Open to Opportunities

Deepak Kumar
Kalakota

DCO Lead | Infrastructure Manager | Team Builder

Data Center Operations Lead & DCOSE Program Partner with 5+ years driving operational excellence, team leadership, and infrastructure scalability across mission-critical AWS hyperscale environments. Proven people manager — mentoring 20+ technicians, conducting 40+ interviews, and leading cross-functional programs from planning through Go-Live.

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ToR SWITCH — 48-PORT 1U 2U GPU SERVER — 4U 4U PDU — 208V / 30A UPS — 2N REDUNDANT CRAH — COLD AISLE BMS — ALL SYSTEMS NOMINAL SYSTEM STATUS UPTIME: 99.99% | RACKS: ONLINE | ALERTS: 0
5+
Years Experience
20+
Technicians Mentored
40+
Technical Interviews
99.99%
Uptime Maintained
Why I Lead

Leadership Highlights

Key management outcomes that demonstrate readiness for a senior operations or infrastructure manager role.

20+
Technicians Managed
Built and led a team through structured OJT onboarding, daily shift coordination, and performance development toward L4 promotions.
40+
Interviews Conducted
Directly influenced site hiring and talent strategy by conducting technical interviews for L3/L4 roles.
30%
Handover Time Reduced
Designed and deployed automation tools (Quip ticket generator, on-call bot) that streamlined shift transitions.
0
Downtime at Go-Live
Led Road to Launch (RTL) — drove cross-functional testing, vendor coordination, and validation ensuring zero-downtime launches.
Multi-Site
Regional Support
Provided cross-site support across multiple AWS facilities, aligning processes and standardizing compliance protocols.
ITIL
Process-Driven Ops
Applied ITIL-aligned change management, incident management, and continuous improvement practices to maintain SLAs.
Career Path

My Journey

From hands-on technician in India to leading operations at AWS — a visual timeline of growth.

2019
🎓 B.Tech — Computer Science
Sri Indu College, JNTU — India
2019–21
🔧 Junior DC Technician
V-CYAN IT Services — Hyderabad
2023
🎓 Master's — IT Management
Webster University — St. Louis, MO
2023–24
🖥️ System Engineer
Zenith Services — Plainsboro, NJ
2023–24
🚀 Operations Manager
Legal Fiber — NYC (Remote)
2024–Now
⚡ DCO Lead — DCOSE Partner
Amazon Web Services — New Carlisle, IN
Professional Experience

Where I've Built & Led

Progressing from hands-on technician to operations lead across hyperscale data center environments.

Data Center Operations Lead
Amazon Web Services (AWS) — DCOSE Program Partner
New Carlisle, IN
Dec 2024 — Present
  • Serve as SME for critical infrastructure (power, cooling, electrical) across multiple data halls, handling escalations and first-responder incident management.
  • Led and mentored 20+ technicians through structured OJT programs; conducted 40+ technical interviews for L3/L4 roles influencing site talent strategy.
  • Developed Quip-based ticket summary auto-generator and on-call bot prototype approved for Sev-Vision integration — reducing handover time by 30%.
  • Drove Road to Launch (RTL) readiness with cross-functional testing and validation (L1-L5 commissioning) ensuring zero downtime for Go-Live.
  • Managed complex hardware escalations including ToR link-flap diagnosis, coordinating with NRE teams and documenting SOP updates.
  • Responded to network outages by diagnosing Layer 1 (optical/fiber) through Layer 3 (routing/switching) issues across hyperscale infrastructure.
  • Spearheaded WDID safety remediations after RPM cable incidents; managed design limitations and risks of datacenter electrical infrastructure.
  • Led process improvements: STORM cart deployment, resolver group alias validation, CTI escalation mapping, improving global ticket routing.
  • Worked cross-functionally with Infra Delivery, Deployment, GND, and IDND teams to optimize handoff procedures and reduce turnaround to production go-live.
  • Oversaw rack-level asset audits and RMA lifecycles; coordinated vendor interventions while maintaining contractual SLAs.
AWSCritical InfrastructureTeam LeadAutomationNetwork OpsDCIMIncident MgmtL1-L3
System Engineer — DC Infrastructure
Zenith Services Inc.
Plainsboro, NJ
Aug 2023 — Oct 2024
  • Managed deployment and maintenance of Linux/Windows servers across production and staging environments, achieving 99.99% uptime.
  • Monitored system health using CloudWatch/CloudTrail; performed log analysis and resolved performance bottlenecks.
  • Maintained and optimized DNS, DHCP, and network routing configurations for stable hybrid infrastructure connectivity.
  • Conducted routine inspections of power, cooling, and network capacity to anticipate growth and optimize resources.
  • Maintained accurate equipment inventory and audit records across the hardware lifecycle for compliance and reporting.
LinuxWindows ServerCloudWatchDNS/DHCPHardware Ops99.99% Uptime
Operations Manager
Legal Fiber — Legal-Tech Startup (Freelance)
New York City Metropolitan Area · Remote
Nov 2023 — Oct 2024
  • Managed daily operations of an AI-driven legal-tech startup, including workflow design, client support, and cross-functional team coordination.
  • Built and maintained systems for client intake, quote processing, and communication pipelines between clients and legal professionals.
  • Collaborated closely with tech and product teams to improve the platform's user experience and backend operational efficiency.
  • Scaled the business by creating SOPs for onboarding lawyers, managing client cases, and standardizing internal workflows.
  • Monitored performance metrics and made data-driven decisions to improve response times and attorney match success rates.
  • Oversaw legal compliance, document handling, and internal security measures to ensure client trust and data integrity.
  • Managed external vendors and tools for communication, document signing, and project tracking across the organization.
  • Contributed to building a collaborative and proactive work culture in a fast-paced startup environment.
Operations MgmtTeam ManagementSOP DevelopmentWorkflow DesignVendor MgmtData-Driven DecisionsStartup Ops
Junior Data Center Technician
V-CYAN IT Services
Hyderabad, India
May 2019 — Dec 2021
  • Supported server installations, network cabling (copper/fiber), and switch configurations while maintaining environmental standards.
  • Performed hardware diagnostics and component replacements (HDDs, fans, PSUs) following ESD and safety procedures.
  • Conducted daily system and environment checks (power, cooling, alarms) to maintain 24/7 uptime.
  • Collaborated with IT team on hardware failure response, security compliance, and disaster recovery documentation.
  • Logged maintenance activities and audit data into DCIM systems for asset tracking and lifecycle management.
Rack & StackCablingHardware DiagDCIM24/7 Ops
Projects & Innovations

