Cloud Solution Architect

Job Title:

Senior Cloud Infrastructure Engineer (AWS)

Department & Team

Technology

Location:

India /UK / Ukraine

Reporting To:

Infrastructure Services Manager

Role Purpose:

The purpose of the role is to ensure high systems availability across a multi-cloud environment, enabling the business to continue meeting its objectives.

This role will be mostly AWS / Linux focused but will include a requirement to understand comparative solutions in Azure.

Desire to maintain full hands-on status but to add Team Lead responsibilities in future

Client’s cloud strategy is based around a dual vendor solutioning model, utilising AWS and Azure services.  This enables us to access more technologies and helps mitigate risks across our infrastructure.

The Infrastructure Services Team is responsible for the delivery and support of all infrastructure used by Client twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.  The team’s primary function is to install, maintain, and implement all infrastructure-based systems, both On Premise and Cloud Hosted. The Infrastructure Services group already consists of three teams:

1. Network Services Team – Responsible for IP Network and its associated components

2. Platform Services Team – Responsible for Server and Storage systems

3. Database Services Team – Responsible for all Databases

This role will report directly into the Infrastructure Services Manager and will have responsibility for the day to day running of the multi-cloud environment, as well as playing a key part in designing best practise solutions. It will enable the Client business to achieve its stated objectives by playing a key role in the Infrastructure Services Team to achieve world class benchmarks of customer service and support.

Responsibilities:

Operations

· Deliver end to end technical and user support across all platforms (On-premise, Azure, AWS)

· Day to day, fully hands-on OS management responsibilities (Windows and Linux operating systems)

· Ensure robust server patching schedules are in place and meticulously followed to help reduce security related incidents.

· Contribute to continuous improvement efforts around cost optimisation, security enhancement, performance optimisation, operational efficiency and innovation.

· Take an ownership role in delivering technical projects, ensuring best practise methods are followed.

· Design and deliver solutions around the concept of “Planning for Failure”. Ensure all solutions are deployed to withstand system / AZ failure.

· Work closely with Cloud Architects / Infrastructure Services Manager to identify and eliminate “waste” across cloud platforms.

· Assist several internal DevOps teams with day to day running of pipeline management and drive standardisation where possible.

· Ensure all Client data in all forms are backed up in a cost-efficient way.

· Use the appropriate monitoring tools to ensure all cloud / on-premise services are continuously monitored.

· Drive utilisation of most efficient methods of resource deployment (Terraform, CloudFormation, Bootstrap)

· Drive the adoption, across the business, of serverless / open source / cloud native technologies where applicable.

· Ensure system documentation remains up to date and designed according to AWS/Azure best practise templates.

· Participate in detailed architectural discussions, calling on internal/external subject matter experts as needed, to ensure solutions are designed for successful deployment.

· Take part in regular discussions with business executives to translate their needs into technical and operational plans.

· Engaging with vendors regularly in terms of verifying solutions and troubleshooting issues.

· Designing and delivering technology workshops to other departments in the business.

· Takes initiatives for improvement of service delivery.

· Ensure that Client delivers a service that resonates with customer’s expectations, which sets Client apart from its competitors.

· Help design necessary infrastructure and processes to support the recovery of critical technology and systems in line with contingency plans for the business.

· Continually assess working practices and review these with a view to improving quality and reducing costs.

· Champions the new technology case and ensure new technologies are investigated and proposals put forward regarding suitability and benefit.

· Motivate and inspire the rest of the infrastructure team and undertake necessary steps to raise competence and capability as required.

· Help develop a culture of ownership and quality throughout the Infrastructure Services team.

Skills & Experience:

· AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional - REQUIRED

· Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 – REQUIRED AS MINIMUM AZURE CERT

· Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE ) - REQUIRED

· Must be able to demonstrate working knowledge of designing, implementing and maintaining best practise AWS solutions. (To lesser extend Azure)

· Proven examples of ownership of large AWS project implementations in Enterprise settings.

· Experience managing the monitoring of infrastructure / applications using tools including CloudWatch, Solarwinds, New Relic, etc.

· Must have practical working knowledge of driving cost optimisation, security enhancement and performance optimisation.

· Solid understanding and experience of transitioning IaaS solutions to serverless technology

· Must have working production knowledge of deploying infrastructure as code using Terraform.

· Need to be able to demonstrate security best-practise when designing solutions in AWS.

· Working knowledge around optimising network traffic performance an delivering high availability while keeping a check on costs. 

· Working experience of ‘On Premise to Cloud’ migrations

· Experience of Data Centre technology infrastructure development and management

· Must have experience working in a DevOps environment

· Good working knowledge around WAN connectivity and how this interacts with the various entry point options into AWS, Azure, etc. 

· Working knowledge of Server and Storage Devices

· Working knowledge of MySQL and SQL Server / Cloud native databases (RDS / Aurora)

· Experience of Carrier Grade Networking - On Prem and Cloud

· Experience in virtualisation technologies

· Experience in ITIL and Project management

· Providing senior support to the Service Delivery team.

· Good understanding of new and emerging technologies

· Excellent presentation skills to both an internal and external audience

· The ability to share your specific expertise to the rest of the Technology group

· Experience with MVNO or Network Operations background from within the Telecoms industry. (Optional)

· Working knowledge of one or more European languages (Optional)

Behavioural Fit:

· Professional appearance and manner

· High personal drive; results oriented; makes things happen; “can do attitude”

· Can work and adapt within a highly dynamic and growing environment

· Team Player; effective at building close working relationships with others

· Effectively manages diversity within the workplace

· Strong focus on service delivery and the needs and satisfaction of internal clients

· Able to see issues from a global, regional and corporate perspective

· Able to effectively plan and manage large projects

· Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills at all levels

· Strong analytical, presentation and training skills

· Innovative and creative

· Demonstrates technical leadership

· Visionary and strategic view of technology enablers (creative and innovative)

· High verbal and written communication ability, able to influence effectively at all levels

· Possesses technical expertise and knowledge to lead by example and input into technical debates

· Depth and breadth of experience in infrastructure technologies

· Enterprise mentality and global mindset

· Sense of humour

Role Key Performance Indicators:

· Design and deliver repeatable, best in class, cloud solutions.

· Pro-actively monitor service quality and take action to scale operational services, in line with business growth.

· Generate operating efficiencies, to be agreed with Infrastructure Services Manager.

· Establish a “best in sector” level of operational service delivery and insight.

· Help create an effective team.