Cloud Platform Engineer

Sound Transit • Seattle, WA

2d • $81,000 - $160,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

As a Cloud Platform Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in designing, implementing, and maintaining our cloud infrastructure to support IT operations and digital initiatives. This position works collaboratively with cross-functional teams to ensure a secure, scalable, and highly available Azure cloud environment that enhances reliability and service delivery across the Agency. This will include establishing a framework to manage our Azure environment. Expectation is to adhere to enterprise architecture strategy and direction, establish standards as needed, and work across all IT teams in supporting the business demand, data platform needs, and other administrative and planning needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Management Information Systems or closely related field.
• Four years of experience in Azure cloud engineering role or closely related field; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven experience as a Cloud Platform Engineer or similar role.
• Strong knowledge of Azure cloud platform.
• Strong knowledge of PowerShell and Infrastructure as Code tools and automation.
• Strong knowledge of Active Directory Object Administration, Management, and Federation Services.
• Strong knowledge of cost management and related techniques in a cloud environment.
• Knowledge of Databases, including SQL and schemas.
• Familiarity with cloud security best practices and compliance standards.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work in a collaborative team environment.
• Strong documentation skills.
• Exceptional listening, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Modeling, prototyping, and alternatives analysis.
• Capacity management and designing scalable solutions.
• ITSM, PMLC, SDLC, and strategic planning of Information Technology including corporate business systems and transit systems.
• In depth understanding of key issues and success factors within an IT organization.
• Familiarity with Business Intelligence and data management best practices.
• Knowledge of IT applications, processes, software, and equipment.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Possesses a solid technology culture with a strong interest and ability in learning new technologies in both corporate business technologies and transit technologies.
• Continuous improvement.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public.
• Working effectively under pressure, meeting deadlines, and adjusting to changing priorities.

Nice To Haves

• Azure Administrator
• Azure Security
• Solution Architect
• Knowledge of AWS or other cloud platforms.

Responsibilities

• Work with solution architects to design, deploy, and maintain cloud-based infrastructure solutions on Azure platform.
• Implement best practices for security, scalability, and performance optimization.
• Automate provisioning and deployment processes to enhance operational and financial efficiency.
• Collaborate with software development teams and solution architects to ensure compatibility with cloud platforms.
• Work with third-party cloud service providers to ensure seamless integration and support.
• Automating deployments of new applications and services to the cloud platform.
• Establish and maintain security protocols, access controls, and compliance standards for Azure environment.
• Monitor and mitigate security risks, conduct regular vulnerability assessments, and ensure data protection.
• Utilize Infrastructure as Code tools (e.g., ARM, Ansible) to manage infrastructure configurations.
• Version control and document infrastructure changes.
• Monitor system performance and troubleshoot issues to optimize cloud resources.
• Implement cost management strategies to control cloud expenditure.
• Monitoring and scaling cloud systems to handle user traffic and maintain service uptime.
• Analyzing cloud usage and identifying opportunities to optimize cost and performance.
• Develop and maintain disaster recovery plans and ensure high availability of cloud services.
• Conduct regular backups and recovery tests.
• Collaborate with IT teams, developers, and stakeholders to gather requirements and provide technical expertise.
• Document configurations, procedures, and troubleshooting guides.
• Collaborate and train operational support teams on the implementation of new cloud-based initiatives, services, and technologies ensuring alignment with standards and service level agreements.
• Stay updated on cloud technology trends and recommend improvements to existing infrastructure.
• Participate in capacity planning and scalability efforts.
• Troubleshoot incidents, identify root causes, fix, and document problems, and implement preventive measures.
• Demonstrate exceptional problem-solving skills, with an ability to see and solve issues before they affect business productivity.
• Champion proactive, innovative IT solutions for the improvement of IT design and operation whenever and wherever possible.
• Participates in preventative maintenance weekends and after-hours maintenances (as needed) to ensure critical updates are applied to agency systems; documents work performed and maintains accurate change management records; updates system documentation and process documentation as needed.
• Drive problem investigations and resolution as required.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Two choices of medical plans
• Dental plan
• Vision plan
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit
• 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution)
• 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service
• 12 paid holidays
• up to 2 paid floating holidays
• up to 2 paid volunteer days per year
• 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents
• Pet Insurance
• ORCA Card
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services
• competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity
• work-life balance
• opportunities for professional development
• recognition from your colleagues

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level