Open to opportunities

Carlos Mendez

@carlosmendez2

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Senior Systems Administrator and IT automation specialist building secure infrastructure and self-hosted AI platforms.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m seeking a fully remote systems administration or IT automation role where I can design and harden infrastructure, automate workflows with Ansible and scripting, and build secure, production-ready environments.

I’m a Systems Administrator with 15+ years managing infrastructure for small and mid-size businesses, military communications environments, and production software teams. I bring deep experience across Linux, Windows, and macOS server administration, network design and security, and configuration management with Ansible and scripting (Bash/Python).

In recent work, I’ve operated a private AI infrastructure practice—self-hosted LLM deployment, automation pipelines, and secure system design—while delivering reliable production deployments and standing behind every change. As a U.S. Navy veteran with cryptographic systems and PKI administration background, I apply security-first practices, including PKI administration, role-based access control, and HIPAA-conscious infrastructure, to keep systems hardened and compliant.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Systems Administrator / Solutions Architect

Current

West Maui Tech

Jan 2014 - Present (12 years 6 months)

Provided IT consulting for small and mid-size businesses, including Linux/Windows server administration, networking, backup/DR, and security hardening. Built and operated a private AI platform with self-hosted LLM inference nodes, Neo4j memory, and automation services integrated via MCP.

Linux Windows Server MacOS Active Directory Group Policy Virtualization Backup and Disaster Recovery Ansible BASH Python Neo4j MCP Subnetting VPN Firewalls PKI Administration Role Based Access Control

Client

Seminole Chiropractic Center

Jan 2014 - Jan 2016 (2 years)

Implemented Microsoft Group Policy-based role-based access and standardized desktop configurations using Ansible playbooks. Delivered HIPAA-oriented security awareness training.

Group Policy Role Based Access Control Ansible Security Awareness Training

Electronics Technician / Systems Administrator

U.S. Navy Reserve

Jan 2008 - Jan 2016 (8 years)

Managed communications, cryptographic, and identity systems for Department of the Navy commands, including networks, servers, HF/UHF systems, and a 50+ camera monitoring array. Served in EKMS and PKI roles, including management of 6,000+ PKI tokens and process improvements to two-factor token production.

PKI Administration UHF Telecommunications infrastructure Surveillance Systems

Client

24 Seven Graphics

Jan 2017 - Present (9 years 6 months)

Deployed workstations, file/web/database servers, and network infrastructure for a high-volume production environment. Automated a product-approval workflow using dynamic PDF tooling and internal web applications.

Server Administration Workflow Automation Dynamic PDF Tooling Web Application Development

Software Engineer, APEX Team

Sonobi

Jan 2016 - Present (10 years 6 months)

Integrated proprietary ad-placement software across major publisher sites and debugged asynchronous JavaScript behavior across browsers. Implemented ad-server integrations with Google DFP, OAS, and OpenX and connected functionality to databases.

JavaScript OpenX Databases Web Application Development

Systems Administrator

Identity FX

Jan 2011 - Present (15 years 6 months)

Administered a mixed Windows/Mac/Linux server environment and managed network infrastructure, VOIP, and SSO account administration. Built systems, managed procurement, and handled Ethernet and fiber cabling termination.

Windows Server Administration MacOS Administration Linux Network Infrastructure VoIP SSO Ethernet

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Full Sail University

BASc, Web Development / Software Engineering

Earned a BASc in Web Development / Software Engineering from Full Sail University in 2016.

U.S. Navy Center for Information Dominance

NEC 1678 & 2735, Computer/Information Technology Administration

Completed Computer/Information Technology Administration training associated with NEC 1678 & 2735 at the U.S. Navy Center for Information Dominance in 2010.