Senior Cloud Engineer at Specsavers

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Cloud Engineer
Company: Specsavers
Location: Fareham, Hampshire, United Kingdom
Job Type: On-site
Category: DevOps Engineer
Date Posted: 2025-06-25
Experience Level: Mid-Senior level (5-10 years)
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Lead the design, build, and optimization of global cloud infrastructure primarily in Azure, with exposure to AWS and GCP.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure cloud platforms are robust, secure, and future-ready.
Drive automation, environment management, performance tuning, and partner collaboration to enhance cloud services.
Mentor team members and foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strategic mindset, with a focus on long-term cloud infrastructure planning and scalability, alongside day-to-day management and optimization.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Cloud Architecture & Design: Lead the development of cloud architecture strategies, ensuring they align with business objectives and comply with global governance and compliance standards.
Cloud Migration & Optimization: Plan, execute, and optimize cloud migrations, improving performance, scalability, and cost-efficiency.
Automation & Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Implement and manage automation tools and IaC to streamline deployment, configuration, and management of cloud resources.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with engineering, QA, operations, and delivery teams to ensure cloud platforms meet their needs and support business goals.
Mentoring & Knowledge Sharing: Mentor junior team members, share best practices, and foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong understanding of cloud security, networking, and data management, as well as the ability to balance technical depth with business acumen.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. Relevant certifications (e.g., Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional) are a plus.

Experience: Proven experience (5-10 years) in cloud engineering, with a focus on Azure and a strong background in AWS and GCP. Experience in a global business setting is preferred.

Required Skills:

Proficiency in Azure, AWS, and GCP cloud platforms
Strong experience with environment management, automation, and DevOps tooling (e.g., GitHub, Jenkins, Azure DevOps)
Proficiency in scripting languages like Python, YAML, or Shell
Solid understanding of containers, databases, networks, and security frameworks
Experience with cloud governance, compliance, and security in a global business setting
Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills

Preferred Skills:

Experience with multi-cloud and hybrid cloud environments
Familiarity with Terraform or other IaC tools
Knowledge of ITIL and Agile methodologies
Experience with cloud cost management and optimization tools

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Cloud Architecture Portfolio: Prepare a portfolio showcasing your cloud architecture designs, migrations, and optimization projects, highlighting your ability to balance technical depth with business objectives.
Automation & IaC Projects: Demonstrate your proficiency in automation tools and IaC by presenting projects that showcase your ability to streamline deployment, configuration, and management of cloud resources.
Cross-Functional Collaboration Case Studies: Present case studies that illustrate your ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams to deliver cloud solutions that meet their needs and support business goals.
Mentoring & Knowledge Sharing Examples: Provide examples of your mentoring and knowledge-sharing efforts, demonstrating your ability to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: Tailor your portfolio to emphasize your experience with Azure, AWS, and GCP, as well as your ability to manage complex cloud projects in a global business setting.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £60,000 - £80,000 per annum (based on UK market research for senior cloud engineering roles with 5-10 years of experience)

Benefits:

Competitive pension scheme
Health and wellbeing benefits, including private medical insurance and dental cover
Generous holiday allowance and flexible working arrangements
Employee discounts on Specsavers products and services
Opportunities for professional development and career progression

Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with flexibility for project deadlines and maintenance windows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is an estimate based on UK market research for senior cloud engineering roles. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience, skills, and the company's internal salary structure.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Retail optics, with a strong focus on technology and digital transformation to enhance customer experience and business operations.

Company Size: Medium to large (approx. 30,000 employees globally), with a decentralized structure that encourages local autonomy and innovation.

Founded: 1984, with a rich history of growth and expansion, both organically and through strategic acquisitions.

Team Structure:

Global Cloud Services team, newly established to drive cloud strategy and execution across the organization.
Collaborative, cross-functional teams, including engineering, QA, operations, and delivery teams, working together to deliver cloud solutions that meet business needs.

Development Methodology:

Agile and iterative development processes, with a focus on continuous improvement and customer value.
Strong emphasis on collaboration, communication, and knowledge sharing across teams.

Company Website: https://www.specsavers.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Specsavers' culture values innovation, collaboration, and customer focus. The company encourages employees to take ownership of their roles and contribute to its continued success in the competitive retail optics market.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Cloud Engineering Career Level: Senior cloud engineer roles focus on driving cloud strategy, architecture, and optimization, with a strong emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and mentoring.

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Global Head of Cloud Services and may have indirect reports, depending on the organization's structure and growth plans.

