Engineering Manager & Solutions Architect Driving Azure Platform Engineering at Scale
I am Anas Semesmieh, a Sydney-based Engineering Manager and Solutions Architect specializing in platform engineering, DevSecOps, and cloud cost optimization. I build high-performing teams and resilient Azure platforms that improve delivery speed, reliability, and operating efficiency.
🏆 Featured Wins
- Reduced Azure cloud spend by 50% through targeted platform and cost-optimization initiatives.
- Led GitOps migration from Azure DevOps to GitHub, improving CI/CD reliability, security, and release confidence.
- Pioneered Infrastructure as Code practices and moved core environments toward an immutable infrastructure model, while continuing to mature standards across both legacy and modern platforms.
- Introduced an Internal Developer Portal (IDP), accelerated automation initiatives, and promoted self-service engineering workflows across teams.
- Reduced KTLO (Keep the Lights On) effort by 30%, freeing capacity for strategic initiatives and higher-value platform outcomes.
- Drove practical AI adoption across the engineering organization and leveraged AI-assisted workflows behind the scenes to accelerate delivery and amplify team impact.
👨💻 About
With 14+ years of experience in software and cloud engineering, I design and lead platform initiatives that improve developer productivity, strengthen security posture, and reduce infrastructure spend. I specialize in Azure platform engineering, cloud-native architecture, and DevSecOps automation. Most recently, I led platform engineering at Pickles Auctions and contributed to large-scale digital transformation across auction and post-sale systems.
💼 Experience
Engineering Manager — Platform Engineering
Leading Platform Engineering: build/release engineering, environment & configuration management, and cost optimization in Azure. Provide technical leadership, drive adoption of platform services, recruit and mentor engineers.
- Reduced cloud spend through targeted Azure cost-optimisation initiatives by 50%
- Led migration of repositories and pipelines from Azure DevOps to GitHub, improving CI/CD reliability and security.
- Served as Product Owner for shared Platform Services including Notification, Storage, and Identity.
- Designed and delivered scalable auction platform architecture that enabled new digital sales channels.
- Led post-sale digitization and Microsoft Dynamics 365 integration to improve operational efficiency.
- Supported major product transformations, including the CarZapp app rebuild and web redesign.
- Placed 2nd in a company-wide AI hackathon by delivering an innovative prototype against 100+ engineers.
Development Lead
Built .NET Core microservices, cloud-native solutions on Azure, managed mobile app deployments and implemented CI/CD using Azure DevOps. Led frontend work with Angular and coordinated dev teams and product stakeholders.
- Designed and delivered scalable, multi-tenanted tender platform.
- Implemented robust CI/CD pipelines reducing deployment time from hours to minutes.
- Launched mobile and web applications for dealers and buyers across APAC markets.
- Led frontend modernization with Angular, improving user engagement and performance.
Solutions Architect / Senior Software Engineer
Led DevOps best practices, designed IoT and realtime analytics solutions, implemented migrations and enterprise integrations.
- Architected IoT and real-time analytics platform for major retail client.
- Introduced Infrastructure-as-Code practices, reducing environment setup from days to hours.
- Delivered multiple enterprise system integrations improving business workflow automation.
Software Engineer & Trainer
Worked across web development, cloud instances, Office 365 & Azure administration.
- Developed custom business applications for SMEs, improving client operations.
- Delivered corporate training on Microsoft Azure and Office 365 adoption.
IT Admin/Support & Trainer
Worked across IT Support, Network administration, and training roles.
- Managed enterprise IT infrastructure including network, security, and user support.
- Trained staff on IT best practices, improving technical self-sufficiency.
🛠️ Skills and Tools
🤝 Soft Skills
🌍 Languages
🎓 Education
🖥️ Open Source and Homelab
I run a Docker-based homelab with 10+ self-hosted services — Traefik, Pi-hole, Plex, Arr stack, Immich, Home Assistant — with automated backups, secret redaction, and sub-hour disaster recovery. The full config is public on GitHub.
✍️ Blog
Practical notes on platform engineering, Azure architecture, DevSecOps, Docker homelab builds, and leadership lessons from scaling teams and infrastructure.
🎙️ Talks, Podcasts, and Workshops
Public appearances on AI adoption, platform guardrails, and practical digital transformation.
Evolution Exchange Australia Podcast
A panel on AI as augmentation, leadership under uncertainty, and platform teams that make safe change easier.
AADA Workshop: SaaS for Wholesale in Automotive
A practical session on choosing SaaS for wholesale workflows without losing sight of process fit, integrations, or rollout discipline.
📬 Contact
I am available for Engineering Manager, Head of Platform/Engineering, and Solutions Architect opportunities across Sydney and remote-first teams. If your team is scaling platform capabilities, modernizing cloud delivery, or improving engineering effectiveness, I would be glad to connect.
Best way to reach me is email or LinkedIn. I typically respond within 24-48 hours.