Azure Cloud Engineer (Azure & Infrastructure-as-Code Specialist) @ Only US Citizens

Skysoft Inc. is seeking a highly skilled Senior Cloud Engineer to lead the design, automation, and optimization of cloud infrastructure with a focus on Microsoft Azure and Infrastructure-as-Code methodologies. The role involves architecting secure cloud solutions, driving automation, embedding security practices, and mentoring junior engineers while collaborating with various teams to enhance operational efficiency.

Responsibilities:

• Architect Secure, Scalable Cloud Solutions:
• Spearhead the design, development, and optimization of reusable shared resources, including Azure services, custom Terraform modules, and standardized code repositories, to accelerate the organization’s cloud adoption strategies
• The Senior Cloud Engineer will drive self‑service capabilities, enable event‑driven orchestration, and promote immutable infrastructure patterns to ensure faster, more reliable, and compliant deployments across the enterprise
• This role is for automation throughout the infrastructure both on-premises and cloud
• Drive Automation with Ansible:
• Demonstrate experience delivering automation through Ansible solutioning
• Leverage Ansible Automation Platform to unify automation across various platforms like Azure, vCenter, Database, Infoblox, Service now, network services, CyberArk
• Develop efficient IaC modules in Terraform to enhance cloud infrastructure provisioning and streamline workload migration from on premises to Azure. Reduce deployment times from days to less than an hour
• Establish and enforce comprehensive standards for resource provisioning, including naming conventions, resource tagging, and central logging integration with systems like Splunk
• Embed Robust Security and Compliance Practices:
• Implement NIST 800 and additional cybersecurity controls by automating least privilege service models, deny-by-default rule sets, and the enforcement of strict access policies to eliminate unnecessary public exposure to critical infrastructure
• Collaborate with governance teams to ensure adherence to organizational policies and regular audits of compliance standards in the cloud
• Empower and Educate Teams:
• Serve as a mentor and technical leader, providing hands-on training to junior engineers focused on best practices in environments using Terraform, shared infrastructure, and Azure services
• Partner with workload and product teams, teaching them effective use of Terraform modules and enabling a self-sufficient approach to infrastructure delivery
• Collaborate and Innovate:
• Lead organization-wide exploration and prototyping of new tools and technologies, including evaluating and integrating Terraform Enterprise, to enhance operational efficiency
• Actively participate in Agile ceremonies such as daily scrums, sprint planning, and retrospective sessions to provide high-value contributions toward team deliverables
• Ensure Code Quality and Knowledge Sharing:
• Facilitate continuous improvement by reviewing pull requests, suggesting refinements to coding standards, and establishing best practices that improve efficiency and maintainability in infrastructure codebases
• Foster a collaborative, knowledge-sharing culture across teams to embed cutting-edge thinking within the organization
• Vendor Management and Issue Resolution:
• Partner with vendor support teams to resolve high-impact technical challenges, ensuring cloud infrastructure performance and reliability metrics align with operational SLAs

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, or related field
• Minimum of 5+ years of professional cloud engineering experience
• Proven hands-on expertise with Ansible Automation Platform
• Implementation of enterprise-grade Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) using Terraform
• Proficiency in other DevOps/automation tools such as Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or Azure DevOps
• Strong understanding of security frameworks, including NIST 800-53
• Ability to implement and enforce least-privilege models, zero trust principles, and security standards across cloud environments
• Advanced knowledge in cloud network design and configuration, such as virtual network architectures, secure public/private access, Network Security Groups, role-based access control (RBAC), and governance policy enforcement
• A track record of leading teams to overcome complex challenges with creative, strategic solutions
• Demonstrated ability to mentor technical team members, fostering their growth and professional development
• Comfort operating in Agile/DevOps-driven environments with a focus on iterative improvements to infrastructure development processes
• Demonstrated ability to balance the strategic vision (long-term innovation) with finite technical implementations
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to present technical solutions to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Collaborative and solution-oriented approach to teamwork
• Advanced certifications in Azure (e.g., Azure Solutions Architect Expert)
• Terraform (e.g., HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate)