Dakota Gallimore
Senior Cloud Engineer at Zenimax Online Studios
Experience
Leading GameOps technical initiatives for unannounced AAA MMO, establishing Infrastructure as Code standards and CI/CD workflows. Implemented configuration-driven systems for game servers and game realms. Containerized and orchestrated backend game servers on Kubernetes, achieving 99.9% uptime while mentoring 4+ engineers on cloud-native practices.
Deployed and maintained global Azure infrastructure using Terraform/Pulumi for AAA MMO supporting multi-region game realms. Architected a distributed, tiered environment (game realm) management system, ensuring environments are deployed and managed dynamically and efficiently. Built enterprise observability platform integrating Splunk/Datadog and engineered custom Golang auto-scaling controllers across multiple Kubernetes clusters.
Constructed RKE/K8s cluster designs for multi-cloud deployments while ensuring Kubernetes workloads conformed to best practices. STIGed Kubernetes clusters in accordance with DISA specifications leveraging OPA. Designed and automated business processes and infrastructure with Terraform (IaC) and Golang. Implemented container-based CI/CD pipeline using self-hosted GitLab, Jenkins, and Harbor. Aided teammates in implementing Kubernetes monitoring stack using Prometheus, Grafana, and Loki. Ran exploratory proof of concepts for implementing multiple service mesh technologies like Istio and Linkerd.
Converted legacy Oracle applications into a microservice based architecture on AWS. Helped architect and implement ATF's new AWS-based software infrastructure. Developed multiple MEAN CRUD applications with underlying networking communications using SocketCluster and Socket.io. Deployed applications into OpenShift clusters across clearance boundaries, ensuring secure cross-domain operations.
Coordinated with startups to define software offerings in 23 countries. Helped clients coordinate go-to-market strategies while maintaining crowdfunding platform built on WordPress using Stripe for payment processing in multiple currencies. Performed day-to-day operations required to run company. Developed guidelines for mobile and web-based experiences on the platform. Met clients on-site to blueprint and prototype their creations.
Cloud & DevOps
Development
Leadership & Communication
Problem Solving
Personality
I'm a curious problem-solver who thrives on turning complex technical challenges into elegant solutions, through coffee or a good conversation. I'm considered outgoing by my peers with a good sense of humor. I'm also highly creative and not afraid of a whiteboard. Being a detail oriented person, I'm capable of formulating detailed designs at all layers, large and small. I'm always in search of expanding my knowledge and prefer to take on rolls that have never been done before as the challenge excites me! I believe in leading with empathy, mentoring others, and building systems that make people's lives easier.
Mission
To bridge the gap between cutting-edge cloud technology and real-world business impact, while fostering inclusive teams that deliver exceptional results.
Story
From founding a global platform serving 23 countries to architecting infrastructure for a AAA MMO - my journey has taught me that the best technology serves people, not the other way around.
Philosophy
"The value of a prototype is in the education it gives you, not in the code itself." — Alan Cooper, software design pioneer
Portfolio
Many enterprise projects cannot be publicly displayed due to confidentiality agreements. Available for detailed technical discussions during interviews.
Dreams.Build
Global Crowdfunding Platform
Rewards-based crowdfunding platform servicing projects in 23 countries, allowing creators to host digital files and monthly charity donations.
Visual Language Learning
Google Glass Application
Innovative language learning app using Google Glass platform for real-time image translation and contextual learning.
Protofy
WYSIWYG Editor for Android
Visual Android layout editor allowing developers to create draft XML layouts completely offline with drag-and-drop interface.
A.M.P.
Activity-Based Music Player
R&D Android application that learns user activities and automatically plays appropriate music based on detected movement patterns.
Education
Comprehensive software engineering program with focus on system design, development methodologies, and project management.
Strong foundation in algorithms, data structures, programming languages, and computer systems architecture.
Numerous courses completed ranging from Android development to Machine Learning and Self-Driving Cars.
Don't take my word for it, take theirs
"I have known Dakota Gallimore for all of his life. Dakota's depth of character is one of his most distinguishing features. He is honest, trustworthy, reliable, and will always make every effort to fulfill his commitments. He is extremely bright, well educated and dedicated to his career. Dakota will not disappoint!"
"We created an interactive language translation app for Glass, and Dakota was the founding engineer. I hadn't known Dakota prior, but when I met him I was very impressed with his passion for technology and altruism... it was clear that he had the talent and compassion to build great products and build great teams."
"Dakota walked the talk. He listened, he acted upon suggestions, he took the time to explain technical (and sometimes not so technical) gubbins that were beyond us... Dakota gets Nine out of Nine Dragons from us."
Published Papers
Within my career, I've worked with fellow programmers to have papers published in Software Engineering and R&D Google Glass.
Incorporating Software Maintenance in a Senior Capstone Project
International Journal of Cyber Society and Education: 2015
This paper presents a software engineering capstone project conducted by students at the University of Virginia's College at Wise. The work of the students is documented in this paper. Unlike previous capstone projects conducted at this university, however, this one uses methods commonly found in agile development and is an adaptive maintenance development effort.
View PaperFeeling Glassy: An Analysis of Developing for Google Glass
The World Congress in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Applied Computing: 2014
Google Glass is considered a front-runner of mobile computing. It functions as a wearable device that, as the name suggests resembles a pair of glasses, but the abilities of the device prove that this is no ordinary pair of spectacles. Understanding that this device stands to be the new and, currently, unrivaled device for the future of mobile computing, those with the ability to program for it stand to enter into a market that has limitless potential. The proposed paper serves as an analysis of the development process and attempts to outline the pieces that are required for both Android and Glass.
Certifications
