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[Aqueeb Qadri] . [ contact@aqueeb.com] . [ 647 761 1261 ]​

Profile​

A technology leader who is a proactive, versatile IT professional with over two decades of experience in driving strategic projects, developing and deploying innovative client environments, and delivering robust systems architecture and design with a focus on governance and compliance in cloud (public/private) and application hosting platforms. Skilled in collaborating closely with business teams, I leverage strong communication, prioritization, and time management abilities, along with a broad technical acumen, to align technology initiatives with business objectives and deliver optimized, scalable and compliant solutions.

I am passionate about empowering teams and driving transformative change. Committed to delivering exceptional results and fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture. I believe I'll be an asset to any organization.

Skills​

Platform Engineering Cloud Architecture Cybersecurity AI/ML Engineering Enterprise Architecture System Architecture & Design ArchiMate Modeling Container Orchestration Platforms (K8s/OCP 4.x)

DevOps: Github Actions, Infrastructure as Code, Config Management, Kubernetes, Helm, ArgoCD
Programming: Python, Javascript (React), Go (Terratest)
Databases: Relational/NoSQL/Graph Databases
Linux: RHEL, Debian

Experience​

Principal Consultant, Independent Contractor​

November 2024 — Present, Toronto, ON

As an independent consultant, I lead architecture, compliance, and platform engineering initiatives for clients across regulated industries, with a focus on (but not limited to) financial services. My work centers on defining compliant-by-default landing zones, modernizing infrastructure, and building internal platforms that balance developer agility with governance. I partner directly with stakeholders from security, architecture, and operations to establish sustainable, scalable cloud and DevOps practices.

Key Focus Areas:

  • Landing Zone Development: Designed and implemented secure landing zones across Azure and GCP.
  • Compliance Automation: Built compliance dashboards aggregating IAM, encryption, and key rotation data to support internal audits and regulatory needs (e.g., HIPAA, NIST CSF, CSA CSM).
  • Developer Platforms: Delivered self-service pipelines and GitOps workflows for deploying containerized workloads with guardrails enforced via policy-as-code.
  • Governance Modeling: Modeled enterprise architecture using ArchiMate and C4.
  • Technologies Used: Terraform Enterprise, Azure Policy, GCP IAM, GitHub Actions, Kustomize, Helm, Neo4j, Archi (ArchiMate), Structurizr (C4), Python

Director, Enterprise Architect, RBC​

September 2021 — November 2024, Toronto, ON

As the Director of Enterprise Architecture, I specialize in Cloud (Public/Private), Platform Engineering, and DevOps, driving strategic initiatives that bridge technology and business goals. My work is grounded in crafting adaptable architectures and driving consistency in technology while ensuring compliance and governance. With a strong focus on Developer Experience, I strive to optimize platform tools and services for scalability, empowering teams to deliver with agility and precision. My goal is to create a seamless, productive environment where technology not only meets but anticipates the needs of an evolving business landscape.

Key Focus Areas:

  • Enterprise Architecture: Leading initiatives focused on Workload Portability, leading Cloud ARBs (Architecture Review Boards), and governance to ensure alignment with organizational standards and strategic goals.
  • Platform Engineering: Designing and implementing modern DevOps practices, automating CI/CD pipelines, and adopting cloud-native architectures.
  • Shared Services: Extending shared services (Workflow Management Platforms as an example) so that new capabilities could effortlessly leverage them.
  • Developer Experience: Building user-friendly tools and interfaces that empower developers to be more productive and effective.
  • Technologies used: Archi (modeling using ArchiMate), Structurizr (modeling using C4), Python, Java, Terraform Enterprise, Kustomize, Helm

Infrastructure Architect, Senior Consultant, Sourced Group Inc.​

April 2017 — September 2021, Toronto, ON

Responsible for leading clients down a very opinionated and prescribed path for consuming cloud resources, focusing on building strategic frameworks for governance, automation, and compliance. Played a pivotal role in enabling tier-one banks in Canada to leverage cloud platforms like Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Microsoft Azure, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) to achieve scalable, secure, and compliant cloud operations. Collaborated closely with stakeholders to align cloud strategies with business needs and regulatory requirements while mentoring junior consultants.

Key Focus Areas:

  • Strategic Cloud Frameworks: Designed governance, IAM, folder, and project strategies, and connectivity for GCP at a tier-one bank.
  • Automation & Deployment: Automated infrastructure deployment through Git and pipelines; implemented Git-driven deployment frameworks to streamline application provisioning on Azure.
  • Azure Platform Development: Led the creation of a strategic Azure platform enabling rapid and compliant workload migration for a tier-one bank, integrating security, regulatory, and compliance controls.
  • Infrastructure as Code: Developed opinionated templates for AWS and GCP to standardize cloud resource provisioning.
  • Stakeholder Collaboration: Managed relationships with key client stakeholders to align cloud adoption strategies with business objectives.
  • Team Leadership & Mentorship: Directed teams on critical initiatives, coached junior consultants, and drove cloud-native workflow development.

DevOps Engineer, Oracle​

April 2016 — April 2017, Toronto, ON

As a senior member of the Oracle Marketing Cloud DevOps Team, I focused on optimizing CI/CD pipelines, automating infrastructure processes, and enhancing development efficiency. I played a key role in developing robust CI/CD pipelines, mentoring junior team members, and leading projects with an organization-wide impact.

Key Focus Areas:

  • CI/CD Pipeline Optimization: Maintained and improved TeamCity pipelines to eliminate bottlenecks, increase build velocity, and streamline deployments.
  • Infrastructure Automation: Utilized Chef and Test Kitchen to create, iterate, and maintain high-quality cookbooks for node state management and resource optimization.
  • Scripting & Orchestration: Automated workflows with Bash, Ruby, and PowerShell to integrate tools like TeamCity and orchestrate day-to-day tasks.
  • Leadership & Mentorship: Refined user stories, led epic reviews, coached junior team members, and trained co-op students.
  • Stakeholder Collaboration: Directed high-visibility projects involving multiple stakeholders, delivering solutions with organization-wide impact.

Certificates​

Projects​

Personal Blog (2022-present)

  • Authored a series of blog posts covering a wide variety of topics and tools related to technology like LLMs (Large Language Models), ArchiMate, Neo4j, Public Key Infrastructure, Temporal, PowerShell, Pulumi etc.

Previous Experience​

Cloud Engineer/Service Delivery Lead, iTMethods Inc.​

May 2014 — April 2016, Toronto, ON

As a Cloud Engineer and Service Delivery Lead, I managed the deployment of AWS infrastructure, architected secure networks, and led disaster recovery planning for clients. I focused on enhancing operational efficiency through automation, implementing robust security practices, and delivering high-quality managed services. My role involved collaborating with clients, conducting proof of concepts (PoCs), and providing leadership to ensure successful project delivery and client satisfaction.

Key Focus Areas:

  • AWS Infrastructure & Network Architecture: Designed and deployed complex networks, VPN solutions, and multi-region disaster recovery scenarios in AWS.
  • Security & Automation: Reduced attack surfaces for WordPress and Linux systems by automating operational processes as much as possible using Chef and Jenkins.
  • Service Delivery Leadership: Led the Cloud Engineer Managed Services Team, ensured SLA adherence, and maintained client satisfaction through regular communication and issue resolution.
  • AWS Services Expertise: Extensive experience with EC2, S3, CloudFormation, VPC, ELBs, IAM, and AWS Storage Gateway for backup solutions.
  • IAM & Governance: Defined and implemented least privilege IAM policies within the organization to enhance security.
  • Proof of Concepts & Tool Evaluation: Conducted PoCs to identify optimal tools and solutions for automation and infrastructure projects, leveraging tools like Ansible, Chef, and RunDeck.
  • AWS Migration Projects: Played a major role in migrating a large educational institution to AWS, managing CloudFormation templates for networking.
  • Documentation & Best Practices: Documented environments for future support and applied enterprise-level best practices to infrastructure architectures and solutions.
  • Version Control: Maintained infrastructure and automation code using Git (Bitbucket) and provided expertise in Git command-line operations.

