With 29 years in systems administration and IT infrastructure,
I've built a distinguished career across internet services, film
production, video games, and e-commerce. My journey began in 1996 as
Technical Manager at Albatross
Networks, where I helped build a regional ISP, establishing its
dial-up/web hosting infrastructure using Caldera Linux and securing
crucial peering agreements. I then transitioned to visual effects,
spending six years (2002-2008) as a Production Systems Engineer
at The Moving Picture Company (MPC),
supporting Oscar-winning VFX by managing several hundred Linux render
nodes and a similar number of artist workstations while implementing
enterprise-grade security with Juniper/Fortigate firewalls. Following
this, in 2008 at Imagineer Systems, I set up and
supported the hardware and software for a new VFX finishing system and
configured the Mac-based build system for their Academy Award-winning
Mocha tracking software.
In the e-commerce sector (2017-2023), as Senior Systems Administrator at KPS, I managed comprehensive backend infrastructure for high-end clients across AWS, Google Cloud, and SAP Cloud, specifically optimising SAP Hybris deployments. My role encompassed both cloud infrastructure management and cybersecurity implementation, including deploying CloudFlare/Akamai edge security, managing Rackspace WAF, and migrating vulnerability scanning from Tenable to Qualys. Beyond this, I oversaw complete IT operations, including VMware ESXi virtualization, enterprise device deployment, Apple device management via JamF, and Ubiquiti networking, while providing critical out-of-hours support.
Most recently, I served as an IT Infrastructure Engineer at Supermassive Games (2023-September 2025), maintaining critical infrastructure for AAA title development. Key achievements include migrating legacy services to AWS, implementing the MASV file transfer system, and developing Ansible automation for deployment.
I am currently looking for a new role (unfortunately due to being made redundant - the games industry is still not in the greatest shape right now) - in any industry - where I can utilise my skillset to help companies with their IT requirements. An outline of my experience is shown below, but if you'd like my full CV - please reach out to me via martyn@drake.org.uk.
Throughout my career, I've consistently demonstrated exceptional technical versatility in infrastructure architecture, security implementation, cloud migration, and DevOps practices.
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Professional Experience
IT Infrastructure Engineer
Supermassive Games Ltd
· Full-time
📅 Feb 2023 - September 2025
📍 Guildford,
England, United Kingdom · On-site
Working in a small team alongside the desktop and facilities teams, my responsibilities include:
- Managing and maintaining studio infrastructure including networking (switches, firewalls, VPN equipment, multi-site connectivity through VPLS)
- Administering remote access, media transfers between studio and vendors, and license management
- Managing Perforce servers, asset management of equipment and software
- Maintaining Microsoft 365 services including MS Teams, SharePoint, SSO integration with third-party services
- Managing Active Directory, VMware vCenter and ESXi servers with associated SAN and NAS storage clusters
- Operating services on AWS and Azure cloud platforms
- Performing daily backup checks across the estate (Commvault) to ensure consistent and reliable backups
- Working with third-party vendors to develop and provide continuous health checks of backup systems
- Handling helpdesk tickets ranging from network/server issues to storage allocation and data wrangling
- Managing infrastructure used to build games in production
- Recently introduced new MASV file transfer service to replace aging FTP server
- Managing VPN server infrastructure (licensing, upgrades, VM replacements)
- Writing Ansible scripts for DevSecOps purposes
Skills: Infrastructure · Servers · Bash · macOS · Networking · Cloud Computing · Firewalls · Email Systems · Storage Systems · Technical Support · Linux · Microsoft Office · Systems Administration · Computer Hardware · Amazon Web Services (AWS) · Windows Server · Domain Name System (DNS) · Red Hat Enterprise Linux · Windows
Senior Systems Administrator
KPS UK · Full-time
📅 Aug 2017 - Feb 2023 · 5 yrs 7 mos
📍 Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom · Hybrid
Senior systems administrator responsible for:
- Managing backend infrastructure for multiple high-end e-commerce clients across AWS, Google Cloud, and SAP Cloud platforms utilizing SAP Hybris
- Rewrote scripts required to maintain client Google Cloud platforms
- Handling SEO-related tasks through nginx maps configuration
- Implementing CloudFlare/Akamai edge security and origin protection
- Managing Rackspace WAF, IDS, and load balancing systems
- Supporting business infrastructure including desktops, laptops, network connectivity, VPNs
