Azure Cloud SME Technical Lead

• Location: San Francisco, CA
• Duration: 6 months
• GBaMS ReqID: 10926133
• Job Title: Azure Cloud SME – Technical Lead

Core Responsibilities & Technical Skills

• Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact positively and productively with customers.
• Understand customer requirements and translate them into secure, scalable enterprise Azure solutions.
• Assess existing Azure architecture and identify gaps related to:
  • Scalability.
  • Security.
  • Performance.
  • Cost optimization.
• Redesign existing deployments in alignment with the Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework and Azure Well-Architected Framework.
• Design and architect Azure solutions across:
  • Compute.
  • Networking.
  • Storage.
  • Databases.
• Demonstrate deep understanding of IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS offerings for enterprise architecture.

Microsoft Azure Networking

• Design, deploy, and troubleshoot Azure Virtual Networks.
• Configure and manage:
  • Subnets.
  • Network Security Groups (NSGs).
  • Route tables.
  • Private endpoints.
  • Service endpoints.
• Apply Azure networking best practices for secure and scalable enterprise environments.

Azure DevOps

• Design and implement CI/CD pipelines.
• Manage release processes and automation.
• Integrate application and infrastructure delivery with Azure DevOps workflows.

Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

• Author Terraform code from scratch to deploy Azure resources.
• Create and maintain custom Terraform modules.
• Use Terraform and Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates for automated deployments.
• Implement repeatable, scalable, and governed infrastructure deployment processes.

Backup & Disaster Recovery

• Implement backup and disaster recovery strategies using:
  • Azure Backup.
  • Azure Site Recovery.
  • Other relevant enterprise backup technologies.
• Design recovery solutions aligned with business continuity and availability requirements.

Azure Monitoring & Governance

• Use Azure Monitor for proactive infrastructure and application monitoring.
• Utilize Log Analytics for centralized monitoring and troubleshooting.
• Implement Microsoft Sentinel for security monitoring and compliance.
• Apply Azure governance and monitoring best practices.

Version Control & Collaboration

• Strong knowledge of Git for source control.
• Integrate Git with Azure DevOps and CI/CD workflows.
• Support collaborative development and infrastructure management practices.

Virtualization Technologies

• Experience with VMware in hybrid cloud environments.
• Support VMware migration and integration scenarios involving Azure.

Operating Systems

• Manage Windows workloads in Azure environments.
• Manage Linux workloads in Azure environments.
• Support enterprise-level operating system changes and infrastructure activities.

Automation & Scripting

• Strong expertise in PowerShell.
• Strong expertise in Azure CLI.
• Use automation tools to improve operational efficiency.
• Identify and implement automation opportunities across cloud operations.

Security & Identity Management

• Implement Azure Active Directory / Microsoft Entra ID solutions.
• Configure and manage:
  • RBAC.
  • Conditional Access.
  • Governance policies.
• Experience with Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) in hybrid environments.
• Implement Microsoft Entra ID for cloud identity, authentication, and authorization.
• Apply security best practices across Azure environments.

Containerization & Orchestration

• Knowledge of Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) for container orchestration and workload scaling.
• Knowledge of Docker for application and microservices containerization.

FinOps & Cost Optimization

• Implement Azure cost optimization strategies across cloud services.
• Use Azure Cost Management and Azure Advisor to identify savings opportunities.
• Monitor and analyze cloud spending.
• Identify and eliminate unnecessary cloud waste.
• Design architectures that balance:
  • Performance.
  • Scalability.
  • Reliability.
  • Cost efficiency.

Architecture Diagrams & Documentation

• Create High-Level Design (HLD) and Low-Level Design (LLD) architecture diagrams for Azure solutions.
• Use tools such as:
  • Lucid.
  • Microsoft Visio.
  • Draw.io.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation, knowledge base articles, and SOPs.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Adhere to corporate policies and procedures, including:
  • Code of Conduct.
  • Audit procedures.
  • Internal controls.
• Understand customer business requirements and translate them into secure and scalable Azure solutions.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define:
  • Architecture.
  • Technical standards.
  • Cloud adoption strategies.
• Design and implement Azure IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, networking, and security solutions.
• Develop Infrastructure as Code using Terraform and ARM templates.
• Build and manage Azure DevOps CI/CD pipelines for application and infrastructure delivery.
• Implement backup and disaster recovery strategies.
• Ensure compliance and governance through Azure Policy, RBAC, and security best practices.
• Monitor and optimize Azure environments using Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, and Microsoft Sentinel.
• Provide technical leadership, documentation, and guidance to development and operations teams.
• Communicate effectively with business and technical stakeholders.
• Demonstrate strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Set and manage clear expectations with technical and non-technical audiences.
• Build strong relationships across technology teams.
• Proactively engage in cross-team knowledge sharing and planning.
• Collaborate with Architecture, Security, and other Technology teams to ensure operational requirements are considered throughout the technical lifecycle.
• Identify automation and service improvement opportunities and assess feasibility with customers.
• Support optimization of service improvements within desktop and technology environments.
• Undertake detailed and complex project tasks alongside Portfolio Delivery, Architecture, and global Business Operations teams.
• Ensure CAB processes and approved change procedures are followed.
• Learn new technologies independently using technical documentation and online resources.
• Create and maintain knowledge base articles and update SOPs periodically.
• Maintain regular stakeholder communication during incident and problem resolution.
• Participate in major incident bridge calls to support customers and resolve complex issues.
• Lead Root Cause Analysis (RCA) activities following major incidents.
• Prepare and communicate RCA findings and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Act as a trusted technical advisor across the Technology organization.

Leadership & Behavioral Skills

• Educate and promote best practices, awareness, and accountability among desktop and technology engineers.
• Demonstrate an adaptive leadership style that creates an inclusive and engaging environment.
• Think strategically while adapting effectively to changing priorities.
• Maintain a customer-centric approach focused on improving service quality.
• Collaborate naturally across functional teams with energy and enthusiasm.
• Communicate effectively across all organizational levels.
• Continuously identify opportunities for personal and organizational improvement.
• Influence teams and stakeholders to adopt effective working practices.
• Prioritize high-value activities and plan effectively to ensure successful outcomes.
• Develop innovative ideas and approaches to improve technology services.