Stefan Claassen
IT Professional | Azure Infrastructure & DevOps Specialist
Bryanston
Summary
A highly skilled and motivated DevOps Engineer with over 12 years of experience in automating and streamlining development operations. Expertise in implementing CI/CD pipelines, managing cloud infrastructure, and leveraging containerization technologies. A collaborative team player with excellent communication skills, passionate about using DevOps practices to enhance efficiency, scalability, and reliability.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
2003
2003
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Certifications
Work History
DevOps Engineer Lead
Bitventure
2024.09 - Current
- Serve as a critical technical leader, bridging development and operations by implementing and managing CI/CD pipelines to improve software delivery
- Technical Leadership: Oversee the design and management of CI/CD pipelines to automate code integration, testing, deployment, and monitoring
- Automation & Optimization: Develop automation scripts and tools to provision, configure, and manage infrastructure—reducing manual errors and enhancing system uptime
- Process Improvement: Identify and implement process optimizations and cost-reduction initiatives while maintaining high performance and scalability
- Risk Management: Evaluate risks associated with deployments and infrastructure changes, and implement strategies to ensure reliability, availability, and security
- Collaboration: Lead daily standup meetings, facilitate feedback loops, and promote effective communication between development and operations teams
- Additional Achievements: Designed, implemented, and maintained CI/CD pipelines for efficient and automated software delivery
- Collaborated with development teams to optimize code builds, testing, and release processes
- Managed and monitored on-premises and cloud infrastructure, including resource provisioning and scaling
- Deployed containerization solutions using Docker and orchestrated with Kubernetes for streamlined deployment and scaling
Azure Infrastructure Lead Consultant
Dynamic Visual Technologies
2019.07 - 2024.10
- Implementation & Consulting: Directed the implementation of technical solutions aligned with client requirements, ensuring strict adherence to design specifications
- Migration & Optimization: Demonstrated expertise in Azure Migrate by leading multiple successful migrations and optimizations
- Project Leadership: Collaborated closely with project managers, solutions architects, and key customer representatives to deliver projects that consistently exceeded expectations
- Key Achievements: Led deployments using Bicep and Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) to enhance system performance and scalability
- Contributed to Modern Work deployments, including Microsoft 365, Enterprise Mobility & Security, and Compliance initiatives
- Played a key role in technical pre-sales by identifying business opportunities and providing comprehensive consulting services
Senior IT Support Engineer (Team Leader)
Global Synapse Technologies
2019.03 - 2021.06
- Managed a team of three technical staff, overseeing hardware/software installations, maintenance, and repair
- Conducted system audits, managed server software and backups, and coordinated IT projects across multiple regions
- Optimized both internal and hosted network infrastructures (including firewalls, servers, switches, and telephony) to ensure robust security and operational efficiency
Senior IT Support Engineer
DTH Services
2015.08 - 2019.02
- Led a technical team responsible for system installation, maintenance, and repair
- Managed network infrastructure, including firewalls and telephony, and implemented critical IT projects
- Key Accomplishments: Upgraded Exchange 2007 to Exchange 2016, successfully migrating over 400 users
- Established a hybrid deployment between on-premises Exchange and Office 365
- Implemented SCCM for network OS deployment and monitoring and deployed a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure for 250 users
IT Support Engineer and Team Leader
EOH Mthombo
2010.07 - 2015.07
- Provided first- and second-line support to users across Gauteng and remote sites
- Managed Active Directory, maintained on-premises servers and network printers, and supported system implementations and domain migrations
- Assisted with the administration of cloud-based applications and the training of new recruits
Medical Testing Technician
Occupational Health & Safety Services
2004.04 - 2010.06
- Conducted audiometry, lung function, and eye tests in industrial and mining environments using a mobile clinic
- Coordinated mobile clinic operations, calibrated medical equipment, and compiled employee medical fitness reports
Education
A+ Diploma - Covered hardware, operating systems, and network fundamentals
Hatfield Business College
Spirometry Certificate - Calibration of Spirometer
Tshwane University of Technology
Audiometry Certificate - Calibration of Audiometric Equipment
Tshwane University of Technology
Skills
Continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD)
DevOps methodologies
AWS
Azure
Azure Cloud Services
Terraform
Bicep
Docker
Kubernetes
Helm
Helmfile
Bitbucket
Azure DevOps Services
Bash
Python
PowerShell
Microsoft Azure
Azure Active Directory
Office 365
Exchange Online
Microsoft Windows Server
Active Directory
LAN/WAN
SCCM
Microsoft Hyper-V
VMware
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
Microsoft Exchange (2003–2016)
Teams
SharePoint Online
OneDrive
Backup management
antivirus systems
network management
telephony
video conferencing
Linux operating system
Scripting languages
System administration
Infrastructure automation
Certification
AZ-103: Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate, 2020
Personal Information
- Nationality: South African
- Driving License: Code 8
Technical Skills
Continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD), DevOps methodologies, and best practices., Management of AWS and Azure environments; expertise in Azure Cloud Services., Proficient with Terraform and Bicep., Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, Helm, and Helmfile., Familiar with Bitbucket and Azure DevOps Services., Skilled in Bash, Python, and PowerShell., Proficient in monitoring system performance and resolving technical issues., Microsoft Azure, Azure Active Directory, Office 365, Exchange Online, Microsoft Windows Server, Active Directory, LAN/WAN, SCCM, Microsoft Hyper-V, VMware, Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, Microsoft Exchange (2003–2016), Teams, SharePoint Online, OneDrive, Backup management, Antivirus systems, Network management, Telephony, Video conferencing
Timeline
DevOps Engineer Lead
Bitventure
2024.09 - Current
Azure Infrastructure Lead Consultant
Dynamic Visual Technologies
2019.07 - 2024.10
Senior IT Support Engineer (Team Leader)
Global Synapse Technologies
2019.03 - 2021.06
Senior IT Support Engineer
DTH Services
2015.08 - 2019.02
IT Support Engineer and Team Leader
EOH Mthombo
2010.07 - 2015.07
Medical Testing Technician
Occupational Health & Safety Services
2004.04 - 2010.06
Spirometry Certificate - Calibration of Spirometer
Tshwane University of Technology
Audiometry Certificate - Calibration of Audiometric Equipment
Tshwane University of Technology
A+ Diploma - Covered hardware, operating systems, and network fundamentals
Hatfield Business College