What I've Built

Automation tools and process innovations created to solve real operational challenges at scale.

🤖
On-Call Bot Automation
APPROVED FOR SEV-VISION INTEGRATION
  • Proposed and developed an on-call bot concept that integrates with Boost, CTI, and SIM data to dynamically display the correct escalation contact based on site, shift timing, and ticket severity.
  • Designed the workflow to extract Boost ticket context and match it against resolver group schedules, eliminating manual escalation path lookups.
  • Prototype was accepted for Sev-Vision integration and is currently under development, with expected improvements in response time and reduction in escalation errors.
AutomationBoost/CTI/SIMSev-VisionPython
📋
Quip Ticket Summary Generator
30% HANDOVER TIME REDUCTION
  • Created a Quip-based prototype that auto-fills ticket summaries during shift handovers, allowing technicians to view on-call contacts and SEV status in one dashboard.
  • Designed a Boost ticket summary extractor to improve on-call handovers and centralize incident tracking across shifts.
  • Reduced manual handover time by 30% and improved incident visibility across 24/7 operations.
Quip DashboardsIncident TrackingShift OpsITSM
🗺️
CTI Escalation Mapping
GLOBAL TICKET ROUTING IMPROVEMENT
  • Devised a workflow to automatically map ticket context to resolver group schedules, eliminating critical escalation errors and improving SLA adherence.
  • Led resolver group alias validation and STORM cart deployment, standardizing escalation processes across the site.
  • Improved global ticket routing reliability, reducing misdirected escalations and accelerating mean time to resolution.
CTI MappingSTORM CartSLA ImprovementProcess Design
Technical Expertise

Skills & Toolset

Deep proficiency across infrastructure, networking, systems, and operations management.

⚡
Critical Infrastructure
Power & Cooling MgmtUPS SystemsPDU / RPP2N / N+1 RedundancyCapacity PlanningBMSTIA-942ASHRAEConcurrent Maintainability
🌐
Network Infrastructure
TCP/IPDNS / DHCPVLANsOSPF / BGPToR SwitchesFiber OpticsCopper CablingL1-L3 TroubleshootingDWDMLink-Flap Analysis
🖥️
Server Hardware & Systems
POST / BIOS / PXEIPMI / BMCPSU / BBU ValidationGPU ServersLinux (RHEL/Ubuntu)Windows ServerVMwareComponent Replacement
🔧
Monitoring & Automation
CloudWatchCloudTrailGrafanaServiceNow (ITSM)DCIMPythonBash ScriptingSev-VisionQuip Dashboards
📋
Operations & Compliance
ITILChange ManagementIncident ResponseRCA / SOP DocsSLA ManagementAsset LifecycleVendor Coordination24/7 Shift OpsOSHA 10
👔
Management & Leadership
Team Building & HiringOJT & MentoringPerformance CoachingWorkforce PlanningStakeholder CommunicationBudget & ResourcesKPI TrackingConflict ResolutionKaizen / CI
📊
Program Management
ITIL FrameworkRTL / Go-LiveRisk AssessmentChange Advisory BoardVendor & Contract MgmtRCA & Post-MortemsAgile / Kanban
☁️
Cloud & Platforms
AWS (EC2, Console)Microsoft AzureOracle CloudBoost / SIM / CTISOC 2 / ISO 27001
Credentials

Certifications

Industry-recognized certifications validating cloud, infrastructure, and safety expertise.

