Rivio Talent: Lucas Santos, Software AI Engineer

A Computer Science graduate of the Federal University of Itajubá (Unifei), in Minas Gerais, Lucas Santos has built a fast-moving career in software engineering, working on highly complex projects in the healthcare, finance, retail and technology sectors.

From the start of his studies, he showed an affinity for technical challenges, distributed systems and end-to-end work, which led him to take part in a variety of projects, such as solutions for BMW and open source initiatives like the KernelCI Dashboard, used by Linux maintainers around the world.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he decided to put technology at the service of society. Together with a partner, he developed a tracking and awareness app that gathered prevention guidance and up-to-date data on cases in towns in inland São Paulo state and southern Minas Gerais. The experience showed him in practice how technology solutions help save lives.

At Rivio since December 2025 as a Software AI Engineer, he contributes to the development of intelligent document processing pipelines and AI agents that automate critical steps of the hospital revenue cycle.

His work is directly tied to the company’s mission of making hospital processes more efficient and reliable, using artificial intelligence to turn complex data into faster and safer decisions.

The Computer Science program at Unifei opened the way for Lucas into highly complex technology projects

By creating an app in the middle of the pandemic, Lucas and a friend realized how technology helps save lives

What impact did your Computer Science education have on the career you have built?

Lucas Santos –The Federal University of Itajubá was essential in shaping the way I think. I took part in programming competitions, which gave me a very strong foundation in logic, algorithms and solving problems under pressure.

My first professional experience came through an internship at Itajubá City Hall, working on projects for the city’s Procon (consumer protection agency), where I saw firsthand how well-built systems directly impact people’s lives.

I also held a research grant on a municipal mapping project at Unifei’s Center for Integrated Urban Studies. Working with real, publicly used data showed me early on the power of technology as a tool for planning, transparency and social transformation.

When did you realize you had made the right career decision?

Lucas Santos –I realized I was on the right path early in my career, when I was working on a Procon project using the Flutter framework . That is when I fell in love with development for good: understanding a concrete problem, turning it into software and seeing people use it day to day was a defining experience.

Shortly afterward came one of the most difficult moments of our generation, the COVID-19 pandemic. In that situation, I felt I needed to use technology to help in some way. Together with a friend, I developed a tracking and awareness app that gathered information on prevention and care, as well as case data for small towns such as São Bento do Sapucaí (my hometown, in inland São Paulo state) and municipalities in the Paraíba Valley (São Paulo) and southern Minas Gerais.

Seeing people use that solution to stay informed, protect themselves and make better decisions during a tense period for humanity confirmed that I had chosen the right profession. In other words, I was using technology to make a real impact on people’s lives at the moment they needed it most.

You have worked in very different sectors and areas. What has this diversity contributed to your development as an engineer?

Lucas Santos –Working across different areas and sectors teaches me to see patterns. Even though the domains are different, the structural problems tend to be similar: inconsistent data, manual processes and systems that generally do not scale. My experience in frontend, backend, mobile and AI — and in finance, retail, automotive and now healthcare — has made me more adaptable and given me a more systemic view.

When did you realize you wanted to work on making a real impact on people’s lives, and not just on technology?

Lucas Santos –From the start of my career, I felt the need to see the impact of what I was building. That is what motivated me, from the COVID-19 case monitoring app to my most recent projects. It was this search for purpose that led me to take on the challenge of joining Rivio, where every solution we develop has a direct effect on hospital efficiency and, consequently, on the lives of people who need care.

Is that why you wanted to work at Rivio?

Lucas Santos –Yes, it was the combination of a concrete challenge, the opportunity for professional growth and the effect on people’s lives. Rivio brings together an incredible team, leaders with a track record of success and an environment that encourages innovation and accountability.

It is not just about what the company is today, but about what we are building for the future and the impact I can help create along the way.

What challenges you most today as an engineer?

Lucas Santos –Using artificial intelligence as a tool that truly enhances our work, and not just as an LLM (large language model) that generates answers. My focus is on integrating it intelligently into business workflows, making AI part of the entire process, from data entry to decision‑making.

Outside technology, what defines you most as a person?

Lucas Santos –My family is everything to me. I was privileged to grow up very close to my grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins, and with extremely present parents, who helped shape who I am. I try to repay that care by being a role model for my younger siblings. I have a 15-year-old brother who, if he decides to go into technology, will have my full support, and a 6-year-old sister who is the apple of my eye; I would do anything for her. They remind me every day why it is worth building something that has an impact on the future.

How do you recharge outside work?

Lucas Santos ‑I really enjoy weight training, which helps me stay disciplined and focused. And I am passionate about sports competitions. I follow soccer, American football, basketball and e-sports such as Counter-Strike and League of Legends.

I also like to read; sometimes I read two books at the same time. Right now, I am reading “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” by Dale Carnegie, and “The Pragmatic Programmer,” by Andy Hunt and Dave Thomas. This interest reflects how much I like writing and sharing what I learn. That is also why I publish articles on Medium: https://medium.com/@devlucassantoss.

What topics do you usually write about on Medium?

Lucas Santos –I usually write based on my professional experience, mainly to explain interesting projects I have worked on and share lessons on topics I consider complex. My goal is to turn these subjects into content that is easy to understand, helping others learn from real, everyday challenges in technology.

For outsiders, how would you sum up the experience of working at Rivio?

Lucas Santos –It is an environment where everyone is united around a greater purpose. There is a real sense of collaboration, constant feedback and a genuine desire to improve. Here, I see that growth is not individual but collective. Every achievement belongs to the team, and every challenge has been taken on as an opportunity to learn and build something better together.

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Come live great moments at Rivio

We are bringing together people who dream big, who want to do what has never been done and intend to leave a legacy. We value execution with speed and excellence, and continuous learning.

Talent and courage, together, tend to change the course of humanity. By making hospital management smoother and more efficient, we help save lives. That is changing humanity too.

Working at Rivio means being surrounded by people with a sense of purpose in their careers and professional ambition, people eager to grow and make history.

Our offices are in São Paulo, near Avenida Paulista, and in Blumenau (Santa Catarina), one of Brazil’s leading technology hubs.

If you want a mission in the form of a job, join us.

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