📍 Job Overview

• Job Title: Lead/Senior Lead DevOps Engineer - IFS.ai Platform (R&D)
• Company: IFS
• Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
• Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid
• Category: DevOps Engineer
• Date Posted: 2025-07-07
• Experience Level: 5-10 years

🚀 Role Summary

• Key Responsibilities: Lead and drive DevOps initiatives, automate processes, ensure high availability and scalability of IFS's multi-tenant cloud platform, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Key Skills: DevOps, GitOps, CICD, Container Orchestration, Infrastructure as Code, Containerization, Scripting, Cloud Infrastructure, Linux, Automation, Documentation, Communication, Teamwork, Quality Assurance, Market Research, Training.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong blend of technical expertise, leadership, and communication skills to manage and enhance IFS's cloud platforms and drive automation across the organization.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and Implement Automation Solutions: Identify opportunities for new or enhanced automations, produce designs and plans, and implement GitOps/DevOps-based automation to support new application deployments and rollouts.
• Maintain and Expand Existing Automations: Drive the maintenance and expansion of existing automations and related processes within the organization.
• Create Documentation and Train Colleagues: Develop documentation, presentation, and training material to share knowledge and guide colleagues.
• Engage with Stakeholders: Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure automation solutions meet business needs and align with organizational objectives.
• Contribute to Market Research and Competitive Analysis: Stay updated with industry trends and best practices, and contribute to market research activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities of this role involve a high degree of technical leadership, requiring a deep understanding of DevOps best practices, cloud infrastructure, and automation tools to drive continuous improvement and innovation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A university degree or equivalent professional qualifications in software/system engineering is essential.

Experience: 3-8 years of enterprise-level experience in building multi-tenant cloud systems and implementing DevOps automation.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrable enterprise-level experience in building large globally deployed multi-tenant cloud systems for high availability and scalability.
• Proven expertise in designing and building DevOps/GitOps automation using tools such as ArgoCD and Crossplane or equivalents.
• Strong knowledge of CICD tools (e.g., GitLab, Bitbucket, GitHub Actions, ADO, Jenkins, Bamboo), container orchestration (K8s, Helm), infrastructure as code/configuration management (Terraform, Ansible), containerization (Docker), and scripting (Bash, PowerShell, Python, GoLang).
• Proficient in working with cloud-based infrastructure in Azure (specifically AKS), AWS, or GCP, with a focus on Azure-specific areas such as AKS, Azure Networking, Azure Firewalls, Azure Front Door, Azure Container Registry, Azure Managed Identities, Azure Storage, and Azure AI Services.
• Solid experience in Linux/Unix/Windows environments.
• GitOps practices with tools such as ArgoCD and CrossPlane.
• Other relevant technical experience, such as full-stack experience across databases, application/web tier, networking/proxies/firewalls, MongoDB (Atlas), and Kafka (Confluent Kafka).
• Quality assurance experience; testing, automation, and test data management skills (desirable).

Preferred Skills:

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with both technical and non-technical teams.
• Ability to learn new technologies and theories and apply them when necessary.
• Strong teamwork skills, with experience working in a geographically dispersed team.
• High level of enthusiasm and willingness to accept challenges.
• Familiarity with enterprise-level cloud platforms and their unique requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required and preferred skills for this role emphasize a strong technical background in DevOps, cloud infrastructure, and automation, as well as excellent communication and teamwork skills to drive collaboration and innovation across the organization.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio demonstrating your experience in designing, developing, deploying, and maintaining large-scale, multi-tenant cloud systems.
• Examples of successful DevOps/GitOps automation implementations, highlighting the tools and methodologies used.
• Case studies showcasing your ability to drive automation processes, ensure high availability and scalability, and improve overall system performance.
• Documentation and training materials you have created to share knowledge and guide colleagues.

