About

About

Robert Melcher

HPC System Administrator / DevOps-Focused


👋 Hello, I’m Robert

I’m a DevOps-focused HPC System Administrator and former Cybersecurity Engineer with 8+ years of experience building secure, scalable, and high-performance IT infrastructures. My passion lies in leveraging automation, cloud technology, and containerization to solve complex infrastructure challenges.

Currently serving as an HPC System Administrator at Forvia, where I manage enterprise-grade HPC environments, coordinate datacenter deployment activities, and collaborate with cross-functional IT teams for demanding computational workloads.

🚀 Core Expertise

Focus AreaKey Activities
HPC Infrastructure & OperationsCoordinating datacenter deployment activities (server racking, patching, cabling), collaborating with network/firewall teams for VLAN/port allocation and security flows, managing InfiniBand (Mellanox switches), and handling end-to-end infrastructure provisioning.
Enterprise Systems ManagementRemote server deployment via iDRAC, OS installation and configuration, managing SMB/NFS shares, implementing PBS job scheduling, and supporting HPC applications (CST, Moldflow, Altair) with vendor coordination.
Hybrid Cloud & VirtualizationDesigning and managing Linux/Windows servers, AWS (EC2/S3), Oracle Cloud (Ampere), Proxmox virtualization, and Docker containerization.
DevOps & AutomationImplementing Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Puppet automation, GitOps workflows, and orchestrating Kubernetes (K8s/K3S) clusters with Rancher.
Security & Network EngineeringVLAN design coordination, firewall flow configuration, vulnerability assessments (NESSUS), next-gen firewall management (Cisco, Fortinet, Palo Alto, Juniper), and enterprise access control.

🛠️ Technical Stack

HPC & Infrastructure

  • PBS (Portable Batch System) job scheduling & resource management
  • InfiniBand networking (Mellanox switch configuration)
  • HPC application support: CST, Moldflow, Altair (troubleshooting & vendor coordination)
  • iDRAC remote management & bare-metal provisioning
  • SMB/NFS storage solutions & enterprise file sharing

Cloud & Virtualization

  • AWS (EC2 instances, S3 storage) & Oracle Cloud (Ampere 4vCPU/24GB/200GB in Phoenix datacenter)
  • Kubernetes (K8s, K3S with Rancher) & Docker (Portainer orchestration)
  • Proxmox, XEN hypervisors, ManageIQ virtual management

System Administration & Automation

  • Linux/Windows Server (enterprise production environments)
  • Puppet & SALT configuration management
  • Active Directory integration & BAREOS enterprise backup solutions

Networking & Security

  • CCNA certified - VLAN design, network segmentation, firewall flow management
  • Cross-team collaboration (network team for VLAN/port allocation, firewall team for security flows)
  • Next-gen firewall management (Cisco, Fortinet, Palo Alto, Juniper)
  • IPsec VPN (StrongSwan), WAF deployment, enterprise network architecture

💡 Key Projects & Achievements

HPC Infrastructure Operations @ Forvia

  • End-to-end datacenter deployment: Coordinating with IT teams for physical server installation (racking, cabling, patching) in enterprise datacenters
  • Cross-functional collaboration: Working alongside network teams for VLAN/port allocation and firewall teams for security flow approvals
  • Bare-metal provisioning: Remote OS deployment via iDRAC with automated configuration workflows
  • Storage infrastructure: Implementing enterprise SMB/NFS shares for HPC workload data management
  • HPC application support: Managing PBS scheduler, troubleshooting CST, Moldflow, and Altair applications with vendor support coordination
  • InfiniBand networking: Configuring Mellanox switches for high-speed interconnects in HPC clusters

Production Homelab

  • Dell PowerEdge R720 running Proxmox with multi-tenant VM environment
  • K3S cluster managed via Rancher with Portainer-orchestrated containers
  • Network security: pFsense firewall, VLAN isolation, web application firewall

Cloud Exploration

  • Hands-on experience with AWS EC2/S3 for scalable application deployment
  • Running production Oracle Cloud Ampere instance (4vCPU/24GB RAM/200GB storage) in Phoenix datacenter for performance testing and ARM architecture exploration

Infrastructure Transformation (Previous Roles)

  • Migrated legacy Puppet infrastructure to Kubernetes cluster, improving scalability and deployment velocity
  • Designed enterprise BAREOS backup architecture ensuring 99.9% data integrity
  • Implemented Forescout policy framework for 1000+ Windows 10 endpoints

Founder @ Dolphost (2022–2024)

  • Built and managed secure WordPress hosting platform with automated deployment
  • Integrated WHMCS/cPanel for streamlined client management and VPS provisioning

💼 Career Highlights

HPC System Administrator @ Forvia (2022–Present)

  • Datacenter operations: Coordinating server deployment activities including racking, patching, and cabling infrastructure
  • Cross-team collaboration: Working with network teams for VLAN design and port allocation, and firewall teams for secure flow implementation
  • Infrastructure provisioning: Managing end-to-end server deployment from physical installation to application readiness
  • Network architecture: Configuring InfiniBand (Mellanox) switches for high-speed cluster interconnects
  • HPC systems: Implementing PBS job scheduler, managing Active Directory/SALT integration, supporting computational applications (CST, Moldflow, Altair)
  • Storage solutions: Configuring enterprise SMB/NFS shares for distributed HPC workloads
  • Remote management: Deploying and configuring servers via iDRAC with automated OS provisioning

Cybersecurity Engineer @ Atos IT Solutions (2020–2022)

  • Conducted enterprise security assessments and delivered detailed risk reports to senior management
  • Configured firewall policies across multi-vendor environments (Cisco, Fortinet, Palo Alto, Juniper)
  • Managed endpoint security with CyberArk and led Forescout Windows 10 migration

System Administrator @ Netex Romania (2018–2020)

  • Led infrastructure modernization initiatives including Puppet-to-Kubernetes migration
  • Deployed Asterisk VOIP system with CISCO phone integration
  • Managed datacenter operations: rack installations, network cabling, UPS maintenance

🎓 Education & Certifications

Computer Science - West University of Timișoara (2016–2018)

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) - Credential ID: NJXWKRFD7D1EQ7C0 (2019–2020)
Completed intensive 7-month training program with hands-on CISCO hardware labs and GNS3 network simulation

🔮 Currently Exploring

  • HPC cluster optimization and high-speed interconnect technologies
  • Multi-cloud infrastructure strategies (AWS, Oracle Cloud, Azure)
  • Kubernetes-native security & service mesh architectures
  • ARM-based computing optimization (Ampere processors)
  • Terraform & Ansible for declarative infrastructure automation

🏷️ About the Merox Name

The name merox represents my technical identity — a carefully crafted blend of personal heritage and digital evolution:

  • ME = Melcher (family name)
  • RO = Robert (first name)
  • X = Added for phonetic impact and modern appeal

Originally, my handle was mer0x39 (hexadecimal notation), where 0x39 equals 57 — representing my birth day and month (May 7th). I simplified it to merox for a clean, memorable professional brand that’s concise and instantly recognizable.


Ready to connect? I’m always open to discussing infrastructure challenges, HPC architecture, or cybersecurity initiatives.

📄 Download Full CV