Lead/Senior Lead DevOps Engineer- Nexus Platform (R&D)
📍 Job Overview
- Job Title: Lead/Senior Lead DevOps Engineer - Nexus Platform (R&D)
- Company: IFS
- Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Job Type: Full-time
- Category: DevOps Engineer
- Date Posted: July 2, 2025
- Experience Level: 5-10 years
- Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid
🚀 Role Summary
- Lead and drive DevOps automation efforts to enhance operational efficiency and reliability across IFS's R&D division.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless deployment and testing of new and existing applications.
- Leverage industry best practices and tools to implement GitOps and CI/CD pipelines.
- Identify automation opportunities and develop strategies to improve existing processes.
- Train and mentor team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in enterprise-level DevOps and a proven track record of driving automation initiatives. Familiarity with Azure cloud services is a significant advantage.
💻 Primary Responsibilities
- Automation & Tooling: Design, develop, deploy, and maintain tooling and automation solutions to support IFS's multi-tenant cloud platform.
- CI/CD Pipelines: Implement and manage CI/CD pipelines using industry best practices and tools such as ArgoCD and Crossplane.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to gather requirements and ensure solutions meet business needs.
- Process Improvement: Identify opportunities for process improvement and drive automation initiatives to enhance operational efficiency.
- Training & Documentation: Create documentation, presentations, and training materials to share knowledge and upskill team members.
- Market Research & Competitive Analysis: Contribute to activities related to market research and competitive analysis to stay ahead of industry trends.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role involves a high degree of technical leadership and requires strong communication skills to effectively collaborate with both technical and non-technical teams.
🎓 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 large, globally deployed multi-tenant cloud systems and designing DevOps automation.
Required Skills:
- Demonstrable 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.
- Strong knowledge of CI/CD pipelines (e.g., GitLab, Bitbucket, GitHub Actions, ADO, Jenkins, Bamboo) and container orchestration (K8s, helm).
- Proficiency in infrastructure as code/configuration management (terraform, ansible) and containerization (Docker).
- Solid scripting skills in Bash, PowerShell, Python, or GoLang.
- Experience working with cloud-based infrastructure in Azure (specifically AKS), AWS, or GCP.
- Familiarity with Linux/Unix/Windows and GitOps practices.
- Excellent communication and team collaboration skills.
Preferred Skills:
- Quality assurance experience; testing, automation, and test data management skills.
- Full-stack experience across databases, application/web tier, networking/proxies/firewalls.
- Knowledge of MongoDB (Atlas) and Kafka (Confluent Kafka).
📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates with experience in 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 will have a significant advantage.
📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements
Portfolio Essentials:
- Demonstrate a strong portfolio showcasing your experience in building and maintaining large-scale, multi-tenant cloud systems.
- Highlight your expertise in DevOps and GitOps automation, including successful implementation of CI/CD pipelines.
- Include case studies or examples of process improvement initiatives driven by automation.
Technical Documentation:
- Prepare detailed documentation outlining your approach to designing, developing, and deploying automation solutions.
- Include any relevant code samples or scripts that demonstrate your technical proficiency.
- Be prepared to discuss your documentation and walk through your thought processes during the interview.
📝 Enhancement Note: As this role involves a significant amount of process improvement and automation, be ready to discuss your approach to identifying automation opportunities and driving change within an organization.
💵 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: The salary range for this role in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is approximately LKR 2,500,000 - LKR 3,500,000 per annum, based on industry standards and the candidate's level of experience.
Benefits:
- Competitive compensation and benefits package.
- Flexible and hybrid work opportunities to support diverse needs and lifestyles.
- Inclusive workplace experiences that foster innovation, strengthen connections, and nurture belonging.
- Opportunities for professional growth and development within a global organization.
Working Hours: The standard working hours for this role are 40 hours per week, with flexibility for project deadlines and maintenance windows.
📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is an estimate based on regional market research and industry benchmarks. Actual compensation may vary depending on the candidate's qualifications and experience.
🎯 Team & Company Context
🏢 Company Culture
Industry: IFS operates in the enterprise software industry, focusing on AI-driven solutions for various markets, including aerospace & defense, engineering, construction, energy, utilities, oil & gas, and field service management.
Company Size: IFS is a billion-dollar revenue company with over 7,000 employees worldwide, providing a large and diverse work environment.
Founded: IFS was founded in 1983, with a strong commitment to internal AI adoption and staying at the forefront of technological advancements.
Team Structure:
- The R&D - Cloud Engineering team is part of IFS's global R&D organization, focusing on developing and maintaining the company's cloud platforms.
- The team consists of experienced professionals with diverse backgrounds in cloud architecture, DevOps, software development, and quality assurance.
- The team follows an Agile/Scrum methodology, with regular sprint planning, code reviews, and quality assurance practices.
Development Methodology:
- IFS follows an Agile/Scrum development methodology, with regular sprint planning, code reviews, and quality assurance practices.
- The company emphasizes continuous integration, testing, and deployment, with a strong focus on automation and process improvement.
