Girish Rao

Leading portfolio of Product and Corporate functions across Platform Services, Core Services, SRE, IT Services, Security.

Lead Global Platform Services team at WBD : * Cloud Automation and Engineering * Release Engineering * QA-aaS automation & engineering * Operational Excellence

Global platform & service initiatives across various functions : * Cloud (K8s) Automation & Observability Platform * Release Engineering (CICD workflows) * Qa-aaS / Quality Engineering / Platform Readiness * Data mgmt and insights (Lakes & Mesh) * Engineering / Operational Excellence

Lead four key business units : DevOps , DC Ops, Security, IT Services spanning blockchain & AI product portfolio across multiple data centers : - Leveraged K8s Cloud technology to implement crypto mining farm operations platform to scale & optimize deployments & operational workflows - Implemented 24 x 7 Data Center Ops best practices across zero-touch-provisioning, upgrade mgmt, incident mgmt, real time alerts & analytics, CM / RM, MoP, inventory mgmt, etc - Hybrid Cloud K8s based operational workflows for improved Observablity

Its all about the "Containerized" Cloud - compute, storage, network, devops, metering, monitoring, analytics.

Lead a global team of architects, engineers, developers, QA, devOps teams to support Cloud & Network engineering solutions for 150+ Data Centers world wide Integral contribution to define architecture & requirements for various XaaS hybrid cloud solutions working with Micrsoft Azure, AWS, Google, Oracle, etc. Complete product engineering life cycle from Design, Architecture, development, test & release of distributed programmable (SDN) network platform to provide automated provisioning, assurance and analytics. Cross technology domain intersection of network (SDN, MPLS VPN, QoS, etc) , cloud (Iaas - compute, storage) & big data solutions ( kafka, cassandra, spark, etc) Instrumented a complete CI-CD-CD devOps agile framework for feature velocity and improved product quality

- Big data tools & principles to address key challenges for IT operations & management of Cloud / Data Center solutions - core areas related to data processing, correlation engine, predictive analytics, recommendation engines, etc - Product definition and features driven using agile development process - competitive analysis and product differentiation - Lead various functions from CTO, Product Mmgt, Head of Engineering to help grow team working with key architects and developers on the team.

- Managed and lead of team of Solution Architects and Sofware engineers focused on software system integration of Video Solutions built on cloud architectures and network technologies - Developed and applied strong technology and business skills across cross domain technologies such as OTT Video, Cloud / Data Center, Advanced Advertizing, UX/UI design - Worked with global customers for aspects related to cloud / data center / video solutions inclusive of RFI / RFP, large complex deals, demos / trials - Developed new solution offerings tailored to meet customer needs related to IT operations, FCAP KPI's, - Tight alignment with cross-functional engineering & sales organizations to drive business needs - Closely engaged in various acquisition integration processes as part of Cisco's strategy - Incubated new technologies to drive growth in new market adjacencies

- Built and grew a team of global consulting engineers to support CDN, IPTV and Video Solutions - leveraged Data Center / Networking principles to build scalable OTT Video Solutions - worked closely with cross functional teams to drive product requirements & solution architecture - Developed pre-sales and post-sales strategy and business models for various technology offerings - Cross collaboration with Engineering teams to deploy & integrate complex E2E Architectures spanning Data Center and SP networks - lead initiative to harden new technologies under "practice" framework - worked with global customers to design & implement complex cloud + video solutions in data centers

- Lead architect for design & implementation of IP / MPLS triple play solutions for Service providers - Leveraged various tools to characterize network performance & capacity models for SP / Enterprise Solutions - built strong hands-on skills across various technologies & products such as Core Routing, MPLS, Multicast, QoS, VPN's, IPSEC, DSL, Wireless, Voice, etc

Design & architecture of large scale service provider networks IP/ MPLS network validated solutions for Tier-1 SP's world wide Team lead to drive network project for Cisco solutions Hands-on Cisco network product skills spanning L1-L7 protocols Authored many customer specific design & deployment guides.