Technical Documentation:

• Detailed documentation of your automation solutions, including design decisions, implementation steps, and troubleshooting guides.
• Code comments and inline documentation demonstrating your commitment to code quality and maintainability.
• Version control, deployment processes, and server configuration documentation, highlighting your understanding of best practices in DevOps and cloud infrastructure management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio and project requirements for this role should emphasize your technical leadership, problem-solving skills, and ability to drive automation and innovation in cloud-based environments.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The salary range for a Lead/Senior Lead DevOps Engineer in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with 5-10 years of experience typically falls between LKR 2,500,000 - LKR 4,000,000 per annum, according to regional market research and industry standards. This estimate takes into account the candidate's experience level, the company's size and industry, and the cost of living in Colombo.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package, including base salary, bonuses, and other incentives.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage, including medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Retirement savings plans and pension schemes.
• Generous time-off policies, including vacation, sick leave, and flexible working arrangements.
• Professional development opportunities, such as training, workshops, and conference attendance.
• Employee assistance programs, offering support and resources for personal and professional growth.

Working Hours: The standard working hours for this role are 40 hours per week, with flexible working arrangements to accommodate hybrid work and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range and benefits for this role have been estimated based on regional market research and industry standards for a Lead/Senior Lead DevOps Engineer in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The actual compensation package may vary depending on the candidate's experience, skills, and the company's internal policies.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: IFS operates in the enterprise software industry, focusing on AI-driven solutions for various sectors, including manufacturing, engineering, aviation, defense, and utilities.

Company Size: IFS is a billion-dollar revenue company with over 7,000 employees worldwide, providing a large and diverse work environment for its team members.

Founded: IFS was founded in 1983 and has since grown into a global leader in enterprise software solutions, with a strong commitment to internal AI adoption and continuous innovation.

Team Structure:

• The R&D - Cloud Engineering team is part of IFS's global research and development organization, working closely with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and improve the company's cloud platforms.
• The team consists of experienced DevOps engineers, cloud architects, and other technical specialists, collaborating to ensure the reliability, scalability, and performance of IFS's multi-tenant cloud systems.
• The team follows a flat and agile structure, promoting open communication, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning.

Development Methodology:

• IFS follows Agile development methodologies, with a focus on iterative development, continuous integration, and regular feedback loops.
• The company emphasizes code reviews, testing, and quality assurance practices to ensure the delivery of high-quality software solutions.
• IFS utilizes CI/CD pipelines and automated deployment strategies to streamline the development process and ensure rapid, reliable, and secure software delivery.

Company Website: IFS Website

📝 Enhancement Note: IFS's company culture emphasizes flexibility, innovation, and a commitment to making a real change and having a worldwide impact. The company's global, diverse environment provides ample opportunities for professional growth and development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: This role is a senior-level position within the DevOps engineering career path, requiring a deep understanding of cloud infrastructure, automation, and DevOps best practices. The ideal candidate will have 3-8 years of enterprise-level experience in building and managing multi-tenant cloud systems and driving automation initiatives.

Reporting Structure: The Lead/Senior Lead DevOps Engineer will report directly to the Head of Cloud Engineering or a similar role within IFS's R&D organization. They will be responsible for leading and managing a team of DevOps engineers, providing technical guidance, and driving automation projects across the organization.

Technical Impact: The successful candidate will have a significant technical impact on IFS's cloud platforms, driving automation initiatives, and ensuring the reliability, scalability, and performance of the company's multi-tenant cloud systems. They will also contribute to market research and competitive analysis, helping IFS stay at the forefront of technological advancements in the enterprise software industry.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Leadership: As a senior-level role, this position offers ample opportunities for technical leadership and mentoring, allowing the candidate to grow their skills and advance their career within IFS's R&D organization.
• Architecture Decisions: The successful candidate will have the opportunity to influence and make critical architecture decisions, contributing to the design and development of IFS's cloud platforms and automation solutions.
• Emerging Technology Adoption: IFS is committed to staying at the forefront of technological advancements, providing the ideal environment for the candidate to explore and adopt emerging technologies in the cloud infrastructure and DevOps domains.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career and growth opportunities for this role are substantial, with a strong focus on technical leadership, architecture decisions, and emerging technology adoption. The ideal candidate will be eager to take on a senior-level role and drive innovation within IFS's cloud engineering team.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: IFS's global headquarters and regional offices provide a modern, collaborative, and innovative work environment, designed to foster creativity, productivity, and teamwork.

