Daniel Kirksey

Platform Engineer
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Experience

Oracle SRE: 2019 - 2026

  • Infrastructure & Workflow: Managed Kubernetes (K8s), Helm, Docker, YAML configuration using GitOps principles.
  • Observability Stack: Implemented and maintained monitoring solutions including Prometheus, Alertmanager, Grafana, and Exporters.
  • CI/CD Tools: Developed pipelines utilizing Jenkins and Argo CD for automated deployment workflows.
  • Provisioning & Automation: Used Chef, Terraform, and Ansible for infrastructure provisioning and configuration management.
  • Cloud & Collaboration: Worked with OCI, Jira, Confluence, and Slack integration in product development.
  • Scripting Languages: Scripting expertise in Python, Ruby, Groovy, JavaScript, and Shell (Bash).

Elementum SRE: 2016 - 2019

  • Containerization/Orchestration: Microservices development and container management using Docker, DC/OS, and Mesosphere.
  • Automation & Configuration: Implemented automation tasks for customer onboarding and service provisioning using Chef, Terraform, and Ansible.
  • Monitoring & Incident Response: Maintained monitoring infrastructure with Datadog, Sumologic, Jira, and VictorOps tools.
  • Data Systems: Managed databases including MySQL, PostgreSQL, Redis, and MongoDB.
  • Scripting: Developed operational scripts using Python, Ruby, Groovy, and Shell scripting.

Windows DevOps: 2016

  • Containerization: Managed container deployment using Docker.
  • Scripting & Administration: Developed PowerShell admin tools for AV scanning, Patch Management, Windows Error Reporting, and Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) Launcher functionality.
  • Learning Focus: Completed various learning projects and coding challenges utilizing Python and Ruby scripting.

AcqOps SRE: 2012 - 2014

  • Configuration Management: Established change management processes using Puppet, Git, Subversion, and Chef.
  • Monitoring Systems: Maintained and operated monitoring tools such as Nagios and Borgmon.
  • Asset/Service Management: Managed Menlo Inventory and oversaw development lab infrastructure.
  • Managed Rightsflow system deployments.
  • Provided development and support for Incentive Targeting GCE services.
  • Supported quick office migration to AWS GCE.

GSA Training SRE: 2009 - 2013

  • System Administration: Maintained mixed Ubuntu/Windows GSA environments for Enterprise Partner Training and Curriculum Development.
  • Maintenance & Upgrades: Handled standard maintenance requests including machine setup, kernel/patching, firmware updates, OS upgrades, and infrastructure buildouts.
  • Security Operations: Resolved SecOps Vulnerability-Audits and managed Proxy updates, VPN configurations, and Certificate Renewals (PKI).
  • Networking: Maintained separate internal DNS for learngsa.com; collaborated with the Traffic Team on external DNS changes.
  • Backup & Recovery: Performed routine backups and restores of Content and Management servers.

Postini SRE: 2009 - 2013

  • Security/Access Control: Managed Postini-SecOps and user account administration.
  • Provided lab/datacenter coverage, including breakfix and machine repair.
  • Assisted with Capacity Build Outs to accommodate new customers and service types.
  • Managed production infrastructure changes (e.g., kernel/patching/firmware/bios/OS upgrades) using cfengine and executing DNS updates.

Dreamworks Animation (Resource Administrator)

  • Provided technical resource administration for major film titles: Shrek the Third (2007), Flushed Away (2006), Over the Hedge (2006), Madagascar (2005), and rendering support for Shrek 2 (2004) and Shrek 4-D (2003).

Bio

I'm Daniel Kirksey, a Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) with a passion for learning and embracing new DevOps technologies.

Bio Photo

I take creative approaches to solve complex engineering problems, combining skills and knowledge from a diverse set of fields including infrastructure and software support.

Having worked for both large enterprise corporations and startups, I thrive in learning environments where peers share a similar sense of ownership over critical systems.

