Cloud Automation EngineerDescriptionDRCG is seeking a talented Cloud Automation Engineer to design, build, and maintain automated cloud infrastructure and deployment pipelines across AWS and Azure environments. The ideal candidate will have a passion for automation, a deep understanding of Infrastructure as Code principles, and the ability to create repeatable, scalable processes that enable rapid and reliable cloud deployments.
Location: Arlington, VA (onsite 3 days a week)
Clearance: Secret
Key Responsibilities:Infrastructure as Code & Automation
- Design, develop, and maintain Terraform modules for multi-cloud infrastructure provisioning
- Implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) best practices and standards across the organization
- Create and maintain Ansible playbooks for configuration management and application deployment
- Build reusable, modular automation frameworks that can be leveraged across multiple projects
- Develop and maintain infrastructure templates and blueprints for common deployment patterns
- Automate manual processes to improve efficiency and reduce human error
- Cloud Platform Management
- Deploy and manage infrastructure across AWS and Azure cloud platforms
- Implement and optimize AWS services including EC2, S3, VPC, Lambda, RDS, and CloudFormation
- Implement and optimize Azure services including VMs, Storage, Logic Apps, Functions, and ARM templates
- Design and implement serverless solutions using AWS Lambda and Azure Logic Apps
- Manage cloud networking components including VPCs, subnets, security groups, and routing
- Implement cloud security best practices and compliance controls
CI/CD Pipeline Development
- Design and implement automated deployment pipelines using GitHub Actions
- Build continuous integration and continuous deployment workflows for infrastructure and applications
- Create automated testing frameworks for infrastructure validation
- Implement pipeline security scanning and compliance checks
- Develop rollback and recovery mechanisms for failed deployments
- Optimize pipeline performance and reliability
Networking & Connectivity
- Design and implement cloud network architectures across AWS and Azure
- Configure VPNs, ExpressRoute, Direct Connect, and hybrid connectivity solutions
- Implement network security controls including firewalls, NSGs, and NACLs
- Troubleshoot network connectivity and performance issues
- Design and implement load balancing and traffic management solutions
- Manage DNS, routing, and network monitoring
Troubleshooting & Support
- Diagnose and resolve complex infrastructure and automation issues
- Perform root cause analysis on deployment failures and system outages
- Provide technical support and guidance to development teams
- Monitor infrastructure health and performance metrics
- Implement proactive alerting and monitoring solutions
- Document troubleshooting procedures and known issues
Process Improvement & Standardization
- Develop and document repeatable processes for infrastructure deployment
- Create standardized workflows and procedures for common tasks
- Establish best practices for cloud automation and IaC development
- Conduct code reviews and provide feedback on automation scripts
- Mentor team members on automation tools and techniques
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives
Required Qualifications:Technical Skills:
- Infrastructure as Code: 3+ years of hands-on experience with Terraform
- Configuration Management: Strong proficiency with Ansible
- Cloud Platforms: Solid experience with both AWS and Azure
- Serverless: Experience with AWS Lambda and Azure Logic Apps
- CI/CD: Hands-on experience building pipelines with GitHub Actions
- Scripting: Proficiency in Python, Bash, or PowerShell
- Version Control: Strong Git and GitHub workflow knowledge
- Networking: Deep understanding of cloud networking concepts and protocols
Core Competencies
- Strong understanding of TCP/IP, DNS, VPN, and routing protocols
- Experience with network troubleshooting tools and methodologies
- Knowledge of security best practices and compliance requirements
- Understanding of containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)
- Experience with monitoring and logging tools (CloudWatch, Azure Monitor, etc.)
- Familiarity with API development and integration
- Understanding of software development lifecycle and agile methodologies
Problem-Solving Skills
- Excellent analytical and troubleshooting abilities
- Ability to diagnose complex technical issues across multiple systems
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
- Proactive approach to identifying and resolving potential issues
- Ability to work under pressure during incident response
Soft Skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to document technical processes clearly and concisely
- Collaborative team player with cross-functional experience
- Self-motivated with ability to work independently
- Customer-focused mindset with emphasis on delivering value
Preferred Qualifications:- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect or Developer Associate
- Azure Administrator or Developer Associate certification
- HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate
- GitHub Actions or GitHub Certified expertise
- Experience with multi-cloud deployment strategies
- Knowledge of compliance frameworks (FedRAMP, NIST, CIS)
- Experience with infrastructure testing tools (Terratest, InSpec, Pester)
- Familiarity with GitOps practices and tools
- Previous experience in DevOps or Cloud Engineering roles
- Experience with cost optimization and FinOps practices
Technical Environment
- Cloud Platforms: AWS, Azure
- IaC Tools: Terraform, CloudFormation, ARM Templates
- Configuration Management: Ansible
- CI/CD: GitHub Actions, GitHub Workflows
- Serverless: AWS Lambda, Azure Logic Apps, Azure Functions
- Scripting: Python, Bash, PowerShell
- Version Control: Git, GitHub
- Monitoring: CloudWatch, Azure Monitor, Prometheus, Grafana
- Networking: VPC, VNet, VPN, ExpressRoute, Direct Connect
