What a cloud engineer does
A cloud engineer designs, builds and operates the infrastructure your applications and data run on in public cloud platforms. The work covers virtual networks, compute and storage, identity and access, backups, monitoring and cost management. Many cloud engineers also lead migrations from on-premises servers, set up secure foundations for new cloud accounts and manage resources through infrastructure as code rather than manual changes in a console.
Cloud platforms make it easy to create resources and just as easy to create security gaps or large monthly bills. An experienced cloud engineer builds environments that are secure, documented and sized for your actual needs. Finch screens candidates for production experience on your chosen platform, their approach to identity and network security and how they track and control spending, so your shortlist reflects practical skill.
Typical responsibilities
- Design and build cloud networks, compute, storage and database services
- Manage identity and access, encryption and security baselines
- Plan and carry out migrations from on-premises systems
- Manage infrastructure as code and automate provisioning
- Monitor performance, availability and spending, and recommend savings
- Set up backup, disaster recovery and high availability
Qualifications and credentials
- A degree or diploma in computer science, information technology or a related field, or equivalent experience
- Production experience with AWS, Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud
- Infrastructure as code using Terraform, Bicep, CloudFormation or similar tools
- Strong networking and identity fundamentals
- Cloud provider certifications, such as AWS Solutions Architect or Azure Administrator, are often listed as assets
Who hires a cloud engineer
- SaaS and technology companies
- Banks, insurers and fintech firms
- Retailers and e-commerce businesses
- Cloud consulting firms and managed service providers
- Public sector organizations moving services to the cloud
Where we recruit cloud engineer candidates
We fill cloud engineer roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- Production experience on your cloud platform, with specific services named and explained
- Security approach to identity, network access and data protection
- Cost awareness and examples of savings they achieved
- Infrastructure as code and automation experience
- Migration experience if you are moving systems to the cloud
Interview questions to ask
- Walk me through a cloud environment you built. How did you control who could access what?
- Our cloud bill keeps rising. Where would you look first?
- How would you plan the migration of an on-premises application that cannot have long downtime?