Backend, Infrastructure and DevOps Lead

Overview
As the Team Lead for Backend API Management, DevOps, and Azure/Cloud Automation Processes, you will be instrumental in steering the development, deployment, and optimization of our backend services and cloud infrastructure with heavy emphasis on automation. This critical leadership role combines strategic oversight with technical expertise, requiring a comprehensive understanding of cloud architecture, API development, and DevOps practices. Your mission will be to enhance our cloud capabilities, streamline operations, and ensure the scalability, reliability, and performance of our systems.

Responsibilities

• Spearhead the development and implementation strategy for backend APIs, focusing on creating scalable, reliable, and high-performance solutions that align with business goals.
• Oversee the management of Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) (and similar capability for AWS - EKS) deployments, optimizing container orchestration to ensure seamless application scaling and performance.
• Oversee management and automation of pipelines related to data storage, data movement and data retrieval for various forms of data (real-time, audit, fast moving messages) as well as formats (structured - SQL storage, unstructured - BLOB storage and Semi-structured - JSON and related format in no-SQL DB) - between edge and cloud and between cloud applications mediated by File, Service/API, Message Bus and bulk-movement options.
• Direct cloud operations to achieve optimal system performance, security, and cost-efficiency, leveraging Azure cloud services and infrastructure.
• Champion DevOps practices across the team, promoting automation, continuous integration (CI), and continuous deployment (CD) to enhance operational efficiency.
• The CI/CD automation should also include deployment strategies and automation for ML components (e.g., MLOps related pipeline building and automation).
• Desirable to have skills with Github, Ansible, ADO, Terraform and ability to integrate QA tools such as Sonar Cube, Synk etc.
• Contribute to a robust release management strategy and ensure that the CI/CD pipeline incorporates and aligns with complex, global and local release management strategy.
• Ensure that test automation, deployment automation (including edge deployments) and observability are integral part of release management and CI/CD pipelines.
• Facilitate collaboration among cross-functional teams, ensuring the seamless integration of backend services with frontend platforms and other system components.
• Establish and rigorously monitor service-level objectives (SLOs) and key performance indicators (KPIs) to maintain and improve backend system and cloud infrastructure performance.
• Lead incident response initiatives and conduct thorough post-incident analyses to identify root causes and implement preventive strategies, ensuring system integrity.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts, focusing on system efficiency, downtime reduction, and resource optimization.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the latest backend technologies, Azure services, and DevOps tools, integrating innovative practices into our operations.
• Cultivate a team culture that values innovation, excellence, and continuous learning, encouraging team development and the adoption of best practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, Engineering, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in backend API development, cloud infrastructure management, particularly Azure and AWS (EKS and AKS) as well as CI/CD automation.
• Demonstrated proficiency in DevOps methodologies and cloud process management, with a strong technical foundation in Azure cloud services, Kubernetes, and API development with a solid understanding of security, scalability, and high availability in cloud environments.
• Hands-on experience with CI/CD pipelines, automation tools, and cloud-native technologies involving complex edge deployments and multiple version release management
• Hands on experience with Blue-Green and Canary deployment (strategy, design and development) and incorporating learnings into release cycle in real-time
• Proven leadership capabilities in managing complex technical projects and guiding high-performing teams towards achieving operational excellence.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills and a strategic mindset, capable of addressing technical challenges effectively.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities, with a proven track record of engaging successfully with various stakeholders.
• A history of driving operational improvements and sustaining high-performance backend systems, demonstrating a commitment to innovation and quality.