Dan Waddell Email & Phone Number

Denver, Co, Us

Englewood, Colorado, United States

**Cloud Automation, Platform Management & Workflow Optimization**- As a key member of the Cloud Architecture Automation team, I was entrusted with managing Morpheus, our Cloud Management Platform. My role involved architecting sophisticated tasks and workflows using Python, Bash, and Ansible to streamline the deployment process for virtual machines within our private VMware Cloud infrastructure.- Authored comprehensive GitLab CI/CD pipelines designed for automating rigorous testing and verification protocols of our extensive Morpheus catalog offerings. These included a diverse range of systems such as RHEL 7 to 9 and its variants, along with Ubuntu and Windows VM environments.- Worked closely with our Production team on the migration from Itential as our workflow manager, to a more configurable and flexible system made up of AWx, Ansible playbooks and N8N workflow manager. Completed initial installation, configuration, and integration of our AWx platform with our existing tools.Technologies: GitLab, Morpheus CMP, Vmware, Python, Ansible, Jira, AWx

Aurora, Colorado, United States

**Next-Generation Infrastructure Development**- Worked on the conception and realization of a state-of-art development platform specifically tailored for pioneering GPS ground station technology.- Engineered sophisticated Ansible and Rundeck workflows, instrumental in constructing robust AWS infrastructure that met the exacting demands of cutting-edge development environments. Demonstrating comprehensive systems expertise by skillfully managing and refining Jenkins continuous integration pipelines to enhance project delivery efficiency.- Expertly installed, configured, and oversaw an array of critical services such as Jenkins for CI/CD processes, Bitbucket for code repository management, Jira for agile project tracking, and Confluence for collaborative documentation—establishing a harmonious ecosystem that streamlined development operations.Technologies: Jenkins, AWS, Python, Ansible, RunDeck, Jira

Lone Tree, Colorado, United States

*Automation and Software Deployment**- Spearheaded a strategic short-term engagement focused on the design and development of an intricate series of Chef recipes and cookbooks. This innovative approach was pivotal in automating the complex installation process for a third-party software product, traditionally known for its challenging manual deployment procedures.- Exhibited technical know how by translating graphical elements of the installation into efficient scripted operations and seamlessly integrating these scripts with a Weblogic toolset—a testament to my adaptability in tackling multifaceted automation tasks.- Achieved a massive reduction in deployment times, compressing what was once an 8-hour process into a swift and reliable process taking only 30 minutes—a feat reflective of my commitment to operational excellence and efficiency.Technologies: Jira, Chef

Superior, Colorado, United States

**Cloud Infrastructure and Automation Engineer**- Developed the management, scaling, and complete automation of an expansive R&D data center housing over 600 VMs and physical machines. This initiative entailed developing a robust LDAP system that served as the cornerstone for orchestrating seamless kickstart processes, comprehensive monitoring protocols, DNS configurations, and Hadoop cluster setups alongside Chef recipes.- Played an instrumental role within the Cloud Operations team overseeing a diverse network of more than 3,500 CentOS (versions 6 & 7) servers deployed across physical hardware environments, VMWare platforms, AWS cloud services, as well as NTTs public and private clouds.- Dramatically enhanced efficiency by fully automating a 30-minute maintenance process for proprietary software packages, effectively minimizing manual intervention. Crafted bespoke scripts to streamline database backups and archival procedures, ensuring MySQL and MongoDB databases were securely stored in AWS S3/Glacier repositories.- Leveraged Ansible for dynamic VM deployment and configuration management tasks, while also establishing comprehensive documentation practices using Confluence—documenting the scripts and workflows developed to ensure consistency and knowledge transfer within the team.Technologies: ServiceNow, Vmware, AWS (S3/Glacier, EC2), Kubernetes, Pearl, OpenLDAP

Denver, Colorado, United States

*System Administration Expertise/Network Operations**- Orchestrated the technical management of a critical infrastructure comprising Solaris (versions 7–10) and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (versions 3–6), maintaining stability across the expansive Merkle network ecosystem—encompassing production, development, and qa environments.- Managed over 250 Linux/Unix systems, ensuring optimal performance for both virtualized and physical hardware configurations. Demonstrated leadership by mentoring junior Unix administrators through comprehensive weekly meetings and offering support with specialized technical challenges.- Pioneered the automation of routine operational tasks including RHEL kickstart sequences, network equipment configuration backups, and deployment processes for proprietary software solutions—streamlining efficiency across the organization's IT operations.- Enhanced Jboss server stability by architecturally evolving the platform from a single instance to a multi-tenant model, effectively managing multiple customer instances with refined automation protocols for deployment and ongoing monitoring.- Augmented the openLDAP system with innovative custom attributes and objects, crafting a sophisticated framework that bolstered the automated management of various Merkle network components.- Implemented cutting-edge automation techniques within Veritas Netbackup, elevating data protection procedures to new heights of operational excellence.Technologies: Solaris, Linux, OpenLDAP, Jboss, Apache, Netbackup, Satellite Server, Perl, CFEngine

Waldorf, Maryland, United States

**Expert Network and Systems Support**- Orchestrated the design and implementation of robust customer network infrastructures, showcasing my versatility across both physical hardware installations and virtualized environments. This included proficient management of switches, routers, firewalls, and a diverse array of server operating systems, spanning from Windows to Unix-based platforms.- Took on the responsibility of sole troubleshooter for critical hardware components including AIX and its associated RS/6000 and AS/400 machinery, while also extending my abilities to various Linux and Unix systems.- Conceived and executed a suite of Internet services encompassing web hosting, FTP solutions, email platforms, among others, leveraging the stability and flexibility of FreeBSD and Linux servers to augment SMT's service offerings—a strategic move that underscored my initiative and innovation in delivering competitive IT services.

Springfield, Virginia, United States

**Customer Technical Support**- Offered expert guidance to clients through the meticulous network configuration process, catering to an array of operating systems including Windows, MacOS, and Unix variants- Facilitated both dial-up and cable modem setups with precision and empathy. This role necessitated a deep understanding of varying customer needs and technical specifications.- Served as a mentor figure by handling escalated support calls that posed significant difficulties, thereby empowering junior level technicians to rise to the occasion. Additionally, I played an instrumental role in providing comprehensive training for new entrants within the tech team

Chef Architecture

Cloudera Hadoop Admin