City of Chicago flagChicago Code Monkeys

Resume

Robert C. Wafle

Robert C. Wafle

Principal Platform & Security Engineer — Kubernetes (CKA · CKAD), Azure, AWS, Terraform, Istio

Principal-level platform, DevOps, and security engineer with 25+ years building and automating cloud infrastructure for enterprise, financial-services, and public-sector organizations. Currently a Security Team Lead operating a four-environment AKS platform secured with an Istio service mesh and mTLS. Authored a public Terraform provider in Go, automated the full Istio service-mesh lifecycle on Azure, and led pipeline-driven Kubernetes platform migrations. CKA + CKAD certified across Azure, AWS, and GKE, with deep Terraform/IaC, GitOps, CI/CD, and zero-trust security expertise.

312-238-8977robert@wafle.comLinkedInGitHubChicago, IllinoisDownload Word Resume

Selected Achievements

  • Authored a Terraform provider (two resources, two data sources) and reusable modules for Tanzu Service Mesh in Go, published as a public module on GitHub.
  • Automated the full Istio service-mesh lifecycle (install, configure, upgrade, uninstall) on Azure AKS with mTLS and automated intermediate-CA provisioning (Venafi, cert-manager) — at a scale infeasible to manage by hand.
  • As Security Team Lead, migrated a manually maintained three-environment platform to a pipeline-driven four-environment AKS platform, cutting environment provisioning from ~2 weeks to an automated pipeline and raising deploy cadence from quarterly to weekly.
  • Re-architected a single database into a two-database system, enabling a 3,200% increase in customer capacity.

Skills

Cloud Platforms

Azure (AKS, App Services, Virtual Networks, Service Bus, Azure SQL, Cosmos DB), AWS (EKS, EC2, S3, Route 53, Load Balancer), GKE

Containers, Kubernetes & Security

Kubernetes, Docker, Service Mesh, Istio, mTLS / Zero-Trust, cert-manager, Venafi, Azure Arc, AKS, EKS

Programming

C#, JavaScript, TypeScript, Node.js, Flutter, PowerShell, Bash, Python, Ruby, Go

DevOps & IaC

CI/CD, GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, Jenkins, Terraform, Chef, Microsoft DSC, GitOps, Flux, Kustomize

Architecture & Delivery

Application Architecture, Database Architecture, Performance Testing and Tuning, Agile Project Management, Requirements Gathering, Team Building

Certifications

  • Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
  • Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)
  • Azure Fundamentals
  • AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
  • GitHub Actions
  • GitHub Security
  • GitHub Administration
  • Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
  • Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)

Experience

Consultant — Security Team Lead, Platform & DevOps

KellyMitchell Group, LLC.

Dec 2024 - Present

Chicago, IL

  • - As Security Team Lead on a 7-person platform team at a top-tier U.S. financial-services (custody) bank, migrated a manually maintained three-environment Tanzu platform to a pipeline-driven four-environment AKS platform (4 clusters: dev, int, test, prod).
  • - Cut environment provisioning from ~2 weeks of manual setup to an automated pipeline, and raised deployment cadence from quarterly to weekly.
  • - Implemented and operated an Istio service mesh with mTLS for secure ingress across all four AKS environments.
  • - Configured and supported an enterprise data-security platform (data masking and access governance) both in-cluster and within the application.
  • - Automated ingress certificate rotation using the Azure Key Vault Provider for the Secrets Store CSI driver.
  • - Built and maintained GitHub Actions pipelines for environment provisioning and deployment.
  • - Containerized two applications into dedicated namespaces on shared AKS clusters, and troubleshot infrastructure, networking, and certificate issues across environments.

DevOps Engineer

Chicago Code Monkeys

Mar 2023 - Dec 2024

Chicago, IL

  • - Built GitHub Actions pipelines to deploy and test a distributed blockchain network on AWS EC2.
  • - Used AWS, Terraform, Ansible, Python, and shell scripting.

Application Modernization Architect

Cognizant, TriZetto Division

Dec 2023 - Feb 2024

Chicago, IL

  • - Provided architecture and Kubernetes expertise for workload migration to Azure.

Application Modernization Architect

Xpirit

Jul 2023 - Oct 2023

Chicago, IL

  • - Earned Certified Kubernetes Administrator certification.

Application Modernization Architect

Cognizant, Microsoft Business Group

Jan 2021 - Jul 2023

Chicago, IL

  • - Conducted a service-mesh proof-of-concept and automated the full Istio install/configure/upgrade/uninstall lifecycle on Azure AKS via Azure DevOps.
  • - Authored a Terraform provider (two resources, two data sources) and reusable modules for Tanzu Service Mesh in Go, published as a public module on GitHub.
  • - Secured AKS communication with mTLS and automated CA and certificate workflows using Azure DevOps, OpenSSL, Venafi, and cert-manager.
  • - Automated secure bridge connectivity for containerized apps over the public internet.
  • - Automated provisioning of complex test environments spanning 20 VMs across 5 environments using PowerShell DSC.

Application Modernization Architect

PrimeTSR

Jul 2020 - Jan 2021

Chicago, IL

  • - Investigated, corrected, documented, and redesigned architecture across three healthcare applications.
  • - Covered HL7/CCD messaging, Direct Messaging via the SureScripts API, and KBA-based identity validation integrations.
  • - Assessed current-state web application architecture and configuration and proposed target-state architecture.
  • - Supported architecture work across messaging, interoperability, and patient identity validation workflows.

