DevOps Lead & Platform Engineer.
I build the infrastructure and lead the teams behind products that actually stay up. Less firefighting, more shipping.
Where I've Been
I tend to stick around. When I join a project, I own it end to end — from the server config to the deploy pipeline to making sure the team has what they need to do their best work.
What People Say
"Nelson is the kind of person who fixes the deploy pipeline on a Friday night and then writes the docs so nobody else has to."
Tech Lead / Partner
MIEW • 2015 — Present
- check_circleFull-stack, full-picture: I handle everything from infrastructure and CI/CD to the frontend — and I care about all of it equally.
- groupsGrowing the team: I mentor engineers, unblock people, and try to create an environment where everyone does their best work.
- architectureThinking ahead: I set up the DevOps practices and technical direction so things keep running smoothly as the company grows.
Managed Audio/Voice QR Platform
Running the infrastructure and development for an audio/voice QR platform — from the cloud setup to the backoffice UI, all the way through sprint delivery.
- cloudCloud Infrastructure: AWS S3/CloudFront CDN, Docker Swarm with Traefik, Cloudflare Tunnel routing
- monitoringDatabase & Monitoring: PostgreSQL 18, Uptime Kuma monitoring, self-hosted observability with SigNoz
- codeBackoffice Development: Sprint-based UI development with accessibility focus and full stack delivery
World-Wide Government Humanitarian Mission Platform
Led the infra and dev work for a platform that helps organizations find each other and coordinate humanitarian missions around the world.
- deployed_codeKubernetes Infrastructure & CI/CD: Architected GitOps and DevOps pipelines for seamless deployments
- stacksFull Stack Development: Built frontend with NextJS and backend services with NodeJS
- searchSearch Implementation: Integrated ElasticSearch for powerful organization discovery capabilities
Blockchain Platform Leadership
Led development on blockchain projects — smart contracts, token standards, and the infrastructure to run it all reliably.
- contractSmart Contract Development: Designing and implementing secure, efficient smart contracts
- tokenEIP/ERC Standards: Implementing ERC-20 tokens, ERC-721 NFTs, voting mechanisms, and governance protocols
- precision_manufacturingInfrastructure Automation: Deploying blockchain nodes with automated monitoring and scaling
Vehicle Retailer Platform
Built the backend and ERP integrations for a car retailer where users could simulate rentals and loans before buying — connecting everything from inventory to financing.
- integration_instructionsERP Integration: Seamless connection with Microsoft Navision for inventory and orders
- hubMulti-Service Architecture: Integrated various brand services with internal systems
- databaseData Management: Customers, vehicles, and orders flowing between multiple systems
Urban Water Supply Customer Portal
Managed the customer portal for one of Portugal's largest city water supply systems — digging into a complex legacy architecture to turn project ideas into working solutions.
- account_treeSystem Architecture: Deep dive into complex existing infrastructure to deliver new features
- lightbulbSolution Design: Translating business needs into technical implementations
How I Work
I like straightforward answers and practical solutions. My job as a lead is to clear the path, not add more meetings to it.
Keep It Simple
I pick the solution that works today and won't be a headache tomorrow. No over-engineering, no shiny-tool syndrome — just what the problem actually needs.
People First
Good tools, clear context, and honest feedback — that's what I try to give my team. When people aren't stuck waiting on things, they do amazing work on their own.
Solid Foundations
I set up the guardrails — linting, CI checks, clear patterns — so the team can move fast without worrying about breaking things in production.
What I Bring to the Table
Core Infrastructure
The servers, pipelines, and cloud setup that keep everything running. I make sure deploys are boring and uptime is not.
AI & Automation
Using LLMs and automation where they actually help — code reviews, repetitive tasks, internal tooling. Not hype, just practical wins.
Product Delivery
Security & Privacy
Technical Expertise
Infrastructure & DevOps
- Docker Swarm, Traefik v3, Kubernetes (GKE)
- AWS (EC2, S3, CloudFront, IAM, EIP)
- GCP, Cloudflare (Tunnels, DNS)
- Proxmox, Hyper-V, OPNsense
- Monitoring: SigNoz, Uptime Kuma, Grafana
- GitOps with ArgoCD, Portainer
CI/CD & Automation
- GitHub Actions pipelines
- Automated testing & SAST
- Linux scripting
- TeamCity integration
- Backup automation & monitoring
Backend Development
- C# and .NET Core
- Advanced Node.js
- API design & integration
- Microservices architecture
- ERP system integration
Frontend & CMS
- React & Next.js
- WordPress integration
- Strapi headless CMS
- Performance optimization
AI & Automation
- Claude Code & GitHub Copilot (CLI tools)
- Agent Skills & Hooks
- CI/CD pipelines with code review & audit
- Prompt engineering & context management
- AI data privacy practices
Database Management
- PostgreSQL (up to v18)
- MySQL / MariaDB
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Elasticsearch
- Vector databases & search
Project Management
- Agile methodologies
- Jira administration
- Team collaboration
- Technical documentation
- Stakeholder communication
Workflow & Version Control
- Gitflow with dev, staging, main branches
- Feature branches, bug fixes, hotfixes
- Conventional commits
- Pull request reviews & quality gates
- Automated versioning & releases
Beyond the Screen
Community Leadership
I manage my building's condominium. Turns out coordinating neighbours on plumbing budgets isn't that different from aligning a team on a technical roadmap — just with more opinions about paint colours.
Homelab Tinkerer
I run a homelab where I break things on purpose. Self-hosted services, networking experiments, Proxmox clusters — it's how I learn best: by getting my hands dirty.
Let's work
together.
Need help with infrastructure, team leadership, or just want to chat about DevOps? Drop me a line — I'm always happy to talk.