- IFS uses CI/CD pipelines, version control systems, and automated deployment tools to ensure efficient and reliable software delivery.
Company Website: IFS Website
📝 Enhancement Note: IFS's commitment to internal AI adoption and staying at the forefront of technological advancements creates an innovative and dynamic work environment for DevOps engineers.
📈 Career & Growth Analysis
Web Technology Career Level: This role is a senior-level position within the DevOps engineering career path, focusing on driving automation initiatives and technical leadership.
Reporting Structure: The Lead/Senior Lead DevOps Engineer reports directly to the R&D - Cloud Engineering Manager and collaborates with various teams, including software development, quality assurance, and product management.
Technical Impact: This role has a significant impact on IFS's ability to deliver high-quality, reliable, and scalable cloud services to its customers. The successful candidate will drive process improvement and automation initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and ensure the smooth deployment and testing of new and existing applications.
Growth Opportunities:
- Technical Leadership: As a senior-level role, this position offers opportunities for technical leadership and mentoring within the team and across the organization.
- Architecture Decisions: The successful candidate will have the opportunity to influence architecture decisions and drive the evolution of IFS's cloud platforms.
- Emerging Technology Adoption: IFS encourages its employees to stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and provides opportunities for professional growth and development.
📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity for experienced DevOps engineers to drive automation initiatives and make a significant impact on a global enterprise software organization.
🌐 Work Environment
Office Type: IFS's Colombo office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and teamwork.
Office Location(s): IFS's Colombo office is located in the heart of the city, with easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities.
Workspace Context:
- Collaborative Workspace: The office features open-plan workspaces, encouraging collaboration and communication among team members.
- Development Tools: IFS provides its employees with access to the latest development tools, multiple monitors, and testing devices to ensure optimal productivity.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: The office layout facilitates cross-functional collaboration between developers, designers, and other stakeholders, fostering a culture of shared learning and continuous improvement.
Work Schedule: The standard working hours for this role are 40 hours per week, with flexibility for deployment windows, maintenance, and project deadlines.
📝 Enhancement Note: IFS's commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment creates an ideal setting for experienced DevOps engineers to thrive and make a significant impact.
📄 Application & Technical Interview Process
Interview Process:
- Technical Assessment: Candidates can expect a technical assessment focused on their DevOps and automation skills. This may include live coding exercises, architecture design discussions, and problem-solving challenges.
- Stakeholder Engagement: The interview process will involve discussions with various stakeholders, including team members, managers, and other relevant parties, to assess the candidate's fit within the team and organization.
- Final Evaluation: The final evaluation will focus on the candidate's technical impact, cultural fit, and alignment with IFS's values and mission.
Portfolio Review Tips:
- Highlight your experience in building and maintaining large-scale, multi-tenant cloud systems.
- Showcase your expertise in DevOps and GitOps automation, including successful implementation of CI/CD pipelines.
- Include case studies or examples of process improvement initiatives driven by automation.
- Be prepared to discuss your approach to identifying automation opportunities and driving change within an organization.
Technical Challenge Preparation:
- Brush up on your knowledge of enterprise-level DevOps and cloud architecture best practices.
- Familiarize yourself with 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.
- Prepare for architecture design discussions and problem-solving challenges related to cloud infrastructure and automation.
ATS Keywords: [Comprehensive list of DevOps and cloud architecture relevant keywords for resume optimization, organized by category: cloud platforms, CI/CD tools, containerization, infrastructure as code, scripting, and soft skills]
📝 Enhancement Note: IFS's interview process is designed to assess the candidate's technical proficiency, cultural fit, and alignment with the company's values and mission. Preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong background in enterprise-level DevOps and cloud architecture.
🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure
Cloud Platforms:
- Azure (specifically AKS)
- AWS
- GCP
CI/CD Tools:
- ArgoCD
- Crossplane
- GitLab
- Bitbucket
- GitHub Actions
- ADO
- Jenkins
- Bamboo
Containerization:
- Docker
- Kubernetes (K8s)
- Helm
Infrastructure as Code/Configuration Management:
- Terraform
- Ansible
Scripting:
- Bash
- PowerShell
- Python
- GoLang
Other Technologies:
- MongoDB (Atlas)
- Kafka (Confluent Kafka)
- GitOps practices (ArgoCD and CrossPlane)
📝 Enhancement Note: Familiarity with the Azure cloud platform and Azure-specific areas is a significant advantage for this role. However, candidates with experience in other cloud platforms, such as AWS or GCP, are also encouraged to apply.
👥 Team Culture & Values
DevOps Values:
- Automation: IFS values automation as a critical enabler of operational efficiency and reliability. The successful candidate will drive automation initiatives and continuously seek opportunities for process improvement.
- Collaboration: IFS fosters a culture of collaboration, encouraging team members to work together to achieve common goals. The successful candidate will be an effective communicator and team player, capable of working with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Continuous Learning: IFS encourages its employees to stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and provides opportunities for professional growth and development. The successful candidate will be eager to learn and adapt to new tools and processes.
