Cloud FinOps Engineer

Job Title: Cloud FinOps Engineer

Location: Remote or hybrid in Buffalo Grove IL (preferred) ***Please note candidate preference on resume***

Contract Type: Sub-contractor not Allowed / only w2

Top Skills Required :

1. Cloud billing forecasting and financial reporting.

2 Hands on experience on Cloud Native tools and FinOps platform tools

3. Proficiency in Python for scripting and automation

Job Summary

The Cloud FinOps Engineer is a key member of the Cloud Center of Excellence (CoE) responsible for enabling financial accountability cost optimization and cost transparency across enterprise cloud platforms. This role partners with application delivery teams cloud platform engineering security finance and portfolio leadership to ensure cloud consumption is efficient governed and aligned to business outcomes.
Operating within the Cloud CoE engagement model this role combines hands on analysis and execution with advisory and governance responsibilities driving measurable cloud cost savings while embedding FinOps best practices into cloud adoption migration and modernization efforts.

Fundamental Components (Key Responsibilities)
Cloud Financial Management & Governance
Establish and operationalize cloud financial management (FinOps) standards including:
Cost allocation tagging and ownership models
Showback / chargeback constructs aligned to portfolio funding
Budgetary tracking and spend variance management
Ensure cloud cost governance standards are integrated into Cloud CoE intake design and delivery processes.
Partner with Finance and Technology stakeholders to align cloud spend visibility with enterprise financial reporting expectations.

Cost Optimization & Value Realization
Lead cost optimization initiatives across cloud environments including:
Rightsizing and right typing of compute storage and platform services
Identification and remediation of idle unused or underutilized resources
Optimization of savings instruments (e.g. commitments reservations savings plans)
Work directly with application and technical owners to prioritize track and realize savings opportunities.
Maintain accountability for validated cost savings including forecasted and annualized impacts.

Cost Transparency Metrics and Reporting
Develop and maintain cloud cost metrics dashboards and KPIs including:
Spend trends anomalies and usage patterns
Savings realized versus forecast
Application level and portfolio level cost efficiency indicators
Translate cost and usage data into clear executive ready insights for Cloud CoE leadership and senior stakeholders.
Contribute to leadership reporting reviews and audit ready documentation related to cloud financial performance.

Advisory Enablement and Engagement
Serve as a FinOps advisor to engineering teams throughout:
Cloud intake and technical readiness
Migration and modernization initiatives
Ongoing production optimization
Deliver FinOps enablement through:
Office hours and working sessions
Training materials and documentation
Embedded Cloud CoE playbooks and best practices
Influence engineering behavior by promoting cost aware design and operational practices.

Collaboration & Continuous Improvement
Partner with Cloud Platform Engineering Security and Architecture teams to ensure cost efficient compliant cloud designs.
Collaborate with Program and Portfolio teams to support financial transparency for strategic initiatives.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of Cloud CoE processes tooling and standards related to cloud financial management.

Required Qualifications
Bachelor s degree or equivalent experience
5 years of experience in cloud engineering cloud operations FinOps or technology financial management
Hands on experience with at least one major cloud provider (AWS Azure and/or GCP)
Strong understanding of:
Cloud consumption and pricing models
Cost allocation and tagging strategies
Financial drivers of cloud native architectures
Proven ability to partner effectively across engineering finance and leadership audiences
PowerBI hands on experience to create visualization/dashboards

Preferred Qualifications
FinOps Foundation certification (Practitioner or Professional)
Experience working within a Cloud Center of Excellence (CoE) or shared services cloud model
Experience supporting large scale migrations or modernization programs
Strong analytical skills with experience using cost management and reporting tools
Experience in regulated or large enterprise environments
Healthcare domain expertise