Introducing Sergio Rivera Rodriguez | DevOps Engineer
In this edition of Pretty Brilliant People, we sit down with Sergio Rivera, DevOps Engineer here at Pretty Technical. Sergio brings a calm, considered approach to building and maintaining the infrastructure that underpins our platforms, with a strong focus on reliability, efficiency and long term sustainability.
We spoke to him about life in Sofia, working in iGaming, and what great DevOps looks like when platforms are built to scale and be owned.
Can you explain what DevOps really means in a B2B iGaming environment, and why it matters more than people might realise?
DevOps in B2B iGaming focuses on speed without compromising security or regulatory compliance. It matters more than people realise because operational failures immediately translate into financial and reputational risk. It directly impacts revenue continuity, client trust, and long-term partnerships.
iGaming platforms often grow quickly and in unpredictable ways. How does DevOps help teams scale without losing control?
DevOps provides automation and standardization, allowing platforms to scale rapidly while maintaining operational control and cost efficiency.
What stood out to you about Pretty Technical when you decided to join?
I was drawn by the opportunity to contribute at scale in a business where technology directly drives revenue.
You mentioned prioritising efficiency and rest to avoid burnout. How do you apply that mindset in a high pressure technical role?
In a high-pressure role, I apply this mindset by prioritizing reliability automation. I understand that “fires” are part of the job, but I treat them as a technical debt that needs to be paid. My priority is always service stability, but my strategy for avoiding burnout is to ensure that every problem solved is one that won’t disrupt my rest or my team’s again.
You have lived in Cuba and Bulgaria, and hold Spanish citizenship. How has that global background shaped the way you work with international teams?
My background combines resilience and rapid adaptation. Growing up in Cuba instilled in me a “resources first” mentality; when resources are limited, you learn to optimize virtually everything. This has been fundamental to my career in DevOps, managing infrastructure costs and performance. Moving to Bulgaria three years ago further strengthened my profile. It forced me to quickly integrate into one of Europe’s tech hubs, adapting to different workflows and high-level engineering standards in a very short time, as well as to diverse cultures. My Spanish nationality is just a sort of inheritance that came to me one day, recently, although I certainly only know Spain from movies and YouTube.
Cooking is your hidden talent. If you were cooking for the PT team, what would be on the menu?
Congris, ropa vieja, fried banana.
What are you most excited about for the next chapter at Pretty Technical?
For me, the next chapter involves taking ownership of problems and transforming them into sustainable solutions that drive the company’s growth. I love to work in challenging environments with complex issues, and I’m excited to be here and ready to dive right in and start contributing from day one.
If you’d like to work with Sergio and our team why not take a look at our Careers page and send an email to [email protected]. If you’d like to find out more about Pretty Technical products and services please use our Contact Form.
