Cloud Operations Engineer

Job Title: Cloud Operations Engineer

Location: Phoenix, AZ (Hybrid)

Duration: Long Term Position

Description:

This is a contract to hire position. All candidates must be eligible to convert to an FTE. The State is unable to sponsor any visas. Onsite on the first day then once a quarter.
Cloud Operations Engineer
Location: 3300 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85012
Work Arrangement: Hybrid / Remote (In-office once monthly, and as required for business needs)
Employment Type: Temp-to-Hire. 6 12-month contract with opportunity to transition to a permanent State role based on performance. Our goal with this position is long-term retention; we ask that only individuals with a genuine interest in transitioning into a permanent, full-time public-service career apply.
Candidate must reside in or relocate to Arizona
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 PowerShell, 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, CloudOps 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.