Nkosinathi Sola
DevOps Engineer
Experienced in developing, supporting, automating, and optimizing mission-critical deployments in AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
About Me
Hello! I'm Nkosinathi Sola, a DevOps Engineer from Cape Town, South Africa. I have rich experience in developing, supporting, automating, and optimizing mission-critical deployments in AWS.
I'm passionate about infrastructure automation, cloud technologies, and creating efficient CI/CD pipelines. My goal is to build reliable systems that scale and perform optimally.
Cape Town, South Africa
Available for Freelance
My Focus
Infrastructure
Infrastructure is the foundation that supports a system or organization. I specialize in building and managing computing resources that support the flow, storage, processing, and analysis of data across cloud platforms.
Scripting and Automation
I leverage scripting to automate repetitive tasks, enhance system capabilities, and execute programs that deliver appropriate results to users efficiently and reliably.
20+
Albums Listened
1579
Cups of Coffee
5
Countries Visited
∞
Crypto Enthusiast
Professional Experience
Site Reliability Engineer
TravelStart, Cape Town | January 2023 - Present
Responsible for the provisioning, configuration, operation, and maintenance of system hardware, software, and related infrastructure to ensure optimum service availability, system health, and performance delivery across production environments.
Infrastructure Management & Automation
- Built and managed software systems to automate the management of platform infrastructure and applications.
- Developed tools and processes to monitor and improve system availability, reliability, and performance.
Production Environment Monitoring
- Proactively monitored production environments, focusing on availability and holistic system health monitoring.
- Measured and optimized system performance, innovating solutions to meet growing customer demands.
Support and Operational Engineering
- Provided primary operational support and engineering for large-scale, distributed software applications.
- Supported developers' infrastructure, deployment processes, and operational requirements.
Cloud and Systems Administration
- Managed infrastructure across Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud Platforms.
- Administered systems for e-commerce applications, ensuring security and high availability.
- Handled day-to-day systems administration tasks for production servers to ensure continual uptime.
DevOps, CI/CD, and Deployment Management
- Managed GitHub and Azure DevOps repositories and deployment pipelines.
- Worked with Spinnaker, Jenkins, and Nexus for continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD).
Windows Server and Database Management
- Maintained Windows Server environments and IIS 7 web server infrastructure.
- Administered and maintained Microsoft SQL Server environments.
Security and Compliance
- Maintained a secure IT environment for all e-commerce and production systems.
- Ensured adherence to IT Health and Safety policies.
Key Technologies and Tools Used
- Cloud Platforms: Azure, AWS, Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
- Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Terraform, Packer, Chef
- Containerization and Orchestration: Kubernetes
- DevOps Tools: Spinnaker, Jenkins, GitHub, Azure DevOps, Nexus
- Networking and Security: Cloudflare
- Operating Systems: Linux/Unix, Windows Server
- Web Servers: IIS 7
- Databases: MS SQL Server
Software Deployment Engineer
AiFi Inc | January 2022 - December 2022
Worked as a Software Deployment Engineer responsible for automating and managing the deployment of AiFi's computer vision-driven autonomous store solutions across North America and Europe. Collaborated with cross-functional teams to deliver seamless, scalable, and reliable deployments to global retail partners.
Software Deployment & Automation
- Deployed and automated AiFi's proprietary software solutions on client premises and cloud environments, utilizing Docker, Kubernetes, and microservices-based architecture.
- Implemented auto-provisioning of servers, Kubernetes clusters, and store software systems to accelerate deployment timelines.
Cross-functional Collaboration
- Worked closely with hardware, networking, project management, QA, and development teams to coordinate end-to-end deployments.
- Conducted User Acceptance Testing (UAT) to validate system stability, camera feeds, connectivity, and ensure readiness for store openings.
Troubleshooting & Problem Resolution
- Diagnosed and resolved technical issues during deployments by analyzing Kubernetes resources, container logs, network flows, and REST API integrations.
- Utilized advanced troubleshooting methods including SSH tunneling, tcpdump, nmap, and log analysis to detect and fix network and software failures.
Process Improvement & Documentation
- Identified bottlenecks in the deployment process and contributed to continuous improvement initiatives, including documentation updates and knowledge base expansion.
