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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Cloud Engineer - **Company:** Hays Specialist Recruitment LLC - **Location:** Richmond, VA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Architectural Patterns, Microsoft Azure, Software as a Service, Cloud Computing, Cloud Computing Security, Cloud Engineering, Cyber Security, Computer Engineering, Continuous Integration, DevOps, Disaster Recovery, Github, Identity and Access Management, Information Systems Security Architecture Professional, Network Security, Automation of Marketing, Network Segmentation, Object-Oriented Software Development, Cloud Services, Zero Trust Network Access, Cloud Platform System, Multi-Cloud, HybridCloud, Information Technology, Bicep, Data Management, Terraform - **Published:** September 26, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.hays.com/job-detail/principal-cloud-engineer-richmond_1186700 ## About the Role * 8+ years of experience in cloud engineering, cloud architecture, or infrastructure platform roles, including delivery of enterprise-scale cloud platforms. * Strong proficiency in cloud networking, identity, and security architectures including Azure Virtual Networks, Entra ID, Sentinel, hybrid connectivity, and cloud-native security controls. * Demonstrated experience developing and supporting cloud-native solutions using object-oriented programming languages * Experience designing and implementing infrastructure-as-code and automation using Terraform, Bicep, ARM, or similar technologies. * Strong understanding of cloud governance, security, and cost architecture including policy, tagging, and consumption models. * Experience designing and operating hybrid cloud environments using Azure Arc, Azure Local, and cloud-native hybrid management platforms. * Solid understanding of CI/CD and automation platforms such as Azure DevOps, GitHub, or similar. * Strong grounding in scalability, resiliency, performance, cost efficiency, observability, and disaster recovery. * Demonstrated depth of expertise in cloud architecture and engineering practices. * Ability to independently solve complex technical problems using analytical judgment and practical engineering approaches. * Strong communication skills with the ability to convey complex architectural concepts to technical and non-technical audiences. * Ability to lead technical initiatives while mentoring less experienced engineers. * Proven ability to influence teams and stakeholders through expertise and architectural guidance. * Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to navigate ambiguity and drive sound technical decisions. * Continuous learning mindset with the ability to evaluate and apply emerging cloud technologies pragmatically. * Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field relevant to cloud engineering and architecture, or equivalent professional experience * Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate is strongly preferred. * Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert is a plus. * Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. * Frequent reaching, handling, and fine manipulation for using office equipment, filing, and managing paperwork. ## Description The Principal Cloud Engineer is a senior individual contributor within Enterprise Architecture responsible for designing, validating, and advancing cloud architecture patterns. * Design and evolve cloud architectures, landing zones, and shared cloud services aligned with enterprise architecture direction. * Define and maintain architectural patterns for identity and access management, network segmentation, tenant and subscription structures, and environment isolation. * Develop hybrid and multi-cloud connectivity patterns integrating on-premise and cloud environments through cloud-native control planes and management services. * Interpret enterprise architecture guidance and translate it into implementable cloud designs and engineering standards. * Define workload classification, cloud readiness, and hosting models guiding application and platform placement. * Ensure cloud architectures address scalability, availability, security, observability, disaster recovery, and cost optimization requirements. * Provide domain-level architectural guidance for cloud engineering decisions across initiatives and delivery teams. * Implement cloud governance, security, and cost architecture in partnership with Information Security and Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) teams. * Design cloud security architectures aligned with zero trust principles, including identity protection, network security, platform hardening, and compliance-aligned controls. * Embed governance, compliance, and cost management controls into platform designs and automation workflows. * Ensure cloud solutions align with organizational regulatory and security requirements. * Develop landing zones, reference architectures, and proof-of-concept implementations to validate cloud designs and reduce delivery risk. * Define infrastructure-as-code, automation, and CI/CD patterns in collaboration with DevOps teams. * Lead technical validation efforts supporting large-scale workload onboarding, migration, and modernization initiatives. * Design scalable automation and provisioning approaches supporting cloud-native deployment models. * Evaluate emerging cloud services, automation tools, and platform capabilities and recommend adoption approaches aligned with enterprise needs. * Partner with operations and engineering teams to transition validated designs into production-ready solutions. * Collaborate with product, engineering, operations, security, and DevOps teams to translate business and technical requirements into well-architected cloud solutions. * Provide architectural guidance across initiatives involving application hosting, data platforms, and cloud-based services. ## 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