Hi, I'm Aarjan Pokharel
I am a |
I am a cloud and DevOps engineer who loves understanding how systems work end to end, from infrastructure as code to deployment pipelines. As an AWS Certified Solutions Architect, I help businesses plan, launch, and manage their cloud infrastructure. Off the clock, I'm a soccer fan and a proud Arsenal supporter.
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Tech Stack
Technologies I work with
Cloud
DevOps & CI/CD
Backend
Databases
Networking
Programming
Personal Logo
About Me
I'm a graduate CS student and AWS Certified Solutions Architect with real-world experience in cloud infrastructure, DevOps, and security. Before moving to the US, I spent nearly two years as an Information Security Engineer in Nepal; leading security audits, hardening systems, and doing penetration testing for banks, financial institutions and tech companies. These days, what drives me most is designing cloud architectures and building CI/CD pipelines, taking an idea from code to a fully automated, production-ready deployment. There's something satisfying about an infrastructure that provisions itself and a pipeline that ships without anyone touching a server. I also enjoy backend development and understanding how everything connects end to end, from the API to the network to the cloud.
SAA-C03
AWS Certified
3 yrs+
Work Experience
15+
Projects
20+
Organizations Assisted
Experience
Professional and hands-on experience
Information Security Engineer
Biz Serve IT Pvt. Ltd.
Laltipur, Nepal
Jun 1, 2023 – Dec 1, 2024
- Spearheaded 8 end-to-end security audit engagements for clients across banking, microfinance, IT, and insurance, leading teams of 5–7 auditors and delivering 100% adherence to ISO 27001 and cybersecurity best practices.
- Conducted vulnerability assessments and penetration testing across 90+ IT assets including networks, databases, and web applications; spanning 20+ organizations, uncovering critical vulnerabilities and driving remediation that measurably strengthened each client's security posture.
- Performed SWIFT security audits for 5 banks, enforcing full compliance with international standards and contributing to a measurable reduction in fraud and unauthorized-transaction incidents.
- Served as primary client liaison on 9 projects, coordinating between stakeholders and the audit team to accelerate issue resolution and improve overall audit efficiency.
- Hardened Linux and Windows server configurations and reviewed firewall and network rules, closing critical gaps and shrinking the attack surface across client infrastructure.
- Delegated and tracked tasks across 5–7 member teams based on individual strengths, keeping every project on schedule and ensuring smooth, on-time delivery.
Education
Academic background
Wright State University
Master of Science, Computer Science
Dayton, OH
Aug 1, 2024 – Present
- Relevant Coursework: Cloud Computing, Distributed Computing, Cyber Network Security, Advanced Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence of Things
Featured Projects
Things I've built
Cloud-Native Portfolio App
Full-stack portfolio site built with Next.js and Django REST Framework, containerized with Docker Compose, deployed on AWS EC2 behind Nginx with HTTPS.
Private EC2 to S3 via VPC Gateway Endpoint
Private EC2 instances accessing S3 with zero internet exposure using a VPC Gateway Endpoint, IAM roles, S3 bucket policies, and a Terraform-automated bastion host.
Multi-Container Microservices with Docker Compose
Microservices architecture separating API and database services across Linux containers, with validated inter-service networking and performance tuning.
1–3 of 5
Contact
Send me a message
Have a role, a project, or just a question? Drop me a note and I'll get back to you.
Architecture
See how this project is built.
This portfolio is deployed on AWS EC2 behind Nginx, containerized with Docker Compose, and served over HTTPS via Let's Encrypt. The backend is Django REST Framework, the frontend is Next.js, and the database is PostgreSQL. Code is managed on GitHub and deployed manually via git pull. CI/CD automation is next on the list.
VS Code
Local development
GitHub
AarjanPokharel/Portfolio-app
AWS EC2
Docker Compose
Nginx
Next.js
Frontend
Django
Backend API
PostgreSQL
Database
workwithaarjan.dev
Beyond the Code
Leadership & community
Intramural Sports Official
Campus Recreation, Wright State University
Aug 2025 – May 2026
- Officiated outdoor and indoor intramural soccer matches, enforcing rules and ensuring fair, safe play under fast-paced, high-pressure conditions.
- Made quick, impartial calls and de-escalated on-field disputes, sharpening decision-making, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Monitored gym facilities and track equipment usage to keep participants safe and accountable.
- Supported league marketing and registration drives and completed mandatory officiating training each semester.
Teaching Fellow
EduTech Nepal & Deerwalk Institute of Technology
Dec 2022
- Contributed to a month-long digital-literacy initiative at a government school in rural Syangja, Nepal, expanding tech access in an underserved community.
- Tutored students across grades 1–10 and their teachers in computer-science fundamentals, building essential digital skills and confidence.
- Led mentorship sessions focused on leadership and communication while supporting students' academic progress.