IT Systems/Cloud Engineer

IO Datasphere, Inc. has been providing project management, software development and IT staff augmentation services to our clients in the Midwest and throughout the U.S. since 1996. We are an approved vendor on contract to provide software development and IT staff augmentation services for the States of Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. We also provide these services to businesses, as well as local and county governments, in the Midwest and nationwide. Our client is looking for an IT Systems/Cloud Engineer. Working under the general supervision of the Deputy IT Director, the IT Systems & Cloud Engineer plays a central role in managing, securing, and optimizing both cloud and on-premises infrastructure for the client. This includes server environments, virtual machines, M365 and Entra ID services, enterprise SaaS platforms, and a growing portfolio of cloud and storage solutions. The position is instrumental in implementing secure, scalable systems that support the agency s operational goals and ongoing technology evolution. Tasks Systems Administration & Infrastructure • Administer and maintain agency servers, virtual machines, and hybrid infrastructure to ensure reliability, performance, and data protection. • Lead the configuration, monitoring, and patching of Windows Server, M365, and Entra ID environments in coordination with partner agencies. Cloud & Storage Management • Manage AWS and other cloud-based storage platforms, including lifecycle automation, data tiering, and integration with on-prem systems. • Monitor cloud utilization and performance, recommending optimizations for scalability, resilience, and cost-effectiveness. Technology Intake & Vendor Review • Coordinate technology intake and vendor review processes, gathering business use cases, data classifications, and system requirements. • Review vendor documentation such as privacy policies, security artifacts (SOC 2, StateRAMP, FedRAMP), and licensing terms to assess compliance and risk. AI & Emerging Technology Governance • Evaluate products and services that incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) for compliance with agency data governance, privacy, and security standards. • Identify accountable business stakeholders to help ensure technology and its use adheres to prescribed business processes. Monitoring, Security Coordination & Reporting • Monitor infrastructure health, performance, and alerts using enterprise tools (e.g., Splunk, Tenable, IronPort, or equivalent). • Assist with vulnerability management coordination by reviewing findings, tracking remediation, and maintaining dashboards in collaboration with system owners. Compliance, Documentation & Continuous Improvement • Support adherence to state, NIST, and PCI-aligned standards by documenting processes, controls, and exceptions related to systems and cloud infrastructure. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: • Understanding of security best practices including encryption, access control, and patch management. • Excellent documentation and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences. • Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with a focus on continuous improvement. NOTE: Candidates MUST be WI residents or willing to relocate to WI prior to starting the role at their own expense. This is a hybrid position. Position will start on-site in office for the first two weeks or so, then it could transition to primarily remote in-office 2 days a week or so. Location: Madison, WI (Hybrid) Contract: 1+ years Skills Required: • 5+ years - Experience in system administration or cloud engineering within hybrid environments. • 5+ years - Extensive knowledge of Microsoft 365, Entra ID, Windows Server, and AWS storage services (S3, Glacier, Intelligent Tiering). • 5+ years - Demonstrated ability to design and implement automation, monitoring, or integration scripts using PowerShell, Python, or equivalent tools. • 5+ years - Experience integrating and supporting enterprise SaaS platforms and SSO/IAM solutions. • Experience with cloud lifecycle management, cost optimization, or hybrid storage automation. • Working knowledge of vulnerability management, SIEM, or related monitoring tools (e.g., Tenable, Splunk, IronPort, Cloudflare). • Familiarity with compliance frameworks such as NIST, PCI DSS, CIS, or ISO 27001. Skills Desired A plus to have: • Experience evaluating AI tools or emerging technologies for compliance, privacy, or ethical risks. • Expertise in AWS S3 Bucket, lifecycle, and IAM policies as well as AWS Billing Console and advanced cost reporting. • Experience coordinating or supporting IT security reviews, exception workflows, or audit responses. • Familiarity with single tenant multi-agency state government IT environments, policies, and collaboration. • Relevant industry certifications (e.g., Microsoft, AWS, CompTIA, ISC2, or ITIL) • Rate depends on experience • Candidates authorized to work in the US are encouraged to apply. We can accept H1b, , TN, and other valid work visas for IT. However, we cannot accept OPT or CPT visas at this time. • Companies submitting candidates should only submit direct W2 employees for this position. Please submit your resume by using the "URL" below