Role: Cloud Engineer - Azure Location: Alpharetta, GA or Berkeley Heights, NJ – Onsite Type: Contract W2 Position Summary: As a Cloud Infrastructure Engineer with deep expertise in Microsoft Azure, you will be responsible for designing, building, and maintaining secure, scalable, and resilient cloud infrastructure to support enterprise applications and services. You will lead the development of automated solutions for provisioning, configuration, and deployment, while ensuring alignment with Azure architecture best practices and compliance requirements. This role involves close collaboration with application, security, and DevOps teams to deliver cloud-native solutions that enable agility, reliability, and operational excellence across the organization. Primary Responsibilities: • Design and implement scalable, secure, and cost-optimized cloud infrastructure on Azure, leveraging services such as Azure Virtual Network, Virtual Machines, Azure Storage, Azure Active Directory, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), and Azure Functions. • Develop Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using tools like Terraform, Bicep, or Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates to automate the provisioning and management of cloud resources. • Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions to support automated testing, deployment, and infrastructure updates. • Implement cloud governance, security best practices, and compliance controls, including role-based access control (RBAC), encryption, and Azure Policy. • Collaborate with application teams to architect cloud-native solutions that align with business goals and technical requirements. • Optimize cloud infrastructure for performance, availability, and cost using tools such as Azure Monitor, Azure Advisor, and Cost Management. • Evaluate and integrate new Azure services and third-party tools to enhance infrastructure capabilities and developer productivity. • Document infrastructure designs, standards, and operational procedures to support knowledge sharing and onboarding. Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience. • 5+ years of hands-on experience designing, deploying, and managing cloud infrastructure, preferably in Azure environments. • Proficiency in at least one programming or scripting language (e.g., PowerShell, Python, Bash) for automation and tooling. • Strong understanding of core Azure services and architecture best practices, including networking, identity, compute, and storage. • Experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform, Bicep, or ARM templates. • Solid knowledge of Windows and/or Linux systems, networking fundamentals, and distributed system design. • Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices for infrastructure automation and application delivery. • Understanding of cloud security principles, identity and access management, encryption, and compliance frameworks (e.g., Azure Security Center, Defender for Cloud). Additional Qualifications a Plus: • Experience working in enterprise-scale environments, particularly in financial services or other regulated industries with strict compliance requirements. • 5+ years of experience in cloud infrastructure, DevOps, or platform engineering roles, • Demonstrated ability to lead infrastructure projects, collaborate across teams, and mentor junior engineers. • Certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Azure Administrator Associate, or HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate About Next Gen Software Solutions LLC: Next Gen Software Solutions is a trusted provider of IT Staffing and consulting services dedicated to empowering businesses with cutting-edge technology solutions and exceptional talent. We specialize in delivering tailored IT consulting services, innovative software solutions, and connecting businesses with highly skilled IT professionals. Founded and led by a dedicated U.S. Army solider, Next Gen Software Solutions is deeply rooted in the core values of integrity, discipline, commitment, and experience-principles that guide every aspect of our operations. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Next Gen Software Solutions LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where all employees and applicants are treated respect and dignity. We do not discriminate based on race, colour, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local laws.