Welcome to this month’s Beyond The Data series. Today, we feature Dipali Kendre, one of our Senior DevOps Engineers. Dipali is based in phData’s India office and has been with us for over five years.
A few interesting facts about Dipali are that she enjoys poetry and has written several collections of it. She also enjoys art and has created many drawings and paintings of nature, figures, and caricatures.
Dipali is often described as friendly, skilled, and hardworking. While at phData, she has worked hard to achieve several certifications. Her coworker gave her a shoutout, saying, “A big shoutout to Dipali for passing the SnowPro Core Certification. Great job, Dipali!”
Let’s dive in to learn more about the fantastic Dipali!
Tell us Your Name, Where You’re From, and a Little About You
My name is Dipali Kendre. I come from a traditional Marathi family in Ahmadpur Latur, known as the ‘Sugar Belt’ of Maharashtra. Three years ago, I moved back to Pune, the city of my dreams and passion. I have always loved living here, even before my time in Bangalore. I completed my Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering from JSCOE, Hadapsar, Pune.
These days, I have developed a passion for cooking and enjoy preparing meals for my husband and kids (not forcibly, but with love). Cooking relaxes my mind and brings me new happiness each time, as I find joy in hosting and serving excellent food.
In addition to cooking, I love singing, dancing, and watching movies and web series (mostly all genres).
What do you actually do on any given day as a Senior DevOps Engineer?
I start the day by reviewing any alerts, incidents, or outages that occurred overnight to ensure systems are running smoothly and that no critical issues are affecting production environments. This includes participating in daily stand-up meetings with the team to discuss current tasks, blockers, and priorities.
A key part of my daily tasks is continuously monitoring system performance, resource utilization, and application logs to identify and resolve performance bottlenecks. I ensure the infrastructure is optimized and scalable, provide customer support, and help diagnose and fix issues in various Hadoop environments.
Regularly, I document updated or newly modified infrastructure configurations, processes, and incident responses for the day. I also create and update runbooks, deployment guides, and technical documentation.
Through ongoing research and learning, I keep up with the latest trends and technologies in DevOps, cloud computing, and automation. I also mentor junior team members, providing guidance and support for their professional growth.
At the end of the day, I review accomplishments and update task boards in the JIRA tool, ensuring that all critical tasks are completed or handed off to the next shift team.
How do you like working for a consulting company?
I enjoy working for a consulting company because of the diverse projects and clients I work with. Each client brings unique challenges, which keeps the work exciting and ensures that I’m constantly learning and growing.
The opportunity to solve complex problems and make a tangible impact on client success is incredibly rewarding. The collaborative environment and the chance to network with various industry experts have significantly enriched my professional experience. While the work can be demanding, I appreciate the challenge as it helps me develop my skills and stay resilient.
What Separates phData From Other Jobs You've Had?
I joined phData as a fresher and have been here for over five years. One of the main reasons I’ve stayed is the positive and collaborative work environment. The company promotes teamwork, innovation, and mutual respect, making it a great daily workplace.
phData focuses on quality over quantity and has a diverse team of smart and talented people. What I like most about the company is that team members are encouraged to share ideas openly, and there’s a genuine effort to recognize and reward contributions.
How has your job evolved over the past few years?
When I first started as a DevOps Engineer, my main responsibilities included managing and maintaining Hadoop clusters, ensuring data integrity, and performing routine maintenance tasks. As I transitioned to a Senior DevOps Engineer, my role expanded to overseeing the entire Hadoop ecosystem, ensuring high availability and performance, and planning for capacity and scalability.
I’ve deepened my expertise in Hadoop components such as HDFS, YARN, and MapReduce and become proficient in related technologies like Hive, Impala, and Spark. This advanced knowledge has enabled me to optimize our data processing and storage solutions effectively. In my current role, I mentor junior team members, guiding them through complex technical issues and best practices in Hadoop cluster management.
Outside of work, what's your life like? What do you do for fun?
Outside of work, I enjoy staying active and spending time outdoors. I also value quality time with my family and friends. We often have game nights, go hiking, or enjoy weekend barbecues together. These moments are essential for me to unwind and stay connected with my loved ones.
I have a passion for photography, particularly capturing nature and urban landscapes. I spend weekends exploring new spots and improving my photography skills. It’s a creative outlet that allows me to see the world from different perspectives. Additionally, I make time for reading and self-improvement, particularly enjoying non-fiction books on technology and personal development.
This helps me stay informed and continuously learn new things. I believe in maintaining a balanced lifestyle that supports my physical and mental well-being.
Where's the Next Place You'd Like to Travel to, and What Would be the First Thing You'd Do There?
The following places I’d like to travel to are Kashmir and Japan, both offering unique and breathtaking experiences that I’m eager to explore. In Kashmir, the first thing I’d do is take a shikara ride on Dal Lake. This serene and picturesque activity would allow me to soak in the region’s stunning natural beauty, with its crystal-clear waters, vibrant houseboats, and majestic Himalayan backdrop. It’s the perfect way to start my journey in Kashmir and experience its tranquility and charm.
In Japan, my first stop would be Kyoto to explore the ancient temples and beautiful gardens. I’d begin with Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, to appreciate its stunning architecture and serene surroundings. This visit would provide a peaceful and culturally rich introduction to the country, allowing me to immerse myself in Japan’s history and beauty right from the start.
What is Your Favorite Type of Cuisine? And Where is the Best Place to Enjoy it?
Maharashtrian cuisine is diverse and rich in flavors, offering a delightful mix of sweet, spicy, and tangy dishes. Vada pav, misal pav, and besan ladu are just a few examples, providing a unique taste experience that blends robust flavors with comforting textures.
For me, puran poli epitomizes the essence of Maharashtrian cuisine – a beautiful fusion of flavors, cultural significance, and the joy of sharing a meal with loved ones.
If you’re in Maharashtra, you must taste this dish as it is a customary “Guest welcome dish” in all our homes.
Want to work alongside Dipali?
Our team is growing! Check out our job board to see our current openings.