IT Consultant, Achnid Ordinateurs Inc.​

May 2008 — April 2014, Montreal, QC

As an IT Consultant, I managed a wide range of responsibilities across server administration, web development, VoIP systems, and virtualization. I developed customized solutions for business needs, implemented infrastructure optimizations, and ensured seamless day-to-day IT operations. My work spanned server setup and maintenance, backup management, account administration, and creating robust web and virtualization solutions for clients.

Key Focus Areas:

  • Server Administration: Applied updates and security patches to Windows/Linux servers; installed and configured systems like Asterisk, Microsoft Fax Server, and OpenVPN for remote access.
  • Backup Management: Maintained daily and weekly backups using Acronis Backup & Recovery 10, ensuring data availability and reliability.
  • VoIP Administration: Managed VoIP systems, including extensions, DIDs, and trunks; troubleshot issues like jitter, latency, and ping; monitored VoIP provider balances.
  • Custom Software Solutions: Built a QuickBooks search engine using PHP and QBWC API to streamline business operations.
  • Virtualization: Designed and optimized virtual infrastructures using VMware ESXi 5.1; migrated physical servers to virtual environments.
  • Account & Permissions Management: Administered user accounts and permissions on Openfiler Linux File Servers to support business operations.
  • Networking: Planned, tested, and implemented advanced networking solutions, such as VRRP, to improve redundancy and reliability.
  • Remote Management: Managed multiple Remote Desktop Connections with RDCMan for streamlined remote server access and maintenance.
  • Web Development & Administration: Developed and deployed yourbusinessneeds.net using PHP (CodeIgniter), JavaScript (jQuery), MySQL, and Sphinx; managed website listings and updates.

Manager / Sales Associate / PC Technician, Ardesam Inc.​

April 2004 — August 2008, Montreal, QC

As an entrepreneurial employee at Ardesam Inc., I transformed the business from a basic PC hardware store into a full-fledged IT support and solutions provider. I introduced new service models, implemented technical solutions, and provided hands-on support for clients' residential and business IT needs. My responsibilities ranged from deploying and maintaining IT infrastructure to delivering exceptional help desk support for users.

Key Focus Areas:

  • Business Transformation: Transitioned the company from a hardware sales shop to an IT support and solution provider, introducing innovative services like On-Call Technician support.
  • Technical Deployments: Deployed Windows Workstations using MDT, unattended answer files, and Norton Ghost; set up Active Directory Domain Services on Windows Server 2003.
  • Network Setup & Maintenance: Installed switched networks, configured DHCP scopes, and performed DNS server and network troubleshooting.
  • User Support: Delivered help desk support for over 200 users daily, addressing hardware, software, and network issues both on-site and remotely.
  • Infrastructure Management: Administered Active Directory, group policies, and account management, including resetting passwords and managing groups (Local, Global, Universal).
  • System Upgrades: Upgraded Windows Exchange Server 2003 and enabled IMAP, POP3, SMTP, and NNTP protocols to resolve client access issues.
  • Hardware & Software Support: Installed, upgraded, and troubleshot desktops, servers (NT Servers 4.0, IIS), and various operating systems (Windows 9x/NT/2000/XP/Vista).
  • Client-Focused Solutions: Deployed and supported an internet café with printing and photocopying services; joined computers to domains and resolved domain-related issues.
  • Remote & On-Site Assistance: Provided remote support for Microsoft Windows, Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), and client desktop configurations.