Drake Johnson

Profile

Network & Infrastructure Engineer with 6+ years operating and troubleshooting distributed infrastructure across 150+ remote sites in 24/7, SLA-driven environments. Hands-on background in transport and physical-layer operations — RF / fixed-wireless systems, transceivers, cabling, and L1–L3 fault isolation — with strong instincts for diagnosing hardware faults, isolating them methodically, and driving them to resolution. Experienced in incident triage and escalation, RMA processing and vendor coordination, and the documentation discipline that keeps operations reliable: runbooks, SOPs, network diagrams, and asset records. Solid routing/switching fundamentals (Cisco, Juniper), packet capture and analysis (Wireshark), and DNS/DHCP/VPN troubleshooting. Additional depth in cloud and automation (AWS-certified, Terraform, GitHub Actions) reflecting a track record of ramping quickly on new technical domains—including a B.S. in Cloud Computing earned while working full-time, alongside three AWS certifications and CompTIA Network+ and Security+.

Skills

• NETWORK OPERATIONS & TRANSPORT: L1-L3 fault isolation | RF / fixed-wireless transport (base-stations, transceivers, physical-layer troubleshooting across 150+ sites) | Optics, cabling & transceiver diagnostics | Routing fundamentals (OSPF, BGP) | VLANs | NAT | DHCP | DNS | VPN/IPSec troubleshooting | Packet capture & analysis (Wireshark) | Cisco | Juniper | MikroTik | Network monitoring, alert response, performance validation
• NOC & INCIDENT RESPONSE: 24/7 on-call across 150+ live sites | Incident triage, fault isolation & root-cause analysis | Escalation & SLA-driven ticket ownership | RMA processing & vendor coordination | Backup/restore & DR-aligned practices | SOPs, runbooks, network diagrams, asset documentation
• SYSTEMS & VIRTUALIZATION: Windows Server & Active Directory / Group Policy (operational) | Linux fundamentals | Patching & lifecycle maintenance | Virtualization: Proxmox, VMware
• CLOUD, PLATFORM & AUTOMATION: AWS (EC2, S3, IAM, VPC, CloudWatch, Lambda, Route 53) | Terraform (IaC) | GitHub Actions (CI/CD) | Docker | Bash & Python scripting | Azure fundamentals
• SECURITY & TOOLING: Log analysis | Alert investigation | Runbook-driven workflows | SIEM/EDR concepts | MITRE ATT&CK awareness | Python | Bash | SQL | Git

Education

Bachelor of Science in Cloud Computing, Western Governors University
04/2025 | Remote
AWS Track: Focused on cloud architecture, infrastructure as code, DevOps automation, and security best practices

Certifications and Licenses

• AWS Certified Developer – Associate
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
• AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
• CompTIA Security+
• CompTIA Network+
• CompTIA Cloud+

Work Experience

Network Engineer, PCS Technologies

10/2018 – 04/2025 | West Saint Paul, MN

• Supported enterprise and distributed infrastructure across 150+ remote sites, ensuring stable, secure, and high-performing operations for mission-critical systems.
• Operated and maintained servers, network devices, and distributed client/server systems across multi-site environments.
• Administered Windows systems, AD/GPO, and endpoint configurations to support secure, consistent operations.
• Monitored system and network health, responded to alerts, and executed structured incident triage to prevent or mitigate outages.
• Performed packet-level diagnostics, VPN/IPSec troubleshooting, and Layer 1–3 analysis during high-impact incidents.
• Applied configuration updates, firmware patches, and system changes across servers and network infrastructure.
• Identified performance bottlenecks and implemented optimizations to improve system reliability and resource utilization.
• Collaborated with engineering teams, ISPs, vendors, and programmers to validate changes and ensure accurate implementation.

IT Field Support Technician, Onsite Technology Services

03/2018 – 09/2018 | Chanhassen, MN

• Deployed and configured network hardware, POS systems, and infrastructure components across customer sites.
• Executed upgrades and cutovers following structured procedures and project plans.
• Documented activities and escalated issues to ensure timely resolution and deployment quality.

Printer Technician, Compucom

05/2017 – 02/2018 | Minneapolis, MN

• Diagnosed and resolved hardware issues in desktop and standalone printers, including component repair and replacement.
• Installed, configured, and tested printers to ensure seamless integration with existing systems and optimal performance.
• Oversaw inventory of printer consumables, coordinating timely resupply and maintaining accurate stock levels to support uninterrupted operations.

IT Technician, Cardinal IG

10/2015 – 02/2017 | Fargo, ND

• Installed, configured, and updated Windows-based computer systems and hardware to maintain reliable workstation performance in a production environment.
• Troubleshot connectivity, device, and system issues across printers, scanners, and user workstations, ensuring minimal downtime for manufacturing operations.
• Performed routine system backups and recovery tasks for DOS, Windows XP, and Windows 7 environments to support data integrity and business continuity.
• Created work orders, documented technical tasks, and maintained accurate inventory records to support operational planning and equipment lifecycle management.

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