Brian S.
5.0
Break into Tech Leadership | Ex-AWS & Twitch Manager | 10+ yrs Experience
Studied at David Eccles School of Business
Works at Fastly
Hiring Manager
Available Monday at 2:00 PM UTC
Usually responds within 1 hour
Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.
Brian's Coaching Offerings
Pay as you go
Get help with Interview Prep, Skill Building, and .
Brian also coaches for Software Engineering, Leadership Development, Site Reliability Engineering, Communication, and Team. View all.
Brian’s Career Development Qualifications
Experience level: Director
40+ people coached for Career Development
Brian has helped clients get into these companies:
Welcome to my profile! With over a decade of experience in the tech industry, I have honed my skills in software engineering, network management, and team leadership at top companies like AWS, Twitch, and Fastly. My journey from a Network Systems Operator to a Senior Software Engineering Manager has equipped me with a deep understanding of the career development landscape in tech. I have successfully mentored and trained numerous professionals, helping them enhance their technical skills and advance their careers. Whether you're looking to break into the tech industry or climb the corporate ladder, I'm here to provide personalized guidance and support. Let's work together to achieve your career goals!
Brian can help with:
Interview Prep
Skill Building
Career Planning
Salary Negotiation
Brian also coaches for Software Engineering, Leadership Development, Site Reliability Engineering, Communication, and Team. View all.
About Brian
I’m a Senior Software Engineering Manager with a passion for building high-performing teams, solving hard problems, and helping others grow into their potential. I’ve led engineering orgs at Twitch, Amazon, and Fastly, shipped systems that handle massive scale, and coached dozens of engineers into new roles and levels. I didn’t start in tech the traditional way. I found my way here through persistence, curiosity, and lots of late nights figuring things out on my own. That’s why I love coaching people who are navigating career changes, stepping into leadership for the first time, or just trying to find more meaning in their work. Outside of tech, I’m a dad of three, a beekeeper, a 3D-printing nerd, and triathlete. I bring that same mix of focus and creativity to every coaching conversation. If you’re looking for a thoughtful, practical coach who’s been in the trenches, I’d love to connect.
Why do I coach?
I coach because someone took a chance on me. I got my start in tech through an internship that set me on a new trajectory, I’ve looked for ways to pay that experience forward. I’ve seen first hand how the right guidance at the right time can open doors, build confidence, and completely reshape a career. Throughout my journey, from hands-on engineering to senior leadership, I’ve had mentors who helped me grow, and I’ve made it a point to do the same for others. Whether it’s navigating a tricky promotion, switching roles, or just figuring out what’s next, I love helping people find clarity and momentum. Coaching is about more than career advice for me, it’s about investing in people the way others once invested in me.
Work Experience
Senior Software Engineering Manager
Fastly
March 2025 - Present
Hiring Manager
Senior Software Engineering Manager
AWS
October 2020 - March 2025
Hiring Manager
As a Senior Software Engineer at Amazon Web Services (AWS), I have been instrumental in architecting and implementing automation solutions, improving infrastructure reliability, and leading cross-functional engineering teams. My role focuses on optimizing network performance, resolving security issues, and ensuring seamless operation of AWS services. Large-scale Projects, Leadership and +7 skills
Site Reliability Engineer
Twitch Interactive
July 2018 - October 2020
Hiring Manager
As a Senior Site Reliability Engineer at Twitch Interactive (twitch.tv) I was responsible for enhancing the reliability, efficiency, and performance of infrastructure services. My role involved creating dashboards, developing automation tools, and improving incident management processes, which significantly contributed to reducing downtime and optimizing operational efficiency; all while managing a large global bare metal infrastructure. Large-scale Projects, Software Solutions and +6 skills
Operations Manager
United States Air Force
March 2011 - December 2018
As an Operations Manager for the Air Force Reserve, I collaborated with Civil Engineers and craftsmen to manage work orders, maintain material control, and provide comprehensive office and executive support. My role was pivotal in ensuring operational readiness, managing personnel, and maintaining accurate records. - Leveraged automation tools and Python scripting to streamline administrative processes, reducing manual data entry tasks by 35% and improving overall workflow efficiency. - Developed customer-facing squadron resources and an internal information management system. These initiatives enhanced communication and information accessibility, leading to a 25% increase in user satisfaction and a 20% improvement in information retrieval efficiency. - Efficiently managed work orders and maintained material control in collaboration with Civil Engineers and craftsmen, ensuring timely completion of projects and optimal use of resources. - Supervised material control for the civil engineering squadron, overseeing a team of five warehouse personnel. Improved warehouse operations, leading to a 25% increase in material availability and readiness. - Managed and implemented training programs for approximately 200 individuals, maintaining high levels of operational readiness. These efforts resulted in a 15% improvement in training completion rates and overall squadron preparedness. Leadership, Automation and +5 skills
