected lens: the innocence of a child and the power of friendship. It’s precisely this perspective that makes it so special and, at the same time, so painful. It’s a sad story, but one that reminds us of the values humanity needs most: empathy, humanity, and connections that know no borders.
[BC]: Is there any activity that helps you relax and disconnect?
[CA]: I love to travel and discover new places, and when I don’t have the chance to get out of the city, I find something to do closer to home. I explore new local spots, visit markets on weekends, or why not — go bowling. But I’d say the best way for me to unwind is a simple walk through the park with my headphones in, where it’s just me, the music, and the city.
Fun Fact: Can you share something about yourself that not many people know?
[CA]: Something few people know about me is that I am, without any shame, a full-on aviation geek. It all started with my first flight, the moment I learned that the fear of the unknown can open doors you never even expected. A 3-4 hour layover at a major airport? For me, that’s an opportunity: to explore the terminal, watch the traffic on the runway, and above all, to spot aircraft models you wouldn’t normally come across in Cluj, where the landscape is dominated by the classic Wizz Air A320s and Ryanair B737s. At home, I watch flight documentaries on YouTube and if I’ve recently bought plane tickets, you can be sure I’ll also watch a video about that specific route. Maybe one day I’ll take some concrete steps toward this passion. Until then, I remain an enthusiast with FlightRadar24 in my pocket and a passion that, honestly, I don’t fully understand myself, but I don’t feel the need to, either.