Office Location(s): IFS has offices in over 60 countries worldwide, with the primary focus of this role being in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The company offers flexible hybrid work arrangements, allowing employees to work from the office, remotely, or a combination of both.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Workspace: IFS's offices feature open-plan workspaces, encouraging cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing between team members.
• Development Tools and Resources: The company provides access to state-of-the-art development tools, multiple monitors, and testing devices to ensure high-quality software delivery and efficient workflows.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: IFS fosters a culture of cross-functional collaboration, with regular interactions between developers, designers, marketers, and other stakeholders to ensure user-centric and business-driven software solutions.

Work Schedule: IFS offers flexible working arrangements, with a standard workweek of 40 hours, typically spread across five days. The company encourages a healthy work-life balance, with flexible working hours and remote work options to accommodate individual needs and preferences.

📝 Enhancement Note: IFS's work environment emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and user-centric design, providing an ideal setting for the successful candidate to thrive and make a meaningful impact on the company's cloud platforms and automation solutions.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

1. Technical Assessment: The initial stage of the interview process involves a technical assessment, focusing on the candidate's knowledge of cloud infrastructure, automation, and DevOps best practices. This assessment may include live coding exercises, architecture design discussions, and problem-solving challenges.
2. Technical Deep Dive: In the second stage, the candidate will have the opportunity to delve deeper into their technical expertise, discussing their experience with specific cloud platforms, automation tools, and DevOps methodologies. This stage may also involve a review of the candidate's portfolio and an assessment of their communication and presentation skills.
3. Behavioral and Cultural Fit Assessment: The final stage of the interview process focuses on assessing the candidate's behavioral competencies, cultural fit, and alignment with IFS's values and mission. This stage may involve role-play scenarios, case studies, and in-depth discussions about the candidate's career goals and aspirations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Demonstrate Technical Leadership: Highlight your experience in designing, developing, deploying, and maintaining large-scale, multi-tenant cloud systems, and driving automation initiatives across organizations.
• Showcase Automation Solutions: Provide detailed examples of your successful automation implementations, emphasizing the tools and methodologies used, and the business impact achieved.
• Emphasize Collaboration and Communication: Demonstrate your ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and other technical specialists, highlighting your strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Demonstrate Adaptability and Innovation: Showcase your ability to learn new technologies, adapt to changing requirements, and drive innovation in cloud infrastructure and automation.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

• Brush Up on Cloud Infrastructure and Automation: Familiarize yourself with the latest trends and best practices in cloud infrastructure, automation, and DevOps, with a particular focus on the cloud platforms and tools relevant to IFS's technology stack.
• Practice Architecture Design and Problem-Solving: Engage in architecture design exercises and problem-solving challenges to hone your skills and prepare for the technical assessment.
• Prepare for Behavioral and Cultural Fit Assessment: Reflect on your career experiences, accomplishments, and challenges, and be ready to discuss your behavioral competencies, cultural fit, and alignment with IFS's values and mission.

ATS Keywords:

• Cloud Infrastructure: Azure, AWS, GCP, AKS, Azure Networking, Azure Firewalls, Azure Front Door, Azure Container Registry, Azure Managed Identities, Azure Storage, Azure AI Services
• DevOps and Automation: GitOps, ArgoCD, CrossPlane, CICD, GitLab, Bitbucket, GitHub Actions, ADO, Jenkins, Bamboo, Docker, Terraform, Ansible, Kubernetes, Helm
• Scripting and Programming: Bash, PowerShell, Python, GoLang, JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML, CSS
• Databases and Data Management: MongoDB, Atlas, Kafka, Confluent Kafka
• Infrastructure as Code: Terraform, Ansible, CloudFormation, Azure Resource Manager
• Containerization and Orchestration: Docker, Kubernetes, Helm
• Soft Skills: Communication, Teamwork, Leadership, Adaptability, Innovation, Problem-Solving, Quality Assurance, Market Research, Training

📝 Enhancement Note: The application and interview process for this role emphasizes technical expertise, leadership, and cultural fit, with a strong focus on cloud infrastructure, automation, and DevOps best practices. The ideal candidate will be well-prepared, adaptable, and eager to drive innovation within IFS's cloud engineering team.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Frontend Technologies: (Not applicable for this role)