Technical Skills

Platform Engineering & GitOps

  • Argo CD
  • Kubernetes (K8s)
  • Helm
  • Crossplane
  • Declarative Workflows, Custom Resource Definitions (CRDs)/Custom Controllers
  • Terraform
  • Ansible / Puppet / Chef

Cloud & Virtualization

  • AWS (S3, EC2, CloudWatch, CloudTrail)
  • GCP (GCE)
  • OCI
  • VMware ESXi / Xen
  • Docker / Vagrant
  • NetApp Storage Administration

Observability & Telemetry

  • Prometheus, Grafana, Alertmanager (The full stack)
  • Datadog / Sumo Logic
  • CloudWatch / Pingdom
  • Monitoring Tools: Nagios, Cortex, Borgmon, Opsclarity
  • Incident Management: VictorOps, Pagerduty

Data & Storage Systems

  • Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redis, MongoDB, Elasticsearch
  • Message Queuing: AWS SQS/SNS, RabbitMQ, Apache Kafka
  • Automated Backup & Disaster Recovery (DR) Administration

Networking & Edge Security

  • HAProxy / NGINX (Load Balancing)
  • Firewalls, Bastion Hosts, VPN
  • PKI/Cert Management, DNS Management
  • Network Access Control (NAC), 3Ware integration

CI/CD & Scripting

  • Languages: Python, Shell (Bash/Zsh), Ruby, Groovy, JavaScript, Perl
  • Tools: Jenkins, Git, Gerrit, Subversion, Automated Pipelines
  • CM Tools: Terraform, Ansible, Chef, Puppet

Productivity & Infrastructure Management

  • Jira, Confluence (Project/Process Mgmt)
  • HashiCorp Vault (Secret Management)
  • System Administration: DC Operations / General HWOps

Contact

Email

Phone

  • Professional Phone: (631) 488-0621

Accomplishments

Oracle (SRE/Tech Lead)

  • Observability Strategy: Led the onboarding of teams into a unified monitoring pipeline; created automation around Prometheus and K8s for optimal observability (2021–2026).
  • Team Leadership: Served as Product Owner for the Monitoring team, guiding product roadmaps and initiatives (2020–2026).
  • Product Delivery: Launched six new product features for vTeam.
  • Architecture & Integration: Partnered with cross-functional teams to identify monitoring opportunities and federated data into SaaS Paved Road Tools (2023–2026).
  • Training & Process Improvement: Mentored new team members on Product Roadmap, K8s, and Prometheus; ran Team/Product Owner Scrum ceremonies, Quarterly Planning, and Retrospectives.
  • Compliance & Review: Managed Security Compliance Certifications/Trainings and actively participated in Architecture Review Boards (2019–2026; 2021–2022).

Elementum (SRE)

  • Microservices Migration: Assisted developers in migrating applications to microservices architectures using Marathon/DC/OS.
  • Automation & Reliability: Automated critical tasks including customer onboarding and database/collection backups/restores (2016–2018).
  • Database Management: Performed Database Upgrades and Migrations for systems like MongoDB and MySQL (2018).
  • Deployment Tools: Built and supported release jobs through Jenkins.

Google & AcqOps (SRE)

  • Disaster Recovery: Implemented Disaster Recovery strategies for critical GSA infrastructure, including Rightsflow (2012).
  • Cloud Migration: Spearheaded QuickOffice migration to AWS GCE (2013–2014).
  • Infrastructure Scaling: Supported large-scale deployments, including CorpX support and various logistics system maintenance (2013).
  • Campus & Tech Upgrades: Managed Netapp Storage Migration for training environments and assisted with physical datacenter decommissioning (e.g., Toronto YYZ07) (2012).
  • Operational Leadership: Transitioned GSA support functions, resolved SecOps Vulnerability-Audits, and led mixed Windows/Unix environment maintenance protocols (2009–2010).

Education

  • Online Learning: Consistently updated skills through platforms like Udemy and AWS Technologies (Cloud Practitioner, Solutions Architect Associate/Professional level focus).
  • Collegiate Studies: Cogswell Polytechnical College (Computer Video Imaging), Wayne State University (B.A. Economics).

Education

Online Certifications & Learning

  • AWS Technologies (e.g., Cloud Practitioner, Solutions Architect) - Ongoing
  • Udemy & Tech Talks Meetups - Continuous Learning

Cogswell Polytechnical College Sunnyvale, CA

  • Areas of Study: Computer Video Imaging (Animation Program 1995-1997)

Wayne State University

  • Areas of Study: Developmental Economics / B.A. Economics (1991-1994)