Cloud Infrastructure Engineer IV

Description

GCIs Cloud Infrastructure Engineer IV will be a pivotal role in setting the strategic direction and guiding the architecture of the enterprise cloud infrastructure service line. This position encompasses all aspects of the software-defined infrastructure lifecycle including automated delivery Day 2 operations and providing oversight for Infrastructure as Code (IaC) initiatives. Ensures that software development best practices are followed across cloud-based infrastructure initiatives.

Engage in hands-on collaboration with a variety of enterprise tools and service lines to create innovative high-quality and carefully planned solutions. Requires participation in company-wide initiatives working cross-functionally across business units to enhance public cloud infrastructure solutions. As an engineer on the cloud infrastructure team will contribute to the operational support and continuous improvement of cloud solutions as well as the development of problem-solving strategies leveraging multiple public cloud platforms.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AT ALL LEVELS:

Cloud Platform Strategy & Governance

• Lead the development publication and promotion of the enterprise public cloud infrastructure platform direction.
• Collaborate with enterprise architects and domain-specific teams to shape cloud solutions and contribute to the creation of an overarching enterprise cloud strategy which includes policies frameworks and guidance.
• Work directly with enterprise infrastructure developers and service line customers to maximize the capabilities of cloud-based solutions.
• Drive the strategic direction of future technologies by synthesizing customer feedback and incorporating this information into roadmap planning and key public cloud initiatives.
• Provide guidance and leadership to various internal development teams ensuring the successful adoption and utilization of enterprise public cloud offerings.
• Spearhead initiatives focused on ensuring high availability (HA) of public cloud services collaborating with service line teams to define and implement solutions.
• Translate large-scale public cloud initiatives into actionable phases and deliverable feature sets aligning efforts with organizational goals and business direction.
• Prioritize and transform requests into clearly defined work units with well-established acceptance criteria ensuring seamless execution.
• Maintain alignment between public cloud infrastructure platforms and the broader strategic objectives of the organization.

Public Cloud Platform Support & Automation

• Offer proactive support for public cloud platforms ensuring automation through cloud-specific tools and deployment activities.
• Troubleshoot and resolve incidents leveraging the trouble ticketing system to track update and close issues in a timely manner.
• Implement configuration changes according to approved request processes ensuring minimal disruption to cloud operations.
• Address and resolve issues related to connectivity automation scripts networks DNS Active Directory (AD) integration and other cloud-related incidents.
• Test and validate routine configuration changes according to established management procedures to ensure system integrity.
• Produce comprehensive reports on performance productivity and outages; prepare ad hoc reports as requested by leadership.
• Maintain clear up-to-date infrastructure training and support documentation to ensure ongoing success and clarity in managing public cloud systems.

Research Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Continuously research evaluate and refine cloud infrastructure processes and tools to enhance service offerings.
• Stay current on the latest trends technologies and best practices in cloud infrastructure to support enterprise objectives.
• Collaborate with orchestration teams to achieve near-zero downtime across public cloud platforms optimizing operational efficiency.
• Work cross-functionally with other teams to ensure adherence to alignment standards and best practices for cloud infrastructure.
• Lead the creation of Proof of Concepts (POCs) and reference architectures ensuring that solutions are clear repeatable and aligned with best practices.
• Implement governance tools frameworks and processes that drive the architectural direction of the public cloud infrastructure platform.

Security & Compliance

• Ensure that IT-managed public cloud infrastructure complies with organizational and industry-specific security and compliance requirements.
• Work closely with the Enterprise Security Office (ESO) and relevant teams to enforce security policies ensuring the platform remains secure and compliant.
• Aid in audit and compliance investigations offering expertise in maintaining operational integrity and security posture.
• Promote and implement management processes as a best practice especially during the introduction of new configurations or production changes.
• Champion the integration of industry-leading cloud security standards ensuring that security best practices are consistently followed across the enterprise.

COMPETENCIES:

