Nicolas Dreno

Leading architectural strategies and innovations for a Sovereign Cloud provider, with a focus on open-source solutions and cloud-native services. Definition of a modular and secure target architecture for cloud-native services and PaaS offerings (writing ADRs/HLDs/LLDs). Design and implementation of sustainable and scalable architectures for API management and standardization. Streamlining infrastructure and improving service reliability through collaboration with cross-functional teams. Driving adoption of scalable, secure, and open-source technologies aligned with industry best practices. Contributing to conformity requirements like SecNumCloud qualification.

Fintech | APIs | Architecture Passionate about fostering collaboration, mentoring talent, and shaping the future of digital finance through technology at Qard, a dynamic fintech company. - Leading the engineering team to design and deliver innovative financial solutions - Specialising in scalable API development and robust system architecture to power seamless, secure, and high-performance platforms - Driving technical strategy, ensuring system integration, and enabling the delivery of cutting-edge financial products

Shaped the API strategy, architecture, and community practices for a fast-growing e-commerce platform, driving API-first initiatives and modernising the technical ecosystem. HIGHLIGHTS Defined and evangelized the transversal API vision, leading an API chapter, authoring guidelines in Backstage, and coaching teams on DDD and API-first principles. Architected a '3-layered' API strategy (Experience, Composite, Domain) and designed event-driven systems using patterns like CQRS and SAGA. Led the selection and proof-of-concept for API Gateway solutions (KrakenD) and modernized service-to-service communication. Redesigned the platform's authorization model using Open Policy Agent (OPA), introducing Policy Enforcement and Decision Points.

Delivered scalable integration and streaming solutions, modernised API management, and drove DevOps initiatives for a leading retail group. HIGHLIGHTS Designed and implemented the core integration solution for a new Master Data Management platform using Confluent Kafka, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), and Spring Boot microservices. Enhanced the API management platform with Azure APIM, enforcing OAuth2.0, OpenAPI standards, and robust JSON Schema governance. Championed a decoupled, streaming-first integration framework based on Confluent Cloud Kafka and Infrastructure-as-Code principles. Promoted DevOps best practices by building CI/CD pipelines and contributing to a 'Golden Path' developer platform inspired by Backstage.

Modernised digital platforms and integration solutions for New Zealand's leading university, leveraging cloud-native technologies and advanced analytics. HIGHLIGHTS Architected a real-time Data Hub using AWS (Kafka, Elasticsearch, ECS, Fargate) to provide a 360° source of truth for university data. Led the re-architecture of the lecture video delivery platform to serve 85+ petabytes of content globally using AWS S3, CloudFront, and Lambda. Modernized the IAM platform by integrating AWS Cognito for OAuth2.0/OIDC, and rejuvenated the API management layer with Kong Enterprise. Designed and promoted 'Integration By Convention' patterns using Kafka and serverless functions, reducing reliance on traditional ESB tools.

Led the architecture of digital solutions for customer-facing platforms, driving cloud adoption and innovation for a major energy provider. HIGHLIGHTS Designed cloud-native architectures for B2C digital platforms, mobile apps, and IoT integrations on AWS. Led technical evaluations and proof-of-concepts for API Management (Kong, Gravitee, Tyk) and modern data platforms (Kafka, CockroachDB). Championed DevOps culture by establishing a 'CI/CD Factory' using Jenkins, Docker, Rancher, and Ansible. Acted as an Agile coach, promoting Scrum, TDD/BDD, and Domain-Driven Design practices within the engineering teams.