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Akeem Salaudeen
Verified Expert in Engineering
DevOps Engineer and Developer
Nottingham, United Kingdom
Toptal member since July 2, 2025
Bio
Akeem is a senior DevOps and site reliability engineer with 20+ years of experience delivering scalable, secure platforms across telecom, retail, media, and government. He has led cloud migrations, built CI/CD pipelines and system automation, and deployed Kubernetes clusters on AWS and GCP. Akeem has supported multimillion-pound programs for Sky, BT, and Burberry, expertly combining Terraform, Kafka, and SSO to drive resilient infrastructure and cross-functional delivery.
Portfolio
Sky UK
Amazon Web Services (AWS), Kubernetes, Terraform, Docker, GitLab, Puppet...
BJSS
Terraform, Jenkins, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Azure, Linux, Crucible, Nexus...
Burberry
Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Single Sign-on (SSO)...
Experience
- Databases - 20 years
- Unix - 20 years
- Cost Reduction & Optimization (Cost-down) - 20 years
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) - 13 years
- DevOps - 13 years
- Terraform - 8 years
- Kubernetes - 5 years
- Amazon MSK - 2 years
Preferred Environment
Amazon Web Services (AWS), Terraform, Kubernetes, Unix, Databases, IP Networks, Amazon MSK, Jenkins, Linux, Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
The most amazing...
...thing I've achieved is help major corporate clients build highly available, scalable, reliable, and secure platforms on various multimillion-pound projects.
Work Experience
Senior SRE, Senior DevOps Engineer
2022 - 2025
Sky UK
- Built Kafka infrastructure on Amazon MSK from scratch using IaC, ensuring high availability, security, scalability, monitoring, alerting, and disaster recovery with automated backups. Migrated from RabbitMQ, saving hundreds of thousands of pounds.
- Wrote, deployed, and maintained automation scripts and CI/CD pipelines, which improved deployment and operational processes via Jenkins, infrastructure as code (IaC) with Terraform, and GitHub to meet business requirements.
- Orchestrated and managed the deployment of microservices using Docker, Docker Compose, and Kubernetes on AWS cloud to successfully achieve the organization's requirements to scale, secure, and be resilient and highly available.
- Designed and executed the provisioning and automation of infrastructure that included logging, alerting, robust monitoring, and observability, combining Grafana dashboards, Prometheus, PromQL, Splunk, CloudWatch, and Couchbase Prometheus Exporters.
- Migrated monoliths and legacy systems to newly redesigned platforms on AWS, using demonstrated success migrating monoliths as an identity management system, and facilitated overall success by minimizing disruption and improving infrastructure.
- Oversaw Amazon Managed Streaming for Apache Kafka (MSK) using AWS, including design, configuration, replication, monitoring, topic backup to Amazon S3, Kafka connectors, and troubleshooting complex issues to enable seamless data stream processing.
- Collaborated closely with developers, solution architects, and stakeholders in launching new products and services, pursuing consistency in deploying infrastructure aligned to business requirements.
- Mentored and supported more junior DevOps members of the team.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Kubernetes, Terraform, Docker, GitLab, Puppet, Amazon MSK, Java, Python, Bash Script, Site Reliability Engineering (SRE), DevOps, Amazon CloudWatch, CI/CD Pipelines, Git, SQL, Cloud, SSL, NGINX, Splunk, ELK (Elastic Stack), Cloud Architecture, Apache Kafka, Database Administration (DBA), Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Cost Reduction & Optimization (Cost-down), Argo CD, Identity & Access Management (IAM)
Platform Engineer, DevOps
2020 - 2022
BJSS
- Implemented and managed complex migrations with services including Amazon RDS and Aurora, Jira, Crucible, and Nexus IQ, including IaC and CI/CD with Jenkins, driving highly available, secured, and resilient infrastructure for a public sector client.
- Delivered solutions for high-profile public sector projects with the NHS in a consultancy setting.
- Implemented and managed complex migrations with services including Amazon RDS and Aurora, Jira, Crucible, and Nexus IQ.
- Wrote and maintained IaC efficiently using Terraform across multiple virtual private clouds (VPCs) and AWS accounts.
- Fulfilled environment and Terraform version upgrades to align with changing needs on the platform and requirements of the organization across multiple accounts.
