Michael Thai

About Michael Thai

Michael is a Cloud and Technology Leader with over 15 years of experience guiding enterprise organizations through large-scale modernization and DevOps adoption. He specializes in the strategic design of scalable architectures across Azure and AWS, focusing on the implementation of Kubernetes ecosystems and automated CI/CD pipelines that drive organizational agility.As a leader, he bridges the gap between complex technical requirements and business objectives. His experience spans managing cross-functional engineering teams, overseeing Professional Services delivery, and maturing Cloud Operations. By prioritizing platform resilience and security, he ensures that infrastructure scales alongside business growth while maintaining fiscal responsibility through FinOps and cost optimization.Throughout his career, Michael has focused on increasing delivery velocity and improving operational reliability. He is recognized for his ability to simplify complex technical landscapes, mentor high-performing engineering teams, and lead incident response efforts in mission-critical environments. He remains passionate about building the foundational platforms that empower developers and accelerate digital transformation.

Experience

1. Manager, Techology Strategy & Transformation

   EY

   Jul 2019 — Present · Austin, TX, US

   Cloud Architecture & Automation• Led a Microsoft Azure cloud automation initiative for a state agency, directing discovery, design, build, testing, and transition of a self-service onboarding, decommissioning, and 3-tier infrastructure provisioning solution.• Delivered Azure cloud strategy and implementation for a global manufacturing client, leading a distributed team to build six foundational technology platforms, including Data Factory, Databricks, and Azure Purview.• Designed integration architecture using the C4 model for an auto finance client, mapping legacy-to-target data flows to support system migration and conversion.Kubernetes & Containerization• Implemented Kubernetes on AWS EKS for a power & utilities client, integrating Istio service mesh, Container Insights, and CloudWatch to modernize the customer experience platform.• Demonstrated Kubernetes deployment patterns through a POC using Minikube, enabling client teams to understand container lifecycle workflows.CI/CD & DevOps Delivery• Engineered end-to-end CI/CD pipelines for building, testing, and deploying microservices with Docker and Kubernetes.• Defined branching strategies, deployment models, and environment configuration standards to support enterprise DevOps transformation initiatives.• Developed standardized deployment runbooks, improving deployment consistency, minimizing downtime, and reducing incident response effort.Architecture & Strategy Leadership• Created reference and future-state architectures and technology roadmaps for retail and consumer clients.• Led architecture workshops to develop conceptual models and agile implementation plans aligned to business goals.

Education

• The University of Texas at Austin

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Electrical and Computer Engineering

  2002 — 2007

Skills

• Cloud Computing
• Project Estimation
• Disaster Recovery
• Consulting
• Agile Methodologies
• Management
• Project Management
• Release Management
• Outsourcing
• Jenkins
• Build Automation
• Sonarqube
• Software Development Life Cycle (Sdlc)
• Business Process
• Shell Scripting
• Integrated Eligibility
• Maven
• Integration
• Virtualization
• Business Process Design
• Service Catalog
• Docker
• Data Conversion
• Technical Architecture
• Requirements Gathering
• Pmp
• Unix
• Oracle Applications
• Leadership
• Software Implementation
• Software Configuration Management
• Rational Team Concert
• Sdlc
• Forecasting
• Amazon Web Services (Aws)
• Selenium
• Solution Architecture
• Openshift
• Devops
• System Administration