Azure Cloud Infrastructure Specialist

Job Title: Azure Cloud Infrastructure Specialist

Location: Dubai, UAE

Department: Cloud Engineering & DevOps

Reporting To: Head of Cloud and Infrastructure

Employment Type: Contract

Job Summary:

We are seeking a highly skilled Azure Cloud Infrastructure Specialist with strong expertise in Azure infrastructure, networking, hybrid cloud architecture, Landing Zones, and automation. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Terraform, ARM templates, and Azure Stack CLI, with hands-on experience managing Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Purview governance, and AI service integration for enterprise workloads.

In addition to infrastructure excellence, the candidate should possess working knowledge of .NET development, enabling automation, scripting, and integration across cloud services. This role focuses on building, securing, and optimizing Azure environments to drive performance, compliance, and cost efficiency across hybrid ecosystems.

Key Responsibilities:

Azure Infrastructure Architecture & Deployment

• Architect, deploy, and maintain Azure cloud and hybrid environments with emphasis on scalability, security, and high availability.
• Build and automate Infrastructure as Code (IaC) with Terraform, ARM templates, and Azure Stack CLI for multi-region deployments.
• Design and operationalize Azure Landing Zones aligned with the Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework (CAF) and Enterprise-Scale Architecture.
• Implement Azure Arc, Azure Stack Hub, and Azure Stack HCI for consistent hybrid management.
• Enable AI-powered cloud infrastructure by integrating Azure Cognitive Services, OpenAI Service, and Azure Machine Learning within Landing Zone architectures.

Networking & Hybrid Connectivity

• Design and configure complex Azure Virtual Networks, ExpressRoute, VPN Gateways, Firewalls, NSGs, and Load Balancers.
• Implement hybrid connectivity models between Azure and on-prem environments using Azure Arc, ExpressRoute, and Private Link.
• Manage DNS zones, Service Endpoints, Private Endpoints, and Application Gateways for secure inter-service communication.
• Optimize network architecture for latency, throughput, resilience, and monitoring.

Security, Governance & Compliance

• Deploy Microsoft Purview for enterprise data cataloging, lineage tracking, and governance.
• Implement Azure Policy, RBAC, Conditional Access, and Managed Identities to ensure secure operations.
• Integrate Microsoft Sentinel, Defender for Cloud, and Key Vault for proactive monitoring, threat detection, and secure secrets management.
• Enforce Zero Trust architecture across hybrid and multi-cloud setups.
• Support compliance initiatives (ISO 27001, NIST, GDPR, HIPAA) through policy automation and Azure governance.

Monitoring, Optimization & Consumption Management

• Configure Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, Application Insights, and Cost Management for full observability.
• Establish consumption optimization plans and FinOps practices to ensure efficient cloud resource utilization.
• Manage capacity planning, DR, and auto-scaling for mission-critical workloads.
• Build AI-based anomaly detection and alerting within monitoring pipelines.

DevOps, Automation & Development

• Develop and maintain CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, and Terraform Cloud.
• Automate provisioning and operations using Azure CLI, PowerShell, and Azure Stack CLI.
• Build infrastructure automation modules using .NET (C#) for configuration management and integration with APIs.
• Containerize services and manage deployments through AKS and Docker-based workloads.
• Contribute to internal automation libraries and reusable DevOps patterns.

Documentation & Collaboration

• Document all architectures, configurations, and operational procedures.
• Collaborate across Cloud, Security, Data, and AI teams to ensure seamless service integration and governance.
• Provide knowledge transfer, mentoring, and training to internal technical teams.

Required Skills & Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in Azure infrastructure architecture, networking, and hybrid deployments.
• Proficient in Azure Stack CLI, Terraform, ARM/Bicep templates.
• Strong knowledge of Azure Landing Zones and CAF governance model.
• Experience with Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) and container orchestration.
• Deep understanding of Azure Networking (VNets, ExpressRoute, Firewalls, DNS, NSGs, Load Balancers).
• Experience with Hybrid Cloud Integration (Azure Arc, AD Connect, Private Link).
• Familiarity with Microsoft Purview, Sentinel, Security Center, and Key Vault.
• Expertise in Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, and Infrastructure Automation.
• Proficiency in .NET/C# scripting for automation or service integration.
• Experience in Consumption & FinOps management for enterprise cost control.
• Understanding of AI integration within Azure Landing Zones, including Cognitive Services and OpenAI APIs.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and documentation skills.

Preferred Certifications:

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate
• Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Enterprise Data Analyst Associate (Purview & Synapse)
• Microsoft Certified: FinOps or Cloud Economics Specialist (Cost Optimization)
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect (Landing Zones Specialization)