• ACCOUNTABILITY- Takes ownership for actions decisions and results; openly accepts feedback and demonstrates a willingness to improve.
• BASIC PRINCIPLES - Interacts with people in a way that builds mutual trust confidence and respect; adheres to GCIs Code of Conduct for Employees the Basic Principles.
• COLLABORATION - Works effectively with others to accomplish common goals and objectives; maintains positive relationships even under difficult circumstances.
• COMMUNICATION- Conveys thoughts and expresses ideas appropriately and professionally.
• COMPLIANCE - Follows internal controls; protects confidential information; abides by GCIs Code of Business Conduct & Ethics.
• CUSTOMER FOCUS - Demonstrates commitment to service excellence; gives high priority to customer satisfaction.
• RELIABILITY - Consistently follows through on assigned tasks as expected; demonstrates timely attendance at meetings training and other work obligations.
• RESULTS - Uses a combination of job knowledge initiative sound decision making innovation adaptability and problem solving.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Experience with Cloud service platforms utilizing enterprise-selected tools.
• High Availability (HA) concepts and direct experience with successful implementation of highly available (HA) and scalable solutions in public and/or private cloud space.
• Experience with contemporary software development practices and supporting tools.
• Experience with automation and orchestration tools and disciplines such as Terraform Chef Tanzu vRealize Automation Aria or other similar cloud platform agnostic tools.
• Experience with cloud computing platforms such as Amazon Web Services Azure and Google.
• Experience with network delivery architectures such as NSX IP Fabric and dedicated cloud connections not limited to Direct Connect and Express Route.
• Knowledge andor experience with containerization technologies and lifecycle management of these technologies.
• Understand contemporary architecture such as micro-services and containers.
• Working knowledge of common and industry standard cloud-native/cloud-friendly authentication mechanisms (OAuth OpenID etc.).
• Ability to explain differences between cloud-based and on-premises based solutions to customers.
• Ability to share mentor or teach others effectively using common IT solutions and tools in the cloud.
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills with IT infrastructure focus.
• SAFETY & SECURITY - Supports a safe work environment by following all workplace safety rules and guidelines; complies with applicable Security policies and procedures.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Proficient computer skills and MS Office knowledge (e.g. Outlook Teams Word Excel) to complete job duties effectively such as using the company intranet and to accurately retrieve and input information into databases or equivalent.

Additional Job Requirements:

This is a senior-level Engineer position requiring a high degree of specialized expertise. The individual must be an authority in their discipline with the ability to independently make critical technical decisions on complex design challenges. They will provide strategic technical direction and solutions ensuring that service level commitments are consistently met. This role involves leading and executing on complex projects while mentoring and providing oversight to junior engineers. Additionally the senior engineer will serve as a liaison between multiple business units and teams offering technical leadership and ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

Additional Competencies:

• Demonstrates leadership by example across all aspects of the role.
• Guides architecture design and solution development teams in a way that fosters success and cultivates future self-sufficiency.
• Encourages innovation facilitates continuous improvement and champions a collaborative team-oriented environment.

Minimum Qualifications:

Required: *A combination of relevant work experience and/or education sufficient to perform the duties of the job may substitute to meet the total years required on a year-for-year basis

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Bachelors degree in Computer Science Engineering or related field. *
• A minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience in Telecommunications Computer Science/Enterprise IT or a related field is required with the following specific experience: *
  • At least two (2) years of experience supporting legacy infrastructure environments (On-Premises); and
  • A minimum of three (3) years of experience supporting cloud-based infrastructure including platforms such as Azure AWS or Google Cloud; or
  • Alternatively five (5) years or more of experience in supporting cloud-based infrastructure would meet both requirements.
• Certification (one of the following):
  • Azure Fundamentals
  • AWS Cloud Practitioner
  • Google Cloud Engineer

Preferred:

• Telecommunications experience.
• Two (2) years of experience in a leadership supervisory or managerial role.
• Other relevant telecom industry or job specific certifications
  • Industry (non-technical) TOGAF CEA Certified SOA Architect CITA EACOE Open CA FEAC SAFe. Industry (technical): Azure AWS Google CCNP JNCIA JCNIP VCP VCAP VCDX.
  • Highly Desired: Two or more certifications in cloud-based vendor support programs.
  • Highly Desired: One specialty certification within public cloud (SAP Data Analytics Developer etc.).

DRIVING REQUIREMENTS:

• This position may require access to reliable transportation for occasional travel between retail store locations offices worksites or other locations as needed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and WORKING CONDITIONS:

Office/Remote:

• Work is primarily sedentary requiring daily routine computer usage.
• Ability to work shifts as assigned work in standard office/home office setting and operate standard office equipment.
• Ability to accurately communicate information and ideas to others effectively.
• Physical agility and effort sufficiently to perform job duties safely and effectively.
• Ability to make valid judgments and decisions.
• Available to work additional time on weekends holidays before or after normal work hours when necessary.
• Must work well in a team environment and be able to work with a diverse group of people and customers.
• Virtual workers must comply with remote work policies and agreements.

The company and its subsidiaries operate in a 24/7 environment providing critical services to Alaskans and may need to respond to public health and safety matters or other business emergencies. Due to business needs employees may be contacted outside of the core business hours to respond to the immediate emergency. As such you will be requested to provide emergency after-hour contact numbers to include your home and cell phone numbers if you have those services.Culture Engagement and Connection:At GCI we foster an environment where the unique perspectives of our employees customers and fellow Alaskans are celebrated. We add value to our community by nurturing and empowering each member of our workforce ensuring equal opportunities for every Trailblazer.EEO: GCI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race color religion national origin age sex sexual orientation gender identity marital status mental or physical disability veteran status or any other status or classification protected under applicable state or federal law.DISCLAIMER: The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.All employees of GCI work in support of the GCI Mission Statement and Declaration of Principles which are located on the GCI Career page and Employee portal.