- Completed the system integration with end-to-end CI/CD automation, including Jenkins pipelines to create fully automated build and release pipelines with Jenkins, Packer, Docker, GitLab, and Terraform on AWS.
- Worked with cost optimization strategies and for performance tuning purposes to improve infrastructure value and effectiveness.
Technologies: Terraform, Jenkins, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Azure, Linux, Crucible, Nexus, Jira, DevOps, CI/CD Pipelines, Git, SQL, Cloud, SSL, NGINX, Splunk, ELK (Elastic Stack), Cloud Architecture, Database Administration (DBA), Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Cost Reduction & Optimization (Cost-down), Identity & Access Management (IAM)
Senior DevOps Engineer/Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)
2019 - 2020
Burberry
- Delivered a highly secure platform through SSO integrations (SAML, OAuth, OIDC, MFA), PingFederate upgrade, and support for Akamai, Stingray, RDS, and ActiveMQ. Provided L3 support and advanced troubleshooting across complex, opaque systems.
- Engaged in large-scale and complex cloud, on-premises, and hybrid systems integrations, solution design, migration, and troubleshooting, applying extensive analysis and problem-solving.
- Oversaw design, implementation, and documentation for end-to-end secured applications.
- Monitored performance, collected performance data, investigated problems, and served as a point of contact for major service failures and rectification of design gaps.
- Provided integrations with SSO, SAML, OAuth, OpenID Connect, MFA, ActiveMQ, PingFederate, PingOne/PingID, Akamai, Stingray load balancer, and RDS with advanced troubleshooting and level 3 support.
- Implemented cost optimization strategies and monitoring improvements with ELK, CloudWatch, and Grafana.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Single Sign-on (SSO), Terraform, DevOps, Site Reliability Engineering (SRE), CI/CD Pipelines, Git, SQL, Cloud, SSL, NGINX, Splunk, ELK (Elastic Stack), Cloud Architecture, Database Administration (DBA), Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Cost Reduction & Optimization (Cost-down), Identity & Access Management (IAM)
Senior DevOps Engineer
2019 - 2019
eDriving
- Migrated critical data center systems to the AWS cloud. I managed the successful migration of MySQL databases to Amazon Aurora, achieving high availability, significant performance improvements, and cost savings within three months.
- Oversaw and ensured the successful Data Center to AWS cloud database migration, delivering on schedule and within budget.
- Designed and implemented secure, high-availability solutions for migration from data centers to AWS, including detailed planning and recommendations.
- Provided ongoing support for AWS with Terraform for IaC deployment on AWS and CI/CD pipelines using Git, GitLab, Docker, and Packer.
- Performed log analysis and monitoring using ELK and CloudWatch to optimize application performance and infrastructure.
- Helped the company through its AWS migration journey, improving developer workflows, 3rd-party integrations, and infrastructure for enhanced scalability, availability, and cost-efficiency aligned with the AWS Well-Architected Framework.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Terraform, MySQL, Database Migration, Document Management Systems (DMS), VMware ESXi, CI/CD Pipelines, Git, SQL, Cloud, SSL, ELK (Elastic Stack), Cloud Architecture, Database Administration (DBA), Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Cost Reduction & Optimization (Cost-down), Identity & Access Management (IAM)
DevOps Engineer | Build Configuration Manager
2013 - 2017
BAE Systems
- Oversaw the build, release, and configuration management for a greenfield project from start to completion, leveraging Git, Nexus, Jenkins, ELK, Logstash, and Kibana for the CI/CD pipeline.
- Worked with Oracle databases, Unix/Linux, Red Hat, Ubuntu, CentOS, Apache, Nginx, NeoLoad, JMeter, Oracle Fusion Middleware, WebLogic 8-12c, WebLogic Scripting Tool, and WebCenter Sites.
- Served as the sole engineer responsible for designing and implementing a solution for a major UK telecom operator in a client-facing and remote working capacity, lasting about six months.
- Contributed to projects for some major UK telecom operators and service providers, performing user acceptance (UAT), operational acceptance (OAT), and system integration testing (SIT) in the pre-production and production environments.
Technologies: Amazon Web Services (AWS), WebLogic, Oracle, Oracle WebCenter Sites, Unix, Oracle Fusion Middleware, Oracle Internet Directory (OID), Oracle Identity Manager, Git, SQL, Cloud, SSL, NGINX, Splunk, ELK (Elastic Stack), Cloud Architecture, Database Administration (DBA), Cost Reduction & Optimization (Cost-down), Identity & Access Management (IAM)
System Integration Engineer | IaC Lead
2009 - 2013
Alcatel-Lucent
- Built the multi-million pound infrastructure for HLR Migration, Integrated new intelligent network, value-added services (VAS), and charging systems into a major UK telecom provider's existing platforms.
- Configured new platforms, products, and applications, and installed and commissioned various next-generation intelligent networks (NGIN).
- Planned, deployed, and configured Alcatel Home Location Register (HLR) and Subscriber Data Management (SDM) products on customer sites.
- Handled SS7 and TCP/IP network implementation, support, and protocol analysis. Configured and supported various protocols, including SIGTRAN, Diameter, SIP, LDAP, and SNMP.
- Led and managed daily tasks, coordinating other Alcatel-Lucent engineers in my team to keep projects on track and within budget, performed mass deployment of network nodes across multiple locations, and led the technical installations.
- Oversaw technical design documentation for the Mobile Application Server, NGIN, and VAS solutions, including low-level and high-level solution design reviews, methods of procedure upgrades, and request for change documentation for live deployments.
Technologies: Cisco, Operating Systems, Networks, Databases, Value-added Services (VAS), Intelligent Networks, SQL, SSL, NGINX, Apache Kafka, Database Administration (DBA), Cost Reduction & Optimization (Cost-down)
Systems Integration Specialist
2006 - 2008
BT Group
- Contributed as a key member of the integration, verification, and test team on BT's 20th and 21st Century Network project, focusing primarily on the smooth and seamless integration of new products into existing systems.
- Handled the build, configuration, patching, migrations, cloning (jumpstart), performance tuning, capacity planning, upgrade, and backup of different Solaris platforms.
- Oversaw performance analysis, capacity planning, build, fault resolution, and technical 3rd-line support of different Unix platforms, Oracle 8i, 9i, and 10g databases, and operations support (OSS) and business support systems (BSS).
- Engaged as a point of contact on WebLogic, Solaris, Veritas, HP-UX, Oracle build, database migration, upgrades, network performance management, configuration, connectivity requests, and incident, problem, and change management.
- Managed an offshore team, handled the release and configuration of many applications on BT test platforms, including general infrastructure, and interfaced with project managers, penetration testers, component suppliers, and architects.
Technologies: Unix, Databases, BEA WebLogic Server, Oracle Database, Networking, IT Project Management, Release Management, SQL, SSL, NGINX, Database Administration (DBA), Cost Reduction & Optimization (Cost-down)
Intelligent Network Engineer
2005 - 2006
Huawei Technologies Co.
- Engaged in training, installation, upgrades, debugging, and configuration of intelligent networks, VAS, and billing platforms, including SMP, SCP, SMAP, CMP, USAU, operations and maintenance, IP/AIP, IVR, and SMSC.
- Assisted in planning, setting up, and managing a multimillion-dollar training center in Nigeria, handling lab infrastructure management. Acted as the training manager for three months.
- Provided training and training documentation for local staff and customers in African countries.
Technologies: Unix, Cisco, Solaris, Oracle, Sybase, IBM Informix, Intelligent Networks, Training, SQL, Database Administration (DBA), Cost Reduction & Optimization (Cost-down)
Experience
Sky UK | Microservices Deployment, Automation, & Observability Stack
Built and deployed this project by orchestrating microservices with Docker and Kubernetes, ensuring the system was highly available and scalable. I focused on optimizing deployment pipelines and automation through Jenkins and Terraform. The build observability monitoring and alerting stacks included Prometheus, Grafana, and CloudWatch Exporters.
Sky UK | Kafka Event-driven Architecture & Monitoring
Implemented a robust, fault-tolerant, highly available Kafka messaging system on Amazon MSK. I designed and deployed the backup solution for Kafka topics, monitoring, and alerting with CloudWatch, Prometheus, Grafana, and Alertmanager. I also managed the MSK infrastructure, ensuring seamless stream processing, replication, and monitoring, and deployed the Kafka UI, Kafka client, and Cruise Control.