Cloud and Virtualization Tools
- Used tools for virtualized environment setup and managed remote deployments with PXE boot, Terraform, and Ansible for server/cluster provisioning.
- Enhanced deployment automation pipelines with Helm and Kustomize to streamline Kubernetes configurations.
Networking & Systems Integration
- Supported hardware installation by validating network connectivity, reviewing construction plans for camera placement, and ensuring adherence to server and sensor installation standards.
- Coordinated with third-party system integrators during store builds and activations.
Global Deployment
- Actively participated in global deployments across various retail verticals, including convenience stores, sports arenas, and corporate campuses.
Junior DevOps Engineer
BCX - Business Connection Ltd | October 2021 - March 2022
Automation and Scripting
- Developed and maintained Python automation scripts to streamline reporting tasks and operational processes, significantly improving data delivery efficiency for internal teams and clients.
Metrics and Dashboards Development
- Designed and built custom metrics dashboards for clients, providing real-time insights into infrastructure health, system performance, and key operational metrics.
- Integrated multiple data sources and monitoring tools into centralized visualization platforms to enhance decision-making and proactive incident management.
Cloud and On-Premises Infrastructure Support
- Supported server deployments across hybrid environments including AWS, Microsoft Azure, and On-Premises infrastructure.
- Assisted with basic provisioning, configuration, and monitoring tasks for cloud and physical servers.
Client-Facing Solutions
- Worked closely with clients to understand their monitoring and reporting needs, ensuring that dashboard solutions aligned with their technical and business requirements.
Continuous Learning and Process Improvement
- Actively participated in internal knowledge sharing, automation improvement initiatives, and DevOps best practices workshops.
Key Technologies and Tools:
- Programming: Python
- Cloud: AWS, Azure
- DevOps Tools: Git, Basic Scripting, Excel Automation
Key Outcomes:
- Delivered highly customized, real-time dashboards that improved client visibility into system operations.
- Automated critical reporting processes, reducing manual effort and turnaround times.
- Strengthened practical skills in automation, cloud platforms, and customer-facing technical delivery.
DevOps Engineer
Bloqtech Solutions Pty Ltd (formerly GloBee) | February 2021 - September 2021
Infrastructure Automation and Cloud Management
- Independently managed and optimized AWS cloud infrastructure, including provisioning and scaling EC2 instances, configuring S3 buckets for storage, and managing RDS databases for high availability.
- Built and deployed Docker containers, refactoring monolithic applications into microservices to improve scalability and deployment speed.
CI/CD Pipeline Ownership
- Designed, implemented, and maintained fully automated CI/CD pipelines to ensure smooth, reliable, and fast software deployments across development, staging, and production environments.
- Integrated GitHub Actions with cloud resources to automate build, test, and deployment processes, improving release cycles.
Version Control and Code Management
- Maintained Git repositories, ensuring clean branching strategies, version control standards, and collaboration practices across the engineering team.
System Reliability and Security
- Monitored cloud infrastructure and application performance, identifying and resolving incidents to maintain system reliability and uptime.
- Applied best practices in cloud security, IAM roles, and resource policies to safeguard applications and sensitive data.
Collaboration and Cross-Team Support
- Worked collaboratively with development teams to streamline DevOps processes, optimize resource usage, and support continuous delivery initiatives.
Key Technologies and Tools:
- Cloud: AWS (EC2, S3, RDS, Lambda, Auto Scaling, IAM, CloudFront, Route 53)
- DevOps: GitHub Actions, Docker, Git
- Practices: CI/CD Automation, Microservices Architecture, Infrastructure as Code (basic), Cloud Monitoring & Security
Key Outcomes:
- Took end-to-end ownership of DevOps pipelines and AWS infrastructure with minimal supervision.
- Enabled faster, more reliable software deployments by automating key aspects of the delivery workflow.
- Strengthened hands-on expertise in containerization, cloud-native operations, and infrastructure security.
Intern DevOps Engineer
Bloqtech Solutions Pty Ltd (formerly GloBee) | November 2020 - January 2021
Merchant Support and Operations Monitoring
- Monitored and reviewed merchant transactions to ensure smooth payment processing and transaction reliability.
- Supported merchants by handling security questions, transaction inquiries, and ensuring superior customer service in the cryptocurrency payment environment.
Cloud Infrastructure Management and Development
- Worked under the guidance of a Senior DevOps Engineer to help build, maintain, and troubleshoot cloud infrastructure in AWS.
- Gained hands-on exposure to managing AWS resources including RDS (Relational Database Service), CloudFront (CDN), EC2 instances, Lambda functions, Auto Scaling Groups, IAM roles/policies, and Route 53 (DNS management).
CI/CD Pipeline Support and Automation
- Assisted in the development, maintenance, and troubleshooting of GitHub Actions pipelines to automate code deployments and infrastructure changes.
Security and Best Practices
- Supported efforts to ensure merchant and card data security according to industry best practices and internal compliance policies.
- Helped maintain and enforce security practices across AWS resources and cloud deployments.
Key Technologies and Tools Used
- Cloud: AWS (EC2, RDS, Lambda, CloudFront, Auto Scaling, IAM, Route 53)
- DevOps: GitHub Actions (CI/CD Pipelines)
- Monitoring: Transaction and infrastructure monitoring
- Practices: Security management, Infrastructure as Code fundamentals, Cloud maintenance
Key Learning Outcomes
- Developed strong hands-on experience in cloud-native development and microservice architecture.
- Gained practical experience in the fintech/crypto space, understanding the challenges of blockchain integrations and payment systems.
- Enhanced skills in debugging, testing, and collaborating in agile software development environments.
Intern Software Engineer
Bloqtech Solutions Pty Ltd (formerly GloBee) | February 2020 - October 2020
GloBee was a global cryptocurrency payment provider that enabled merchants to accept cryptocurrencies and offered international remittance services without risk. GloBee guaranteed zero fluctuations in crypto value for merchants and was the first processor globally to accept Bitcoin Lightning payments. The company provided open-source plugins for major e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento to facilitate easy integration.
Software Development and Engineering Support
- Worked closely under the mentorship of senior software engineers to design, develop, and debug software applications in the cryptocurrency payment space.
- Coded and tested components for a crypto payment gateway enabling merchants to securely accept cryptocurrencies with real-time exchange and payment batching optimization to minimize network fees.
Cryptocurrency Wallet Management
- Contributed to the development of proxy services to manage cryptocurrency wallets and nodes for multiple digital assets, simplifying interaction through a unified interface.
Code Quality and Best Practices
- Reviewed and tested peer engineers' code to ensure software quality and adherence to coding standards.
- Participated in experimentation and iterative improvements on system designs and architecture.
Cloud and Serverless Development
- Assisted in building and maintaining AWS Lambda functions for managing cryptocurrency transactions where SDK support was limited.
- Gained exposure to serverless architectures and cloud-native development in AWS.
Key Technologies and Tools Used
- Programming: Kotlin (Spring Boot)
- Cloud: AWS Lambda
- Cryptocurrency: Bitcoin Lightning, multiple cryptocurrency wallets and nodes
- Tools & Practices: Git, Code Reviews, Unit Testing
Key Learning Outcomes
- Developed strong hands-on experience in cloud-native development and microservice architecture.
- Gained practical experience in the fintech/crypto space, understanding the challenges of blockchain integrations and payment systems.
- Enhanced skills in debugging, testing, and collaborating in agile software development environments.
Skills & Expertise
Professional Tools
AWS90%
CI/CD85%
Database Management80%
Server Management85%
Docker90%
Packer75%
Coding
Python70%
MySQL70%
HTML / CSS95%
Education
Diploma: ICT in Applications Development
Cape Peninsula University Of Technology, Cape Town
2017 - 2020
Latest Blog Posts
Testimonials
"It was a pleasure working with Nkosi at Techno Ponies. He is an energetic person and a humble developer, hungry to learn and ready for any challenge!"
Contact Me
Get In Touch
Feel free to reach out if you're looking for a DevOps engineer or have any questions about my experience and skills.
Location
Cape Town, South Africa
nkosinathisola@gmail.com
Phone
+27 825 173 224