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Aaron J. Griffith

412.965.1234 | Pittsburgh, PA | aajgr9@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/ajgriff

OBJECTIVE #

Strategic technology leader with deep expertise in cloud, DevOps, and full-stack development. Seeking a senior IT role to build and maintain robust computing environments, deliver quality services, and drive innovation through emerging technologies.

SKILLS SUMMARY #

  • Cloud Platforms: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
  • DevOps: Kubernetes, Terraform, Ansible, Docker, Jenkins, Codefresh, GitHub Actions
  • Operating Systems: Linux (Amazon Linux, CentOS, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Ubuntu), Windows
  • Languages and Frameworks: Python, Bash, React, Powershell
  • AI/ML (Learning): Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), LangChain, Langflow, Ollama, Machine Learning Fundamentals
  • Observability and Monitoring: Datadog, Grafana, Elastic, Logstash, Kibana, Loggly
  • Soft Skills: Leadership, People Management, Communication, Positive Stress Management

WORK EXPERIENCE #

Smith Micro Software, Pittsburgh, PA #

Senior Director, Technical Operations (2017 - Present)

  • Led cross-functional teams of IT engineers across 4 departments, including Site Reliability Engineers, Database Administrators, Security Administrators, Network Operations, and Platform Engineers. Leveraged extensive AWS knowledge to drive strategic direction and results-oriented infrastructure management.
  • Architected and scaled a highly available Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud infrastructure to support millions of users across multiple SaaS products, ensuring compliance with 99.95% uptime Service Level Agreements (SLA). Leveraged a technology stack of AWS, Linux (Amazon, CentOS, RHEL, Ubuntu), Kubernetes, Docker, Terraform, Zabbix, Jenkins, and Datadog.
  • Implemented comprehensive observability practices, integrating monitoring, logging, and tracing tools to optimize system performance; reduced break/fix incidents by 40% over five years.
  • Reduced cloud infrastructure costs by 34%, saving $2.4 million in 2022 and $1.8 million in 2023 using AWS Cloudwatch and VMware Aria (previously VMware CloudHealth).
  • Streamlined CI/CD pipelines and automation processes using Jenkins and Codefresh; demonstrating a deep understanding of DevOps best practices. Support 3-5 production changes weekly for clients and internal business units.
  • Applied infrastructure as code (IaC) practices using Terraform and Ansible to integrate four merged companies (post-M&A activities), resulting in the immediate consolidation of AWS accounts from 46 down to 38. Separately performed data center to AWS migrations, which modernized the acquired platforms and unified the technology stack across the company, allowing for scale, stability, and reduced hosting expenses.
  • Engineered and implemented an Operations Checklist platform for Network and Cloud Operations teams, streamlining daily task management. Built on a modern tech stack including React, NodeJS, Docker, and Jenkins to create a robust, solution that enhanced team efficiency and operational visibility with management and executive teams.
  • Achieved rapid promotions to Senior Director within five years, building on a strong foundation of experience in Director, Manager, and Lead Linux Administrator positions.

Computer Sciences Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA #

Lead Linux Systems Administrator (2014 - 2017)

  • Optimized system performance through strategic upgrades, installations, and configurations on physical and virtual servers. Implemented Infrastructure as code (IaC) practices using Ansible to automate daily tasks, significantly increasing system stability and reducing incident tickets by 29% over two years.
  • Achieved a promotion to Lead Linux Administrator in February 2015, following a successful tenure as Senior Linux Systems Administrator.
  • Built strong relationships with our clients and internal business units, collaborating on critical software installations and projects, including a successful Bash remediation strategy (Shellshock exploit) and client-wide sendmail updates.

Grant Street Group, Pittsburgh, PA #

Linux Systems Administrator (2013 - 2014)

  • Scaled virtual and physical infrastructure at two colocated data centers to support 650+ CentOS/RedHat servers and 100+ MySQL databases with 99.5% uptime through Nagios monitoring and configuration management tools.
  • Standardized server configuration management using Puppet to enforce consistency across environments, eliminating configuration drift and improving system reliability.
  • Remediated security vulnerabilities identified through Nessus scanning, achieving a 100% pass rate on third-party penetration tests and ensuring full ISO 27001 and PCI-DSS compliance.
  • Optimized MySQL database performance by 23%, collaborating with developers to identify and resolve bottlenecks, and deadlocks using Percona Monitoring and Management (PMM).

Education Management Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA #

Systems Administrator (2012 - 2013)

  • Leveraged VMware vCenter Protect and Red Hat Satellite to automate the patch installation process, reducing delivery time for fully patched systems from 3 weeks to 2 weeks (33% improvement).
  • Played a key role in IT upgrade projects for Business Intelligence, including Informatica 8.6 to 9.0 migration and Cisco TIDAL scheduler upgrade to Windows Server 2008 R2. These improvements boosted reporting processing speed by 19% and introduced new features, enhancing overall business operations.
  • Resolved incidents following the ITIL framework, reducing resolution time by 23% through process improvement, improved documentation, and collaborating with senior staff.

rue21 Inc, Pittsburgh, PA #

Systems Administrator (2011 - 2012)

  • Executed system upgrades, installations, and configurations, across a multitude of IT systems. Instituted Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) which reduced the number of incidents by 23% across corporate infrastructure and retail sites.
  • Ensured data integrity with daily Windows Server backups using Symantec Backup Exec, maintaining zero data loss incidents.
  • Managed vendors to deploy IT infrastructure for over 100 new store launches. Orchestrated timely rollout ensuring stores opened on schedule with full technology suite.
  • Secured PCI compliance by implementing McAfee ePO and whitelisting with Solidcore across retail stores. Automated the deployment of McAfee ePO agent to stores which resulted in 100% compliance 2 weeks early.
  • Achieved promotion to Systems Administrator within six months from previously held position of IT Operations Specialist.
  • Performed Quality Assurance (QA) testing for CRS Retail Suite, ensuring optimal performance and system resiliency. Improved testing time by 33% using PowerShell.

EDUCATION #

La Roche University, Pittsburgh, PA #

Bachelor of Science, Information Technology (2009 - 2012)

  • Served as Director of Design & Technology for the Student Government Association, overseeing digital initiatives and IT projects.
  • As Vice President of the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP), led student-run helpdesk operations, enhancing campus-wide technical support and developing hands-on IT management skills.
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