Principal Consultant

DevWrx

Nov 2019 - Jul 2020

Chicago, IL

  • - Led full-stack and DevOps delivery for clients including 10th Magnitude and Bulkmatic.
  • - Added features to a 5-microservice application running on 4 Kubernetes clusters across 4 environments (.NET Core, SQL Server, GraphQL, Angular).
  • - Built a cross-platform Flutter app used by 50 workers across 10 wash sites, replacing a paper process and cutting reporting lag from up to 4 days to real time.
  • - Automated mobile build and publish flows and backend integrations across Firebase and Azure.
  • - Troubleshot build and deployment issues across multiple Kubernetes clusters.
  • - Added database objects to source control and extended Azure DevOps pipelines to deploy database changes.
  • - Built backend synchronization jobs and authentication services to support mobile and web workflows.

Flutter Developer

Chicago Code Monkeys

Jul 2019 - Nov 2019

Chicago, IL

  • - Built Android and iOS mobile applications using Flutter.
  • - Delivered OCR and ML-enabled medication reminder solution with Firebase services.
  • - Implemented Firebase-based authentication, Firestore, Storage, Functions, ML Kit, and Crashlytics integration.
  • - Automated app build and publishing pipelines for App Store, Play Store, and Firebase distribution.

Software Developer and DevOps Engineer

Chicago Code Monkeys

Jul 2016 - Nov 2019

Chicago, IL

  • - Added Azure RM support to a business-critical C# MVC portal that provisions and de-provisions ~5,000 virtual machines over a 2–3 day period.
  • - Enhanced C# Service Fabric applications.
  • - Built Chef/Jenkins/PowerShell automation for Relativity sandbox and all-in-one image workflows.
  • - Created automation and tests that provisioned minimal Relativity environments that mirror production setups.
  • - Developed Chef recipes, libraries, custom resources, and Test Kitchen suites using Docker.
  • - Built reusable image-creation automation for development, test, demo, and small-firm production scenarios.

Software Developer

Chicago Code Monkeys

Mar 2016 - Jun 2016

Chicago, IL

  • - Built Unreal Engine automation rendering 8,000 videos on AWS across 64 VMs with RabbitMQ.
  • - Implemented path-finding logic and built a small React web site.

Principal Consultant, Web Architect

606 Digital

Apr 2015 - Feb 2016

Chicago, IL

  • - Led City of Chicago engineering process improvements for source control and builds.
  • - Consolidated multiple Visual Studio solutions and Git repositories into a single build pipeline, saving hundreds of developer hours.
  • - Built migration solution for millions of rows of historical data.
  • - Created unit testing framework for multiple WCF services.
  • - Trained teams on branching and rebase workflows to improve release quality and collaboration.
  • - Authored data validation SQL for migration verification and reliability.

Consultant - Lead Developer

Echo Global Logistics

Apr 2009 - Apr 2015

Chicago, IL

  • - Led a 6-member agile team and delivered multiple strategic custom applications.
  • - Built new LTL rating engine using ASP.NET MVC, WCF, and service-oriented architecture.
  • - Improved pricing accuracy and reliability in legacy rating systems.
  • - Enhanced an SSIS-based pricing import pipeline for Echo's largest LTL customer, Archway.
  • - Led SQL Server Reporting Services upgrade and vendor coordination.
  • - Implemented new UI and business logic enhancements to improve load-level pricing outcomes.
  • - Resolved high-priority defects across legacy and current pricing workflows to improve operational stability.

Lead Developer / Development Manager — LocalLaunch! Division

R.H. Donnelly Interactive

Jan 2006 - Mar 2009

Chicago, IL

  • - Led a 6-member team delivering custom web and data applications.
  • - Built systems for local-search listing distribution and ad campaign generation.
  • - Re-architected a single database into a two-database system, enabling a 3,200% increase in customer capacity.
  • - Improved scheduling and defect delivery with evidence-based and team-based workflows.
  • - Built campaign setup and business profile web applications, including rewrite and feature expansion work.
  • - Improved order processing and reporting through SSIS/SSRS design, implementation, and team training.

Development Manager

Canopy Financial

Jan 2005 - Dec 2005

Chicago, IL

  • - Built and launched customer-facing web application and ACH processing system under tight timeline.
  • - Created mission-critical .NET and SQL Server applications.
  • - Led ASP-to-.NET rewrite and engineered pay-per-click tool for healthcare accounts.
  • - Delivered launch-critical web and transaction-processing capabilities within a compressed pre-launch window.

Information Systems Operator/Analyst

U.S. Army

Jan 2003 - Oct 2004

Multiple Locations

  • - Developed and deployed strategic technical applications for operational readiness.
  • - Upgraded 300 machines from Windows NT to Windows XP.
  • - Built image-based deployment tooling and trained teams on Cisco and Microsoft technologies.

Development Manager

Ilios Partners

Apr 2001 - Oct 2002

Chicago, IL

  • - Built company web application for launch and integrated with DTCC.
  • - Recruited and led development and infrastructure team.
  • - Architected robust secure application and optimized relational data model for large-scale flat-file ingestion.
  • - Designed workflow tooling and back-office automation to streamline reporting and increase delivery throughput.

Associate Developer

Pulsity, Inc.

Apr 2000 - Apr 2001

Chicago, IL

  • - Developed project-management and web applications with ColdFusion and ASP/SQL Server.
  • - Migrated applications/databases to server farm and administered web/database/source-control systems.
  • - Implemented operational tooling and backup capabilities for web, data, and source-control infrastructure.

Lead Technical Support

GE Medical Systems, Integrated Imaging Solutions

Jul 1998 - Apr 2000

Mount Prospect, IL

  • - Supervised and trained 3-member help desk team.
  • - Oversaw development support, QA, field installations, and enterprise technical support.
  • - Defined support procedures and continuous-improvement practices for division-wide technical operations.