Network Engineer
University of Utah
October 2016 - July 2018
As a Network Engineer at the University of Utah, I played a critical role in developing and maintaining network communications, identifying client needs, and implementing robust solutions. My expertise in Citrix NetScaler load-balancing and network infrastructure ensured the university's network systems were efficient, secure, and scalable. - Developed and maintained network communications, ensuring high performance and reliability across multiple campus sites. This effort resulted in a 99.99% network uptime. - Served as the subject matter expert for Citrix NetScaler load-balancing solutions, optimizing traffic management and enhancing network performance. Implemented load-balancing strategies that improved application availability. - Actively participated in an on-call rotation, providing prompt and effective responses to network incidents and emergencies. Maintained a 95% first-call resolution rate, significantly reducing downtime and service disruptions. -Created and maintained detailed technical documentation for network configurations and procedures. Provided training and mentorship to junior engineers, enhancing team knowledge and performance. - Developed and implemented automation scripts using Python to streamline network operations and reduce manual intervention. Successfully automated routine maintenance tasks and incident management processes, resulting in a 40% reduction in manual workload and a 30% decrease in incident resolution times. Mentoring, Software Solutions and +4 skills
Graduate Student instructor
University of Utah
August 2017 - May 2018
As a Graduate Student Instructor at the University of Utah's David Eccles School of Business, I developed and taught undergraduate courses in computing and networking. My role involved creating comprehensive course materials, delivering lectures, and providing personalized support to students to enhance their understanding of IT concepts. - Created and delivered detailed course materials for 150 students per semester, covering basic computing and networking topics. - Leveraged learning management systems (LMS) to streamline course administration and monitor student progress, reducing administrative workload by 40% - Collected and analyzed student feedback to continuously enhance course content and delivery methods. Achieved a 95% course recommendation rate among students. - Actively participated in faculty meetings and professional development workshops to refine teaching strategies and stay current with educational best practices. - Designed and graded homework assignments, quizzes, and exams to align with learning objectives. Mentoring, Linux System Administration and +3 skills
Network Systems Operator
University of Utah
May 2014 - October 2016
As a Network Operator at the University of Utah, I was responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of the university's network infrastructure. My role encompassed managing the Network Operations Center (NOC) phone lines, handling ticketing systems, maintaining network hardware, and providing essential support for network-related issues. - Oversaw the Network Operations Center phone lines, efficiently routing calls to the appropriate teams. This proactive management reduced response times for network issues by 30%. - Managed the NOC ticketing system in ServiceNow and Service Desk, processing requests, and resolving incidents promptly. Successfully closed over 500 tickets, maintaining a resolution rate of 95% within the first response time. - Conducted regular maintenance on edge switches, including physical inventory checks, system log reviews, and command-line updates. These efforts ensured 99.99% network uptime and reliability across the campus. - Maintained the Point of Contact database, ensuring accuracy and up-to-date information for all network-related contacts. Improved data integrity by 15%, facilitating more efficient communication during network incidents. - Worked closely with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot and resolve network issues, providing training and support to new team members. Customer Service, Brocade and +3 skills
Brian was also given offers to work at
Meta (Facebook)
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Education
David Eccles School of Business
Master of Science - MS, Information Systems
2017 - 2018
Infrastructure, Git and +1 skill
Community College of the Air Force
Associate's Degree, Construction Management
2016 - 2017
University of Utah
Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Strategic Communication
2014 - 2017
Community College of the Air Force
Associate's Degree, Information Management
2014 - 2016
Brian was also personally admitted to
Florida International University
8 Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
Knowledge
5.0
Value
5.0
Responsiveness
5.0
Supportiveness
5.0
Brian has helped clients get into these companies: