Cloud Engineer Lead

Job Description and Duties

Are you a technical expert with a passion for building and securing enterprise-scale cloud environments? The California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Information Systems Division (ISD), is seeking a Cloud Engineer Lead (Information Technology Specialist III) to drive the technical execution of our cloud strategy. We are seeking a highly skilled Cloud Engineer to lead the implementation, operation, and continuous improvement of enterprise cloud platforms and services.

Within the Operations and Management Branch of the Information Systems Division, This role serves as a senior technical authority, translating cloud architecture and strategy into secure, scalable, cost-effective, and high-performance cloud solutions that enable operational excellence and support mission-critical business systems.

As a key member of the Operations and Management Branch, the ITS III Cloud Engineer works closely with Cloud Architects, security teams, development teams, and enterprise stakeholders to design, build, govern, and optimize cloud environments. This position emphasizes hands-on engineering leadership, automation, governance enforcement, and operational excellence across cloud platforms.

The ideal candidate demonstrates advanced technical expertise, strong problem-solving abilities, and the ability to collaborate across organizational teams to deliver reliable cloud solutions aligned with enterprise strategy, security, and compliance requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

- Engineering Leadership: Lead the deployment of enterprise cloud solutions, overseeing technical recovery, resiliency strategies, and operational readiness.

- Automation & DevOps: Build and integrate DevOps pipelines and automation frameworks to support VM-based workloads.

- Governance & Security: Implement and enforce cloud governance controls, including identity integrations (MFA, RBAC), resource tagging, and security posture management.

- Optimization & Research: Monitor cloud performance, execute cost-management practices, and conduct Proofs of Concept (PoCs) for emerging technologies.

- Mentorship: Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineering staff while serving as a key advisor to leadership on cloud capabilities.

The Department of Social Services does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

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Working Conditions

This work location is very convenient! This location is two blocks from the light rail and public transportation: within walking distance to the State Capitol, parks, restaurants, farmer’s markets and the Golden 1 Arena. Our building has easy access to I-5, Highway 50, and Highway 80.

This position may be eligible for Hybrid work. In-person attendance is required based on the operational needs of the position and in accordance with the Statewide Hybrid Telework Policy, Government Code section 14200, and any applicable department telework requirements. The successful candidate must reside in California at the time of appointment. Proof of California residency may be required.
Please note: Regular commute is not compensable.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.

Please Note: A Statement of Qualifications or Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted along with your application to be considered for this position. Applications submitted without an SOQ may be disqualified for this position.

Do not include any confidential information in any documents (i.e., application, resume, or transcripts) you submit for this job vacancy. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include but is not limited to: Social Security Number (SSN), birthday and/or age, photos, student/other ID number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, exam results, LEAP status, and marital status. Confidential information submitted via a CalCareer Account (electronic application) is automatically redacted upon submission.

This position requires a background investigation, including a criminal conviction history screening, before hire (IRS Publication 1075). Applicants are required to submit fingerprints via the Live Scan process to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Background investigation clearance is a condition of employment for this position.

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ):The SOQ must be typed, single-spaced, no more than two (2) pages, in 12-point Arial font, and must include your full name on each page. Please respond to the following two questions:

1) This position requires a shift from high-level architecture to hands-on technical execution. Describe a time when you were responsible for leading the end to end implementation of a complex enterprise cloud solution. How did you translate architectural designs into a functional, automated environment (IaC, CI/CD), and how did you manage the technical workload to ensure the project stayed on track?

2) As the Cloud Engineer Lead, you are responsible for ensuring the environment is secure and compliant. Describe your experience implementing cloud governance and security controls. How have you balanced the need for rapid deployment and innovation with strict requirements of state and federal security standards?

Resumes will not take the place of employment history.

You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD 678). You may be disqualified from the hiring and selection process if the employment history is inaccurate or incomplete. Resumes will not take the place of employment history.

If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts for verification. If selected, you may be required to provide official transcripts at the time of hire.

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview, but they must provide proof of residence in California prior to being eligible for appointment.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Infrastructure as Code: Mastery in developing and deploying cloud infrastructure using automation tools and templates (Bicep, ARM, etc.).

• CI/CD & DevOps: Proven experience building and integrating DevOps pipelines and automation frameworks to support workloads.

• Cloud Governance: Demonstrated ability to implement and enforce cloud governance controls, including Azure Policy, resource tagging, and intake/gating processes.

• Analytical and Strategic Thinking: Problem solving, and the ability to work independently, and to make sound recommendations based on research and analytical tools.

• Decision Making: The ability to exercise initiative and make timely decisions.

• Specialized Knowledge: Process Improvement methodologies and tool proficiency with within Microsoft Azure environment.

Benefits

There are many benefits to joining our team! The State of California has a generous benefits package that includes medical coverage, CalPERS pension upon retirement, two weeks paid vacation per year, two weeks paid sick leave per year, two paid Professional Development Days, one paid Personal Holiday, pre-tax parking fee program.

TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENT

• Public transit (mass transit) passes.

o 100 percent discount on public transit passes sold by state agencies, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

o 100 percent reimbursement on public transit passes purchased by state employees, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.

• Vanpool drivers and riders

o 100 percent reimbursement on the monthly fee, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.

Click here to view all the attractive benefits available to state employees! Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025

Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025 - Salaries do not reflect reductions from the Personal Leave Program, please see the applicable Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for additional information on the length and percentage of reductions.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications - (SOQ) Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission.