Cloud Engineering Lead - IGEN

IGEN; Appleton (WI); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

IGEN is seeking a Cloud Engineering Lead/Manager to set the vision for our cloud platform across Azure, GCP, and on-prem, while mentoring architects and engineers. The role collaborates with U.S.

Venture to align enterprise standards with product needs and enables modernization initiatives in a hybrid environment with on-site work in Appleton, WI (4 days on-site) and travel to nearby cities as needed. The position emphasizes strategic cloud transformation, governance, and cost optimization, with

Qualifications

• 10+ years IT experience with public cloud platforms (Azure and/or GCP) and demonstrated cloud leadership.
• 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 executive stakeholder influence.

Responsibilities

• Set technical direction for cloud platform and enablement, aligning with IT strategy.
• Build and operate infrastructure using IaC and configuration management; create CI/CD pipelines.
• Oversee design and implementation of scalable, secure cloud solutions; drive automation and DevOps/GitOps adoption.
• Establish and track SRE and FinOps practices; manage reliability, security, and cost governance.

Job description

Position Summary

Cloud Engineering Lead/Manager 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. The position also serves as the primary liaison to U.S. Venture for infrastructure, identity, and cloud platform coordination, ensuring alignment between enterprise standards and IGEN’s product and technology needs. We are open to considering candidates that can work on-site in Appleton, WI on a hybrid (4 days on-site) schedule and candidates within a drivable distance (i.e. Milwaukee, Madison, WI) on a hybrid schedule with regular trips to Appleton.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• 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).

Platform Engineering & Automation

• Build and operate infrastructure using Infrastructure as Code (preferred knowledge in Terraform) and configuration management (familiar with Ansible/Chef/Puppet).
• Create CI/CD pipelines (Azure DevOps/GitHub Actions/Cloud Build) for platform components, modules, and policy guardrails.
• Champion immutable infrastructure, declarative deployments, where appropriate.

Technical Excellence & Innovation

• 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.

Reliability, Security & Cost Governance

• 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.

Mentorship & Talent Development

• Leads and mentors members of the infrastructure engineering team, 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.

Executive & Stakeholder Engagement

• 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.
• Represent cloud engineering in executive forums, influencing investment, risk, and compliance decisions.

Primary Tools & Technologies

• Cloud: Azure, GCP, AWS; on-prem virtualization/storage (VMware, SAN/NAS)
• IaC/Config: Terraform, Bicep, Ansible/Chef/Puppet; Packer
• CI/CD & SCM: Azure DevOps, GitHub, Cloud Build, Git
• Containers: Docker, Kubernetes (AKS/GKE/EKS), Service Mesh
• Observability: Azure Monitor, GCP Cloud Monitoring/Logging, Prometheus/Grafana, Elastic
• Security: Entra ID/Azure AD, GCP IAM, Key Vault/Secret Manager, KMS, Azure Policy/Org Policy/OPA

Additional Job Responsibilities

• 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

Qualifications

Required:

• 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.

Preferred:

• 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.).

DIVISION

IGEN

U.S. Venture will not offer sponsorship for employment status (including, but not limited to, H-1B, TN, E-3, F1, CPT, OPT, STEM OPT, visa status and other employment‑based nonimmigrant visas) for this position. Accordingly, all applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis and must not require U.S. Venture’s sponsorship to continue to work legally in the United States. In general, U.S. Venture does not sponsor candidates for nonimmigrant visas or permanent residency except when there is a specific business need.

U.S. Venture, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or other protected characteristic.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may call Human Resources at [phone].

91-00-911-0000