Architecture before tools
We design infrastructure starting from failure scenarios, not product checklists. High availability, predictable behavior, and clear ownership come first – whether you run a small startup stack or a regulated production platform.
Security by Default
Security is built into every layer: access models, networking, secrets, and auditability. We avoid insecure shortcuts and design systems that can be reviewed, explained, and defended.
Kubernetes without the chaos
We build and operate Kubernetes platforms that teams can actually run. No unnecessary abstractions, no magic. Just clusters that are observable, maintainable, and fit the organization using them.
Senior, Hands-On Engineering
You work directly with experienced engineers, not account managers. We design, implement, and operate the systems ourselves – and take responsibility for the outcomes.
SysHead – DevOps & Platform Engineering
SysHead is a DevOps and platform engineering consultancy focused on building reliable, secure, and operable infrastructure. With over 15 years of production experience across SaaS and public sector environments, we help teams move from “it works” to systems that are predictable, scalable, and defensible.
Experience and credentials
Our engineers hold RHCE, and PostgreSQL certifications and have over 15 years of hands-on experience operating production systems. We work daily with Kubernetes, Linux, cloud platforms, databases, and high-availability architectures in both startup and enterprise environments.
RHCSA
RHCE
Airlock WAF
Reliability and security first
High availability is not an optional add-on for us. It is the baseline.
For early-stage startups, this means right-sizing reliability and avoiding unnecessary complexity.
For growing or regulated organizations, it means eliminating single points of failure, building proper redundancy, and designing for failure – not just for uptime graphs.
Security is treated as a first-class concern from day one:
- Least-privilege access
- Secure defaults
- Clear audit trails
- Infrastructure that can be reviewed, explained, and defended
How we work
We offer flexible engagement models depending on your needs:
- Consulting & architecture (hourly)
- Ongoing DevOps / platform support (monthly retainer)
- Project-based work (fixed scope, one-time delivery)
We work remotely across the EU timezone, with overlapping hours for global clients when needed.
You work directly with the engineers doing the work – no hand-offs, no account managers.
Who we typically work with
- Startups building their first production-grade infrastructure
- Teams adopting Kubernetes without in-house platform expertise
- Companies moving from “it works” to “it’s reliable and secure”
- Organizations running on-premise or hybrid environments that need modern tooling without cloud lock-in
If you need someone to “just deploy it once and disappear”, we’re probably not a good fit.
If you need infrastructure you can trust, understand, and operate – we are.
Solutions
Below are the most common ways we work with clients. Engagements are tailored, but the principles stay the same.
DevOps for Startups
Startups move fast, but infrastructure mistakes made early are expensive to fix later.
We help startups design simple, maintainable DevOps foundations that support growth without overengineering. The goal is not maximum complexity – it’s clarity, ownership, and predictable behavior.
Typical work includes:
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CI/CD pipeline design and automation
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Infrastructure-as-Code for reproducible environments
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Cloud cost visibility and optimization
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Production readiness reviews
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Security and access model design
We build systems your team can run without us – and stay available when you need deeper support.
Kubernetes for Startups
Kubernetes can be a force multiplier or an operational burden. The difference is in how it’s introduced.
We help startups adopt Kubernetes only when it makes sense, and only with the level of complexity they can realistically operate.
This includes:
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Kubernetes cluster design and bootstrap
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Managed or self-managed cluster evaluation
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Application deployment patterns
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Helm-based and Git-driven workflows
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Observability and basic operational tooling
The focus is always on operability, not buzzwords.
Kubernetes On-Premise
On-premise Kubernetes requires a different mindset than cloud-native platforms.
We design and operate Kubernetes clusters in on-premise and hybrid environments where:
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Availability matters
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Hardware is fixed
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Latency and data locality are critical
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Compliance or data residency is required
Our work covers:
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Cluster architecture and HA design
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Networking and storage integration
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Upgrade and lifecycle planning
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Monitoring, logging, and alerting
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Security hardening and access control
The result is a platform that behaves predictably – even when things go wrong.
Kubernetes in the Cloud
Cloud Kubernetes is not “set and forget”. Poor design leads to hidden costs, fragile systems, and operational surprises.
We help organizations build cloud-based Kubernetes platforms that are:
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Highly available
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Secure by default
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Observable and debuggable
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Cost-aware
We focus on:
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Production-grade cluster architecture
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Multi-zone and failure-tolerant setups
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Secure networking and identity integration
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Operational tooling and runbooks
Cloud should reduce operational burden – not create new ones.
Opinionated, not dogmatic
We have strong opinions, backed by production experience. We adapt them to your constraints instead of forcing generic patterns.
Risk-aware by default
We tell you when something is unnecessary, risky, or premature – even if it’s not what you expected to hear.
Context over best practices
We don’t promise “best practices” without understanding the environment, workload, and operational reality.
Built for production
We design systems that work in production – not architectures that look good on marketing slides.