The Journey of Shivam Shekhar: A DevOps Story in the Making

Meet Shivam Shekhar, our Principal Architect at VivaOps. He's a problem-solver at heart and a visionary in the world of DevOps. His mantra?

“Embrace change, work hard, and stay positive.”

Every day, Shivam immerses himself in solving challenges, mentoring teams, and building cutting-edge solutions. Picture him at his desk, deeply focused, surrounded by tools and frameworks that bring ideas to life. His story is not just about professional growth but also about transforming how teams deliver secure, reliable, and fast software.

Where It All Began

Shivam’s journey into DevOps didn’t start with a grand plan—it began with curiosity. Back in 2013, while working at Accenture as a full-stack developer and systems administrator, Shivam noticed a recurring issue. Development and operations teams worked in silos, slowing down projects and creating roadblocks for innovation.

The turning point came during a large-scale deployment project for NAGE. The traditional methods his team relied on were inefficient and complicated. That’s when Shivam stumbled upon the principles of automation, CI/CD, and collaboration.

He saw how these practices could transform workflows, and that realization changed everything. DevOps wasn’t just a methodology—it was a mindset.

Challenges and Triumphs

Starting in DevOps came with its challenges. Shivam had to convince teams to adopt a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility. “It wasn’t easy to get everyone on board,” he recalls. “People resist change, and I had to show them that DevOps wasn’t about adding work—it was about working smarter.”

Shivam tackled this by focusing on quick wins, automating repetitive tasks, and celebrating every small success with his teams. One of his proudest achievements came later at Goldman Sachs, where he led the migration of a 20-year-old legacy system to a cloud-native infrastructure. 

The results? Deployment times shrank, performance tripled, and the system became far more reliable. “It was amazing to see the impact of our work,” he says.

What Drives Shivam Every Day: Passion and Purpose

For Shivam, DevOps is more than just tools and processes. “It’s about enabling teams to deliver better software, faster and more securely,” he shares.

What excites him the most is tackling challenges that push him to learn and innovate. His work at VivaOps lets him do exactly that—whether it’s experimenting with new technologies or creating solutions that empower teams to do their best work. “Every day is an opportunity to make a difference,” Shivam says.

A Vision for the Future - "Aspirations & Goals"

Shivam’s vision for the future of DevOps is ambitious but clear. He wants to leverage the power of AI to create tools that predict and solve problems before they even happen. “Proactive AI solutions can revolutionize how we work,” he says.

His focus is on making development processes faster, more efficient, and secure—without compromising agility. Shivam’s goal is to lead innovations that help businesses stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

Shivam’s Commitment to Growth & Continuous Learning

Shivam is always learning. Right now, he’s pursuing certifications like CISSP and CEH to deepen his knowledge of advanced security principles. He’s also diving into AI-powered tools that can detect threats and assess risks automatically.

“These tools are the future of DevOps,” Shivam explains. “By mastering them, I can help teams create systems that are not just secure but also smarter and more scalable.”

Words of Wisdom: Advice for Aspiring DevOps Professionals

If you’re new to DevOps, Shivam has some advice: “Start with the basics—version control, CI/CD, and cloud infrastructure. Don’t just learn the tools; focus on building a growth mindset. DevOps is as much about people and communication as it is about technology.”

He also emphasizes the importance of embracing challenges. “Every mistake is a chance to grow. The more you learn from your experiences, the stronger you’ll become.”

Why VivaOps? Making an Impact That Matters

For Shivam, VivaOps isn’t just a workplace—it’s a place where he can thrive. “The culture here is incredible,” he says. “I get to work on exciting projects, explore new tools, and collaborate with brilliant minds.”

The support and opportunities at VivaOps have helped Shivam grow both professionally and personally. “This is a company that values innovation and empowers its people,” he adds.

Conclusion: Takeaways from Shivam’s Story

Shivam’s story is a reminder that DevOps is more than just a career—it’s a journey. It’s about building bridges, fostering trust, and always striving to improve.

His parting advice? “DevOps is about people, processes, and progress. Embrace the journey, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Each challenge is an opportunity to grow.”

Through his work at VivaOps, Shivam is not only shaping the future of DevOps but also inspiring others to join him on this exciting journey.