Hi, I'm
Yannick Zutter.
I modernise business-critical Java systems – from rehabilitating grown legacy platforms and migrating them to the cloud to AI-assisted development. Backend-focused, with an eye for the bigger picture.
Backend Engineer · Java & Legacy Modernisation · AI-assisted · Aspiring Software Architect
About Me
Software developer focused on clean, maintainable code and modernising long-lived systems.
I'm a full-stack developer based in Bubendorf, Switzerland, with a strong focus on backend development using Java. I build scalable, maintainable applications that solve real-world problems, keeping the code clean and easy to reason about.
Since 2021, I've been working at iRIX Software Engineering AG, where I lead the development and maintenance of critical energy trading platforms for Axpo Solutions AG. I maintain around 128,000 lines of code across two platforms and successfully migrated both to Microsoft Azure.
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Basel, with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
I work in a heavily AI-assisted way – for example with Claude Code and Spec-Driven Development – and I'm currently deepening my software architecture expertise; I expect to complete the iSAQB CPSA Advanced certification in early 2027.
Technologies
Backend
AI / LLM
Frontend
Databases
Cloud & DevOps
Testing & Quality
Practices & Methods
Beyond Code
Medieval Stage Combat
Practicing choreographed stage combat with various weapons, combining physical discipline with performance artistry.
Music
Playing guitar, expressing creativity through music as a balance to technical work.
Experience & Education
My professional and academic journey
Work Experience
Full Stack Software Developer (C#/Java)
2021 – PresentiRIX Software Engineering AG · Basel, Switzerland
Responsible for two business-critical energy trading platforms for Axpo Solutions AG (around 128,000 lines of code combined). I modernise grown Java systems in production – with continuous high availability of the trading operation.
- — Took over project ownership as a junior developer after the entire senior team had left the project
- — Successfully migrated both platforms to Microsoft Azure via lift-and-shift
- — Established the first static code-analysis tracking in the project (Sonar) – doubled test coverage and reduced code smells to near zero
- — Carried out extensive refactoring of the inherited legacy codebase alongside ongoing feature delivery
- — Ensured high availability for business-critical trading operations – with no downtime
Education
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
2017 – 2021University of Basel · Basel, Switzerland
Completed Bachelor of Science degree with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
- — Focus: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
- — Relevant coursework in algorithms, data structures, and software engineering
Research
Implementing and Evaluating Successor Generator in the Fast Downward Planning System
2021Artificial Intelligence Research Group, University of Basel · Basel, Switzerland
- — Research in AI planning and automated problem solving
- — Implementation and evaluation of successor generation algorithms
- — Contribution to the Fast Downward Planning System
Certificates
iSAQB CPSA – Foundation Level
Software architecture fundamentals: designing, documenting and evaluating architectures.
iSAQB
iSAQB CPSA – Advanced Level: CLOUDINFRA
Building and operating cloud-native infrastructure – containers, orchestration and infrastructure as code.
iSAQB
Swiss Energy Industry Fundamentals
Overview of the Swiss electricity market, grids and regulatory framework.
Association of Swiss Electricity Companies (VSE)
Anthropic Courses (7)
Official courses from Anthropic on using Claude and AI effectively and responsibly.
Anthropic
Anthropic Courses (7)
Official courses from Anthropic on using Claude and AI effectively and responsibly.
Anthropic
Claude Code in Action
Hands-on agentic software development with Claude Code.
Claude 101
Getting started with Claude: prompting basics and use cases.
AI Fluency: Framework & Foundations
Foundations for working with AI confidently and effectively.
Building with the Claude API
Building applications with the Claude API and tool use.
AI Fluency for Educators
AI skills for use in teaching and education.
AI Fluency for Students
Working with AI effectively and responsibly while studying.
Teaching AI Fluency
Methods for teaching AI literacy in education.
Projects
A showcase of my work in backend development, clean code, and full-stack applications
Featured Projects
International Energy Trading Platform
2021 – PresentLead Developer · 3 developers
Trading system for intraday and day-ahead electricity trading across multiple European power exchanges (Axpo Solutions AG). As Lead Developer, responsible for real-time trading operations, market data integration, and platform high availability.
Swiss Tertiary Energy Trading Platform
2021 – PresentDeveloper · 5 developers
Platform for automated trading of tertiary control reserve (balancing energy) in the Swiss electricity market (Axpo Solutions AG) – with automated bid placement to the balancing market.
Other Projects
Document AI Pipeline
Solo Developer (AI-assisted)
2026 – Present
Self-hosted pipeline that automatically ingests documents submitted by email, categorises them with an LLM, and files them in paperless-ngx. Containerised and running on Kubernetes.
Zoodle – Recipe & Meal Planning App
Solo Developer (AI-assisted)
2024 – Present
Recipe and meal-planning app I'm building solo and AI-assisted. Modern cross-platform architecture with a Spring Boot backend and React Native client; planned: weekly meal planning, advanced search, and offline support.
Advent of Code Solutions
Solo Developer
2023 – Present
Collection of solutions for Advent of Code programming challenges. Completed all 25 days (50 stars) in 2024.
Talks & Presentations
Sharing knowledge and insights with the developer community
Upcoming Talks
Past Talks & Workshops
New Features in Java 25
iRIX Software Engineering AG
Basel, Switzerland
A workshop I led, giving a comprehensive wrap-up of new features and improvements in Java 25, with practical examples.
Coding with AI: Spec Driven Development
iRIX Software Engineering AG
Basel, Switzerland
A developer guide on using AI assistants in projects and how Spec Driven Development improves AI output.
Prompt Injection & Data Leakage
AI Horizons 2026
Basel, Switzerland
How attacks on LLMs work and how to protect against them, featuring live demonstrations of prompt injection techniques.
Clean Code Principles
iRIX Software Engineering AG
Basel, Switzerland
A comprehensive guide to writing clean, maintainable code following industry best practices.
Want me to speak at your event?
I'm always interested in speaking at conferences, meetups, and workshops. Topics I'm passionate about include clean code, Java development, and backend architecture.
Get in Touch →Get In Touch
Have a project in mind or just want to chat? Feel free to reach out!
Contact Information
Languages
- German Native
- English Fluent
- French Conversational
Open For
- — Full-time roles (100%) in Switzerland
- — Roles from Software Engineer to Architect
- — Talks & speaking
Whether you have a question or just want to say hi, I'll try my best to get back to you!