Thiago Rios
Senior Network Engineer

Senior Network Engineer and Technical Consultant with more than 15 years of experience delivering enterprise networking, security, SD-WAN, wireless and cloud connectivity solutions across healthcare, telecommunications, mining, utilities, retail, government, and education sectors.
Experienced in leading large-scale transformation programs including data centre consolidations, SD-WAN migrations, cloud security implementations, network integrations, and infrastructure modernisation initiatives. Strong background spanning pre-sales, architecture, design, implementation, and operational support, with proven success working directly with executive stakeholders, vendors, managed service providers, and project teams.
Recognised for combining deep technical expertise with strong customer engagement skills to deliver reliable, scalable, and business-aligned solutions.

 

Academic Qualifications

Advanced Diploma in Network Security
TAFE Meadowbank – Cisco Network Academy, 2012

Bachelor of Science – double major in Graphic Design and Product Design
University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1996
www.esdi.uerj.br/english/i_intr.shtml

Certificate IV in Multimedia – IT
TAFE – Crows Nest Campus, Sydney, 2001

 

Professional Experience

I have at times worked as a full time employee as well as a freelancer contractor and consultant.

Ramsay Health
Senior Network Engineer
August 2024 - October 2026

Responsible for the delivery, support, and optimisation of enterprise network, security, and remote access services across a large healthcare environment. Worked across project delivery and BAU operations supporting critical clinical and corporate infrastructure.

Key Achievements

  • Led migration of Palo Alto GlobalProtect authentication from LDAP to SAML, enabling passkey-based MFA and improving security for remote and third-party users.
  • Designed and implemented Opengear out-of-band management infrastructure, providing resilient 4G-based emergency access to critical data centre services.
  • Participated in the design and evaluation of Zscaler Private Access (ZPA), including network connector architecture supporting voice services.
  • Delivered Aruba ClearPass platform migration from version 6.9 to 6.11 through deployment of a new Red Hat-based cluster and staged service migration.
  • Conducted evaluation and proof-of-concept activities for Palo Alto SD-WAN technology.
  • Provided Level 3 engineering support across enterprise network, wireless and security platforms.

Telstra Purple
Senior Technical Consultant - Networks
December 2019 - August 2024

Delivered pre-sales, solution design, implementation, and migration services for large enterprise customers undergoing network transformation initiatives. Led SD-WAN, security, cloud connectivity, and data centre modernisation projects from discovery through to operational handover.

Selected Achievements

  • Delivered multiple SD-WAN transformations using VMware SD-WAN (VeloCloud) and Aruba Silver Peak technologies across environments ranging from 35 to 150 sites.
  • Led customer workshops, technical design sessions, proof-of-concept activities, and implementation planning.
  • Designed cloud-connected architectures leveraging Zscaler, Fortinet, Palo Alto, AWS, and Equinix Fabric connectivity.

Key Projects

Ventia: Led a major data centre consolidation program reducing five data centres to three. Designed and delivered core network architecture using Cisco, Fortinet, VMware SD-WAN, Zscaler and Equinix Fabric services.

Komatsu: Delivered migration from MPLS to SD-WAN across 65 sites and four hubs. Integrated Silver Peak, Palo Alto, Nexus switching and Zscaler technologies.

John Holland Group: Delivered proof-of-concept, pilot implementation and production rollout of Silver Peak infrastructure across AWS, data centres and regional locations. Project was later adopted as a Silver Peak reference use case by HPE

Goodman Fielder: Delivered migration from MPLS to VMware SD-WAN covering approximately 60 sites across two data centre hubs.

GFG Alliance: Delivered migration from MPLS to VMware SD-WAN and Forcepoint Cloud Proxy across approximately 150 sites.

Mirvac: Designed segmented SD-WAN architecture supporting corporate, guest, retail and building management networks across 80 sites.

VMtech
Senior Technical Consultant - Networks
May 2018 - December 2019

Delivered professional services engagements focused on SD-WAN, security and data centre modernisation initiatives. handover.

Key Achievements

  • Led New Zealand core network migration for Ventia, including WAN, switching, firewalls and SD-WAN hub deployment.
  • Delivered MPLS-to-SD-WAN migration for ARA Group using VeloCloud, Zscaler and Palo Alto technologies across 35 sites.

Superloop
Senior Technical Consultant - Networks
September 2016 – May 2018

Designed and implemented enterprise networking, security, wireless and data centre solutions for managed services and enterprise customers.

Key Achievements

  • Delivered networking infrastructure for the new NRMA headquarters at Sydney Olympic Park.
  • Performed large-scale firewall migrations from Cisco ASA and Palo Alto platforms to WatchGuard solutions.
  • Delivered nationwide WAN migration projects including VPN connectivity, switching infrastructure and wireless deployments.
  • Led multiple data centre migration and decommissioning projects.

Downer EDI
Network Engineer
March 2015 – September 2016

Lead Network Engineer responsible for integration activities following the merger of Downer and Tenix networks.

Key Achievements

  • Designed and implemented network integration solutions across both organisations.
  • Migrated Netscaler Access Gateway services.
  • Supported Office 365 migration initiatives.
  • Contributed to data centre consolidation and decommissioning activities.
  • Provided operational ownership of Cisco ASA, FortiGate, Riverbed, Netscaler, Cisco Call Manager and wireless infrastructure.

Caltex Australia (Ampol)
Network Engineer
January 2013 – March 2015

Delivered networking services supporting a nationwide retail network transformation affecting more than 1,000 sites.

Key Achievements

  • Supported rollout of new network infrastructure across over 1,000 retail locations.
  • Improved network resiliency through IP SLA-based failover enhancements.
  • Designed and implemented NAT and QoS improvements supporting critical business applications and payment systems.
  • Supported deployment of payment systems meeting Australian security compliance requirements.

Department of Education and Training
Computer Support Officer / Technology Support Officer
July 2009 – January 2013

Provided desktop, server and network infrastructure support across schools and TAFE campuses, supporting large laptop fleets, wireless infrastructure and user services.