- Deployed Dell laptop/desktop fleet and Sophos Central Advanced Intercept-X with EDR
- Implemented Ubiquiti Wi-Fi infrastructure (APs, switches, and services)
- Developing BYOD policies and managing Apple devices through Apple Business Manager and JamF
- Migrated vulnerability scanning from Tenable to Qualys with web application scanning
- Set up VMware ESXi servers for network management and virtualization
- Migrated .NET projects between Rackspace accounts to new Windows Server versions
- Provided out-of-hours infrastructure support (1 week in 2)
Skills: Device Management · Infrastructure · New Relic · Servers · Ubuntu · Bash · Customer Support · macOS · Virtualization · Apache · Google Cloud Platform · Networking · HTML · E-commerce · Cloud Computing · Centos · Switches · Firewalls · Email Systems · Storage Systems · Technical Support · Linux · Web Application Firewall · Nginx · Office 365 · Google Workplace · Debian · Virtual Private Network (VPN) · Microsoft Office · Systems Administration · Computer Hardware · Web Analytics · WordPress · G Suite · Amazon Web Services (AWS) · Windows Server · MySQL · Perl · Domain Name System (DNS) · Operating Systems · Load Balancing · Red Hat Enterprise Linux · Windows
First Line Support Team Leader
Memset Ltd, the high security cloud hosting company · Full-time
📅 Jun 2008 - Jul 2017 · 9 yrs 2 mos
📍 Dunsfold, Surrey, United Kingdom · Hybrid
- Managed a team of junior system administrators providing first line operations support
- Supported 750 dedicated customer servers and 3,500 virtual servers on 300 Xen-based Dell servers
- Provided support via email (Request Tracker/OTRS) and phone
- Supported CentOS, Debian, Ubuntu Linux, and Windows Server 2008 R2/2012/2016
- Provided out-of-hours emergency support as part of on-call rotation (1 week in 8)
- Personally responsible for all customer backups (Linux and Windows)
- Project manager for SquirrelSave online backup service
- Tested and developed cross-platform backup client (Windows, OS X, Ubuntu Linux)
- QA testing for Memstore CDN platform (OpenStack), IPv6 tunneling, and internal beta projects
Skills: Device Management · Infrastructure · Servers · Ubuntu · Bash · Customer Support · cPanel · PHP · macOS · Virtualization · Apache · Google Cloud Platform · Networking · HTML · E-commerce · Cloud Computing · Centos · Switches · Firewalls · Email Systems · Technical Support Manager · Management · Storage Systems · Technical Support · Linux · Web Application Firewall · Nginx · Office 365 · Google Workplace · Debian · Virtual Private Network (VPN) · Microsoft Office · Systems Administration · Computer Hardware · Web Analytics · WordPress · G Suite · Amazon Web Services (AWS) · Windows Server · MySQL · Perl · Domain Name System (DNS) · Operating Systems · Load Balancing · Red Hat Enterprise Linux · Windows
Systems Engineer
Imagineer Systems · Full-time
📅 Jan 2008 - Jun 2008 · 6 mos
📍 Guildford, United Kingdom · On-site
As the sole systems engineer:
- Provided internal systems support for developers' workstations and servers
- Managed company website and customer forum system (CentOS-based Xen VMs)
- Set up and maintained OS X-based X-Serve build system for Academy Award-winning Mocha tracking software
- Tested new storage options for products in development
- Hardware technical support for customers worldwide
- Traveled to Munich and New York for hardware/software setup
- Filmed promotional video for NAB 2008 show in Las Vegas featuring VFX community interviews
- Transitioned from self-hosted Zimbra email to Google Apps for Business (now G Suite)
Skills: Infrastructure · Servers · Ubuntu · Bash · Customer Support · PHP · macOS · Virtualization · Apache · Networking · Cloud Computing · Centos · Switches · Firewalls · Email Systems · Storage Systems · Technical Support · Linux · Google Workplace · Virtual Private Network (VPN) · Microsoft Office · Systems Administration · Computer Hardware · G Suite · MySQL · Domain Name System (DNS) · Operating Systems · Red Hat Enterprise Linux · Windows
Production Systems Administrator
MPC · Full-time
📅 Jan 2002 - Dec 2007 · 6 yrs
📍 London, United Kingdom · On-site
Part of a small team responsible for:
- Administering equipment for visual effects production on major feature films and television
- Managing web servers, email servers, FTP servers, firewalls, switches, render farm, and artist workstations
- Led firewall migration from Sun-based Checkpoint to Juniper and Fortigate network appliances
- Implemented VLAN-based network segregation using HP Procurve equipment
- Coordinated IPSec VPNs between major film studios and clients
- Maintained several hundred IBM-based CentOS Linux render farm machines
- Supported ~200+ artist workstations running CentOS (some with VMware for Windows/Photoshop)
- Storage systems management (provisioning, monitoring, disk replacement)
- Provided out-of-hours on-call support
- Visited film studios in UK and abroad for special projects
