Mark Watsham

Creating a platform delivery centre of excellence to facilitate the adoption of automated cloud deployments through self-service mechanisms and frameworks.

• Led technical design and implementation of a distributed AWS hosted self-service platform to deploy compute and resources to public and private cloud platforms.
• Implemented a Hashicorp Packer ‘Golden’ image CI pipeline to automate the production of CIS hardened RHEL VMware templates and AWS AMIs. Saving approx 2hrs in image preparation per image and improved the infrastructure security audit success rate by ~80%.
• Developed an automated Terraform Concourse CI pipeline to deploy VMWare VMs. This simplified VMware compute delivery, improving flow for infrastructure delivery teams, cutting compute request lead times by ~75%.
• Implemented a Python based Concourse CI resource type to enable integration of pipelines with AWS SQS queues which enabled a more dynamic and parameterised approach to triggering pipelines. Shared with the organisation SRE community, helped to reduce pipeline duplication, saving the organisation unnecessary AWS resource consumption.
• Created an AWS SAM/Terraform development environment, utilising AWS SAM features to develop Lambda code locally whilst deploying and testing AWS services using a Terraform based Concourse CI pipeline. Lambda developers were able unit test their code locally saving development time and improving deployment success rate.
• Simplified the management of Terraform state by creating a pipeline to deliver AWS hosted state backend. This reduced the overhead for DevOps engineers to implement secure and resilient remote Terraform state backends, centralising state file management.
• Proactively keeping up-to-date with relevant technical innovations and conducting proof-of-concepts to assess new technologies.
• Providing technical mentorship for junior SREs.

Operating in the fast-paced environment of Broadcast I.T., a leading team member with primary responsibilities covering project delivery and infrastructure deployments.

• Automated the server provisioning process, significantly reducing build times from days to minutes.
• Designed and implemented a Puppet configuration management system, improving server build consistency and supportability.
• Lead development activity to automate the OAC process with Ansible, using the process to provide an educational opportunity for team members.
• Ensured smooth and reliable operations of 2000+ physical and virtual server environments by encouraging a predictive remediation mindset.
• Took ownership of CVE triage and management to develop a proactive rather than reactive resolution process.
• Participated in out-of-hours system support/changes.
• Engineered POC environments and providing input into platform design processes.
• Advocated the use of Ansible to automated repetitive operational activities, increasing team productivity.
• Acted as an escalation point for troubleshooting including Linux systems and TCP/IP networking.
• Provided technical lead advice to team members and management.

A key member of the Broadcast applications Quality Assurance team, guiding the application delivery process on a highly visible, revenue sensitive environment.

• Established and managed an end-to-end broadcast test environment, improving test consistency and efficiency.
• Championed the use of Mercury Quality Center for managing requirement definitions, test planning, and defect management.
• Conducted planning, resourcing, and management of project test activities.
• Managed the live integration of new application releases on a 24/7 available environment with minimal downtime.
• Developed test harnesses/stubs/drivers.
• Advocated and demonstrated the concept of automated testing.

Driving and developing the Quality Assurance effort for the company’s on-demand virtual desktop computing suite. Operating In the demanding environment of a start-up, requiring the breadth of technically hands-on skills, through to management of the test and release process.

• Developed the company’s software test process and department from scratch.
• Led the test and packaging process for new releases.
• Ensured quality was built into a development-test cycle by advocating test driven development.
• Designed, implemented, and maintained testing frameworks, harnesses and environments.
• Defined and executed end-to-end tests including testing of processes, documentation, and software.
• Automated the testing process wherever possible.

Leading the quality assurance and live integration activities for proprietary applications supporting the Sky Active platform.

• Enhanced product quality by holding post release reviews with business users, providing feedback to development teams.
• Sole responsibility for the test and release of the Live Interactive Content Editor product.
• Chaired test results reviews with key stakeholders
• Providing troubleshooting assistance for platform support teams.