Backend & Server Technologies:

• Cloud Infrastructure: Azure (AKS, Azure Networking, Azure Firewalls, Azure Front Door, Azure Container Registry, Azure Managed Identities, Azure Storage, Azure AI Services), AWS, GCP
• Containerization and Orchestration: Docker, Kubernetes, Helm
• Infrastructure as Code: Terraform, Ansible, CloudFormation, Azure Resource Manager
• Scripting and Programming: Bash, PowerShell, Python, GoLang, JavaScript, TypeScript
• Databases and Data Management: MongoDB (Atlas), Kafka (Confluent Kafka)
• CI/CD and Automation: GitOps, ArgoCD, CrossPlane, CICD, GitLab, Bitbucket, GitHub Actions, ADO, Jenkins, Bamboo

Development & DevOps Tools:

• Version Control: Git, GitLab, Bitbucket, GitHub
• CI/CD Pipelines: GitLab CI/CD, GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, Jenkins, Bamboo
• Monitoring and Logging: Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack, Azure Monitor, AWS CloudWatch, GCP Stackdriver
• Infrastructure as Code Tools: Terraform, Ansible, CloudFormation, Azure Resource Manager
• Container Orchestration Tools: Kubernetes, Helm, Docker Compose
• Cloud-Based Infrastructure: Azure, AWS, GCP

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for this role emphasizes cloud infrastructure, automation, and DevOps best practices, with a strong focus on Azure, Kubernetes, and Terraform. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of these technologies and be eager to drive innovation within IFS's cloud engineering team.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

• User-Centric Design: IFS prioritizes user-centric design, ensuring that its software solutions meet the needs and expectations of its customers and users.
• Performance Optimization: The company emphasizes performance optimization, focusing on delivering high-quality, efficient, and scalable software solutions.
• Accessibility and Inclusivity: IFS is committed to creating accessible and inclusive software solutions, ensuring that its products can be used by a diverse range of users, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds.
• Continuous Learning and Improvement: IFS fosters a culture of continuous learning and improvement, encouraging its team members to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in enterprise software development.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: IFS encourages cross-functional collaboration, with regular interactions between developers, designers, marketers, and other stakeholders to ensure user-centric and business-driven software solutions.
• Code Review and Peer Programming: The company emphasizes code review and peer programming practices, promoting knowledge sharing, quality assurance, and continuous learning within its development teams.
• Knowledge Sharing and Mentoring: IFS values knowledge sharing and mentoring, with regular training, workshops, and community events to help its team members grow professionally and personally.

📝 Enhancement Note: IFS's web development values and collaboration style emphasize user-centric design, performance optimization, accessibility, and continuous learning and improvement. The company's culture fosters cross-functional collaboration, code review, and knowledge sharing, providing an ideal environment for the successful candidate to thrive and make a meaningful impact on IFS's cloud platforms and automation solutions.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

• Cloud Infrastructure Complexity: IFS's multi-tenant cloud platform is complex and large-scale, requiring the successful candidate to have a deep understanding of cloud infrastructure, automation, and DevOps best practices to ensure high availability, scalability, and performance.
• Automation and Orchestration: The role involves driving automation initiatives and ensuring efficient container orchestration, requiring the successful candidate to have a strong background in automation tools, scripting, and infrastructure as code methodologies.
• Performance Optimization and Scalability: The successful candidate will be responsible for optimizing the performance and scalability of IFS's cloud platforms, requiring a deep understanding of cloud infrastructure, load balancing, caching, and other performance optimization techniques.
• Emerging Technologies: IFS is committed to staying at the forefront of technological advancements, presenting the successful candidate with the opportunity to explore and adopt emerging technologies in the cloud infrastructure and DevOps domains.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Technical Skill Development: The successful candidate will have ample opportunities to develop their technical skills, with access to training, workshops, and community events focused on cloud infrastructure, automation, and DevOps best practices.
• Leadership and Mentoring: As a senior-level role, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to drive technical leadership and mentoring within IFS's cloud engineering team, helping their colleagues grow professionally and personally.
• Emerging Technology Adoption: IFS's commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements presents the successful candidate with the opportunity to explore and adopt emerging technologies in the cloud infrastructure and DevOps domains, driving innovation and continuous improvement within the company's cloud platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technical challenges and learning & development opportunities for this role emphasize cloud infrastructure, automation, and DevOps best practices, with a strong focus on performance optimization, scalability, and emerging technology adoption. The successful candidate will have ample opportunities to drive innovation, continuous improvement, and technical leadership within IFS's cloud engineering team.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

