Minas Katsiokalis

I am an XR Software Engineer, currently specializing in XR development for Meta Quest, Apple Vision Pro, and handheld, and previously on HoloLens, with several years of hands-on Unity and C#/.NET experience shipping immersive applications. I focus on building reusable, well-structured systems and frameworks, and I have experience integrating REST services into client applications within defined architectures. Comfortable making pragmatic decisions in fast-moving environments, I am driven to advance immersive technology and, in particular, to use it for effective hands-on learning and skills training.

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Experience

XR Software Engineer

ANIMA RES GmbH

August 2024 - Present

Main responsibilities:

  • Deliver and ship production releases (e.g. Insight Heart) on schedule, balancing pragmatic technical decisions with quality standards.
  • Implement new features and enhancements for the Insight app gallery, collaborating closely with 3D and technical artists to ensure high-quality visuals and optimal performance on HMD devices.
  • Maintain and extend the company’s custom-built Unity package system, which standardizes development across multiple platforms (Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest, HoloLens, Android, iOS).
  • Implemented a package to add Meta Quest as a supported target platform, and refactored the HMD packages for Apple Vision Pro, extending and improving the reusability of the company’s custom-built package system.
  • Improved networking solutions for multi-user experiences and extended networking systems to support SharePlay service (Apple’s native multi-user solution).
  • Implemented the integration of a WebXR (8th Wall) solution into the company’s development pipeline.
  • Integrated Claude Code into everyday development work, and structured projects to be AI-agent-friendly for optimised AI agent communication.

AR Software Engineer

Up2metric

October 2021 - July 2024

Main responsibilities:

  • Designed and implemented mobile AR applications for Android and iOS, from prototyping through to production features.
  • Built and maintained reusable AR features and components, troubleshooting and resolving complex AR-related issues.
  • Integrated client applications with backend services by consuming REST, GraphQL, and WebSocket endpoints, handling real-time data exchange between client and server.
  • Researched XR standards and specifications to inform technical decisions and ensure best practices.

XR Software Engineer & Researcher

Technical University of Crete

September 2021 - March 2024

Main responsibilities:

  • Designed and implemented MR HMD applications for Meta Quest and HoloLens 2.
  • Researched XR collaborative environments and multimodal communication and interaction techniques.
  • Prototyped and tested HMD features, iterating on interaction design and usability.
  • Consumed REST APIs to connect HMD client applications with backend services.
  • Published and presented at international conferences in the field of XR.
  • Paper reviewer in IEEE VR 2023 & 2024
  • Participated in HORIZON EU research projects ( SUN XR, VARCITIES)

Graphics Lab Assistant

Technical University of Crete | Electrical & Computer Engineering

Spring Semester: 2022, 2023

As post-graduate student I contributed to my M.Sc supervisor’s courses:

  • Graphics Course (Undergraduate - 4th year):
    • Delivered practical instruction in Unity3D for desktop game development.
    • Designed, prepared, and tested semester-long student projects using Unity3D.
  • Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Course (Postgraduate):
    • Organized and guided the semester project, including use-case design, persona development, usability evaluation, UX design, prototyping, and web app implementation.
    • Contributed to the preparation, review, and evaluation of course materials and assignments.

AR Researcher & Developer

Technical University of Crete | Electrical & Computer Engineering

September 2018 - May 2020

During my last years as undergraduate and as work for my diploma thesis:

  • Develop a Mobile AR application for Android devices with Unity Game Engine.
  • Integrate navigation system using Mapbox SDK.
  • Research and testing on various AR SDKs: Vuforia, Wikitude, ARCore, ARkit etc.
  • Research on the field of Mobile AR (MAR).

Education & Training

MEng, Integrated Masters in Electrical and Computer Engineering
(5 Year Course - 300 ECTS)

Technical University of Crete

  • Thesis: "Outdoors Mobile Augmented Reality for Coastal Erosion Visualization Based on Geographical Data" - An AR mobile application developed in the Unity3D game engine for Android and iOS devices. In the two-year period of research and development of my thesis, I gained valuable experience in Unity3D using the most modern packages and frameworks.

