How to ascend to the Clouds

With a deep understanding of cloud technologies and expertise in API integration, David brings a wealth of knowledge and a strategic approach to every project. Throughout his career, he has successfully designed and implemented robust and scalable solutions, leveraging the power of cloud computing. His leadership style fosters collaboration and drives excellence within the team, ensuring the successful integration of cloud technologies and APIs.

What position do you hold and how did you get there?

I hold the title of Google Cloud Architect at Devoteam G Cloud Portugal, which means I’m the cloud whisperer and the master of all things cloud-related. I also juggle the responsibilities of being an Area Manager for the Apigee Team.

The path to becoming a cloud architect was like navigating through a labyrinth of buzzwords and acronyms. I embarked on a quest filled with late-night coding sessions, countless cups of coffee, and a never-ending appetite for learning. After years of trials and tribulations, I emerged victorious, wielding the knowledge and skills necessary to conquer the clouds.

Why did you choose a career in Cloud?

Well, let’s be honest, I couldn’t resist the allure of the cloud. It’s like being offered a golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, but instead of chocolate rivers, there are endless streams of data flowing through virtual servers. Who wouldn’t want to dive into that technicolor wonderland? Plus, I’ve always had a knack for floating above the ground like a fluffy cloud, so it seemed like a natural career choice. But in all seriousness, the cloud is where the action is. It’s like the coolest club in town, where all the data hangs out, and the drinks are served in petabytes. It’s an ever-expanding universe of opportunities, and I wanted a front-row seat to witness its magic. So, here I am, a Cloud Architect, juggling virtual machines, dancing with containers, and sprinkling innovation like confetti. It’s a career that keeps me on my toes, laughing in the face of scalability challenges, and making businesses soar to new heights. And let’s not forget, I get to wear a cape made of cloud pixels.

What, according to you, are the daily responsibilities of a Cloud Architect?

The daily adventures of a Google Cloud Architect! It’s like being the MacGyver of the cloud, armed with architectural blueprints and an endless supply of cloud tools. My daily responsibilities involve conjuring up cloud architectures that would make the gods of scalability proud, collaborating with teams to design robust solutions, and sprinkling automation fairy dust wherever I go. I also engage in epic battles against bugs and server hiccups, armed with my trusty debugging wand and a sense of humour to keep things light.

What is the best thing about your job? 

The best thing about my job is that I get to play in the cloud sandbox all day long. I mean, who wouldn’t want to spend their days building castles in the cloud, designing robust architectures, and making data dance to the tune of cloud-native services? It’s like being a kid in a candy store, but instead of candy, I get to choose from a plethora of cloud services. Also, I took on the challenge of being in charge of the business development of the Apigee team, which has been an amazing experience so far.

What are the most challenging aspects of your job as a cloud architect, and how do you overcome them?

As a cloud architect, one of the challenges I face is keeping up with the ever-evolving cloud landscape. It sometimes feels like the clouds are floating away faster than I can catch up. But fear not, for I have my secret weapons: a supercharged espresso machine and a rss subscription to Google Cloud Blog. These help me stay caffeinated and up to date with the latest trends and technologies in Google Cloud.

Can you describe your current project?

Picture this: I was tasked with building a cloud infrastructure that could allow Apigee X to communicate with both private & public environments. It was like trying to catch lightning in a bottle, but with code instead of a bottle. I harnessed the power of Google Cloud Platform & Terraform, conjured up an architecture that could scale effortlessly, and voila! The platform handled the rush of eager clients wanting to consume Apigee API’s.

What makes this role challenging?

Oh, the clouds are not always fluffy and friendly. One challenge I encountered was optimising costs while maintaining top-notch performance. It was like trying to balance on a tightrope while juggling flaming torches. But fear not, for I summoned the powers of cloud cost optimization, implemented smart resource management strategies, and tamed the budget beast. The client was amazed at the cost savings and declared me the cloud cost-cutting superhero.

What challenges came up during your recent project, and how did you overcome these challenges?

In a recent project, I had to redesign the entire Google Network Infrastructure. The only way to do it, was to isolate myself in a caffeine-induced trance so that I could come up with a design that met the client requirements.

Can you give an example of when you went big?

In a recent project I decided to go all-in, as if I was playing a game of Texas Hold Em, and remade the entire Apigee X network bridge so that the client had less toil setting up the DNS infrastructure.

In a few words, what does your day as a cloud architect look like?

My days as a Cloud Architect are a delightful mix of whiteboard scribbling, coffee-induced brainstorming sessions, and high-fiving the cloud gods when everything works as planned. I collaborate with teams, draw up architectural masterpieces, and sprinkle magic cloud dust to bring ideas to life. And yes, there are occasional battles with those pesky bugs and gremlins in the cloud, but hey, it keeps life interesting.

What is your greatest moment as a G Clouder?

My best moment so far as a G Clouder was to have the opportunity to be a speaker at Google Cloud Day ‘23 in Lisbon.

How would you describe your Tribe team? How do you move together?

My Tribe team – Cloud & Infra Tribe – is a wild bunch of tech wizards and cloud enthusiasts. We’re like a group of digital nomads, traversing the vast landscapes of technology together. We move together with the grace of synchronised swimmers, the agility of parkour athletes, and the coordination of a dance troupe. We communicate in a language only known to us, filled with emojis, code snippets, and the occasional meme. We support each other through thick and thin, navigating the treacherous waters of complex projects with a healthy dose of humour and camaraderie.

How would you describe the G Cloud Team?

The G Cloud Team is a gathering of cloud aficionados, gurus of all things Google Cloud. We’re like a cloud circus, with each team member performing their own mind-boggling cloud tricks. From cloud architects to cloud engineers, we’re a diverse group of professionals, united by our love for cloud computing. We brainstorm in the clouds, deploy solutions with a flick of our keyboards, and make data dance to the beat of cloud-native services. We’re the dream weavers of the digital realm, turning business visions into cloud realities.

Your job in 1 sentence?

As a Google Cloud Architect at Devoteam, I weave clouds into magnificent architectures, while also herding APIs like a maestro leading a symphony.

Your job in 1 word? 

Cloudsorcerer! Why? Because I weave spells of scalability, conjure architectures out of thin air, and turn complex problems into magical cloud solutions. I’m like a sorcerer, but instead of a wand, I wield a keyboard, and instead of potions, I mix code and creativity. With a dash of humor and a sprinkle of innovation, I cast spells that make businesses soar to new heights in the cloud. So, call me the Cloudsorcerer, here to make your cloud dreams come true!

How do you set the pace?

Setting the pace in the cloud world is like being the conductor of a tech-savvy orchestra. I gather my cloud virtuosos, wave my metaphorical baton, and set the tempo for innovation and progress. We stay ahead of the curve by keeping our eyes on the horizon of emerging technologies, attending cloud conferences (preferably with popcorn), and engaging in friendly competitions to see who can deploy the fastest. It’s a mix of curiosity, continuous learning, and a healthy dose of caffeine to keep us all energised.