Primary Purpose

The IT Cloud Architect is a member of the core infrastructure team within the Information Technology division.  The role will drive the automation and optimization of VELCO's cloud infrastructure, DevOps practices, enterprise productivity suite environment, and API integrations.

Expectations are that the Cloud Architect will exhibit a deep understanding of cloud services, infrastructure as code (IaC), containerization, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) methodologies, enterprise productivity suite administration, and API development using RESTful services.

Responsibilities

Cloud Infrastructure Design and Management

• Architect and build highly available, scalable, and secure cloud environments.
• Provision and configure cloud resources such as virtual machines, app services, load balancers, databases, and storage solutions.
• Implement and maintain infrastructure as code (IaC) using tools like Terraform or cloud-native template solutions.
• Optimize cloud resource utilization and implement cost management strategies.

API Integrations and RESTful Services

• Design and develop RESTful APIs for integrating applications and services within the cloud ecosystem.
• Integrate third-party APIs with existing systems and newly developed APIs.
• Implement secure API authentication and authorization mechanisms.
• Develop API documentation and ensure adherence to API standards and best practices.
• Collaborate with development teams to facilitate API integrations and consume third-party APIs.

DevOps and CI/CD Pipelines

• Establish and maintain CI/CD pipelines using modern DevOps tools and practices.
• Automated build, testing, and deployment processes for applications to cloud environments.
• Implement automated testing frameworks and quality assurance practices within the pipelines.
• Collaborate with development teams to streamline the software delivery process.
• Automation and Configuration Management:
• Develop and maintain infrastructure as code (IaC) using appropriate tools and templating languages.
• Automate provisioning, configuration, and management of cloud resources using automation tools and desired state configuration.
• Implement configuration management best practices and version control using Git repositories.

Security and Compliance

• Ensure cloud infrastructure and applications adhere to security best practices and compliance requirements.
• Implement secure network configurations, access controls, and data encryption using appropriate cloud security tools.
• Collaborate with security teams to maintain compliance with industry standards and regulations.

Enterprise Productivity Suite Administration

• Manage and administer the organization's enterprise productivity suite environment, including user accounts, email, collaboration tools, and advanced security and compliance features.
• Implement and maintain security and compliance policies, such as Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Advanced Threat Protection (ATP), and Information Protection (IP).
• Provision and configure enterprise-grade security services.
• Provide support and training to end-users on productivity suite applications and services.

Documentation and Knowledge Sharing

• Document cloud infrastructure, configurations, processes, and API specifications for effective knowledge transfer.
• Provide training and guidance to development teams on DevOps practices, cloud technologies, productivity suites, and API development.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of DevOps processes and tooling.

Monitoring, Logging, and Observability

• Design and implement monitoring and logging solutions for cloud infrastructure and applications.
• Utilize appropriate tools for observability and troubleshooting.
• Analyze logs and metrics to identify and resolve issues proactively.

Enterprise Productivity Suite Administration

• Manage and administer the organization's enterprise productivity suite environment, including user accounts, email, collaboration tools, and advanced security and compliance features.
• Implement and maintain security and compliance policies, such as Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Advanced Threat Protection (ATP), and Information Protection (IP).
• Provision and configure enterprise-grade security services.
• Provide support and training to end-users on productivity suite applications and services.

Documentation and Knowledge Sharing

• Document cloud infrastructure, configurations, processes, and API specifications for effective knowledge transfer.
• Provide training and guidance to development teams on DevOps practices, cloud technologies, productivity suites, and API development.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of DevOps processes and tooling.
• A Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, or a related field; Master's Degree preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Education & Training

Experience

• · Minimum of 10 years of experience in cloud engineering, DevOps, or related roles.
• · Hands-on experience with major cloud platforms (IaaS, PaaS, and managed services).
• · Experience with infrastructure such as code (IaC) tools.
• · Experience in administering and managing enterprise productivity suite environments, including advanced security and compliance features.
• · Experience implementing cloud systems in established organizations

Knowledge/Skills

• · Proficiency in containerization technologies (Docker) and container orchestration platforms.
• Familiarity with DevOps tools and CI/CD pipelines.
• Knowledge of cloud monitoring and logging solutions.
• Understanding of security best practices and compliance requirements in cloud environments.
• Familiarity with RESTful API development and integration practices.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to serve as a liaison with developers, project managers, and customer support.
• Patient and professional demeanor with can-do attitude.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical, interpretive, negotiation, and project management skills.
• Ability to interact effectively and professionally with a diverse group of employees throughout the organization.
• Ability to plan and complete multiple, diverse tasks and meet challenging deadlines.
• Able to clearly present complex technical information to committees, management, external regulators and industry associations. 

Physical/Mental Demands

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.  Must be able to maintain fast pace while completing complex, analytical work, in potentially stressful situations, with competing priorities, within tight timelines and with frequent interruptions. Rotating, on-call coverage is required. Must be able to work additional hours when necessary. Periodic travel and overnight stays will be required when attending industry workshops, trainings, etc.

• VELCO is an Equal Employment Opportunity & Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
• Starting pay will be determined at the time of offer based on the experience, education, and training of the successful candidate.
• Eligible applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.
• VELCO is handling all aspects of talent acquisition internally and will not engage the services of third-party staffing agencies, recruiters, or headhunters. We kindly request that these entities refrain from contacting us.

• Any offer of employment will be contingent upon successful reference checks, background check, physical examination, and drug screening. Effective July 8th, 2024, we are no longer requiring COVID-19 vaccinations from new hires. However, we reserve the right to reinstate this requirement at any time in the future. Depending on position requirements, additional assessments may be required.

• VELCO's headquarters are located in Rutland, Vermont. This is a hybrid position and the expectation is that the incumbent will spend at least two days per week onsite and more as needed.
• If you need an accommodation as part of the application or interview process please reach out.