Skills: Infrastructure · Servers · Bash · Customer Support · PHP · macOS · Apache · Web Development · Networking · HTML · Cloud Computing · Centos · Switches · Firewalls · Email Systems · Storage Systems · Technical Support · Linux · Google Workplace · Debian · Virtual Private Network (VPN) · Microsoft Office · Systems Administration · Computer Hardware · WordPress · G Suite · MySQL · Perl · Domain Name System (DNS) · Operating Systems · Juniper Networks Products · Red Hat Enterprise Linux · Windows
Systems Administrator & Customer Support
WEBCOIN LTD · Full-time
📅 Nov 2001 - Jan 2002 · 3 mos
📍 London, United Kingdom
- Sole responsibility for managing all servers (Linux/RedHat-based, <20 total)
- Planned migration to dedicated rack at Redbus in London's Docklands
- Prepared Sun server clones for customer sales
- Configured operating systems per customer specifications
- Provided support for customer websites and email hosting
Skills: Infrastructure · Servers · Bash · Customer Support · Apache · Networking · HTML · Centos · Switches · Firewalls · Email Systems · Technical Support · Linux · Microsoft Office · Systems Administration · Computer Hardware · MySQL · Perl · Domain Name System (DNS) · Operating Systems · Red Hat Enterprise Linux · Windows
Systems Administrator & Customer Support
Internet Assist Limited (IA Support) · Full-time
📅 2001 - 2001 · Less than a year
📍 Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom
- Managed all internal systems including workstations and servers
- Oversaw transition from manual tar tape backups to Arkeia backup management system
- Migrated company's Sendmail email system to Exim
- Managed 4 RedHat Linux servers
- Managed servers hosted at Rackspace
- Migrated customer website data from previous provider to Rackspace
Skills: Infrastructure · Servers · Bash · Customer Support · PHP · Apache · Networking · HTML · Centos · Switches · Firewalls · Email Systems · Technical Support · Linux · Microsoft Office · Systems Administration · Computer Hardware · Web Analytics · MySQL · Perl · Domain Name System (DNS) · Operating Systems · Red Hat Enterprise Linux · Windows
Systems Administrator & 3rd Line Support
Ision Internet AG (IOI) · Full-time
📅 1999 - 2001 · 2 yrs
📍 Greenwich, London, United Kingdom
- Part of team managing 50+ Sun Solaris and Linux servers
- Maintained web services (Zeus web server), DNS, OpenLDAP authentication, and email servers
- Provided third-line support
- Managed NDO product offering free .co.uk domains with dial-up service
- Prevented domain registration abuse and reported breaches to developers
- Primary third-line support for NDO product
Skills: Infrastructure · Servers · Bash · Customer Support · Apache · Networking · HTML · Centos · Switches · Firewalls · Email Systems · Technical Support · Linux · Microsoft Office · Systems Administration · Computer Hardware · Web Analytics · MySQL · Perl · Domain Name System (DNS) · Operating Systems · Windows
Systems Administrator & Support Manager
NET COMMUNICATIONS LTD
📅 1998 - 1998 · Less than a year
📍 Norwich, United Kingdom
- Led all technical support services as support manager
- Monitor email and telephone support channels
- Performed on-site client visits for modem installation and LAN configuration
- Configured desktop machines for Internet access
- Assisted technical manager with system administration tasks
Skills: Infrastructure · Servers · Bash · Customer Support · PHP · Apache · Web Development · Networking · HTML · Centos · Switches · Firewalls · Email Systems · Technical Support Manager · Technical Support · Linux · Microsoft Office · Systems Administration · Computer Hardware · Web Analytics · MySQL · Perl · Domain Name System (DNS) · Operating Systems · Windows
Technical Manager, Web Designer and Systems Administrator
Albatross Networks · Full-time
📅 1996 - 1998 · 2 yrs
📍 Norwich, United Kingdom
- Built, serviced, and supported PCs manufactured and sold on premises
- Built and maintained servers/infrastructure for dial-up and web hosting service
- Deployed Caldera Linux for email, DNS, and Usenet servers
- Implemented Windows Server for customer and company websites (Frontpage support)
- First ISP in Norwich to offer Demon-style catch-all email addresses
- Developed Windows dial-up configuration software using WISE Installation system
- Provided 24/7 technical support and on-call service
- Brokered and implemented peering agreement with U-NET for complete Usenet feed
- Designed and developed company website and customer websites
- Replaced Novell Groupwise with Windows-based mail server for clients
- Regular on-site callouts throughout Norfolk and London
Skills: Infrastructure · Servers · Bash · Customer Support · Apache · Web Development · Networking · HTML · Centos · Switches · Firewalls · Email Systems · Technical Support Manager · Management · Technical Support · Linux · Microsoft Office · Systems Administration · Computer Hardware · Web Analytics · Windows Server · MySQL · Domain Name System (DNS) · Operating Systems · Windows