Member of SURREAL TEAM

Technical University of Crete

Skills & Achievements

TOOLS

  • Programmaing Languages: C#, Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, C/C++, SQL
  • Game Engines: Unity3D, Unreal Engine
  • XR Framewaorks & SDKs: AR Foundation (ARCore/ARKit), Vuforia, MRTK (OpenXR, OculusXR), Meta XR SDK, Lightship ARDK
  • Versioning Control: Git
  • DataBases: PostgreSQL, MySQL

PERSONAL PROJECTS

  • Exploding View Tool (Unity Package): A Unity package for exploding view functionality on 3D models. Can be adjusted quickly to any given 3D model. Faster and more optimised workflow comparing to animate each part separately. Github Link
  • GoNature AR: An AR experience, designed for Hololens2 & Meta Quest devices, tailored for non-expert users utilizing mostly speech and audio interactions. The app communicates with a network of sensors through a REST API, and adapts dynamically the visual & audio effects and alternates the narration: Hololens2 Github Link, Meta Quest Github Link
  • CZAR: Georgioupolis: a Mobile Augmented Reality (MAR) application for coastal erosion visualization on-sight and in real time. User can use his/her smart-device to experience possible disastrous outcomes to the beach of Georgioupoli due to coastal erosion phenomenon: Github Link
  • AlphabetARy: an AR mobile application for helping young children learn the Greek Alphabet alongside the teachers guidance. The user can scan a number of cards (one for each greek letter) to enable a virtual experience where an animal/object pops up with numerous animations and sounds: Github Link
  • IndoorNav: an AR mobile application for testing on Vuforia Area Targets for Indoor Navigation: Github Link
  • UnSentenced: A game that created for a the Brackeys GameJam 2023.1 with the theme "An end is a new Beginning". It was a collective effort of 8 person-team. Available on: WebGL and Windows. Role: Lead Developer: Itch.io
  • A random generated dungeon-like map, using 3D Binary Space Partitioning (BSP) algorithm. It separates planes randomly based on BSP creating smaller rooms and routes between them. Can be used as a random generated map creator on numerous applications: Github Link
  • 3D Mini Games made in Unity3D: Bowling 3D Game , Ball Racer 3D Game
  • 3D Mini Games made in Unreal Engine 4: Crystal Cavern, Marble Run

* More on my GitHub

PUBLICATIONS

  • "Engineering a BIM-Based Mixed Reality Application for the Life-Cycle Management of Buildings", International Conference on Extended Reality, XR Salento 2024 - Springer Link
  • "The Intersection of the Green and the Smart City: A Data Platform for Health and Well-Being through Nature-Based Solutions", MDPI, Smart Cities 2024, 7(1), 1-32 - Journal Article
  • "GoNature AR: Air Quality & Noise Visualization Through a Multimodal and Interactive Augmented Reality Experience", ACM International Conference on Interactive Media Experiences (IMX’ 23) - ACM Library
  • "On the integration of nature-based solutions with digital innovation for health and wellbeing in cities", 7th International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Technologies (SpliTech) - IEEE Xplore
  • "Outdoors Mobile Augmented Reality for Coastal Erosion Visualization, based on Geographical Data", International Workshop on Cross-Reality (XR) Interaction @ ACM ISS 2020 - Workshop Proceedings

* Google Scholar

AWARDS

  • Best Demo Award - ACM International Conference on Interactive Media Experiences (IMX’ 23)
    Received "Best Demo Award" of the conference by Tobbi for the demo: "GoNature AR".
  • Winner of "Innovation" Category - Brackeys GameJam 2023.1
    Category winners for the game: "UnSentenced".

VOLUNTEERING

  • Paper reviewer in IEEE VR 2023 & 2024
  • Participation as a volunteer in Open Science Days held by Technical University of Crete, showcasing AR/VR applications to young audiences. As a member of SURREAL TEAM. | 04/2017,2018,2019
  • Participation as a volunteer in The Mediterranean Researchers’ Night - MEDNIGHT, as a member of SURREAL TEAM showcasing AR and VR experiences to the public audience in the streets of Chania in Crete. | 24/09/2021

SOFT SKILLS

  • Good communication and contact skills gained through my participation in conferences and presentations.
  • Excellent collaboration in teams, gained through my experience in my current positions.
  • Experienced in physical and online presentations.
  • Highly self-motivated and eager to learn new technologies and investigate solutions.
  • Problem-solving and learning ability.
  • Accountable.
  • Good sense of humor.

LANGUAGES

  • English (Fluent)
  • Greek (Native)
  • German (Beginner)