Bala Uppaloori

Enterprise Cloud & Data Consultant

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Profile Summary

Significant Accomplishments

Platforms, Skills & Competencies

Platforms & Modules

  • GenAI & LLM Engineering – LangChain, RAG pipelines, Azure OpenAI, vector databases
  • Microsoft Fabric – SQL Pools, Spark Pools
  • Azure Synapse Analytics – SQL Pools, Spark Pools, Data Mesh, PySpark Notebooks
  • Databricks – Delta Lakes, ML Notebooks
  • Azure Data Factory – Pipelines, Data Flows
  • Observability & Governance – Purview, Unified Catalog
  • Analytics – Datadog, Splunk, etc.
  • Agentic AI – n8n, Qlik, Azure AI Studio, etc.
  • ETL – Dell Boomi, FiveTran, Airflow, Prophecy

Technical Skills

LangChain RAG / Vector Search Azure OpenAI LLM Fine-Tuning & Prompt Engineering Semantic Kernel Agentic AI (n8n, Qlik) Azure Synapse Analytics Azure Microsoft Fabric Databricks & PySpark Azure Data Factory / Data Flow Azure Data Lake (ADLS Gen2) Power BI & Power Apps Azure Functions Python (Data Engineering) Datadog / Splunk .NET / C# on Azure dbt Tools

Core Competencies

Cloud-Native & Enterprise Architecture Data Platform Strategy Data Warehouse Migration Real-Time & Batch Analytics Data Governance & Security Cloud Migration & Modernization Stakeholder Management Pre-Sales & POC Development Cost Optimization & Perf Tuning

Soft Skills

Collaboration Communication Stakeholder Management Analytical & Problem Solving

Professional Experience

Principal Consultant & Sr. Big Data Architect May 2025 – Present

Deliver expert architectural leadership to design and implement modern data Lakehouse solutions on demand.

  • Optimize cloud data warehouse performance through scalable architecture, query tuning, and resource management.
  • Establish and enforce enterprise-grade data governance, security, and compliance frameworks.
  • Provide strategic guidance to ensure platform reliability, cost-efficiency, and alignment with business objectives.
Technologies: Microsoft Fabric Analytics, Azure Data Factory (ADF), Azure Data Lake Services (ADLS Gen2), Azure Functions, Logic Apps, Power BI, Power Apps, Datadog, dbt tools, Dell Boomi, Python, PySpark, Spark SQL, Graph API, Visual Studio Code.
Enterprise Cloud Architect — Mastech Infotrellis (Seattle, WA) Jun 2022 – May 2025

Advised customers on cloud best practices and guided them through a "cloud-first" philosophical transformation. Designed and implemented enterprise-level cloud data solutions on Microsoft Azure for diverse client needs. Modeled complex data landscapes, establishing delta lakes with silver, bronze, and gold areas for advanced reporting and analysis.

Developed cloud solutions for serverless SQL pools and implemented objects in relational database systems. Managed data pipelines and PySpark notebooks for ingestion, transformation, and ELT logic. Designed Power Automation workflows to enable unattended scripts via Azure Runbooks and Batch accounts. Managed core cloud infrastructure, including Azure security principals.

  • Engineered and implemented an Azure-based FHIR service to ingest and process federal healthcare exchange data (CCDA), converting it to the FHIR standard for archival and RDBMS-based reporting.
  • Developed a Customer 360 data intelligence solution utilizing Microsoft 365's Graph API and Microsoft Graph Data Connector (MGDC) to enable advanced analytics, including sentiment analysis and insider risk assessment.
  • Utilized Azure Synapse, Data Factory, Data Lake Services, and Power BI to support self-serve reporting capabilities.
Technologies: Azure Fabric, Azure Synapse (Spark & SQL pools), Azure Data Factory (ADF), Azure Data Lake Services (ADLS Gen2), Azure Functions, Azure Runbooks, Logic Apps, Power BI, Power Apps, Datadog, dbt tools, Python, PySpark, Spark SQL, Graph API, Visual Studio Code.
Sr. Azure Architect — Microsoft (Redmond, WA) Feb 2020 – Jun 2022

Designed system topologies and technical implementation plans for migrating on-premise data warehouses to the Azure cloud. Developed custom scripts to facilitate live, parallel database migrations from on-premise SQL servers to Azure, minimizing downtime. Developed BCP scripts and implemented Azure Data Factory pipelines to utilize data from Blob storage, SAP, and Cosmos DB.

Configured high-availability solutions for cloud databases. Designed Power Automation workflows to enable Azure Runbooks for process automation. Managed core Azure security configurations, including security principles and managed identities.

