Jonathan Howell

As Co-Founder and Lead Developer at AutoFront, I've led the design, development, and deployment of a platform purpose-built to replace front-of-house staff and fully automate the lead-to-sales journey for trade businesses. AutoFront helps businesses maximise return on marketing spend while ensuring fast, consistent, and positive customer experiences.

I've overseen all aspects of product development, including:

• Building the full-stack platform using React, Node.js, PostgreSQL, and Twilio , with modular components for messaging, calling, quoting, and lead management.
• Developing AI assistants (Adam & Ava) using OpenAI and Langchain , capable of qualifying leads, answering queries, and booking jobs autonomously via SMS, webchat, and voice.
• Creating a drag-and-drop workflow engine so users can visually customise AI behaviour without coding.
• Integrating with systems like Simpro, Podium, and Google Calendar to automate quoting, bookings, and follow-ups.
• Launching a real-time Kanban-style dashboard with live lead tracking, categorisation, and socket-driven updates.
• Managing cloud deployment, DevOps, and API integrations to ensure performance, reliability, and security across tenants.

AutoFront is built to eliminate bottlenecks, reduce staffing overhead, and give businesses full visibility and control over the sales pipeline — all with minimal manual effort.

Provided expert consulting services to government agencies and Defence contractors, guiding them through the implementation and accreditation process for ISO/IEC 27001 , and ensuring alignment with the Australian Government Information Security Manual (ISM) . This included conducting gap assessments, developing ISMS documentation, advising on risk treatment strategies, and supporting audit readiness. Worked closely with stakeholders to build compliance roadmaps, uplift security maturity, and meet assurance obligations under DISP and other regulatory frameworks. Post-audit, delivered tailored recommendations to address key risk areas, prioritised based on cost, effort, alignment with business strategy, and regulatory requirements.

I was responsible for designing and building a full CyberArk Privileged Access Management (PAM) solution for a large enterprise environment. This involved working closely with internal security and infrastructure teams to understand the environment, define requirements, and roll out a solution that would improve control over privileged accounts while meeting compliance obligations.

The work included:

• Designing the overall CyberArk architecture, including Vault, PVWA, CPM, and PSM components.
• Integrating CyberArk with Active Directory for authentication and role mapping.
• Onboarding privileged accounts across Windows, Linux, database platforms, and network devices.
• Setting up session management and recording using PSM, including approval workflows for high-risk systems.
• Creating custom platform policies and password rotation rules based on internal policies.
• Automating account discovery and onboarding processes where possible, using CyberArk tools and API.
• Rolling out dual control for sensitive accounts and enforcing least privilege access models.
• Providing training and documentation to internal support teams to help transition the solution into BAU.
• After deployment, I also provided a set of recommendations to help the business address remaining risks — prioritised based on effort, cost, alignment with compliance requirements, and business needs.

• Lead Architect for overall Network Change Management and Compliance across all NTT ANZ managed service offerings. Develop PaaS based solution to manage customer networks and assets using Closed Loop Assurance/Automation
• Solutions support the automation of the following use cases:
• Device On boarding and Management of DNS / IPAM for cloud and Onprem.
• Automated Change Management and validation
• Software and Patch Management
• Configuration Compliance
• Secure Southbound Access to Devices via PAM & RBAC

As a member of the Security Design Authority at Telstra, I was responsible for overseeing the security architecture and governance across both IT systems and the Core and Access Network domains. The role involved working across multiple business units and engineering teams to ensure that security was embedded into the design of critical infrastructure and digital services from the outset.

My focus areas included:

• Providing end-to-end security oversight on solution designs across mobile, fixed-line, IP/MPLS, and optical network domains.
• Reviewing and approving security designs for major programs, including network upgrades, IT transformations, and 5G rollouts.
• Ensuring alignment with Telstra's internal security standards, regulatory obligations (e.g. ACMA, ASD), and risk frameworks.
• Collaborating with enterprise architects, product teams, and vendors to validate security controls during project design phases.
• Leading threat modelling and risk assessments for new systems, platforms, and network functions.
• Providing guidance on secure configuration, segmentation, identity management, and encryption standards for both IT and network environments.
• Supporting the uplift of security posture across legacy and modernised platforms, including SDN/NFV, cloud-native systems, and OSS/BSS.
• Working with the Cyber Security team to translate policy and strategy into actionable controls and design patterns.

The role required a strong balance of technical depth, cross-domain knowledge, and the ability to influence architecture decisions in a complex, large-scale environment.

