Azure Devops Engineer

Staff Engineer – Azure Kubernetes Services (AKS) Platform SpecialistWe are seeking a highly skilled Staff Engineer with deep expertise in Azure Kubernetes Services (AKS) to lead the design, implementation, security, and optimization of enterprise-grade container platforms. This role will drive AKS architecture standards, cloud automation, platform reliability, and secure application delivery while partnering with engineering, architecture, and security teams to enable scalable cloud-native solutions.Key ResponsibilitiesAKS Architecture & Platform EngineeringDesign, implement, and manage end-to-end Azure Kubernetes Services (AKS) platforms for mission-critical applications.Architect highly available, scalable, and resilient Kubernetes environments aligned with enterprise standards.Optimize cluster performance through node pool design, autoscaling strategies, resource allocation, and workload tuning.Provision and manage Azure infrastructure using Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Bicep, ARM, or similar tools).Implement automated environment provisioning and configuration management across development, testing, and production environments.DevOps & AutomationDesign and maintain CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps, GitOps practices, and Helm charts to streamline application delivery.Manage container lifecycle processes, including image repositories, deployment automation, and release management.Integrate Azure Container Registry (ACR) and enforce image governance, vulnerability scanning, and security controls.Support Kubernetes batch processing workloads using Jobs and CronJobs.Security & ComplianceImplement and maintain AKS security controls, including RBAC, Azure Entra ID (Azure AD) integration, network segmentation, and Kubernetes security best practices.Secure workloads through secrets management, pod security standards, mTLS communication, and runtime protection controls.Partner with security teams to implement vulnerability management, compliance monitoring, and remediation activities using tools such as Wiz.io and Microsoft Defender.Design secure API communication patterns and integrate API gateways and service meshes where appropriate.Networking & ConnectivityDesign and manage AKS networking using Azure CNI, Calico, ingress controllers, and Azure Application Gateway.Troubleshoot complex networking issues involving DNS, service discovery, ingress/egress traffic, and hybrid connectivity.Support integration of AKS workloads with Azure services including API Management (APIM), Key Vault, Application Gateway, and other platform services.Observability & Reliability EngineeringImplement enterprise monitoring, logging, alerting, and observability solutions using Azure Monitor, Prometheus, Grafana, and distributed tracing tools.Develop dashboards, operational metrics, and health monitoring capabilities to ensure platform reliability and performance.Lead backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning for Kubernetes platforms.Monitor platform health, availability, capacity, and operational performance to meet established SLAs.Technical LeadershipLead implementation of advanced Kubernetes capabilities such as service meshes (Istio, Linkerd) and platform modernization initiatives.Collaborate with architects, engineers, and product teams to establish AKS standards, patterns, and best practices.Provide technical mentorship and guidance to engineering teams on Kubernetes, containerization, cloud architecture, and DevOps practices.Partner with architecture and security teams to deliver scalable, secure, and compliant cloud-native solutions.Required Qualifications8+ years of experience in cloud engineering, platform engineering, DevOps, or Site Reliability Engineering.5+ years of hands-on Kubernetes experience, including production AKS environments.Deep expertise in Kubernetes architecture, networking, security, ingress controllers, and workload management.Strong experience with Azure services including AKS, Azure Networking, Azure Monitor, ACR, Key Vault, APIM, and Application Gateway.Experience with CI/CD automation, Azure DevOps, GitOps, Helm, and Infrastructure as Code.Strong knowledge of observability, incident management, disaster recovery, and operational excellence practices.Experience implementing enterprise security controls, vulnerability management, and cloud compliance frameworks.Excellent troubleshooting, communication, collaboration, and technical leadership skills.Preferred QualificationsMicrosoft Azure certifications (AZ-104, AZ-305, AZ-400, or related).Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) or Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS).Experience with service mesh technologies such as Istio or Linkerd.Experience supporting regulated environments within financial services or other highly regulated industries.Salary Range $110,000-$120,000 a yearLocation Phoenix, AZ