Principal DevOps Engineer

Overview:

The Principal DevOps Engineer will be responsible for implementing and managing our Azure-based DevOps infrastructure. This senior-level role requires an expert in Azure DevOps, automation, and CI/CD pipeline development, who can lead cross-functional initiatives, provide technical direction, and mentor the DevOps engineering team. The ideal candidate is a thought leader in DevOps practices, with a deep understanding of cloud infrastructure, automation, and best practices for security and compliance.

• DevOps Strategy & Leadership:
  Define and lead the DevOps strategy, establishing best practices, guidelines, and standards for cloud operations. Act as a subject matter expert for DevOps, providing technical leadership and guidance across teams.
• CI/CD Pipeline Design and Optimization:
  Design and maintain scalable, automated CI/CD pipelines, leveraging Azure DevOps and related tools to support rapid development and deployment cycles. Continuously assess and improve pipeline performance, reliability, and scalability.
• Automation & Infrastructure as Code (IaC):
  Use IaC tools such as ARM, Terraform, or Bicep to automate the deployment and management of infrastructure. Ensure consistent, reliable, and repeatable environments across development, staging, and production.
• Security & Compliance:
  Implement security best practices in all DevOps processes, including access management, network security, and data protection. Ensure DevOps practices comply with industry standards (ISO 27001, PCI, HIPAA) and conduct regular audits to maintain compliance.
• System Monitoring, Logging, & Incident Response:
  Design and implement comprehensive monitoring and logging solutions using Azure Monitor, Application Insights, and other tools. Establish incident response protocols and provide hands-on support for troubleshooting and performance tuning.
• Mentorship & Collaboration:
  Mentor and develop junior DevOps engineers, fostering a culture of learning, innovation, and collaboration. Collaborate closely with development, QA, and operations teams to promote DevOps best practices and drive a shared understanding of CI/CD and infrastructure needs.
• Performance & Cost Optimization:
  Optimize cloud resource usage and costs by continuously monitoring usage, performance, and billing metrics. Make recommendations for scaling and resource management to ensure efficient, cost-effective solutions.
• Documentation & Knowledge Sharing: Develop and maintain clear documentation, including architectural diagrams, SOPs, and troubleshooting guides. Promote knowledge sharing within the team and across departments to drive continuous improvement and learning.

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 7+ years of experience in DevOps, with at least 5+ years focused on Azure.
• Proven expertise in Azure DevOps and related tools for CI/CD, infrastructure management, and automation.
• Extensive experience with IaC (e.g., Terraform, ARM, Bicep) and configuration management tools.
• Strong knowledge of containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) and microservices architecture.
• Deep understanding of cloud security practices, compliance requirements, and data protection in Azure.
• Experience with scripting and automation using tools like PowerShell, Bash, and Python.
• Advanced understanding of network architecture, security controls, and performance optimization in cloud environments.
• Strong troubleshooting skills with experience in incident management and root cause analysis.

Preferred Skills:

• Azure Solutions Architect or Azure DevOps Engineer Expert certification.
• Experience in regulated industries (e.g., healthcare or financial services), with an understanding of HIPAA, PCI, or ISO 27001 compliance.
• Familiarity with monitoring and logging tools (e.g., Grafana, Prometheus, ELK Stack).
• Experience with Agile methodologies and collaborative work in cross-functional teams.