Principal Cloud Engineer
About The Position
The Principal Cloud Engineer is a technical and strategic leader for the cloud platform and enablement function, responsible for setting vision, driving innovation, and ensuring alignment with business objectives across hybrid and multi-cloud environments (Azure, GCP, on-prem). This role mentors architects and senior engineers, influences executive stakeholders, and leads the development of enterprise-wide cloud strategies, standards, and transformation initiatives. In the first 12 months in this role, you will have an opportunity to: · Digest, understand and aide in improving and implementing the enterprise cloud strategy, reference architectures, and technology roadmaps. · Lead adoption of advanced cloud-native patterns (e.g., GitOps, SRE, FinOps, Zero Trust) across all platform teams. · Sponsor and guide major transformation initiatives (e.g., migration, modernization, automation at scale). · Establish and track organizational SLOs for reliability, security, and cost optimization. · Build and nurture a high-performing, inclusive cloud engineering culture through mentorship and coaching. · Represent cloud engineering in executive forums, influencing investment, risk, and compliance decisions. Location: This role is located on-site in Appleton, WI with occasional off-hours maintenance and participation in an on-call rotation.
Requirements
- Progressive IT experience, with 10+ years experience with public cloud platforms, such as Azure and/or GCP. Additionally, demonstrated cloud architecture/engineering leadership.
- Proven track record of leading large-scale cloud transformation initiatives in hybrid/multi-cloud environments (Azure, GCP, on-prem).
- Deep expertise in cloud architecture, automation (Terraform, Bicep), CI/CD, SRE, and security.
- Demonstrated leadership, mentorship, and organizational influence.
- Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and executive presence.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced certifications: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Google Professional Cloud Architect, AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, CKA/CKAD, HashiCorp Terraform Associate.
- Experience with enterprise-scale migrations, modernization, and cloud financial management (FinOps).
- Background in compliance frameworks (SOC2, ISO, HIPAA, etc.) and policy-as-code.
- Published thought leadership (whitepapers, conference presentations, patents, etc.).
Responsibilities
- Set technical direction for cloud platform and enablement, aligning with business and IT strategy.
- Develop and evangelize enterprise cloud standards, guardrails, and best practices.
- Lead cross-functional architecture reviews and technology selection processes.
- Digest, understand and aide in improving and implementing the enterprise cloud strategy, reference architectures, and technology roadmaps.
- Sponsor and guide major transformation initiatives (e.g., migration, modernization, automation at scale).
- Oversee design and implementation of complex, scalable, and secure cloud solutions.
- Drive adoption of automation, Infrastructure as Code, and modern DevOps/GitOps workflows.
- Evaluate emerging technologies and guide proof-of-concept initiatives.
- Lead adoption of advanced cloud-native patterns (e.g., GitOps, SRE, FinOps, Zero Trust) across all platform teams.
- Champion SRE and FinOps practices; set organizational SLOs and cost optimization targets.
- Ensure robust security, compliance, and disaster recovery strategies are embedded in all solutions.
- Establish and track organizational SLOs for reliability, security, and cost optimization.
- Lead incident response for critical events and oversee post-mortem analysis.
- Mentor architects, senior engineers, and high-potential talent; foster a culture of learning and innovation.
- Develop and deliver training programs, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions.
- Support career development and succession planning within the cloud engineering organization.
- Build and nurture a high-performing, inclusive cloud engineering culture through mentorship and coaching.
- Communicate technical vision and strategy to executive leadership and business stakeholders.
- Influence investment decisions, risk management, and compliance initiatives.
- Represent the cloud engineering function in external forums, industry groups and vendor engagements.
- Live our values of High Performance, Caring Relationships, Strategic Foresight, and Entrepreneurial Spirit
- Find A Better Way by championing continuous improvement and quality control efforts to identify opportunities to innovate and improve efficiency, accuracy, and standardization
- Continuously learn and develop self professionally
- Support corporate efforts for safety, government compliance, and all other company policies & procedures
- Perform other related duties as required and assigned
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
Education Level
No Education Listed
