Job Title: Azure Cloud Engineer (Application Architect Level)
Location: Plano, TX (Hybrid)
Type: Contract (18 Months)
Pay Range: $55 - $60/hr

Job Overview:
We are seeking an experienced Azure Cloud Engineer with a strong background in cloud architecture, infrastructure automation, and application migration. The ideal candidate will be responsible for designing and implementing scalable cloud-based solutions, contributing to the organization's cloud transformation strategy, and helping migrate applications from on-premises environments to the cloud.

Key Responsibilities:

• Architect and implement cloud-native applications using Azure services.
• Develop Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Terraform and manage cloud resources efficiently.
• Design and build CI/CD pipelines using tools such as Jenkins, Maven, and related DevOps technologies.
• Participate in technical discussions, design reviews, and sprint planning sessions.
• Migrate legacy on-premise applications to cloud platforms with minimal disruption.
• Collaborate with development and infrastructure teams to ensure security, scalability, and performance of solutions.
• Conduct unit and integration testing for all developed functionalities.
• Ensure compliance with best practices for cloud security, access control, and cost optimization.
• Maintain documentation and support knowledge transfer to peers and stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:

• 7+ years of overall IT experience with at least 3-5 years focused on Azure cloud engineering.
• Deep understanding of Azure services and architectures.
• Hands-on experience with Terraform, ARM templates, or Bicep.
• Proficient in Linux/UNIX system administration.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and tools such as Jenkins, Git, and Maven.
• Familiar with Azure Cloud Adoption Framework (CAF) or similar frameworks.
• Experience with Containerization technologies like Docker, Kubernetes, or OpenShift.
• Background in Agile development and Test-Driven Development (TDD).
• Strong scripting skills using PowerShell, Bash, or Python.
• Knowledge of Identity and Access Management (IAM) and cloud security best practices.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10+ years of total experience in software or infrastructure roles.
• Azure or multi-cloud certifications (e.g., AZ-104, AZ-305, AWS Certified Solutions Architect).
• Prior experience working in financial services or other regulated industries.
• Experience with large-scale cloud migrations.