Ashley Wilczak
Columbia
Summary
Dataflow engineer with 4+ years of hands-on Apache NiFi experience and 20+ years supporting technical missions. Keeps data moving from distributed collection platforms to enterprise repositories through Linux troubleshooting, Python-enabled workflows, and end-to-end validation. U.S. Navy cryptologic background with experience in SIGINT systems, integration, deployment, and operational maintenance.
Overview
1
1
Certification
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Dataflow Engineer
OSS GRVTY supporting U.S. Fleet Cyber Command
Fort Meade, MD
06.2022 - Current
- Engineer, configure, test, and sustain Apache NiFi dataflows that distribute mission data from afloat cryptologic collection systems to enterprise repositories across six supported platforms.
- Provide remote Tier 2/3 engineering support to geographically distributed operational units; isolate faults across NiFi, Linux servers, network paths, Boresight connectivity, collection-system interfaces, and downstream repositories, then validate restored end-to-end service.
- Translate operational requirements into ship-specific profiles, NiFi processor configurations, routing logic, and controlled configuration baselines; assess dependencies and integration impacts before production deployment.
- Configure and troubleshoot FDDS2 and FDDS4 servers and install and validate NiFi on Linux systems using PuTTY, SSH, and command-line administration; use Python within NiFi workflows to support mission-data processing and automation.
- Create and enhance Elasticsearch and Kibana dashboards that display application availability, dataflow status, platform position, and collection volume by file type; use DataExplorer to verify successful end-to-end dataflow and delivery to destination repositories.
- Modify operational dataflows during outages and new installations, redirect data when necessary, coordinate corrective action across Fleet and network stakeholders, and confirm delivery after configuration changes.
- Develop network and dataflow schematics, SOPs, configuration records, and troubleshooting guidance; use Jira and Confluence to track issues, preserve technical knowledge, and support repeatable maintenance and upgrade activity.
- Built Dataflow Manager training documentation and an unclassified NiFi practice environment on a virtual machine, enabling operators to configure and troubleshoot flows hands-on.
Senior Field Service Engineer
Scientific Research Corporation and Boeing
Smithfield, PA
06.2019 - 05.2022
- Served as technical lead for integration, insertion-loss, quality-assurance, and production-readiness testing across SSEE, SSEE MOD, Digital Receiver Technology, RF subsystems, chassis, and antennas.
- Integrated, configured, tested, and troubleshoot COTS, GOTS, and internally developed systems to the lowest replaceable unit; isolated RF, hardware, software-configuration, and interface deficiencies and supported corrective action.
- Executed formal test procedures, documented results and nonconformances, refined technical instructions, trained technicians, and supported government production-acceptance testing.
- Used MATLAB extensively for HF and V/UHF production testing and configured and tested FPGA-based subcomponents during chassis-level verification.
Cryptologic Equipment Maintenance Manager
USS Hue City
Mayport, FL
11.2016 - 06.2019
- Sustained cryptologic collection systems supporting 645,000 signals of interest and more than 5,100 time-sensitive reports during deployment; dedicated 548 hours to troubleshooting shipboard systems in a high-tempo operational environment.
- Raised mission-system readiness from 89% to 100% by prioritizing maintenance, coordinating external technical support, validating repairs, and enforcing configuration and Information Assurance standards.
- Led repair of five major cryptologic-system failures totaling 355 man-hours, including antenna, data-processing, circuit-card, networking, and mission-component faults involving approximately $400K in equipment.
Network Installations Manager and Installation Team Lead
Office of Naval Intelligence
Washington, DC
11.2013 - 07.2016
- Independently planned and executed secure-network projects from customer requirements and site survey through materials, logistics, installation, integration, test, acceptance, turnover, documentation, and training.
- Led a 36-day infrastructure modernization in Japan integrating 40 workstations and more than 7,000 feet of CAT6E cabling; led teams supporting 2,300 network components and 99% availability for 89 intelligence commands.
- Led an emergent classified network-enclave extension aboard USS Blue Ridge and supervised configuration of 53 workstations across 10 sites supporting approximately 3,000 users and allied operations.
Maintenance Supervisor and Installation Team Lead
Fleet Electronic Support and USS Milius
San Diego, CA
08.2010 - 10.2013
- Led installation, integration, configuration, System Operational Verification Testing, maintenance, and removal of cryptologic carry-on systems; supported 20 advanced installations and removals valued at $24M across seven Navy ships.
- Managed a three-person installation team through two operational verification tests; completed 10 installations, four removals, and two antenna upgrades while supporting 11 naval combatants and more than 100 equipment items.
- Performed 160 hours of corrective maintenance during deployment, replacing failed power and receiver components and correcting networking and software faults to restore 100% readiness.
- Supervised 165 hours of revision work on a 532-page SCI-network upgrade manual and delivered 105 hours of systems-configuration training, contributing to a 20% increase in maintenance-deployer qualifications.
Installation Technician
Navy Information Operations Command Hawaii
Honolulu, HI
08.2006 - 08.2010
- Installed, repaired, tested, and documented fiber-optic, power, telephone, CCTV, and secure infrastructure across 22 technical projects; led cable de-installation and installation work that avoided $24,563 in labor costs.
Education
B.S. - Sociology
Excelsior University
Albany, NY07-2023
A.A. - Human Services
Thomas Edison State University
Trenton, NJ06-2022
Skills
- Dataflow and Analytics: Apache NiFi; processor configuration; routing logic; ship profiles; high-volume ingestion; enterprise-repository delivery; DataExplorer; Elasticsearch; Kibana dashboards and visualizations
- Platforms and Automation: Linux; Windows; PuTTY and SSH; Python with NiFi workflows; Docker; virtual machines; Jira; Confluence; drawio
- Operations and Integration: System operations; Tier 2/3 troubleshooting; NiFi installation and sustainment; upgrades; deployments; configuration baselines; end-to-end validation; COTS and GOTS integration
- Mission Systems: SIGINT and cryptologic collection systems; Boresight connectivity; FDDS2 and FDDS4; SSEE and SSEE MOD; DRT; RF systems; secure networks
Accomplishments
Recognition: Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals (2); Joint Service Achievement Medal; Enlisted Information Dominance Warfare Specialist
Certification
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-501), current through October 2028, U.S. Navy Advanced Skills School, SSEE Increment Echo
CLEARANCE
Active TS/SCI | Current CI Polygraph | CompTIA Security+ current through October 2028
Recognition and Awards
Recognition: Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals (2); Joint Service Achievement Medal; Enlisted Information Dominance Warfare Specialist
Timeline
Dataflow Engineer
OSS GRVTY supporting U.S. Fleet Cyber Command
06.2022 - Current
Senior Field Service Engineer
Scientific Research Corporation and Boeing
06.2019 - 05.2022
Cryptologic Equipment Maintenance Manager
USS Hue City
11.2016 - 06.2019
Network Installations Manager and Installation Team Lead
Office of Naval Intelligence
11.2013 - 07.2016
Maintenance Supervisor and Installation Team Lead
Fleet Electronic Support and USS Milius
08.2010 - 10.2013
Installation Technician
Navy Information Operations Command Hawaii
08.2006 - 08.2010
B.S. - Sociology
Excelsior University
A.A. - Human Services
Thomas Edison State University