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Site Reliability Engineer · Researcher · Author · Coach

Hi, I'm Rob Grant.
I build reliable systems
and solve hard problems.

17-year Air Force Research Laboratory researcher. Currently keeping infrastructure humming at Talkdesk. Based in Marcy, New York.

Get In Touch View My Work

About Me

Rob Grant

Engineer. Researcher.
Problem Solver.

I'm Rob Grant, a Site Reliability Engineer at Talkdesk with a career rooted in rigorous research and government service. After 17 years at the Air Force Research Laboratory — first as a contractor through ITT, then as a federal government employee — I retired and brought that same discipline and precision to the private sector.

My work spans distributed systems, Pub/Sub architectures, and infrastructure reliability using AWS, Debian Linux, Amazon Linux, and Terraform. I hold degrees in both Computer Science and English Literature, and I'm a published researcher with papers spanning distributed systems and coalition operations.

Outside of engineering, I've spent 17 years coaching youth hockey and I write about personal growth, leadership, and continuous learning.

17 Years at AFRL
4 Years as SRE
2 Publications
17 Years Coaching

Expertise

What I Bring to the Table

⚙️

Site Reliability Engineering

4 years keeping production infrastructure reliable at scale. Daily work with AWS, Debian Linux, Amazon Linux, and Terraform. Focused on uptime, automation, and operational excellence.

🔬

Systems Research

Published researcher on Pub/Sub messaging systems and distributed architectures, developed during 17 years at the Air Force Research Laboratory. Also contributed to counter-drone research initiatives.

💻

Software Development

Proficient in Java, Python, C, C++, and MySQL. Coursework spanning Advanced Computer Architecture, Cyber Defense, Object-Oriented Design, and more.

🤖

AI & Agentic Workflows

Hands-on experience with Claude (Anthropic) and Gemini (Google) AI models, and building agentic workflow pipelines for real-world automation.

🌐

Web Design

Designing and building clean, functional websites — including the self-improvement blog at robgrantsblog.com.

🏒

Leadership & Coaching

17 years as a youth hockey coach with Center State Youth Hockey. Writes on LinkedIn about leadership, character development, and goal-setting.

AWS Debian Linux Amazon Linux Terraform Java Python C / C++ MySQL Pub/Sub Systems Claude AI Gemini AI Web Design

Career

Experience

Site Reliability Engineer

Current · 4 Years

Talkdesk

Maintaining and improving the reliability, scalability, and performance of Talkdesk's cloud-based contact center infrastructure. Core stack includes AWS, Debian Linux, Amazon Linux, and Terraform. Focused on uptime, incident response, and operational automation.

Government Research Scientist

13 Years

Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) — Rome & Fulton, NY

Conducted and published research as a federal government employee, specializing in Pub/Sub messaging systems, distributed architectures, and coalition network operations. Authored multiple peer-reviewed papers. Retired after 13 years of distinguished service.

Research Contractor

4 Years

ITT — supporting AFRL

Began career at the Air Force Research Laboratory as a contractor through ITT, contributing to research initiatives and building deep expertise in government and defense research environments.

Youth Hockey Coach

17 Years

Center State Youth Hockey — Volunteer

Long-standing volunteer coach dedicated to developing young athletes. Brings the same focus on discipline, teamwork, and continuous improvement from the lab and engineering world into youth sports.

Education

Academic Background

🎓

Computer Science Coursework

Syracuse University

2009 – 2012

Advanced graduate-level computer science courses including Advanced Computer Architecture, Cyber Defense, Internet Programming, Object-Oriented Design, and Structured Programming.

🎓

BA in Computer Science

SUNY Oswego

1999 – 2001

Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science, building a strong foundation in software development, systems design, and computational theory.

🎓

BA in English Literature

University at Buffalo

1995 – 1999

Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, developing strong analytical, communication, and writing skills that complement a technical career.

Research

Publications

2016

Metrinome – Continuous Monitoring and Security Validation of Distributed Systems

Research on automated, continuous security monitoring and validation across distributed system architectures, conducted at the Air Force Research Laboratory.

2010

Extending Net-Centricity to Coalition Operations

Research exploring how net-centric principles and Pub/Sub communication architectures can be extended to support multi-organization coalition operations in defense environments.

Online

Rob Grant's Blog

Outside of engineering, I run a self-improvement blog focused on helping people make meaningful, positive changes in their lives — whether that's building financial freedom, or becoming a better version of themselves.

  • ✦ Financial growth strategies
  • ✦ Personal development
  • ✦ Leadership & character
  • ✦ Goal-setting & mindset
Visit the Blog LinkedIn Articles

"The mission of this site is to change people's lives positively — whether it be to earn more money, or to just be a better person."

— Rob Grant

Let's Connect

Get In Touch

Whether you want to talk tech, research, or personal growth — I'd love to hear from you.

✉️ Email robgrantsblog@gmail.com 💼 LinkedIn robert-grant-b4b3b954 ✍️ Blog robgrantsblog.blogspot.com 🐦 Twitter @RobGrantsBlog 📸 Instagram @robgrantsblog ▶️ YouTube robgrantsblog
📍 Location Marcy, New York