I am a Senior Software Engineer at Centerfield, specializing in .NET 9, AWS, and event-driven architectures to develop scalable, high-performance backend systems. With a strong focus on optimizing software development workflows, I continually explore new technologies and methodologies to improve efficiency, maintainability, and system resilience. Passionate about modern cloud infrastructure, I enjoy tackling complex engineering challenges that require innovative solutions.
- Team Contributor: Dedicated to collaboration and fostering a productive team environment that thrives on shared knowledge and collective problem-solving.
- Continuous Learner: Passionate about exploring new technologies, staying updated on industry trends, and refining my expertise through hands-on projects.
- Mentor & Knowledge Sharer: Actively guide and support colleagues with real-world insights, fostering a culture of growth and professional development.
- Best Practices Advocate: Ensure code quality and maintainability by advocating for industry best practices, test-driven development, and efficient software design.
- Personal & Professional Growth: Strive for impactful development in both work and life, balancing career success with meaningful personal experiences.
I am committed to continuous professional growth and achieving technical excellence through structured learning paths and certification programs.
Timeline | Certification | Status |
---|---|---|
Q1 2025 | GitHub Foundations | β³ In Progress |
Q1 2025 | Terraform Associate | β³ In Progress |
Q2 2025 | AWS Developer Associate | β³ In Progress |
Q2 2025 | AWS DevOps Associate | β Not Started |
Q3 2025 | AWS Solutions Architect Professional | β Not Started |
Q3 2025 | Security+ | β Not Started |
Q4 2025 | Cloud+ | β Not Started |
Q1 2026 | CNKA (Cloud Native Kubernetes Associate) | β Not Started |
Q2 2026 | GCP Foundational | β Not Started |
I approach certifications not just as credentials but as opportunities to deepen my understanding of key technologies that drive modern software engineering.
Beyond software engineering, I have a deep appreciation for activities that bring balance and inspiration to my life.
- Outdoor Exploration: Hiking, camping, and fishing offer a way to disconnect, recharge, and immerse myself in natureβs beauty.
- Cacti & Sustainable Gardening: I cultivate unique cacti species and practice regenerative farming, integrating sustainable agricultural methods that promote biodiversity and soil health.
- Homelab & Tech Experimentation: I continuously refine and automate self-hosted infrastructure, experimenting with new technologies to improve performance and security while maintaining a robust environment for testing and learning.
My homelab is designed for virtualization, container orchestration, automation, and continuous learning. It serves as a platform to experiment with real-world infrastructure configurations and cutting-edge technologies.
- Virtualization Cluster (Intel NUCs) β Supporting VM workloads, high-availability experiments, and network simulations.
- Kubernetes Cluster (Raspberry Pi) β Running containerized applications, developing custom Kubernetes controllers, and managing microservices efficiently.
- Firewalls & Security β Implementing layered security with multiple firewalls, network segmentation, and advanced traffic filtering.
- Synology NAS Storage β Managing reliable backups, high-capacity data storage, and redundancy solutions for critical data.
- UPS & Power Backup β Ensuring stability and uptime during outages, preventing data loss, and protecting hardware investments.
- Essential Services β Running key applications such as Pi-hole (ad-blocking), AdGuard Home (DNS filtering), Jellyfin (media streaming), Homebridge (smart home integration), and other automation tools to streamline workflows and optimize the home environment.
flowchart LR
A[Internet] --> B[Firewall 1]
B --> C[Firewall 2]
C --> D[Virtualization Cluster]
C --> E[Kubernetes Cluster]
D --> F[Synology NAS Storage]
D --> G[UPS & Power Backup]
This setup provides a hands-on environment to enhance my understanding of DevOps, cloud automation, infrastructure-as-code (IaC), and highly available distributed systems.
I am a husband and dad to a 7-year-old, and I deeply value work-life balance. I believe in fostering curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills in my child, encouraging an environment where learning is fun and hands-on. Whether itβs working on DIY projects, exploring the outdoors, or experimenting with technology, I love sharing my passions with my family and inspiring the next generation to explore and innovate.
I enjoy engaging with like-minded professionals, sharing insights, and collaborating on open-source projects. Feel free to reach out!
Platform | Link | Focus |
---|---|---|
linkedin.com/in/stephen-lloyd-jacobs | Technical leadership & cloud architecture | |
GitHub | github.com/sjacobsio | Open-source projects & development |
contact@sjacobs.io | Professional inquiries |
π¬ Thanks for reading! Feel free to connect, share ideas, or collaborate on exciting projects. Always open to meaningful discussions and new challenges!