☁️
Microsoft Azure Developer Associate
Microsoft — AZ-204
Cloud Application Development
🧠
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure 2023 AI
Oracle
AI Certified Professional
🛡️
OSHA 10 — General Industry Safety
Occupational Safety & Health Administration
Workplace Safety Compliance
Education

Academic Background

Master's in Information Technology Management
Webster University — St. Louis, MO
2023
Bachelor of Computer Science & Engineering
Sri Indu College of Engineering, JNTU — India
2019
Community & Volunteering

Beyond the Data Center

Building community, mentoring students, and championing diversity beyond the server room.

Board Member & Outreach Lead
Asians at SBN — Affinity Group
  • Served as Board Member and Outreach Lead for the Asians at SBN affinity group, championing diversity, inclusion, and cross-cultural collaboration within the organization.
  • Organized and hosted community events, cultural celebrations, and networking sessions to foster belonging and visibility for Asian employees and allies.
  • Drove outreach initiatives to increase participation and awareness, partnering with leadership and other employee resource groups for joint programming.
  • Acted as a bridge between diverse teams, promoting cultural exchange and strengthening employee engagement across the site.
DEI LeadershipEvent PlanningCommunity BuildingOutreach
Student Consultant & Mentor
Independent — Academic & Career Guidance
  • Provided one-on-one consulting and mentorship to students pursuing careers in IT infrastructure, data center operations, and cloud engineering.
  • Guided students through resume building, interview preparation, certification roadmaps (Azure, AWS, CompTIA), and career planning strategies.
  • Helped students navigate graduate school applications, OPT/CPT processes, and the transition from academic studies to full-time industry roles in the U.S.
  • Mentored multiple students who successfully landed roles in data center operations, systems engineering, and cloud support across major tech companies.
MentoringCareer CoachingResume BuildingInterview Prep
What Drives Me

Interests & Aspirations

Beyond operations — actively exploring the intersection of infrastructure, AI, and entrepreneurship.

🚀
Startup Builder
Passionate about building startups from the ground up. Experienced in early-stage operations through Legal Fiber, and actively exploring new ventures at the intersection of infrastructure and technology. Interested in securing investment and scaling ideas into viable businesses.
🧠
AI Enthusiast
Dedicated daily learner of artificial intelligence — from LLMs and automation to AI-driven infrastructure management. Exploring how AI can transform data center operations, predictive maintenance, and capacity planning at scale.
🎤
IT Serve Conference Attendee
Active participant in IT Serve Alliance conferences — networking with industry leaders, staying current on IT staffing trends, workforce innovation, and technology consulting best practices across the U.S. tech ecosystem.
💡
Investment & Growth
Actively learning about venture capital, angel investing, and startup funding ecosystems. Interested in both securing investment for new ventures and understanding how capital drives technology innovation and infrastructure growth.
Thought Leadership

Topics I Write & Think About

Sharing insights on data center operations, AI in infrastructure, and the startup ecosystem.

Data Center Ops
The Future of Hyperscale Operations
How automation, AI-driven monitoring, and predictive maintenance are transforming 24/7 data center operations — from reactive firefighting to proactive infrastructure intelligence.
AI & Infrastructure
AI in the Server Room
Exploring how large language models, computer vision, and machine learning are being applied to capacity planning, incident prediction, and automated root-cause analysis in data centers.
Startup & Growth
From Operator to Founder
Lessons learned from running startup operations at Legal Fiber — building SOPs from scratch, scaling with limited resources, and the entrepreneurial mindset that operations managers bring to the table.
Leadership
Building Teams That Don't Need You
Why the best managers build autonomous teams — thoughts on structured OJT programs, mentoring technicians toward promotion, and creating a culture of ownership in high-pressure environments.

Let's Connect

Open to discussing Data Center Manager, Infrastructure Manager, and Operations Manager roles. Willing to relocate.

🇺🇸
English
Fluent
🇮🇳
Telugu
Native
🇮🇳
Hindi
Conversational
(216) 688-5326
deepakjobs1902@gmail.com
New Carlisle, IN
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