Benson Nyakango
Minneapolis
Summary
Automation/DevOps Engineer with 3+ years of experience in Python, PowerShell, AWS, and GitLab CI/CD, specializing in monitoring and alert automation with SCOM. Proven impact supporting 6,000+ servers across Windows/Linux and improving alert processing speed to ~2.5 seconds. Interested in leveraging modern MLOps practices to deliver secure, scalable automation in a security-focused environment.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
AWS Cloud Automation Engineer
3M
Minneapolis, MN
01.2025 - 02.2026
- I developed and supported AWS automation using Lambda, Step Functions, and CloudFormation, helping enable cloudready monitoring and application workflows.
- I designed and maintained SCOM-based automation using PowerShell and Python, processing and forwarding alerts in ~2.5 seconds, dramatically improving incident response times.
- I supported monitoring and automation for 6,000+ servers globally across Windows and Linux environments, ensuring consistent alerting and system reliability at an enterprise scale.
- I built automation to enrich, route, and standardize SCOM alerts, reduce manual triage, and improve visibility for operations and engineering teams.
- I helped integrate SCOM workflows with downstream ITSM and external systems, enabling near real-time alert delivery and faster issue escalation.
- I supported Linux and Windows environments, troubleshooting automation issues and ensuring scripts ran reliably across platforms.
- I integrated automation with APIs and MSSQL-backed systems, enabling smoother application workflows and data handling.
- I modernized legacy automation by converting PowerShell scripts to Python, applying object-oriented programming to improve scalability, performance, and long-term maintainability.
- I used GitLab and GitHub daily for source control, managing branches, pull requests, and peer reviews to maintain highquality production code.
- I collaborated with engineers, stakeholders, and support teams to identify operational pain points and deliver automation that improved system stability and efficiency.
- I troubleshot automation across Linux and Windows platforms, ensuring reliable execution in production environments.
Backend Engineer // DevOps Engineer
Optum - United Healthcare
Minneapolis, MN
01.2022 - 08.2024
- CI/CD Optimization: Achieved faster deployments by designing CI/CD pipelines using GitHub Actions, leveraging EKS for AWS-hosted Kubernetes clusters, and automating infrastructure provisioning with Terraform to streamline scalable business solutions.
- Automation & Monitoring: Automated the creation of over 1000 patient PDFs monthly through RESTful Spring APIs, utilizing AWS S3 for secure storage, and enhancing auditability with AWS CloudWatch for real-time monitoring and alerting.
- Java-based Serverless Architecture: Developed robust AWS infrastructure for data-driven applications by deploying Lambda functions, API Gateway, and Secrets Manager; optimized serverless functions for high-throughput GraphQL queries, reducing query response times by 25%.
- Microservices Performance: Improved uptime and performance of GCP-based microservices by 30% through autoscaling configurations on on Kubernetes, grading service monitoring with Stack driver, and implementing efficient resource allocation for high availability.
Deskside Support/Refresh Technician
Xcel Energy
Minneapolis, MN
09.2024 - 12.2024
- Windows 11 Deployment & Management: I installed and configured Windows 11 across multiple devices during hardware refresh projects, addressing compatibility issues and ensuring secure deployments. I implemented security measures such as BitLocker encryption, local security policies, and user access control to protect data. I also utilized tools like Windows Imaging and Configuration Designer (ICD) to deploy secure, standardized OS images that met security protocols.
- Active Directory & Azure AD Administration: I managed user accounts, groups, and permissions in Active Directory and Azure AD, enforcing security policies for access, authentication, and authorization. I troubleshot replication issues, maintained consistent Group Policy, and automated security tasks using PowerShell. I also implemented multifactor authentication (MFA) and monitored directory activities to safeguard against unauthorized access, ensuring a secure environment across both on-premises and cloud systems.
Information Technology Intern
AdventHealth
Orlando, FL
05.2021 - 12.2021
- Dev & EHR: I led an agile team in developing a web application that streamlined operational workflows, resulting in a 20% reduction in process time and significant cost savings. Additionally, I enhanced the hospital's HER system by redesigning templates to display only essential data, drastically improving physician workflows.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science, Business Admin, Mathematics
Union Adventist University
Lincoln, NE12-2021
Skills
- Python engineering for automation
- AWS cloud serverless/data services
- DevOps CI/CD (GitLab/Github pipelines)
- MLOps: model delivery pipelines dependency management
- Monitoring, telemetry, and performance measurement
- Security mindset: threat awareness tactical recommendations
Timeline
AWS Cloud Automation Engineer
3M
01.2025 - 02.2026
Deskside Support/Refresh Technician
Xcel Energy
09.2024 - 12.2024
Backend Engineer // DevOps Engineer
Optum - United Healthcare
01.2022 - 08.2024
Information Technology Intern
AdventHealth
05.2021 - 12.2021
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science, Business Admin, Mathematics
Union Adventist University
Academics Certification
Union College, BS, Computer Science, Business Admin, Mathematics, 2021-01-01, CompTia Security+, 2025-01-01