Burberry UK Limited | Hybrid Infrastructure Management & SSO
Integrated and managed complex cloud, on-premises, and hybrid systems for Burberry, ensuring high security, performance, cost optimization, and availability. I successfully integrated AWS-based infrastructure with 3rd-party applications, including SSO, MFA, OAuth, SAML, PingID, and PingFederate products.
eDriving | Data Center to AWS Cloud Migration
Migrated critical data center systems to the AWS cloud. I managed the successful migration of MySQL databases to Amazon Aurora, achieving high availability, significant performance improvements, and cost savings.
Alcatel-Lucent | HLR Migration & System Integrations with Vodafone UK
Managed the installation and commissioning of Alcatel’s HLR systems, which involved integrating and deploying key telecom infrastructure across different data centers in the UK. I was in charge of planning, deploying, and configuring Alcatel HLR products on the customer site. I also mentored and led a team of system integration engineers.
British Telecom (BT) Group | OSS Integration
Delivered technical solutions across various Unix environments, including Solaris, HP-UX, and Linux, focusing on performance tuning and high-availability systems. I participated in troubleshooting, migration, patching, and processes to optimize network infrastructure. I also handled integrations with BEA WebLogic, Oracle databases, and other critical telecom services.
Education
2000 - 2002
Master's Degree in Information Systems
University of Ibadan - Ibadan, Nigeria
1993 - 1997
Bachelor's Degree in Physiotherapy
University of Ibadan - Ibadan, Nigeria
Certifications
AUGUST 2019 - PRESENT
AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate
Amazon Web Services
MAY 2019 - PRESENT
AWS Certified Developer - Associate
Amazon Web Services
APRIL 2019 - PRESENT
Google Cloud Certified - Associate Cloud Engineer
AUGUST 2008 - PRESENT
PRINCE2 Agile Project Management (AgilePM) Foundation & Practitioner
APMG International
JULY 2008 - PRESENT
Oracle Database 10g Administrator Certified Professional
Oracle
APRIL 2008 - PRESENT
Oracle Certified Associate - Oracle 10g Database Administrator
Oracle
DECEMBER 2007 - PRESENT
ITIL Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management (ITSM)
BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT
NOVEMBER 2007 - PRESENT
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
Cisco
MAY 2006 - PRESENT
Oracle Certified Associate - Oracle9i Database Administrator (OCA)
Oracle
JANUARY 2006 - PRESENT
Sun Certified System Administrator
Sun Microsystems
Skills
Tools
Terraform, Git, Jenkins, NGINX, Grafana, Jira, Splunk, ELK (Elastic Stack), Puppet, Ansible, Chef, Helm, GitLab, Crucible, Oracle Internet Directory (OID), Wireshark, AWS IAM, Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), Amazon CloudWatch
Frameworks
AWS Well-Architected Framework, OAuth 2
Paradigms
DevOps, Agile Product Management
Platforms
Amazon Web Services (AWS), Unix, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Oracle Database, Azure, Nexus, Oracle, Solaris, Amazon EC2, AWS ALB, Apache Kafka
Storage
Databases, PingFederate, MySQL, Database Migration, Sybase, IBM Informix, Amazon Aurora, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Database Administration (DBA)
Languages
Bash Script, SQL, SAML, Java, Python
Other
IP Networks, System Design, Prometheus, Site Reliability Engineering (SRE), Cloud, CI/CD Pipelines, Cloud Architecture, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Cost Reduction & Optimization (Cost-down), IT Project Management, SSL, Single Sign-on (SSO), Argo CD, Network Engineering, Identity & Access Management (IAM), Amazon MSK, Information Science, IT Service Management (ITSM), Routing, Cisco Switches, Sports, OAuth, Document Management Systems (DMS), VMware ESXi, WebLogic, Oracle WebCenter Sites, Oracle Fusion Middleware, Oracle Identity Manager, Cisco, Operating Systems, Networks, Value-added Services (VAS), Intelligent Networks, BEA WebLogic Server, Networking, Release Management, Training, AWS ECS Fargate, SS7, TCP/IP, System Integration, Network Optimization, Amazon Route 53, Autoscaling
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