I am a a tech founder and AWS Solutions Architect recognized by FOX News and DELUX Magazine for creating technology that uplifts communities and drives innovation. My mission is to build cloud systems that empower people — from startups to public-sector transformation.

I’m a Cloud/DevOps Engineer with hands-on experience deploying and managing infrastructure using HashiCorp Terraform and GitHub Actions. Proficient in AWS services including CloudWatch, S3, Route 53, VPC, EC2, IAM (Users & Roles), Lambda, and serverless architectures.

Skilled with Docker and Linux, and experienced in implementing LDAP, a widely used open-source directory protocol. I also apply Agile methodologies with tools such as Jira for project tracking and Confluence for documentation — ensuring clear communication, accountability, and smooth collaboration.

To visualize and communicate infrastructure designs, I use Draw.io to create AWS architecture diagrams, improving transparency and efficiency for all stakeholders.

✨ I believe that clarity, automation, and innovation are the pillars of great cloud engineering — and I make sure to apply them every day.

• 💼 Current Role: Principal Solutions Architect at Cloud Systems Direct
• 🏗️ Specialties: AWS Cloud, DevOps Automation, Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
• 🧰 Tools & Platforms: Terraform, AWS CDK, GitHub Actions, Docker, Amazon Connect, CloudWatch
• 🧮 Methodologies: Agile, CI/CD, Security by Design, GitOps
• 🧾 Certifications:
  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
  • AWS Certified Developer – Associate
  • Oracle OCI AI Foundations Associate
  • Linux Foundation LFS157 – Serverless on Kubernetes

Enterprise-grade Kubernetes deployment with Terraform + GitHub Actions

Highlights

• Automated EKS cluster provisioning using Terraform Blueprints
• Integrated Karpenter for auto-scaling and optimized node management
• Built CI/CD pipeline for app deployments using GitHub Actions
• Enhanced security with IAM roles for service accounts (IRSA)

Tech Stack: Terraform · AWS EKS · Karpenter · GitHub Actions · IAM
🔗 View Project Repo »

*Production-ready Amazon EKS cluster with Terraform + Argo CD GitOps,

Highlights

• 🧩 Infrastructure-as-Code using Terraform for VPC + EKS provisioning
• ☸️ Amazon EKS (1.29) with managed node groups across multiple AZs
• 🔐 IRSA (IAM Roles for Service Accounts) for least-privilege IAM security
• ⚙️ Argo CD GitOps for automated sync + drift detection
• 🌐 API endpoint CIDR controls – public for dev, restrict for prod
• 💰 FinOps-aware (Spot nodes, AWS Budgets/Anomaly Detection ready)
• 🧰 Modular layout ready for CI, Ansible, and MLOps add-ons

Tech Stack: Terraform · Amazon EKS · Argo CD · GitHub Actions · IRSA · AWS VPC · Helm · Kubernetes
🔗 View Project Repo »

Serverless claims intake and processing workflow

Highlights

• Designed Step Functions-based orchestration for claim processing
• Integrated with Amazon Connect for call routing and claim logging
• Secured sensitive data using AWS KMS and IAM least privilege
• Improved claim response time with serverless automation

Tech Stack: AWS Step Functions · Lambda · DynamoDB · KMS · S3
🔗 View Project Repo »

Enterprise Mobility demo showcasing secure, scalable AWS IVR solution

Highlights

• Built AWS Lambda + Lex driven IVR for intelligent customer routing
• Deployed S3 + CloudFront static site for self-service portal
• Used CloudWatch dashboards for performance visibility
• Demoed integration with internal mobility systems

Tech Stack: Amazon Connect · Lambda · Lex · S3 · CloudFront · CloudWatch
🔗 View Project Repo »

Enterprise-grade CI/CD automation with self-hosted runners

Highlights

• Deployed GitHub runners on EKS using Terraform and Helm
• Configured autoscaling with Karpenter and GitHub Actions integration
• Reduced CI/CD latency and cost vs. hosted runners
• Added monitoring with Prometheus + CloudWatch

Tech Stack: Terraform · AWS EKS · Karpenter · GitHub Actions · Prometheus
🔗 View Project Repo »

• 🏗️ Mastering Kubenetes
• 🧠 Preparing for AWS SAP-C02 (Solutions Architect Professional)
• 🐍 Expanding skills in Python for Cloud Automation

📧 Email: Et@cloudsystemsdirect.com
🏢 Website: HireEdwardThornton.click

“Exploring the Cloud, the Cosmos, and Code.” ☁️🚀