Senior Cloud Engineer

Role Overview

We are seeking a seasoned Senior Azure Cloud Engineer to lead our cloud financial management initiatives and drive operational excellence on the Azure platform. This role is pivotal in shaping our service strategies, conducting research and proofs of concept (POCs), and providing opinionated insights to influence our offerings and internal best practices. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of Azure services, cost optimization strategies, and cloud operations, coupled with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Azure FinOps:

• Manage and optimize Azure subscriptions and resources, focusing on cost efficiency and resource utilization.
• Develop and maintain Power BI dashboards utilizing Azure Cost Management data and exports.
• Implement and manage Azure-native dashboards, including Azure Advisor cost recommendations and other cloud intelligence tools.
• Conduct regular cost reviews with stakeholders, providing insights and recommendations for cost savings.
• Advocate for Azure cost optimization best practices across the organization and for our clients.
• Analyse Azure Reservations, Savings Plans, and Spot Virtual Machines to optimize cost structures.
• Maintain tagging standards and enforce cloud governance policies using Azure Policy and Management Groups.

Cloud Operations & Architecture:

• Design and implement scalable, secure, and cost-effective cloud architectures following the Azure Well-Architected Framework.
• Collaborate with DevOps and engineering teams to ensure seamless deployment and operation of cloud services on Azure.
• Monitor Azure infrastructure for performance, reliability, and cost anomalies.
• Troubleshoot and resolve production issues, ensuring minimal downtime and optimal performance.
• Implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using tools like Terraform, Bicep, and Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates.

Research & Service Leadership:

• Lead research initiatives and POCs to explore new Azure technologies, services, and methodologies.
• Provide opinionated insights and recommendations to influence service strategy and roadmap.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate research findings into actionable service improvements or new offerings.

Azure Well-Architected Reviews & Cloud Assessments:

• Conduct Azure Well-Architected Reviews for customer environments, assessing cloud architectures against Azure Well-Architected Framework best practices across its pillars (Cost Optimization, Operational Excellence, Performance Efficiency, Reliability, Security).
• Provide expert guidance on Azure best practices, delivering clear, actionable recommendations to customers for enhancing security, reliability, performance, and cost-effectiveness.
• Develop and present Well-Architected Review reports, including prioritized remediation plans and strategic guidance for cloud optimization.
• Maintain up-to-date expertise in Azure services, architecture patterns, and best practices, ensuring high-quality review outcomes.

Generative AI & Emerging Technologies:

• Design and implement generative AI applications using Azure OpenAI Service, leveraging foundation models available through the service (e.g., GPT series).
• Develop and manage agentic AI workflows utilizing Azure OpenAI Service in conjunction with tools like Azure Functions, Semantic Kernel, or Prompt Flow for complex task automation.
• Integrate Azure AI Search and custom data sources to enhance AI capabilities with domain-specific knowledge and tool access (e.g., Retrieval Augmented Generation).
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate research findings into actionable service features or internal tools.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies, particularly within the Azure ecosystem, to inform service development.

Desired Skills

Must Have

• Proven experience in Azure cost optimization and financial operations (FinOps).
• Strong proficiency in core Azure services such as Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Blob Storage, Azure SQL Database, Azure Functions, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure OpenAI Service, etc.
• Experience with Azure Cost Management, Azure Advisor, Budgets, and other cost management tools.
• Proficiency in scripting languages like PowerShell or Python for automation purposes.
• Experience with data visualization tools like Power BI.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.
• Azure certifications such as Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Azure DevOps Engineer Expert, or Azure AI Engineer Associate are preferred.

Good to Have

• Experience with third-party FinOps tools (e.g., CloudHealth, Apptio Cloudability, Flexera One, etc.).
• Deep knowledge of Azure governance (Azure Policy, Blueprints, Management Groups) and compliance standards.
• Familiarity with Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Experience in leading research initiatives and providing strategic insights for service or product development.

Experience

• 8+ years of experience in cloud operations, with a strong focus on Microsoft Azure services.

Education

• Bachelors degree in computer science, Information Technology, or a related field.