  • Migrated an on-premise SQL data warehouse to Azure Synapse, leading the system topology and technical implementation plan.
  • Engineered solutions for online migration of databases from on-premise servers to Azure SQL with scripts for parallel processing.
  • Utilized a suite of Azure services and BI tools including Data Factory, ADLS, Data Lake Gen 2, SSIS, SSRS, and Power BI.
Technologies: Azure SQL, Azure Data Factory (ADF), Azure Data Lake (ADLS Gen2), Logic Apps, Power Apps, Blob Storage, Power BI, SQL Server 2016, SSIS, SSRS, Spark SQL, Team Foundation Server, Visual Studio.
SQL Server / Azure Data Lake Architect — Microsoft (Office 365), Redmond, WA May 2011 – Dec 2019

Collaborated with business stakeholders and senior management to define requirements, project scope, and core system capabilities. Led the architectural design of logical and physical data models for enterprise-scale solutions. Developed and defined complex ETL and big data workflows using COSMOS SCOPE scripts, SSIS, and Azure Data Factory pipelines.

Designed UI workflows and developed high-level Power BI reports utilizing Azure SQL DW for executive-level insights. Managed Agile processes, including sprint planning and daily standups, to coordinate work between business and IT teams.

  • Engineered the core rules engine for the Offer Management digital supply chain project, designing the data model and developing ~1,200 lines of database code.
  • Led requirement definition for the FineGrain reporting initiative, a top Xbox project, to create a "golden record" of finance data from over six sources using SSIS and SSAS.
  • Architected data solutions for the Fast Track program to automate and expedite Office 365 onboarding, utilizing Azure SQL DW, Data Factory, and Power BI.
  • Developed COSMOS scripts and streams enabling large-scale data collection and processing from Office 365 and other high-volume sources.
Technologies: Azure SQL DW (Synapse), Azure Data Lake (ADLS), Azure Data Factory (ADF), Power Apps, COSMOS DB, SQL Server (2016/2014/2012/2008 R2), SSAS, SSIS, SSRS, Power BI, C#, PySpark, PowerShell, Visual Studio.
Sr. Software Development Engineer — Expedia, Bellevue, WA Apr 2010 – May 2011

Collaborated with downstream data partners to coordinate point releases and technical support. Designed ETL processes using SSIS and web services to pull data from an external, hosted project and portfolio management platform. Built Analysis Services (SSAS) cubes incorporating slowly changing dimensions. Established a centralized reporting platform integrating SSRS with SharePoint Portal Server 2007.

  • Engineered the "Clarity Data Warehouse," a key business intelligence solution for project and portfolio management.
  • Implemented an integrated reporting platform using SSRS and SharePoint to deliver critical insights to stakeholders.
Technologies: SQL Server 2008 (SSIS, SSAS, SSRS), C#.NET, SharePoint Portal Server 2007.
Sr. Software Development Engineer — Microsoft, Redmond, WA Jun 2008 – Apr 2010

Architected and deployed end-to-end business intelligence solutions using the full Microsoft BI stack (SSIS, SSAS, SSRS), providing critical data insights to support strategic decision-making. Engineered and maintained scalable ETL pipelines with SSIS, building and populating OLAP cubes (SSAS) for advanced performance analysis and forecasting.

  • Developed and delivered a suite of interactive dashboards, scorecards, and reports using SSRS, translating complex multidimensional cube data into actionable insights.
Technologies: SQL Server, SSIS, SSAS, SSRS.

Previous Experience

09/2006 – 02/2008
ASP.NET, BI, SQL Server, SSRS Consultant — Expedia, Bellevue, WA

Provided expert consulting on business intelligence and data reporting solutions for a global e-commerce leader.

06/2006 – 09/2006
SQL Server, Visual Studio Consultant — Capstone Technology, Camas, WA

Delivered targeted database development and software consulting services.

02/2006 – 06/2006
SQL Server, SSRS Consultant — Weidmuller, Richmond, VA

Developed and implemented custom reporting solutions using SSRS.

09/2005 – 01/2006
BI, SQL Server Consultant — Wells Fargo, Des Moines, IA

Engaged as a business intelligence consultant for a leading financial services corporation.

12/2002 – 08/2005
ASP, VB, SQL Server Consultant — Principal Global Investors, Des Moines, IA

Long-term consultant developing and maintaining data-driven applications in the financial investment sector.

04/2000 – 11/2000
Programmer Analyst — Kale Consultants Pty Ltd, Australia

International experience providing software development and data analysis for enterprise-level business applications.

07/1997 – 03/2000
Sr. Software Engineer — Software Services Integrated Ltd, Hyderabad, India

Established a foundation in technical leadership, contributing to the design and development of complex software systems.

Certifications

E
Azure Solutions Architect Expert
Microsoft Certified · Earned Jul 2025
A
Fabric Data Engineer Associate
Microsoft Certified · Earned Jul 2025
A
Azure Developer Associate
Microsoft Certified · Earned Jul 2025
A
Azure Administrator Associate
Microsoft Certified · Earned Jul 2025