About
From scientific research to production systems that move the business.
Machine Learning & Systems Engineer with a scientific research background, building production software, data infrastructure, and operational platforms that connect models, workflows, and real business outcomes.
I'm Leon Breitenborn — a Machine Learning & Systems Engineer with a multidisciplinary background spanning biotechnology, software engineering, cloud infrastructure, applied data science, and business operations.
My work sits at the intersection of scientific thinking and production software: building systems that are reliable enough for real operational use, clear enough for teams to adopt, and practical enough to create measurable business impact.
Before moving deeper into software, ML, and systems engineering, I trained in biomedical science, synthetic biology, biotechnology, diagnostics, and bioinformatics. That background still shapes how I build: hypothesis-driven, data-conscious, rigorous about validation, and focused on whether a solution works outside the lab, outside the notebook, and inside the real business process.
Today I build end-to-end systems across Python, backend services, frontend applications, cloud deployment, ERP integrations, analytics infrastructure, ML pipelines, and internal tooling — with a strong preference for shipping useful products over isolated technical demos.
What makes my profile unusual is the combination of scientific depth, software delivery, and operational ownership. I've worked in biomedical laboratories, biotechnology sales, machine learning, ERP systems, customer-facing software, and production infrastructure — so I don't think about code or models in isolation, but about adoption, reliability, users, workflows, and measurable outcomes.
Experience
- 2025 — Present Berlin
Machine Learning & Systems Engineer · Z-Catering & Freshfoodz
Machine Learning & Systems Engineer inside a rapidly scaling food-tech and catering operation, working across production ML, analytics infrastructure, ERP systems, internal tools, customer-facing applications, and operational decision-making.
- Designed and deployed end-to-end data pipelines for operational forecasting, analytics, and decision support
- Built forecasting and optimization workflows to improve planning accuracy, reduce food waste, and support profitability
- Developed and maintained ERP-connected tools that automate workflows and remove repetitive manual processes
- Built backend and frontend systems across Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, React, PostgreSQL, Supabase, and cloud infrastructure
- Developed customer-facing React applications, including a dynamic product portfolio that updates from backend data, customer preferences, and previous interactions
- Delivered industrial deployment work, including a locked-down industrial PC running a custom application, serviced via SFTP to an S3 bucket and maintained through a custom ERP module
- Python
- React
- PostgreSQL
- Supabase
- AWS
- Docker
- Cloudflare
- ERP
- Forecasting
- ML Pipelines
- 2021 Edinburgh & Madrid
Sales Executive, DACH Region · LGC Biosearch Technologies
Commercial and technical sales role supporting biotech products, instrumentation, and customer relationships across the DACH region, carried out from Edinburgh and Madrid.
- Managed stakeholder relationships across biotech, diagnostics, and research customers
- Supported technical product discussions involving molecular biology products, instrumentation, and applied laboratory workflows
- Led sales meetings, customer conversations, and training sessions
- Collaborated with international teams across commercial, technical, and operational functions
- Represented the organization at conferences and contributed to hiring/interview processes
- Biotechnology
- Diagnostics
- Stakeholder Management
- Technical Sales
- DACH
- 2019 Cologne, Germany
Intern · University Clinic for Legal Medicine
Forensic biomedical laboratory internship in a university legal medicine environment, supporting diagnostic and analytical workflows involving real case samples.
- Operated automated diagnostic laboratory equipment in a forensic biomedical setting
- Handled and processed actual case samples under professional laboratory standards
- Supported biomedical forensic testing workflows and analytical procedures
- Forensic Biomedical Testing
- Diagnostic Equipment
- Laboratory Workflows
Education
2020 — 2021
MSc Synthetic Biology & Biotechnology
University of Edinburgh
Distinction
Industry-linked master’s thesis developing a LAMP-based diagnostic test for detecting mastitis in livestock — combining molecular biology, assay development, experimental validation, and applied diagnostic thinking.
Synthetic Biology · Bioinformatics · Molecular Diagnostics · LAMP Assays · Research Design · Data Analysis
2017 — 2020
BSc Biomedical Sciences
Bangor University
Upper Second-Class Honours (2:1)
Final-year research on genetic testing and protein analysis related to induced pluripotency, studying the role and efficacy of Yamanaka factors in cellular reprogramming.
Molecular Biology · Genetic Testing · Protein Analysis · Cell Biology · Experimental Research
Languages
- English Native
- German Native
- Spanish Advanced (B2)
Professional values
- Ownership
- Practical Impact
- Continuous Learning
- Systems Thinking
- Technical Excellence
- Business Alignment
- Collaboration