Rafael Cruz
Rafael Cruz

Computer Engineer | NetDevOps, SecDevOps and Defensive Cybersecurity

Actively looking · Member since 20 Sep 2026
Location
Pombal, Portugal
Desired salary
Confidential
Work preference
Hybrid / Full Time, Contract, Internship
Experience level
Junior

About

Professional summary

I am a Computer Engineer focused on Network Automation (NetDevOps), SecDevOps, and defensive cybersecurity. I build practical solutions that improve infrastructure resilience, observability, and operational response times.

I have hands-on experience developing closed-loop, self-healing network automation proof of concepts. My work combines event-driven telemetry, differential fault triage, configuration reconciliation, and automated remediation to reduce MTTR and mitigate configuration drift.

I work with network security technologies including SIEM platforms, firewalls, VPNs, vulnerability assessment tools, packet analysis, PKI, and system hardening practices. I am familiar with SOC monitoring workflows, the MITRE ATT&CK framework, and OWASP security principles.

My cloud and SecDevOps experience includes Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, Docker, Infrastructure as Code, GitOps, and CI/CD pipelines using GitHub Actions with federated OIDC authentication. I have built resilient multi-cloud applications with security controls, offline fallback capabilities, and automated provisioning.

I am proficient in Python, Bash, PowerShell, JavaScript, SQL, and NoSQL technologies. I enjoy connecting networking, cloud infrastructure, automation, and cybersecurity to deliver reliable and auditable engineering solutions.

I am immediately available and eligible for an IEFP Level 6 professional internship. I am seeking opportunities where I can contribute to network automation, cloud security, SecDevOps, or defensive cybersecurity initiatives.

Notice period: Immediate

Skills

37 capabilities

Tech stack & tools

Working toolkit

Experience

Career history

NetDevOps Automation and Network Resilience Capstone Project ARTE, I.P. / Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco

Developed a closed-loop NetDevOps proof of concept focused on network resilience and automated remediation. Designed event-driven differential triage to isolate underlay MPLS and overlay IPsec faults through PRTG telemetry and preventive ICMP health checks, suppressing false positives during physical failures.

Built a hybrid self-healing engine using FortiOS REST API calls and Python/Netmiko SSH fallback to mitigate configuration drift, reducing test MTTR from approximately 30 minutes to 40–70 seconds. Implemented NetBox as the source of truth, persisted telemetry in Dockerized MongoDB, and created Metabase dashboards across 24 chaos engineering trials.

Cloud and SecDevOps Engineer - CityGuards Cloud Engineering Project

Built a secure and resilient multi-cloud platform with a Node.js API interoperable between Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Firestore. Implemented graceful degradation to local heuristics and an offline Docker microservice fallback deployed on Azure Container Instances.

Improved application security and robustness through atomic Firestore transactions, payload sanitization, and bcrypt password hashing. Automated infrastructure with Bicep and implemented GitHub Actions CI/CD using federated OIDC authentication, while assessing GDPR and US CLOUD Act compliance considerations.

Logistics and Dispatch Operator Grupo Lusiaves

Supported logistics and dispatch operations in a fast-paced warehouse environment. Ensured compliance with operational standards, maintained inventory control through warehouse management terminals, and worked rotating shifts.

Developed reliability, attention to detail, and operational discipline while handling time-sensitive logistics processes.

Customer Service Operator Brisa – Auto-estradas de Portugal

Provided direct customer support during peak summer highway traffic periods. Resolved operational incidents efficiently under continuous pressure while maintaining service quality.

Followed strict cash balancing, reconciliation, and operational compliance procedures in a customer-facing environment.

Education

Learning history

Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco (IPCB-ESTCB)

Bachelor of Science, Computer Engineering

B.Sc. in Computer Engineering, final grade: 15/20. Studied in Castelo Branco, Portugal.

Oil and Gas University of Ploiești

Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme, Leadership and Change Management Towards Sustainability

International Erasmus+ BIP program completed in Ploiești, Romania.

Bauhaus-Universität Weimar

Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme, Augmented Pasts: Digital Tools and Cultural Heritage

International Erasmus+ BIP program completed in Weimar, Germany.

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