Senior Cloud Ops Engineer

Overview

Design, implement, and operate Azure cloud infrastructure for Southern Water.

Key Responsibilities

• landing zones
• iac deployment
• cost optimization
• incident management
• security compliance
• reporting

Tasks

-Document standard operating procedures, cloud configurations, and runbooks. -Act as an escalation point for cloud-related incidents and changes. -Contribute to cost optimization by right-sizing resources and identifying opportunities to reduce waste. -Participate in training, certifications, or knowledge-sharing sessions to continuously enhance cloud skills. -Support the implementation and testing of disaster recovery and business continuity plans related to cloud infrastructure. -Deploy and support Azure Landing Zones in line with enterprise architecture standards. -Automate provisioning, scaling, and maintenance of cloud resources using DevOps pipelines and scripts (PowerShell, Azure CLI, CI/CD etc.). -Support the transition from IaaS to PaaS services by designing and implementing modern cloud-native solutions. -Collaborate with Security Operations and Compliance teams to remediate vulnerabilities and audit issues. -Stay informed on the latest Azure features, cloud architecture patterns, and best practices. -Support compliance with internal policies and regulatory standards by ensuring guardrails and policies are in place. -Monitor system health, respond to incidents, and participate in root cause analysis and continuous improvement. -Collaborate with the DR/BCP team to maintain and update recovery procedures and test plans. -Assist with service transitions, knowledge transfer, and training for BAU support teams. -Work with infrastructure architects, data platform teams, developers, and project teams to support solution delivery. -Build, configure, and maintain Azure cloud environments (IaaS, PaaS, storage, networking, identity). -Ensure cloud services are resilient and recoverable in line with Recovery Time Objectives (RTO) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPO). -Implement infrastructure as code (IaC) using tools such as Bicep, ARM templates, or Terraform. -Monitor and manage cloud workloads to ensure availability, performance, and security. -Use Azure Cost Management tools and dashboards to track and forecast cloud spend. -Enforce cloud security best practices, including role-based access control (RBAC), encryption, and secure networking. -Recommend improvements or innovations based on emerging technologies and industry trends. -Help maintain consistent operational practices and contribute to knowledge sharing across the team. -Provide reporting and insights to the Cloud Operations Manager and Finance teams.

Requirements

• azure
• terraform
• docker
• python
• finops
• cloud security

What You Bring

-Strong knowledge of landing zone architecture and best practices. -Training: Demonstrated ability to train, mentor, and develop team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning, skill-building, and knowledge-sharing within the team. -Automation: Strong scripting skills (e.g., Python, PowerShell) and the ability to automate routine tasks and deployment processes for efficiency and consistency. -FinOps (Cloud Financial Operations): Experience with managing cloud costs, optimising cloud spending, and implementing FinOps principles to drive cost-effective cloud strategies while balancing performance and scalability. -Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field or equivalent work experience. -Troubleshooting: Strong problem-solving and debugging skills to identify and resolve issues quickly. -Documentation: Thorough documentation of configurations, processes, and procedures to ensure clarity and knowledge sharing. -Containerisation and Orchestration: Proficient with container technologies like Docker and container orchestration platforms such as Kubernetes. -Extensive experience with Microsoft Azure cloud services and PaaS/IaaS solutions. -Proven experience in defining and implementing cloud infrastructure standards and best practices. -Cloud Platform Expertise: Expert in MS Azure with a deep understanding of its services, features, and capabilities. -Security: Expertise in cloud security best practices, identity and access management (IAM), encryption, and compliance frameworks (e.g., PCI DSS, NIST). -Scaling and Performance Optimisation: Ability to scale cloud resources based on demand and optimize resource utilization for cost-effectiveness. -Networking: Strong knowledge of cloud networking concepts, including virtual networks, subnets, security groups, load balancers, and VPN configurations. -Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Knowledge of IaC tools like Terraform or CloudFormation to provision and manage infrastructure resources programmatically. -Cloud Security and Compliance: Expertise in applying security best practices, including identity and access management (IAM), encryption, regulatory compliance and cloud-native security tools. -Communication: Excellent communication skills to convey technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. -DevOps Principles: An understanding of DevOps practices and the ability to integrate development and operations workflows for faster and more reliable deployments.

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Benefits

-Company and performance-related bonus. -Free annual flu jab and eye test vouchers. -Study support may be available for job-related qualifications. -Pension contributions up to 11% (depending on your contribution). -Discounts with over 800 popular retailers. -Life assurance equal to 4x salary. -Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months service). -Health Cash Plan. -Occupational health service. -A network of sports and social clubs. -Digital GP service. -25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays. -Two paid volunteering days a year. -An employee assistance program. -Competitive maternity & paternity leave and flexible return to work options. -Cycle to work scheme.

About Southern Water

-Constructs reservoirs, pipelines, sewage treatment upgrades, and implements contingency measures like importing water during droughts. -Specializes in large-scale water infrastructure, operational delivery, and environmental engineering across the South East. -Notably fined for misreporting sewage spills; offers guided tours of Victorian sewers and public access to historic reservoirs.

Sector Specialisms

Security Clearance

-applicants must provide proof of uk eligibility (passport/ni, recent address) during recruitment.