RPT 88 - Technical Lead – Azure Platform Engineering for Data Analytics and DevOps
Background
We are seeking a Technical Lead with a focus on Azure Platform Engineering to support the infrastructure layer for our data analytics and AI/ML environments. The successful candidate will lead the technical implementation of cloud-based data platforms while ensuring the scalability, performance, and security of our infrastructure. This is a contract role where your main responsibilities will focus on building and optimising the Azure cloud platform to enable our data teams (data engineers, AI/ML experts) to efficiently execute their workflows. Hands-on experience with Terraform, Azure DevOps, and Azure cloud infrastructure is essential, as you will be tasked with automating deployments and managing large-scale cloud resources.
Purpose of the Post
Specific duties include:
Key Responsibilities
Azure Platform Engineering: Lead the design, provisioning, and optimisation of the Azure cloud platform for data analytics and AI/ML workflows. Focus on infrastructure scalability, resilience, and high availability.
Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Implement and manage Infrastructure as Code using Terraform to automate the deployment and configuration of Azure resources, ensuring efficiency and repeatability.
Azure DevOps Integration: Manage and optimise CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps, ensuring that platform updates and infrastructure changes are deployed seamlessly across environments.
Cloud Resource Management: Optimise the performance, cost, and availability of cloud resources, including virtual machines, storage solutions, networking, and identity management.
Collaboration with Data Teams: Work closely with data engineers, AI/ML specialists, and analysts to ensure that the Azure platform supports their requirements without direct involvement in coding or data pipeline development.
Security and Compliance: Implement best practices for security, governance, and compliance across Azure services. Ensure the platform adheres to GDPR and other relevant regulations.
Monitoring and Performance Tuning: Establish robust monitoring, logging, and alerting systems using Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, and other tools to ensure platform health and performance.
Collaboration with Project Managers: Assist project managers by providing technical insights and support in the planning and execution of infrastructure-related components of data analytics initiatives.
Key Requirements
Expertise in Azure Platform Engineering: Extensive experience in designing and managing Azure-based platforms for large-scale data analytics, AI, and machine learning applications.
Infrastructure Automation (Terraform): Hands-on experience using Terraform to automate the provisioning, scaling, and management of Azure resources.
Azure DevOps: Experience managing CI/CD pipelines for infrastructure updates, automation, and operational workflows using Azure DevOps.
Cloud Resource Optimisation: Proven ability to optimise Azure resources for cost, performance, and availability, including managing compute, storage, and networking resources.
Security and Compliance: Strong understanding of Azure security best practices, identity and access management, encryption, and compliance frameworks such as GDPR.
Platform Monitoring: Proficiency in setting up and managing monitoring solutions like Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, and Application Insights to ensure platform stability and performance.
The successful candidate will have:
Desired Skills
Azure Certifications: Relevant certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect, Azure DevOps Engineer, or Azure Security Engineer.
Experience with Networking: Familiarity with Azure Networking, including Virtual Networks, VPNs, ExpressRoute, Load Balancers, and Traffic Manager.
Cost Management: Experience in managing and forecasting cloud costs using Azure Cost Management and optimising spending across Azure resources.
Data Governance Tools: Experience with tools like Azure Purview for data governance and cataloging (nice to have).
Personal Skills
Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills, with a focus on infrastructure-level problem solving and performance optimisation.
Leadership: Proven ability to lead technical projects, guide cross-functional teams, and communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Collaboration: Ability to work closely with data engineering and AI/ML teams, ensuring that platform-level solutions align with their needs.
Attention to Detail: Strong focus on ensuring the platform is resilient, secure, and scalable.
Length of contract: Temporary Contract - Full-Time
Start date of contract:
Daily/Hourly Rate: Competitive Day Rate
(inclusive of margin)
Outside IR35
Competitive Day Rate: Reflective of the candidate’s experience and skills.
Flexible Working: Remote working options or on-site, depending on project needs.
Project Impact: Play a critical role in delivering a robust and scalable Azure data platform for a major organisation.
Location: Apex Centre/Hybrid
ADM Account Required - Yes
Manager/Timesheet Approver: David Halligan, Chief Technology Officer/Simon Harrison, Cloud Architect
Funding/Budget Code: TBA
Interviews: w/c 23 October 2024 am and 25 October 2024 pm
Closing date: 3 cv’s by Friday 11 October 2024