Cloud Operations Engineer

Key Responsibilities

• Cloud Orchestration & Automation: Orchestrate and automate enterprise cloud platforms across the agency using Infrastructure as Code (IaC), scripting, and Source Control Management (SCM) platforms.
• Environment Management: Own the deployment, configuration, and operation of scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems across Public Cloud environments (IaaS and PaaS).
• Strategic Architecture & Delivery: Partner with enterprise architects to gather system requirements and deliver robust, secure, and resilient IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS solutions adhering to cloud best practices.
• Operational Oversight: Proactively monitor, audit, and debug technical issues across complex application stacks involving virtualization, containers, and microservices in a 24x7 mission-critical environment.
• Security & Cost Governance: Implement agency security guidelines across all cloud environments and establish proactive operational cost-control and optimization mechanisms.
• Documentation & Standards: Author technical project documentation and maintain desk procedures and standards for cloud application protocols and platform usage. Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
• Cloud Infrastructure: Strong knowledge and ability to create and administer cloud computing solutions - especially with AWS.
• Systems & Architecture: Thorough understanding of multi-tiered application architecture, with hands-on systems administration knowledge of Microsoft Windows Server and Linux Server operating systems in virtualized environments.
• Automation & Scripting: 3-5+ years of experience automating operational routines using Power. Shell, Python, Bash, JSON, or CLI tools.
• DevOps & Source Control: Proficiency in administering and utilizing Git/SCM platforms, modern DevOps automation workflows, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) implementations.
• AI-Assisted Engineering: Demonstrated proficiency in leveraging modern AI tools and Large Language Models (LLMs) to accelerate scripting, debug complex infrastructure issues, draft documentation, and optimize daily operational workflows.
• Enterprise Networking: Solid working knowledge of core networking principles, including DNS, TCP/IP, firewalls, load balancing, and provider-level data flow controls.
• Professional Competencies: Demonstrated analytical problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. Ability to manage tasks independently with minimal supervision, adapt to shifting priorities, and communicate effectively across all organizational levels.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Management Systems, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience), alongside 3–5+ years of experience managing enterprise public cloud environments and automated infrastructure.
• Cloud Certifications: Possession of at least one active, industry-recognized cloud vendor certification: o AWS: Associate or Professional level (Solutions Architect, Cloud. Ops Engineer, DevOps Engineer). o Microsoft Azure: Associate or Professional level (Administrator or Solutions Architect).
• Specialized Cloud Skills: Proven track record in Cloud Cost Optimization, automated auditing/monitoring, and managing database deployments across public cloud service models. Additional Position Details
• Work Schedule & Support: Standard business hours with participation in periodic after-hours operational change and maintenance windows.
• Benefits Structure: Benefits are managed through the contract staffing agency during the initial temp-to-hire phase. Upon conversion to a permanent role, employees are eligible for the State of Arizona benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life insurance, and enrollment in the ASRS Defined Benefit Pension Plan.
• Background Check: Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of an enterprise background investigation.

Requirements

Skill Type Skill Name Certification Education License Other Skill At least 5 years of experience as a Cloud Engineer Certification Education License Other Skill Microsoft Windows Server and Linux Server Certification Education License Other Skill Cloud Infrastructure: Strong knowledge and ability to create and administer cloud computing solutions with AWS Certification Education License Other Skill AI experience Preferred Skills Skill Type Skill Name Certification Education License Other Skill Debug complex infrastructure issues Certification Education License Other Skill AWS certification