• Lead Architect for Infrastructure and Assurance of the IP and Transport Engineering Domain Management Team across the P2O, O2A and T2R value streams.
• Projects actively engaged in / with:
• Zero Touch Configuration - Day0 configuration provisioning and Device Turn up.
• Configuration compliance and "Golden Template"
• Network Configuration Orchestration (Reliably provision Network services via automation)
• Services Assurance and "Birth Certificate"
• Service Test & Diagnosis Fault Management (MEF48 / TWAMP Y1731/Y1564)
• Service Performance and SLA management
• Order 2 Activate - IP / Transport services.
• Network Service Assurance (Root Cause, AIOps)
• As an Architect I've led multiple initiatives across multiple value streams and worked with key stakeholders to understand user / system requirements and their use cases. I've assisted BA's to draft meaningful user stories that drive the build and testing plan. I've authored countless documents from Solutions Briefs, HLD's, DDD's, SAD's that ultimately describe the solution intent and "how" it will be achieved.

• Performed Multiple Roles:
• As a Comptel Solutions Architect:
• Designed fulfillment solution to support service activation of HFC services for the NBN HFC IT program. Solutions are designed with Comptel CF8 platform to interface with the HFC DOCSIS Management Solution (Incognito SAC, DATAMINER) CMTS and the IP Aggregation Solution (Alcatel SAM) for the provisioning and activation of End-to-End services.
• Translated business user stories into Functional Specification Documents
• Designed Solution blueprints for the environment / infrastructure supporting the fulfillment Solution.
• As a NBN Infrastructure Architect / Environment Manager:
• Developed an Infrastructure Architecture design to support the NBN HFC / FTTX Fulfillment Solution spanning all SDLC environments: Sandpit, Testing, SIT, Prod Support, PVT, Prod
• Ensured solution provides secure public access to accommodate - Offshore operations model.
• Ensured Solution is “Highly Available” and scales with the option to migrate into Cloud Environment like AWS / Azure
• Fostered a DevOps culture and Automate the Stand-up and configuration of the environments using: Docker / Kubernetes, Jenkins, GO, Ansible, Vault and Puppet
• Calculated and Maintained Environment Sizing for Compute and Storage to minimize Impact to shared Infrastructure.
• Attended to BAU tasks for Resource MACD and Design changes.
• Tools of the Trade:
• Rational Doors, Enterprise Architect, Visio, Jira, Confluence, HPQC, Jenkins, Puppet, Ansible, Docker / Portainer / Kubernetes, VMware VCenter, Microsoft TMG, HAProxy, NGINX, Glassfish, Citrix, IPTables, JavaScript, React, REST.

• I have assisted in the Design and Delivery of the JP2047 project for Telstra/Defence. I have occupied various roles during the project life Cycle within the (MnC) Management and Control Tower of the program.
• Design and Application Stream Lead
• I have led the creation and oversaw the delivery across the following assurance functions:
• Network Configuration
• Designed and aided in the build of the solution to push device configuration to network elements for Device turn-up and service provisioning use cases.
• Network Performance
• Designed and aided in the build of the solution to monitor network performance and other key network service metrics for - Juniper RPM, Cisco IPSLA and QOS
• Event Driven Fault Management
• Designed and aided in the build of the solution to recognize, and respond to network traps sent from network resources to understand Network/Service Impact and Root Cause
• Tools of the Trade:
• Splunk, Netcool/Impact, TNPM - Tivoli Network Performance Manager, TNCM - Tivoli Network Configuration Manager, BMC Remedy, Dynatrace, Zenoss, HPQC

• Lead Architect providing the Assurance and Fulfillment Solution for the National Connectivity Network Project
• Translate business requirements into High Level and detailed architectures and designs.
• Document all technical requirements and design technical solutions utilizing enterprise architecture standards.
• Implement architectural designs while building solid relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Work with Business stakeholders, engineers and vendors to ensure that all solutions are tested and deployed as per design within agreed timelines.
• Tools of the Trade:
• Cisco Prime Manager, Cisco Prime Provisioning, Cisco Prime Infrastructure, Cisco Prime Network Manager, Netcool Omnibus, Splunk, BMC Patrol, NetApp Ontap, Cisco UCS Manager, VMware SRM, VMware VCenter, Alcatel 5620 SAM, Alcatel AMS

• Design innovative solutions for IT Infrastructure management projects.
• On-site deployments
• Translate Business requirements into Technical Solution specifications.
• Provide Technical assistance and guidance through-out delivery Cycle.
• Assists Sales team with Product demonstrations and configuring Proof of Concepts to validate design.
• Tools of the Trade:
• InfoVista, CA Ehealth / Spectrum, EMC SMARTS Service Assurance, CiscoWorks, Voyence, EMC Smarts NCM, Watch4Net, Alcatel 5620 SAM, Tivoli Netcool, python, perl, javascript