• Cloud Infrastructure and Automation: Prepare for in-depth discussions about cloud infrastructure, automation, and DevOps best practices, with a particular focus on Azure, Kubernetes, and Terraform. Be ready to discuss your experience with these technologies and how you have applied them in previous roles.
• Architecture Design and Problem-Solving: Brush up on your architecture design skills and be prepared to discuss your approach to designing and implementing large-scale, multi-tenant cloud systems. Practice problem-solving exercises and be ready to demonstrate your ability to think critically and creatively when faced with technical challenges.
• Portfolio Presentation: Prepare a comprehensive portfolio showcasing your experience in designing, developing, deploying, and maintaining large-scale, multi-tenant cloud systems. Highlight your successful automation implementations, emphasizing the tools and methodologies used, and the business impact achieved. Be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail and answer questions about your design decisions, implementation choices, and overall approach to cloud infrastructure and automation.

Company & Culture Questions:

• IFS's Mission and Values: Research IFS's mission, values, and commitment to internal AI adoption, and be prepared to discuss how your personal values and career goals align with the company's objectives.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Prepare to discuss your experience working with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and other technical specialists, highlighting your strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Technical Leadership and Mentoring: As a senior-level role, be ready to discuss your approach to driving technical leadership and mentoring within IFS's cloud engineering team, and how you plan to help your colleagues grow professionally and personally.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Live Demonstration: Prepare a live demonstration of your automation solutions, highlighting the tools and methodologies used, and the business impact achieved. Be ready to walk the interview panel through your portfolio, explaining your design decisions, implementation choices, and overall approach to cloud infrastructure and automation.
• Code Explanation and Architecture Decision Reasoning: Be prepared to explain your code in detail, demonstrating your understanding of cloud infrastructure, automation, and DevOps best practices. Be ready to discuss your architecture decision-making process and how you ensure the reliability, scalability, and performance of your cloud platforms.
• User Experience Showcase: Although this role is focused on cloud infrastructure and automation, be prepared to discuss how your work impacts the user experience and ensures that IFS's software solutions meet the needs and expectations of its customers and users.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation for this role emphasizes cloud infrastructure, automation, and DevOps best practices, with a strong focus on architecture design, problem-solving, and technical leadership. The successful candidate will be well-prepared, adaptable, and eager to drive innovation within IFS's cloud engineering team.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Lead/Senior Lead DevOps Engineer - IFS.ai Platform (R&D) position:

1. Customize Your Portfolio: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your experience in designing, developing, deploying, and maintaining large-scale, multi-tenant cloud systems, and driving automation initiatives across organizations. Emphasize your successful automation implementations, and be ready to discuss your design decisions, implementation choices, and overall approach to cloud infrastructure and automation.
2. Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your relevant technical skills, experience, and accomplishments in your resume, emphasizing your expertise in cloud infrastructure, automation, and DevOps best practices. Use relevant keywords and phrases to ensure your resume is easily scannable and optimized for ATS systems.
3. Prepare for Technical Challenges and Interviews: Brush up on your technical skills, architecture design, and problem-solving abilities, and be ready to discuss your experience with cloud infrastructure, automation, and DevOps best practices. Practice architecture design exercises, problem-solving challenges, and prepare for in-depth discussions about your portfolio and career goals.
4. Research IFS: Familiarize yourself with IFS's mission, values, and commitment to internal AI adoption, and be prepared to discuss how your personal values and career goals align with the company's objectives. Understand IFS's technology stack, cloud infrastructure, and automation initiatives, and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to the company's success in these areas.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web development/server administration industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.