Systems Builder · Waterloo, IA

Jerry
Makedonski

I build infrastructure, automate workflows, and ship things that run 24/7 — from self-hosted server stacks to industrial control systems.

CURRENT STACK // Linux · Docker · n8n · PHP · Cloudflare · Tailscale · PLC / HMI
Jerry Makedonski

Builder by
nature.

I'm a hands-on technologist with a background spanning IT infrastructure, industrial automation, and web development. If something can be self-hosted, scripted, or automated — I've probably tried it.

At home I run a multi-server stack including Jellyfin, Immich, and a suite of Docker apps exposed via Cloudflare tunnels. I use that infrastructure as my personal R&D lab, which means I learn by building real things that actually have to work.

My church needed someone to set up their website and lend a hand in the AV booth — which also gave me a good excuse to donate my old PC to them and pick up a new one for myself. It worked out for everyone.

Years Tinkering
10+
Servers Running
24/7
Base
Waterloo, IA
Status
Open to Work

What I work with.

A mix of infrastructure, automation, web, and industrial disciplines built up through hands-on work — not just coursework.

🖥️
Self-Hosted Infrastructure
OpenMediaVault, Docker Compose, Nginx Proxy Manager, multi-server home lab
🔒
Networking & Remote Access
Tailscale, Cloudflare Tunnels & Workers, DNS, VPN architecture
Workflow Automation
n8n, webhook pipelines, SMS/email automation, CRM integration
🌐
Web Development
PHP, PostgreSQL, HTML/CSS/JS, Docker-based stacks, Cloudflare edge
🏭
Industrial Automation
PLC programming, HMI configuration, ladder logic — hands-on lab
📡
AV & Live Streaming
OBS, NDI, PTZ cameras, audio routing, RTMP/YouTube broadcast
🤖
AI & LLM Integration
Claude Code, Claude API, agentic workflows, prompt engineering
🛠️
Hardware & Builds
Fanless form factor and small form factor server builds for home use, media server hardware, cable management, rack work

Things I've built.

A selection of personal, professional, and volunteer projects — real things that actually run, not demos that only work on my laptop.

Home Lab Server Closet
Live OMV Docker Tailscale
Home Lab Infrastructure
Fanless PC running OpenMediaVault with a full Docker Compose stack — Jellyfin, Immich, Filebrowser, and more. Public services are exposed via Cloudflare tunnels; Tailscale handles remote management. Routing is handled by a GL.iNet router after a few years on pfSense — simpler and more reliable for my setup. WireGuard VPN was my go-to for a while before Tailscale took over entirely.
View details
AI Side Kick Tool
Live Telegram WOL Tailscale
AI Side Kick Tool
Operational and in daily use — though a project like this is never really done when you're the one building it. A personal documentation and organization hub for server data using custom forms, Telegram input, and a web admin portal. Authenticated via Google Auth with whitelisted addresses. Includes project and task management tools, plus the ability to start and stop home lab equipment and my desktop remotely via Wake-on-LAN, Tailscale, and a remote desktop application.
View details
OBC Waterloo Website
n8n WordPress AV / WIP OBS
Church Tech Build-Out
Self-hosted church website on WordPress so volunteers can manage their own content. n8n handles contact form submissions and gives staff a portal to update their info. Visitor follow-up automation is up next. On the AV side: donated and installed a Fomako PTZ camera and a GPU-equipped PC for streaming. Picture quality is solid — still dialing in clean audio from the soundboard. If you're an audio engineer, I'd love some pointers.
obcwaterloo.com
Home Media Server
Hardware Jellyfin Immich Hobby
Home Media Server Sales & Rentals
Small hobby business selling and renting in-home media servers pre-loaded with Immich, Filebrowser, and Jellyfin. Plug in, connect, and you've got your own private cloud for photos, files, and video — no subscription required.
View details
One Click Encoder
Open Source Python Desktop App
One Click Encoder
Standalone Python desktop app for re-encoding video files without wading through hundreds of settings. Pick 720p or 1080p, hit go. Built for people who just want to compress a video and move on.
View on GitHub
PLC HMI Industrial Controls
In Progress PLC HMI
Industrial PLC / HMI Demo
Hands-on lab build demonstrating PLC programming and HMI configuration. Ladder logic, I/O mapping, and operator interface design. Coming soon once back at the home lab.
Coming soon

Let's talk.

Open to technical roles in IT infrastructure, automation, or industrial systems. Fill out the form and I'll get back to you.

Prefer to connect directly? Find me on LinkedIn or browse my work on GitHub.