- Quality Focus: IFS is committed to delivering high-quality, reliable, and scalable cloud services to its customers. The successful candidate will share this commitment and strive to ensure the quality of IFS's cloud platforms.
Collaboration Style:
- Cross-Functional Integration: IFS encourages collaboration between developers, designers, and other stakeholders to ensure that its products meet the needs of its customers.
- Code Review Culture: IFS follows an Agile/Scrum development methodology, with regular code reviews and quality assurance practices to ensure the delivery of high-quality software.
- Knowledge Sharing: IFS fosters a culture of knowledge sharing, with regular training sessions, workshops, and brown bag lunches to facilitate the exchange of ideas and best practices.
📝 Enhancement Note: IFS's commitment to automation, collaboration, continuous learning, and quality focus creates an ideal environment for experienced DevOps engineers to drive process improvement and make a significant impact on the organization.
⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities
Technical Challenges:
- Multi-Tenant Cloud Systems: Designing and maintaining large, globally deployed multi-tenant cloud systems for high availability and scalability can be complex and challenging. The successful candidate will have experience in building and managing such systems and be capable of driving process improvement initiatives.
- Azure Cloud Services: Familiarity with 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, is a significant advantage for this role. Candidates with experience in other cloud platforms, such as AWS or GCP, are also encouraged to apply.
- Emerging Technologies: IFS encourages its employees to stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and provides opportunities for professional growth and development. The successful candidate will be eager to learn and adapt to new tools and processes.
Learning & Development Opportunities:
- Technical Skill Development: IFS provides opportunities for professional growth and development, with regular training sessions, workshops, and brown bag lunches to facilitate the exchange of ideas and best practices.
- Leadership Development: As a senior-level role, this position offers opportunities for technical leadership and mentoring within the team and across the organization.
- Architecture Decisions: The successful candidate will have the opportunity to influence architecture decisions and drive the evolution of IFS's cloud platforms.
📝 Enhancement Note: IFS's commitment to driving automation initiatives, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and providing opportunities for professional growth and development creates an ideal environment for experienced DevOps engineers to thrive and make a significant impact on the organization.
💡 Interview Preparation
Technical Questions:
- Cloud Architecture: Prepare for questions related to cloud architecture best practices, multi-tenant cloud systems, and Azure-specific areas.
- DevOps & Automation: Brush up on your knowledge of DevOps and automation best practices, CI/CD pipelines, and GitOps strategies.
- Problem-Solving: Be prepared to discuss your approach to identifying automation opportunities and driving process improvement initiatives.
Company & Culture Questions:
- IFS Values: Familiarize yourself with IFS's values, mission, and commitment to internal AI adoption. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's goals and objectives.
- Team Dynamics: Research IFS's team structure and dynamics, and be prepared to discuss how you would collaborate with various stakeholders to drive automation initiatives and ensure operational efficiency.
- Process Improvement: Be prepared to discuss your approach to identifying automation opportunities and driving change within an organization.
Portfolio Presentation Strategy:
- Cloud Architecture: Highlight your experience in building and maintaining large-scale, multi-tenant cloud systems, and discuss the architecture decisions you've made to ensure high availability and scalability.
- DevOps & Automation: Showcase your expertise in DevOps and GitOps automation, including successful implementation of CI/CD pipelines. Include case studies or examples of process improvement initiatives driven by automation.
- Technical Deep Dive: Be prepared to discuss your approach to identifying automation opportunities and driving change within an organization, and provide specific examples of your technical contributions to process improvement and automation initiatives.
📝 Enhancement Note: IFS's interview process is designed to assess the candidate's technical proficiency, cultural fit, and alignment with the company's values and mission. Preparation should focus on demonstrating a strong background in enterprise-level DevOps and cloud architecture.
📌 Application Steps
To apply for this Lead/Senior Lead DevOps Engineer - Nexus Platform (R&D) position:
- Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your experience in building and maintaining large-scale, multi-tenant cloud systems, and emphasize your expertise in DevOps and GitOps automation. Include relevant keywords and phrases to optimize your resume for IFS's Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
- Prepare Your Portfolio: Showcase your experience in building and maintaining large-scale, multi-tenant cloud systems, and discuss your approach to identifying automation opportunities and driving process improvement initiatives. Include case studies or examples of your technical contributions to process improvement and automation.
- Research IFS: Familiarize yourself with IFS's values, mission, and commitment to internal AI adoption. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's goals and objectives.
- Practice Technical Challenges: Brush up on your knowledge of enterprise-level DevOps and cloud architecture best practices, and prepare for technical assessments, architecture design discussions, and problem-solving challenges related to cloud infrastructure and automation.
⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web technology industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.
Application Requirements
Candidates should have 3-8 years of enterprise-level experience in building multi-tenant cloud systems and designing DevOps automation. A university degree in software/system engineering or equivalent professional qualifications is essential.