Slobodan Ninkov

Systems Builder | Technical Product Manager
IoT • Real-Time Systems • Simulation • Sensor Networks

I solve technical problems end-to-end — from system design through field deployment.

20+ years building mission-critical systems: IoT sensor networks processing millions of daily transactions, airborne intelligence platforms, and simulation systems that eliminated 95% of physical testing. Two patents in mobile location systems.

What I Build

Systems that work under real conditions — not just in demos.

Sensor Networks at Scale Led a €2M+ IoT sensor network from proof-of-concept to multi-territory production deployment. 10-person cross-functional team. Mission-critical reliability requirements.

Simulation & Digital Twins Built a proprietary drone simulation platform that replaced 95% of physical flight testing — later commercialized as a $200K add-on product package. Case Study: Simulation-First Validation

Real-Time Data Pipelines Architected high-throughput systems handling €50M+ annual transaction volume and 1M+ daily transactions, with integrated fraud detection and anomaly detection.

Hardware-Software Integration Drove €3M+ in hardware sales through development and integration of complex airborne and cyber-intelligence products. Full lifecycle ownership from architecture through field operations.

How I Work

  • Start from the problem, not the technology
  • Prototype early, test in the field, iterate
  • Design for failure modes, edge cases, and drift
  • Keep complexity where it earns its keep
  • Small teams with clear ownership over process theater

I work best with high autonomy on real problems where outcomes matter more than appearances.

Background

Path: Software Development → System Architecture → Technical Product Management

The thread: building systems that must work reliably in unpredictable environments.

Current:
Technical Product Manager at GSMK (secure communications), Berlin — 7 years leading mission-critical IoT and real-time systems.

Previous:
Owner of SN Terra Cognitive LTD — flight simulation and training system.
Product Owner at UTX Technologies — airborne platforms, simulation systems, cyber-intelligence products.
Software Architect at State Lottery of Serbia — high-throughput transaction systems, fraud detection, regulatory compliance.
Senior Software Engineer at Questys — documentation support system.

Looking For

  • Technical roles with end-to-end system ownership
  • IoT, real-time systems, simulation, sensor fusion, anomaly detection
  • Small teams, real problems, high autonomy
  • Systems where field performance is the only metric that matters.

Location: Berlin-based. Open to relocation (UAE, Singapore) or remote roles with travel.