Senior Cloud Engineer

I. Purpose of the Role

The Solution Architect – Cloud is responsible for leading the architecture, governance, optimization, and operational oversight of Bekaert's cloud platforms across Microsoft Azure and Alibaba Cloud. The role ensures that cloud services are secure, scalable, resilient, and cost-efficient while enabling business innovation through modern cloud technologies, automation, data, and AI services.
As a cloud subject matter expert, the position drives the adoption of enterprise cloud best practices, Azure Landing Zones, cloud governance frameworks, FinOps disciplines, monitoring and observability standards, and cloud security controls. The role provides technical leadership for cloud transformation initiatives, application modernization, AI-enabled solutions, and platform engineering capabilities across the organization.
The <POSITION_TITLE> collaborates closely with business stakeholders, application teams, security teams, architecture teams, and strategic service partners to define cloud standards, evaluate emerging technologies, and ensure successful delivery of cloud solutions aligned with Bekaert's business objectives.

II. Roles and Responsibilities

Cloud Architecture & Design
• Design, implement, and optimize enterprise-scale cloud architectures on Azure and Alibaba Cloud.
• Through understanding of Azure landing zones, Azure AI Landing Zones, subscription structures, networking, security, and governance frameworks.
• Architect highly available, resilient, and scalable solutions for business-critical applications.
• Lead cloud modernization and migration initiatives from on premises to cloud.
• Review application onboarding requirements and provide cloud architecture recommendations.
Cloud Operations & Support
• Ensure platform availability, performance, reliability, and security.
• Comprehensive knowledge of IT service management (ITSM) practices, including incident, problem, change, and capacity management.

• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) activities and implement preventive measures.
• Define and maintain operational standards, runbooks, and SOPs.
FinOps & Cost Optimization
• Monitor cloud consumption and spending across Azure and Alibaba Cloud environments.
• Implement FinOps practices for chargeback/showback and budget management.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities through Reserved Instances, Savings Plans, Spot VMs, and resource optimization.
• Build cloud cost dashboards and executive reports.
• Partner with Finance and business stakeholders to forecast and manage cloud budgets.
Monitoring & Observability
• Define SLIs, SLOs, and operational KPIs.
• Implement proactive monitoring, logging, and automated remediation.
Cloud Security & Governance
• Well experience with cloud security best practices and compliance requirements.
• Manage IAM, RBAC, PIM, Conditional Access, and security policies.
• Experienced with - Microsoft Defender for Cloud, Azure Policy and Alibaba Cloud Security Center.
• Conduct security assessments and remediation activities.
• Support audits and regulatory compliance requirements.
Networking & Connectivity
• Hands experienced with :- VNets, VPCs, Private Endpoints, VPN Gateways, ExpressRoute, Load Balancers, Application Gateways & DNS Services.
• Troubleshoot network performance and connectivity issues across hybrid environments.
Automation & DevOps
• Strong experience with developing Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions using: Terraform, Bicep & ARM Templates.
• Automate operational processes using: PowerShell, Azure CLI, Python & Bash.
• Support CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps.
• Implement platform automation and self-service capabilities.
Stakeholder Management
• Collaborate with application teams, security teams, vendors, and cloud providers.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship as and when required.
• Support cloud strategy discussions and technology roadmaps.
• Communicate technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

III. Skills & Competencies

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field. 
• 12+ years of experience in IT Infrastructure, Cloud Engineering, or Cloud Architecture. 
• 8+ years of hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure and cloud-native services. 
• Strong understanding of cloud architecture principles, landing zones, and enterprise-scale cloud deployments. 
• Experience designing and governing Azure Landing Zones, subscriptions, management groups, and policies. 
• Expertise in cloud networking including VNets/VPCs, ExpressRoute, VPN, Private Endpoints, DNS, Load Balancers, and hybrid connectivity. 
• Strong knowledge of cloud security, identity, access management, RBAC, PIM, and governance frameworks. 
• Experience in Azure Policy, Defender for Cloud, Security Center, and compliance controls. 
• Proven experience in cloud operations, service management, and operational governance. 
• Strong understanding of ITIL-based Incident, Problem, Change, Capacity, and Availability Management processes. 
• Experience leading major incident management, root cause analysis (RCA), and service improvement initiatives. 
• Strong experience with monitoring, observability, logging, and alerting solutions. 
• Hands-on experience with Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, Application Insights, Workbooks and CloudMonitor and Azure & Alibaba native backups and HA/DR strategies.
• Experience in FinOps, cloud cost optimization, budgeting, forecasting, and cloud financial management. 
• Knowledge of Azure Reservations, Savings Plans, Azure Hybrid Benefit, and resource optimization strategies. 
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Terraform, Bicep, or ARM templates. 
• Proficiency in PowerShell, Azure CLI, Python, or Bash scripting. 
• Experience with Azure DevOps, GitHub, CI/CD pipelines, and automation frameworks. 
• Knowledge of containerization and modern application platforms such as AKS, Container Apps, App Services, and Functions. 
• Experience supporting cloud migration, modernization, and transformation initiatives. 
• Understanding of disaster recovery, backup, business continuity, and resilience strategies. 
• Ability to define cloud standards, architecture patterns, governance controls, and best practices. 
• Experience managing and governing services delivered by external vendors and managed service providers. 
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to engage technical and business audiences. 
• Ability to provide technical leadership, mentoring, and guidance across cloud initiatives. 
• Relevant certifications such as Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Azure Administrator, Terraform Associate, or Alibaba Cloud certifications are preferred.