Lead Cloud Engineer

Role Overview

The Lead Cloud Engineer is a senior, hands-on technical role responsible for designing, implementing, and managing cloud-based systems across Azure and AWS platforms. This role combines technical expertise with team leadership, focusing on cloud-native architecture, automation, security, and operational excellence to support digital transformation goals. The incumbent remains deeply involved in day-to-day engineering work, driving cloud adoption, infrastructure modernization, and security best practices while providing mentorship and guidance to other engineers. This role partners closely with IT leadership, application teams, and vendors to ensure cloud solutions align with business and technical requirements.

Responsibilities

Cloud Infrastructure & Architecture

• Design, implement, and manage cloud infrastructure across Azure and AWS platforms aligned with business requirements and security standards.
• Lead cloud migration initiatives, including workload assessment, migration planning, and execution for applications and data.
• Architect hybrid cloud solutions integrating on-premises systems with cloud services.
• Implement and maintain infrastructure as code (IaC) practices using Terraform, ARM templates, or CloudFormation.
• Optimize cloud resource utilization and costs through rightsizing, reserved instances, and automation.
• Establish and maintain disaster recovery and business continuity capabilities in cloud environments.
• Ensure high availability, resiliency, and optimal performance of all cloud-based systems and services.
• Maintain backup and recovery procedures for all critical cloud workloads.

Microsoft 365 & Identity Management

• Oversee Microsoft 365 tenant administration, including Exchange Online, SharePoint, Teams, and OneDrive.
• Manage Azure Active Directory/Entra ID, including user provisioning, group management, and conditional access policies.
• Implement and maintain hybrid identity solutions including Azure AD Connect, SSO, and MFA.
• Establish and enforce identity governance and privileged access management (PAM).

Security and Compliance

• Implement cloud security best practices including network segmentation, encryption at rest and in transit, and access controls.
• Collaborate on security strategy, threat response, and risk mitigation.
• Design and implement security-first cloud architectures that align with organizational risk tolerance and industry best practices.
• Embed security controls into all cloud designs and implementations.

Leadership & Mentorship

• Provide technical leadership by guiding the planning, design, and execution of cloud engineering work across projects.
• Mentor and support cloud and systems engineers through hands-on guidance, architecture and code reviews, and collaborative problem solving.
• Promote consistent engineering standards, best practices, and reusable patterns across cloud and infrastructure platforms.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex technical challenges, assisting teams in resolution while reinforcing sound cloud and security practices.

Stakeholder Management

• Evaluate and recommend cloud services, tools, and technologies to support business objectives.
• Work with internal stakeholders to understand requirements and translate them into technical solutions.
• Coordinate with software vendors on cloud-based integrations and API connectivity.
• Provide regular reporting on cloud operations, costs, and project status to leadership.
• Participate in IT strategic planning, roadmap development, and change management processes.

Requirements

• Five (5) to eight (8) years of progressive experience in infrastructure, systems engineering, or cloud engineering roles.
• Minimum three (3) years of hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure and/or AWS in production environments.
• Expert-level knowledge of Microsoft Azure services including Virtual Machines, Virtual Networks, hybrid connectivity (VPN/ExpressRoute), and Azure Storage.
• Proficiency with Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, and Application Insights.
• Experience with Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions for CI/CD pipelines.
• Working knowledge of AWS services including EC2, VPC, S3, RDS, Lambda, IAM, and Security Groups.
• Deep technical knowledge of Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, ARM templates, or CloudFormation).
• Experience with container technologies including Docker, Kubernetes, AKS, or EKS.
• Strong scripting skills in PowerShell, Python, or Bash for automation.
• Solid understanding of networking fundamentals including DNS, VPN, firewall rules, and routing.
• Knowledge of security frameworks and zero-trust architecture.
• Availability for after-hours maintenance windows, emergencies, and on-call rotation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate or Azure Solutions Architect Expert.
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect or AWS Certified SysOps Administrator.
• Additional relevant certifications in security, DevOps, or cloud platforms.

Benefits

• Flexible work arrangements including work-from-home, in-office, or hybrid options.
• Competitive compensation packages.
• Premier investment support and enriching personal development opportunities.
• Comprehensive health benefit solutions.