Syed Farhan Ahmed
About
As a Cloud & DevOps Engineer with over 5.8+ years of experience, I specialize in building scalable, secure, and automated cloud infrastructure that enables organizations to innovate faster and operate more efficiently.
I’ve led the design and implementation of cloud solutions across Azure environments, including Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), and CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps. Whether it's automating routine processes with PowerShell or optimizing infrastructure for performance and cost, I focus on delivering solutions that create real business value.
I hold 7 industry-recognized certifications — 5× Microsoft, 1× AWS, and 1× Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) — validating my technical breadth and commitment to continuous learning.
What sets me apart is not just technical proficiency, but the ability to translate complex challenges into streamlined, results-driven solutions. I work best in fast-paced environments where innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement drive success.
I’m currently focused on advancing my expertise in cloud-native architecture, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and DevOps best practices to support digital transformation at scale.
Let’s connect if you’re interested in cloud innovation, automation, or driving operational excellence through technology.
Certifications
Professional Experience
Awan Infotech Private Limited
Analyst — Cloud DevOps Engineer
- Oversee the management of 41 AKS clusters across 3 regions (AMER, EMEA, APAC) using Lens, PowerShell, and Azure Portal for efficient cloud operations.
- Lead Azure DevOps pipeline builds, ensuring smooth CI/CD process from development to production environments.
- Spearhead deployment and management of Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) and Azure Labs, enabling streamlined virtual workspace environments.
- Administer Azure Virtual Machines, SQL Databases, and Elastic Pools, ensuring optimal configuration and performance for development and testing teams.
- Implemented Azure Databricks clusters for Power BI Embedded and scaled environments to meet customer demands.
- Utilize Site24/7, PagerDuty, and Grafana to monitor cloud environments, ensuring high availability and performance of regional and tenant environments.
- Managed user access and role-based assignments through Microsoft Entra and Salesforce, facilitating seamless tenant provisioning and license allocation.
- Supported cloud security through the use of Azure Key Vault, Application Insights, and routine environment auditing.
- Enhanced team workflows by creating automated scripts with PowerShell and AI to streamline routine processes.
Cloud Assert Technologies
Cloud Support Engineer
- Configured Azure WebApp networking for secure SaaS products, ensuring reliable service availability.
- Set up and managed Azure VDI configurations for multiple customer environments, enhancing user accessibility and security.
- Conducted Azure Stack HCI deployments with SDN integration for hybrid cloud setups.
- Administered Veeam backup installations for VM protection, ensuring business continuity.
- Managed user access controls using Azure IAM and automated roles assignment.
- Provided consistent troubleshooting and support, handling customer tickets with Zoho Desk.
Oasis India Private LLimited
System Engineer
- Configured hardware and operating systems for enterprise users.
- Delivered end-user technical support and optimization.
Projects — Impact & Scale
AVD Cost Optimization & Workspace Migration
Architected and executed migration of legacy on-prem & AppStream workspaces to Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) for multiple tenants. Built an automated auto-shutdown and provisioning solution using Azure Functions + PowerShell that dynamically adjusts host pools by usage.
- Introduced usage-driven shutdown policies, integrating monitoring events to reduce idle spend.
- Delivered streamlined provisioning workflows with scripts to onboard new tenants in under 30 minutes.
SQL & Windows Server Modernization
Managed in-place upgrades of Windows Server and SQL Server VMs (2016 → 2022) with staged testing, performance baselining, and rollback strategies to ensure zero-impact SLA compliance for enterprise applications.
- Coordinated maintenance across teams, validated backups (Azure Backup & Snapshot) and conducted load validation tests.
- Documented upgrade runbooks that became the standard process for future maintenance.
AI-Assisted Personal Website Development
Designed and developed a responsive personal portfolio website using prompt-engineering to accelerate layout creation, optimize styling, and auto-generate reusable UI components.
- Automated favicon and image asset creation using AI workflows.
- Integrated a secure serverless contact API with reCAPTCHA Enterprise.
Prometheus Monitoring & Observability for Kubernetes at Scale
Implemented a centralized Prometheus + Grafana observability stack for 41 AKS clusters across AMER/EMEA/APAC. Standardized metrics and alerting rules; integrated PagerDuty for on-call automation and incident escalation.
AWS → Azure Migration (Cross-Cloud Modernization)
Led a full-stack migration of 10+ production VMs and associated services from AWS to Azure.
Technical Skills
Education
Master's in Cyber Forensics & Information Security — University of Madras
Bachelor's in Computer Science — University of Madras
Higher Secondary — JBAS Memorial Mat Hr Sec School
SSLC — Immaculate Heart Mary Matriculation School