Senior Cloud Engineer

Compunnel, Inc.; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading IT solutions provider is searching for a Senior Cloud Engineer to innovate and optimize cloud infrastructure. This hands-on position requires strong expertise in AWS and automation tools while leading DevOps initiatives across teams. The successful candidate will have 8+ years of IT experience and a strong ability to troubleshoot incidents. Collaborating with other teams, the engineer will enhance operational reliability and efficiency. This role is critical in supporting the organization’s cloud strategy and enhancing client solutions.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of IT experience required.
• 5+ years with cloud providers (AWS, Azure, Google) essential.
• 2+ years of hands-on AWS experience necessary.
• 3+ years of scripting/automation experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, and implement technical cloud solutions.
• Optimize legacy systems and deploy new infrastructure.
• Troubleshoot major incidents and lead post-mortem documentation.
• Manage and document cloud architecture and security measures.

Skills

Cloud infrastructure expertise

Automation experience

Scripting skills

DevOps mindset

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Cloud certifications (AWS SysOps Admin, AWS Solutions Architect)

Tools

Ansible

GitHub

Terraform

Jenkins

Job description

We are seeking a **Senior Cloud Engineer** with strong expertise in cloud infrastructure and automation. This is a hands‑on role requiring the ability to plan, design, and implement technical cloud solutions. You will help optimize legacy systems, deploy new infrastructure and cloud services, and reduce manual work through automation. The ideal candidate will have deep AWS experience, exposure to other cloud platforms, and strong scripting/automation skills. You will join a dedicated support team within a larger matrixed IT organization, taking a lead role in driving reliability, scalability, and efficiency.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Embrace and advocate a DevOps mindset across teams.
• Troubleshoot major incidents and facilitate blameless post‑mortem RCA documentation.
• Collaborate with development teams throughout the software lifecycle to ensure sustainable releases.
• Perform analytics on incidents and usage patterns to predict and prevent issues.
• Build and drive adoption of solutions for greater reliability, resiliency, and scalability.
• Lead and participate in performance and disaster recovery tests.
• Manage cloud infrastructure and automation tools hands‑on.
• Document cloud architecture, security measures, and support client audits.
• Mentor and train DevOps team members; collaborate with other cloud support teams.
• Work with security teams to design and implement cloud security best practices.
• Serve as technical point of contact for cloud services and communicate enterprise standards.
• Participate in 24×7 support coverage as needed.

CRITICAL SOFT SKILLS

• Strong interpersonal skills to interact with customers, peers, and executives.
• Excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to multi‑task and prioritize rapidly changing demands in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in teams.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• 8+ years of overall IT experience.
• 5+ years of hands‑on experience with a major cloud provider (AWS, Azure, Google, Oracle).
• 2+ years of hands‑on AWS experience.
• 3+ years of scripting/automation experience.
• Proficiency with scripting languages and automation tools (JSON, Python, Ansible, GitHub, CodeShuttle).
• Advanced knowledge of infrastructure components (networking, load balancing, orchestration, containerization, compute, storage).
• Working knowledge of Windows and Unix operating systems.
• Familiarity with monitoring tools (Splunk, AppDynamics).
• Experience in client‑facing production support environments.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field (equivalent experience considered).
• Cloud certifications desired (ranked by preference):
  • AWS SysOps Admin – Associate
  • AWS Solutions Architect – Associate or Professional
• SAFe certifications desired but not required
• Technical proficiencies include Terraform, Linux/Bash scripting, GitHub, and Jenkins.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to sit/stand at a desk for up to 90% of time.
• Ability to work a minimum of 40 hours per week.
• Ability to lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs.
• Frequent use of computer screens, keyboards, and office equipment.

HIRING CHALLENGES

• Skillset is niche: requires cloud infrastructure expertise plus automation experience.
• Many resumes appear strong but candidates underperform in interviews.
• Candidates relying on AI tools during interviews raise concerns; strong independent technical ability is required.