Cloud Engineer

Through NRI Resource Management Services (RMS), we offer custom talent solutions to help our clients meet their evolving technology and business needs. We help effectively match the right technology professional to their organization, recruiting for contract, contract-to-hire, and direct roles. Our client in Herndon, VA has an immediate need for a Cloud Engineer. Please note that this is a contract to hire opportunity with our client and NOT with NRI.

Overview

The Cloud Engineer is a full-time position and operates as a member of the Cloud Engineering Team within the IT Systems Infrastructure group. The position’s role is to work collaboratively with fellow Cloud Engineering Team resources to complete various tasks throughout the service lifecycle of cloud, on-premises, and hybrid infrastructure components. These tasks include designing, implementing and documenting cloud infrastructure components, migrating on-premises systems to cloud services, maintaining the operational effectiveness of the cloud infrastructure, and optimizing performance and capabilities of the cloud infrastructure utilizing a continual service improvement model. The primary objective of these activities is to deliver value, via highly available IT Services, to the member owners of our client.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with other IT teams, and business units to ensure the availability, reliability, and scalability of the cloud systems infrastructure
• Plan, design, and implement IaaS, PaaS and SaaS cloud-based solutions in Microsoft Azure
• Support project planning by developing implementation plans, milestones, risk assessments, and technical requirements, to deliver projects on-schedule, with minimal impact to both business units and members
• Collaborate with Business units and Development teams to evaluate and identify optimal cloud solutions in support of development and procurement efforts
• Acquire licensing and software in accordance with established procurement processes
• Deploy new applications and enhancements to existing applications, software, and operating systems
• Utilize a Continual Service Improvement model and leading best practices to ensure that proposed and existing cloud systems remain efficient and aligned with organizational goals
• Recommend optimizations and improvements to achieve those goals and leverage systems to their fullest
• Manage hybrid directory and identity services in Microsoft Azure and on-premises ensuring consistent and seamless experiences for users
• Manage backup and recovery solutions to meet established RTOs and RPOs
• Design and conduct business continuity tests for cloud and on-premises systems in accordance with established testing schedules
• Produce automated reports, dashboards, and metrics to aid in the monitoring of cloud systems
• Serve internal and external members by demonstrating technical leadership throughout the organization by delivering IT Solutions in a timely and effective manner
• Increase visibility into project statuses by providing regular updates which highlight incremental advances and overall progress toward meeting established commitments
• Use cloud tools to track cloud expenditures and ensure costs stay within budgetary limits
• Adhere to IT asset management policies and assist Information Security in monthly reconciliation efforts
• Complete Problem Management processes in accordance with Service Level Agreements
• Complete Request Fulfillment processes in accordance with Service Level Agreements
• Remains cognizant of and adheres to our client's policies and procedures as well as regulations pertaining to the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA)

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related field; equivalent hands-on experience may be considered in lieu of degree
• Minimum 5 years experience with systems infrastructure planning, security principles, and general IT service management best practices
• Minimum 3 years' experience designing, implementing, administering, and supporting cloud systems on Microsoft Azure
• Must have experience with hybrid cloud architectures and connectivity between on-premises infrastructure and Azure environments.
• Working knowledge of VMware virtualization technologies
• Experience installing, configuring, and maintaining Microsoft Windows server environments
• Strong working knowledge of identity management systems, Microsoft Entra ID, role-based access control, privileged access, conditional access, MFA, identity lifecycle management, and hybrid identity services
• Strong organization and project management skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability to work collaboratively with IT, Information Security, Network Engineering, application teams, vendors, and business stakeholders
• Strong service ownership mindset with the ability to manage incidents, service requests, changes, problems, and project deliverables in accordance with established SLAs and change management processes
• Must be able to work M-F 8-4:30 regularly, but also able to work a rotational/on-call/ad hoc schedule, including extended hours or weekends

Preferred 

• IT certifications such as, Microsoft Certified Azure Administration, Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect, or equivalent certifications on other Cloud platforms, or other IT related fields.
• Experience deploying, managing, and monitoring Microsoft Azure-based IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS services.
• Experience with Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, Application Insights, Microsoft Defender for Cloud, alerting, dashboards, and operational reporting.
• Experience with infrastructure scripting and automation tools such as PowerShell, Azure CLI, Bicep, ARM templates, Terraform, Bash, or Python.
• Experience with Microsoft 365 administration, including Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, OneDrive, Teams, Purview, and Defender services.
• Familiarity with the Okta platform, Microsoft EntraID, and Microsoft Intune.
• Experience with ITSM platforms such as ServiceNow for incident, request, change, problem, asset, and configuration management.
• Experience with Cohesity and Zerto applications or other backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity solutions, including RTO/RPO planning, recovery testing, and documentation.
• Databases and Data Platforms including Microsoft SQL server, MySQL, Azure SQL, Azure Cosmos, Azure Data Factory.
• Familiarity with Zero Trust architecture, NIST Cybersecurityn Framework, or other regulatory/security frameworks.
• Familiarity with Agile project management practices and administering Azure DevOps.
• Experience mentoring team members, developing standards, and contributing to cloud architecture strategy.