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George Chilumbu

@georgechilumbu

Database Reliability Engineer at Kraken who automated schema migrations and modernized ETL workflows across 24 database clusters.

Taiwan

Message

At Kraken (Payward Inc), I developed a Python framework for database schema migrations with unit testing, governance checks, and SQLFluff linting. I also modernized legacy ETL workflows across 24 database clusters, moving them into a centralized Python codebase with automated synchronization and observability.

Earlier, I migrated MySQL and Cassandra systems across cloud regions and providers at Ayla Networks, and improved database availability and monitoring at PayDynamics and KKBOX. At Illinois Dept. of Public Health, I developed the backend database layer for EGrAMS.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Senior Database Reliability Engineer

Kraken (Payward Inc)

Nov 2021 - May 2026 (4 years 6 months)

Developed a custom Python monorepo framework for database schema migrations with integrated unit testing, governance checks, and SQLFluff API-based linting. Modernized legacy Perl ETL workflows across 24 database clusters, evaluated cloud-based POCs for ScyllaDB and TiDB, and supported cross-region data migration and disaster recovery initiatives.

Python SQLFluff Perl MariaDB MyRocks Scylla TiDB Kafka AWS VictoriaMetrics Grafana Jira Slack Nomad Git CI CD

Senior Database Engineer

Ayla Networks

Dec 2019 - Mar 2021 (1 year 3 months)

Migrated MySQL workloads from AWS RDS to Percona XtraDB Cluster on Alibaba ECS for a China-based client. Led cross-region MySQL and Cassandra cluster migrations, created automated schema migration scripts, and provided production database support for U.S. and China teams.

MySQL Percona XtraDB Cluster AWS RDS Alibaba Cloud Cassandra Schema Migration Query Optimization Incident Response

Senior Database Engineer

PayDynamics

Oct 2018 - Nov 2019 (1 year 1 month)

Performed migration to Percona XtraDB Cluster and implemented ProxySQL for intelligent traffic routing. Implemented Grafana and Prometheus monitoring, developed shell-based backup automation, and strengthened database security with role-based access control using Percona PAM with LDAP integration.

MySQL Percona XtraDB Cluster ProxySQL Grafana Prometheus Shell LDAP PAM Backup Automation

Senior Database Engineer

KKBOX

Jun 2015 - Sep 2018 (3 years 3 months)

Upgraded Percona MySQL clusters from 5.5 to 5.7 and led evaluation and production rollout of Redis and Memcached caching solutions. Replaced legacy DRBD and Heartbeat HA architecture with Consul-based service discovery, containerized backup infrastructure using Docker, and established standardized backup procedures.

MySQL Percona Redis MemCached Consul Docker Percona XtraBackup Linux Performance Optimization

Senior Software Engineer

Ashcloud Limited

Aug 2012 - May 2015 (2 years 9 months)

Architected virtual and physical database infrastructure for ERP workloads and implemented MariaDB Galera Cluster with HAProxy and Keepalived. Automated backup workflows, deployed Nagios and Cacti monitoring, and performed ETL-based data migrations using Pentaho Kettle.

MariaDB Galera Cluster HAProxy Keepalived Percona XtraBackup Nagios Cacti Kettle (ETL Tool)ETL MySQL

System Specialist 1

Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH)

Aug 2009 - Dec 2011 (2 years 4 months)

Designed and delivered database solutions supporting public health agency initiatives. Architected and developed the backend database layer for the Electronic Grants Administration & Management System (EGrAMS).

Database Design Backend Development EGrAMS Data Architecture