Nick Mahida

Experience

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  Phoenix Freight Management

  Oct 2009 - Mar 2014

  IT support & Store person
• 

  Computer Bank

  Apr 2014 - Jul 2014

  Technical Support

  Technical Support Engineer

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  SoftLayer, an IBM Company

  Aug 2014 - Dec 2018

  I have been deeply involved in deploying and maintaining network infrastructure across data centres and POP sites, ensuring seamless connectivity and high availability. I have successfully configured routing protocols (BGP, OSPF) and managed VLAN provisioning and IP allocations, enhancing network performance and scalability.My role includes firmware validation, hardware deployment, and fibre optic installations, ensuring stable and reliable network connections. I have played a key part in change management processes, coordinating network deployments and troubleshooting configurations to minimise downtime. Additionally, I have worked with network cabling (fibre, Ethernet, SFP/DAC/AOC) and conducted regular performance tests (OTDR, Power Meter) to optimise connectivity across sites.Key Project Contributions• Sydney Data Centre Buildout & POP Expansion – Led the deployment of 100+ network hardware units, installed fibre infrastructure, and resolved network connectivity challenges, ensuring a smoother deployment.• Melbourne POP Deployment – Installed and configured network devices, improving network reliability and reducing outages.• Perth POP Infrastructure Audit – Conducted a detailed inventory review, updating device records and improving network documentation accuracy.• Melbourne Data Centre Buildout – Played a key role in the installation, configuration, and commissioning of network infrastructure, ensuring the site was ready for operations on time.Through these responsibilities, I have gained strong experience in network troubleshooting, capacity planning, and infrastructure deployment in large-scale data centre environments. My expertise spans multi-vendor network hardware, structured cabling, IT ticketing systems (ServiceNow, Jira, GIT), and network automation. I also hold relevant industry certifications and ITIL best practices, enabling me to support complex network environments effectively. Show less As a Data Centre Lead, I have been responsible for overseeing shift operations, ensuring the smooth execution of business-as-usual (BAU) activities, and acting as the first point of escalation for hardware and network-related issues within a large-scale data centre environment. I have successfully led the deployment of Layer 2 & Layer 3 networking equipment, along with other essential data centre devices, optimising infrastructure reliability and network performance.Working closely with the site manager, I have played a key role in developing and implementing technical procedures, as well as formulating service quality strategies to enhance operational efficiency. Additionally, I have spearheaded training programs to upskill and mentor data centre team members, fostering a knowledgeable and proficient workforce. My expertise extends to disaster recovery planning, testing, and documentation, ensuring business continuity in the event of critical failures.I have successfully managed data centre outages and faults, ensuring rapid and effective resolution to maintain high availability and SLA compliance. My role also involves maintaining ITIL-aligned security and compliance measures, ensuring data centre integrity and regulatory adherence. Furthermore, I have been actively involved in the evaluation and deployment of various infrastructure projects, while maintaining accurate record-keeping of daily operations. With a strong focus on stakeholder engagement, I have ensured a positive experience for both internal and external teams, strengthening vendor relationships and enhancing service delivery. Show less As a Data Centre Engineer, I have led rack builds, structured cabling, and the provisioning of servers and network equipment to support large-scale data centre operations. My expertise includes installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting Supermicro & IBM servers, ensuring optimal performance and reliability. I have played a key role in monitoring automated provisioning systems, proactively addressing issues to meet SLA commitments and maintain uptime.Additionally, I have provided technical support via helpdesk ticketing, resolving hardware failures and network issues efficiently. My experience extends to server hardware integration, configuring critical components such as processors, RAM, RAID controllers, and NICs to optimise system performance. I have also worked extensively on network scripting, RAID configuration, and automation, improving workflow efficiency within data centre environments.Furthermore, I have managed fibre optic installations, cleaning, and fault diagnostics, ensuring uninterrupted network connectivity. A significant achievement includes my involvement in a major data centre startup project, where I contributed to infrastructure setup, network deployment, and operational readiness. My skills in hardware management, network provisioning, and data centre operations have been instrumental in supporting high-performance, large-scale infrastructure environments. Show less

  • Network Provisioning Engineer

    Jul 2017 - Dec 2018

  • Datacenter Technician - Team Leader

    Apr 2015 - Jun 2017

  • Datacenter Technician

    Aug 2014 - Mar 2015
• 

  IBM Cloud

  Jan 2019 - now

  Network Engineer

  As a Network Engineer, I have been instrumental in maintaining a high-performance network infrastructure, ensuring stability, security, and efficiency across large-scale operations. I specialize in managing ticket escalations, troubleshooting service-affecting network issues, and resolving disruptions across routing protocols, routers, switches, firewalls, MPLS, BGP, VPN, and load balancing.I have led key network maintenance activities, including firmware upgrades, hardware replacements, and infrastructure modifications, minimizing service disruptions while enhancing performance. My expertise in routing policy implementation has optimized traffic flow and network efficiency. Additionally, I have worked with infrastructure providers to diagnose and resolve circuit disruptions, ensuring seamless connectivity.Collaborating with hardware vendors, I have diagnosed and resolved device failures, implementing preventive measures to enhance reliability. I have also developed detailed network documentation, including connectivity diagrams, to improve visibility and support internal teams.Key Project Contributions:• Incident Response & Management: Led major outage responses, coordinating troubleshooting, communications, and root cause analysis to prevent recurrence.• Infrastructure Enhancements: Executed firmware upgrades and hardware replacements, improving network resilience.• Routing Optimization: Implemented traffic engineering strategies to alleviate congestion and optimize performance.• Cross-Team Collaboration: Partnered with internal teams, service providers, and vendors to enhance service delivery.Through these responsibilities and projects, I have built a strong foundation in network operations, troubleshooting, and infrastructure maintenance, ensuring the scalability and reliability of enterprise networks. Show less