See the whole system.
Before changing a component, I want to understand its dependencies, users and operational reality. The strongest solution rarely comes from looking at technology in isolation.
Application & Platform Engineer
I build systems
that keep running.
I connect applications, platforms and people — with automation in mind, security by design and reliable operations at the core.
name: Kai Schmocker
role: Application & Platform Engineer
focus:
- reliable platforms
- automated delivery
- secure operations
mindset: "understand → simplify → automate"01 / ABOUT
Where technology
meets ownership.
I’m Kai — an engineer, problem solver and someone who wants to understand what happens beneath the surface.
I operate, evolve and integrate business-critical applications and platforms. My path from systems engineering and enterprise middleware through DevOps and cyber security to media technology gives me a broad view of the entire system.
I’m analytical, pragmatic and driven by curiosity. I enjoy turning complex technical challenges into stable, secure and maintainable solutions — and I’m especially interested in AI, cloud technology and modern platform architectures.
02 / ENGINEERING PHILOSOPHY
How I approach
complexity.
Technology creates value when it becomes dependable, understandable and useful to the people working with it.
Reduce accidental complexity.
Clear architecture, useful documentation and predictable processes make platforms easier to operate. Simplicity is not a lack of sophistication — it is the result of deliberate engineering.
Make good work repeatable.
I automate recurring work to improve consistency, traceability and speed. Automation should remove friction and give engineers more time for problems that require human judgement.
Build trust into the platform.
Security, privacy and resilience belong in the design from the beginning. Controls work best when they support the workflow instead of becoming an afterthought.
03 / EXPERIENCE — SELECTED HISTORY
Work log.
$ history --career
01
Media Technology Engineer
SRF · BernEngineering reliable platforms for business-critical media production.
- Operate, configure and continuously evolve critical platforms, applications and services in a media production environment.
- Ensure stable, highly available and secure operations through monitoring and 2nd/3rd-level incident and problem management.
- Plan and deliver deployments, releases, updates and rollouts, including technical testing, quality assurance and documentation.
- Automate and optimise operational, deployment and monitoring workflows using modern DevOps practices.
- Design role, permission and security concepts while integrating new services with engineering, infrastructure and business teams.
- Evaluate emerging technology and help shape platform development with a focus on automation, AI and innovation.
02
Security Services Officer
Securitas AG · BernCoordinating people and maintaining safety in a demanding environment.
- Coordinated security personnel and ensured efficient operational scheduling.
- Maintained safety and order in a complex, multicultural environment.
- Worked professionally and de-escalatingly with diverse stakeholders while supporting customer operations.
03
Security Consultant
Redguard AG · BernConnecting governance, technical security and pragmatic implementation.
- Contributed to consulting engagements in information security and cyber security.
- Supported the development of ISMS, security and governance concepts.
- Conducted security audits and analysed technical and organisational requirements.
- Supported Security and DevSecOps initiatives from initial analysis through implementation.
04
Military Police
Swiss Armed ForcesService built around responsibility, discipline and situational awareness.
- Completed compulsory military service with the Military Police.
- Strengthened the ability to assess situations, communicate clearly and act calmly under pressure.
05
ICT Systems Specialist
FUB · BernOperating and automating enterprise middleware and collaboration platforms.
- Operated and evolved middleware, web and application platforms.
- Administered Jira, Confluence and GitLab.
- Automated deployment and operational processes with IBM UrbanCode Deploy.
- Operated Apache and Linux systems, analysed incidents and authored technical documentation.
06
IT Specialist Apprentice
FUB · BernThe foundation: platform operations, systems engineering and middleware.
- Operated and automated Linux, Windows and web server platforms.
- Worked with Apache, Tomcat, WebSphere Liberty, GitLab, Jenkins and IBM UrbanCode Deploy.
- Built CI/CD pipelines for existing and new services.
- Completed the final practical project on Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment for Apache and PHP.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
IT Specialist EFZSystems Engineering · GIBB · 2015–2019
Selected certificationsHERMES Foundation · Linux/Unix System Administrator I · Advanced Network Technology
04 / STACK & CAPABILITIES
Tools are temporary.
Principles scale.
Platform Engineering
Windows ServerLinuxIISDockerSQL ServerREST APIsHigh AvailabilityLoad Balancing
DevOps & Automation
PowerShellGitCI/CDRelease ManagementMonitoringPythonBashWeb Deploy
AI & Innovation
Generative AIChatGPTMicrosoft CopilotPrompt EngineeringWorkflow Automation
Security
KerberosWindows AuthenticationNGINXReverse ProxySecurity by DesignCompliance
Middleware
Apache HTTPDTomcatWebSphereLibertyWebLogicIBM UrbanCode Deploy
Ways of working
ITILHERMESIncident ManagementProblem ManagementChange ManagementAgile
05 / PROJECTS & FOCUS AREAS
Things I care
about building.
01PROFESSIONAL
</>
Deployment & Release Automation
Built repeatable installation and deployment workflows for IIS applications, including services, configuration and post-installation steps.
02PROFESSIONAL
</>
Authentication & Platform Integration
Analysed complex authentication and integration scenarios across highly available web platforms, reverse proxies and embedded applications.
03PERSONAL
</>
Smart Home & Energy Platform
Built a containerised smart-home platform with custom automation, MQTT messaging, sensors, monitoring and photovoltaic energy analytics.
// Selected professional and personal engineering work.
06 / OPEN SOURCE & COMMUNITY
Built in public.
github.com/siberiaodens ↗git://
HTML · JavaScript · CSSFreelancer Web Template
An open-source Bootstrap portfolio template for freelancers, students and creatives.
VIEW REPOSITORY ↗git://
Python · Shell · Dockerpython2docker
A shell-based helper for containerising Python and Django projects.
VIEW REPOSITORY ↗git://
Python · Docker · Securitydocker-waf-dsvw
A container-focused security playground around web application firewall testing.
VIEW REPOSITORY ↗BEYOND THE TERMINAL
Technology is better when it connects people.
I enjoy exchanging ideas around engineering, gaming, smart-home technology and everything that invites experimentation. You can find my work on GitHub or join the community on Discord.
kai@siberiaodens:~$ start conversation█
Let's make systems
work better.
Want to talk about platforms, DevOps, security, AI — or a project worth building?