Cloud Ops Lead (IaC + DevOps & CI/CD)

Job Description: Cloud Ops Lead (IaC + DevOps & CI/CD)

Location: Dubai

Employment Type: Full-Time

Department: IT/Cloud Operations

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Cloud Ops Lead with deep expertise in Azure services, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), DevOps practices, and CI/CD pipeline implementation. The ideal candidate will lead the design, deployment, and management of scalable, secure, and efficient cloud infrastructure, driving automation and operational excellence across Linux, Windows, and Unix platforms. This role requires hands-on technical leadership, strong collaboration skills, and a passion for optimizing cloud operations.

Key Responsibilities

Cloud Infrastructure Management: Design, implement, and manage Azure-based infrastructure, including Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure Virtual Machines (VMs), Azure Arc, and other Azure services.

Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Develop, maintain, and optimize IaC solutions using ARM Templates, Ansible, Terraform, and Bicep to ensure consistent and repeatable infrastructure deployments.

CI/CD Pipeline Design & Implementation: Architect and implement robust CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps and GitHub Actions to support automated build, test, and deployment processes.

Automation & Optimization: Drive automation initiatives to streamline cloud operations, reduce manual interventions, and improve system reliability and scalability.

Cloud Architecture: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and implement secure, scalable, and cost-effective cloud architectures aligned with business objectives.

Platform Management: Oversee and support multi-platform environments (Linux, Windows, Unix) to ensure high availability, performance, and security.

Monitoring & Incident Response: Implement monitoring, logging, and alerting systems to proactively manage cloud infrastructure and lead incident resolution when required.

Team Leadership & Mentorship: Provide technical guidance to the Cloud Ops team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.

Compliance & Security: Ensure cloud infrastructure adheres to industry best practices, compliance standards, and security protocols.

Documentation & Reporting: Maintain comprehensive documentation of infrastructure designs, processes, and CI/CD workflows, and provide regular updates to stakeholders.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Azure Services Expertise:

Hands-on experience with Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Arc, and other Azure services (e.g., Azure Networking, Storage, or Security).

Proficiency in designing and managing Azure-based solutions for scalability and resilience.

Infrastructure as Code (IaC):

Strong expertise in ARM Templates, Ansible, Terraform, and Bicep for provisioning and managing cloud infrastructure.

Experience in version control and best practices for IaC development.

Cloud Architecture & Deployment:

Proven ability to design and implement CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps and GitHub Actions.

Experience in architecting cloud solutions for high availability, disaster recovery, and performance optimization.

Automation:

Deep knowledge of automation tools and frameworks, with hands-on experience in Azure DevOps and GitHub Actions for automating deployments and workflows.

Platform Expertise:

Extensive experience managing Linux, Windows, and Unix environments in a cloud setting.

Familiarity with containerization (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes) and orchestration.

Soft Skills:

Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and mentor junior team members.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

7+ years of experience in cloud operations, DevOps, or a related role, with at least 3 years in a leadership capacity.

Azure certifications (e.g., Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Azure DevOps Engineer Expert).

Experience with other cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP) is a plus.

Knowledge of scripting languages (e.g., PowerShell, Bash, Python) for automation.

Familiarity with compliance frameworks (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, SOC 2).