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Open to Cloud Architect roles
Senior Enterprise Systems Engineer with 25+ years of experience, including 7+ years in Microsoft Azure and 5+ years specializing in Citrix DaaS. Designs, integrates, and manages complex enterprise systems, delivering scalable cloud infrastructure, automation, and high-performance solutions that align with business and operational goals.
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Cloud Platforms
# Cloud Architect Profile
resource "cloud_architect" "zaid" {
name = "Zaid Albaker"
role = "Senior Enterprise System Engineer"
location = "Boston, MA"
cloud = ["Azure", "AWS"]
iac = ["Terraform", "Bicep", "PowerShell"]
security_policy_requirements = [
"Enterprise Security Governance & Risk Management",
"Identity & Access Management (IAM) and Zero Trust Architecture",
"Regulatory Compliance Automation & Audit Readiness"
]
specialty = [
"Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (CVAD) Architecture",
"Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) Solutions Design & Optimization",
"Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) Enterprise Deployments",
"End-User Computing (EUC) Modernization Strategies",
]
}
output "availability" {
value = "Open to enterprise architecture roles"
}
Technical Expertise
Multi-cloud architecture with deep specialization in enterprise migration, Citrix virtualization, Infrastructure-as-Code, and operations reliability.
Azure Landing Zones, Hub-Spoke, AVD, Citrix DaaS for globally distributed enterprise environments, Azure Policy, Identity & Governance.
Terraform modules, Bicep, PowerShell automation, CI/CD pipelines, release quality gates, reusable IaC frameworks.
Enterprise access control, Azure Policy, DR strategy (RPO/RTO), governance, operational guardrails, Fortinet (VPN, Firewalls).
Azure, OCI, VMware, Hyper-V, Kubernetes, vCenter, ESXi, enterprise storage systems.
Citrix DaaS, Citrix Virtual Apps & Desktops, AVD integration, large-scale VDI architecture, image management, performance optimization, and global workforce enablement.
GitHub Copilot and Cursor workflows for faster IaC development, automation, and repeatable migrations.
Veeam backup & recovery, monitoring integrations (LogicMonitor), incident automation (ServiceNow, xMatters), runbook-driven operations.
Active Directory, SCCM, Windows Server, Linux, SQL, DNS, VPN, LAN/WAN, VoIP systems, enterprise networking.
Portfolio
Real infrastructure delivery across automation, migration, and enterprise transformation programs.
๐ VDI Migration
Designed and executed a full Citrix DaaS environment migration and re-architecture aligned with Azure landing zone best practices. Built a modular export framework to capture and replicate configurations, provisioned infrastructure using Bicep and PowerShell, and migrated golden images, Citrix Cloud connectors, and FAS servers. Executed phased onboarding across global business units while placing legacy VDIs into maintenance mode.
AVD Migration
Designed and delivered a full migration of the QA virtual desktop estate to a new Azure subscription and landing zone model. Migrated two Shared Image Galleries, created separate resource groups for QA-RUN and QA-TEST, and published two AVD host pool fields with high-performance VM sizing (8-16 vCPU, 32-64 GB RAM). Automated image refresh by draining, deleting, and recreating session hosts from updated gallery versions.
๐๏ธ Azure Platform
Architected a cloud-native digital workspace platform with automated provisioning, identity integration, and secure access controls. Enabled high availability, scalability, and centralized management for enterprise desktop delivery.
โ๏ธ Automation
Built a fully automated image factory using Terraform and PowerShell, reducing deployment effort by about 70% and enforcing consistent production standards. Enabled rapid, repeatable provisioning across multiple environments.
๐ค AI + Automation
Developed reusable AI-assisted infrastructure modules and validation pipelines to accelerate deployments and reduce operational risk. Integrated modern tools and IaC frameworks for faster, more reliable delivery.
๐ Azure Dashboard
Engineered a centralized PowerShell automation dashboard to manage Azure VM lifecycle, snapshots, and Citrix DaaS publishing. Enabled secure, button-driven operations for infrastructure teams.
๐ Hybrid Infra
Delivered modernization across networking, virtualization, storage, and backup systems in hybrid enterprise environments, focused on resilience, performance, and security.
๐ก๏ธ Backup + DR
Designed and deployed a highly available Veeam backup and disaster recovery platform for centralized enterprise data protection. Implemented backup, replication, and offsite copy strategies with SureBackup validation and automated restore testing. Built PowerShell automation for job management, monitoring, and policy enforcement.
โ๏ธ Azure Migration
Migrated Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 from a legacy subscription to a modern Azure-based architecture. Developed Terraform and PowerShell modules for resource groups, networking, and subnet provisioning. Executed migration of Exchange, SharePoint, and OneDrive backup workloads with minimal disruption.
๐ Networking
Designed, configured, and deployed Cisco Meraki wireless infrastructure across 2 warehouses and 5 office locations. Implemented segmented SSIDs and security rules for corporate, guest, and operational traffic. Optimized wireless coverage for high-density environments with ongoing cloud-based monitoring.
๐ Security
Designed and maintained FortiGate VPN infrastructure for secure enterprise remote access. Managed endpoints with FortiClient EMS, enforcing policy, compliance, and centralized control of remote devices. Maintained high availability and secure connectivity for enterprise users.
๐ฑ Endpoint Mgmt
Designed and implemented Microsoft Intune for centralized endpoint management and security. Migrated 350+ mobile devices from MobileIron to Intune with minimal disruption. Implemented compliance policies, configuration profiles, and Conditional Access for stronger security posture.
๐ญ Enterprise Azure
Delivered an Azure transformation program across multi-site warehouse operations. Deployed Windows Server, SQL platforms, endpoint fleets, and industrial device integrations using automated infrastructure and operational runbooks.
โ๏ธ Azure Modernization
Led an Azure deployment and modernization of the Lucas voice picking system, supporting large-scale warehouse automation. Architected Azure VM and SQL environments, integrated Zebra printing, and secured 50+ voice devices through enterprise gateway services.
Career History
2022 - Present
Senior Systems Engineer | Azure / Cloud Architect
Architecting and delivering Azure-based enterprise platforms with a focus on Citrix DaaS, AVD, automation, and resilient operations for large-scale workloads.
2016 - 2022
Senior Network Engineer
Managed enterprise infrastructure and security operations across virtualization, network, endpoint, and identity services in a multi-site environment.
2012 - 2016
Network Administrator
Administered multi-client infrastructure environments across networking, virtualization, backup, and security with a strong reliability focus.
Credentials
Microsoft
VerifiedMicrosoft
VerifiedMicrosoft
VerifiedCitrix
VerifiedCitrix
VerifiedInteractive Tool
Question 1 of 5
Open Source Activity
Public Repos
Focus: IaC modules, migration automation, and enterprise runbooks.
Azure and enterprise migration templates with script-driven deployment operations.
Infrastructure Reliability
Status links point to live provider dashboards.
Let's Connect
Looking for Senior Cloud Architect, Principal Engineer, or Citrix Cloud Lead roles. Also open to advisory and consulting engagements.
Email: zdalbaker@gmail.com
Location: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
LinkedIn: View LinkedIn Profile
GitHub: github.com/zalbaker
AI Assistant
Ask me about experience, projects, certifications, or migration delivery.
Additional Links
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