Technical Impact: Senior cloud engineers play a critical role in shaping the company's cloud strategy, ensuring that cloud platforms are robust, secure, and future-ready, and that they support business objectives and customer needs.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Leadership: Progress to a principal cloud engineering or cloud architecture role, focusing on strategic planning, innovation, and mentoring.
Management: Transition into a people management role, leading a team of cloud engineers and driving the team's success.
Global Expansion: Contribute to Specsavers' global expansion by leading cloud projects in new regions or markets.

📝 Enhancement Note: Career progression in cloud engineering at Specsavers is likely to involve a combination of technical depth, leadership, and management responsibilities, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and customer focus.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, open-plan offices with a collaborative work environment, designed to foster communication and innovation.

Office Location(s): Fareham, Hampshire, United Kingdom, with opportunities for remote work and global collaboration.

Workspace Context:

Collaboration: Specsavers encourages a collaborative work environment, with dedicated spaces for team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and social events.
Technology: The workplace is equipped with modern technology, including high-speed internet, multiple monitors, and specialized software for cloud engineering tasks.
Flexibility: Specsavers offers flexible working arrangements, including remote work and flexible hours, to support work-life balance.

Work Schedule: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with flexibility for project deadlines and maintenance windows. The role may require occasional weekend or out-of-hours work to support critical projects or maintenance activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: Specsavers' work environment is designed to support collaboration, innovation, and employee well-being, with a strong focus on work-life balance and flexible working arrangements.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Phone Screen (30 minutes): A brief call to discuss your application, experience, and career aspirations.
Technical Interview (60 minutes): A deep dive into your cloud engineering skills, focusing on Azure, AWS, and GCP, as well as your experience with automation, DevOps, and cross-functional collaboration.
Architecture Challenge (60 minutes): A hands-on exercise to assess your cloud architecture and design skills, focusing on scalability, performance, and security.
Behavioral Interview (60 minutes): A discussion of your problem-solving skills, leadership style, and cultural fit with Specsavers.
Final Interview (60 minutes): A meeting with the Global Head of Cloud Services to discuss your career aspirations, growth opportunities, and next steps.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Cloud Architecture: Highlight your experience with cloud architecture design, migration, and optimization, emphasizing your ability to balance technical depth with business objectives.
Automation & IaC: Demonstrate your proficiency in automation tools and IaC by presenting projects that showcase your ability to streamline deployment, configuration, and management of cloud resources.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Present case studies that illustrate your ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams to deliver cloud solutions that meet their needs and support business goals.
Mentoring & Knowledge Sharing: Provide examples of your mentoring and knowledge-sharing efforts, demonstrating your ability to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Cloud Architecture: Brush up on your cloud architecture knowledge, focusing on Azure, AWS, and GCP, and review best practices for scalability, performance, and security.
Automation & IaC: Familiarize yourself with the latest automation tools and IaC trends, and practice using them to manage cloud resources.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Prepare examples of your experience working with cross-functional teams, highlighting your ability to understand their needs and deliver solutions that meet business goals.
Mentoring & Knowledge Sharing: Reflect on your mentoring and knowledge-sharing efforts, and prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

ATS Keywords:

Cloud Platforms: Azure, AWS, GCP, multi-cloud, hybrid cloud
Automation & IaC: Infrastructure as Code, Terraform, Ansible, Puppet, Chef, GitHub, Jenkins, Azure DevOps
DevOps & Collaboration: Agile, Scrum, Kanban, ITIL, Git, CI/CD, containerization, microservices, serverless
Cloud Governance & Security: IAM, RBAC, compliance, security frameworks, cloud cost management, cloud optimization

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is designed to assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit with Specsavers. Be prepared to discuss your experience with cloud engineering, automation, and cross-functional collaboration, as well as your career aspirations and growth opportunities.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Cloud Platforms:

Azure (primary focus)
AWS
GCP

Automation & IaC:

Terraform
Ansible
Puppet
Chef
GitHub
Jenkins
Azure DevOps

DevOps & Collaboration:

Agile
Scrum
Kanban
ITIL
Git
CI/CD
containerization (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)
microservices
serverless (e.g., Azure Functions, AWS Lambda, Google Cloud Functions)

Cloud Governance & Security:

IAM (Identity and Access Management)
RBAC (Role-Based Access Control)
compliance (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001)
security frameworks (e.g., CIS Benchmarks, NIST, ISO 27001)
cloud cost management (e.g., Azure Cost Management, AWS Cost Explorer, Google Cloud Billing)
cloud optimization (e.g., Azure Advisor, AWS Trusted Advisor, Google Cloud Recommender)

📝 Enhancement Note: Specsavers uses a diverse technology stack, with a primary focus on Azure. Familiarize yourself with the latest trends and best practices for each technology, and be prepared to discuss your experience with them in the interview process.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Cloud Engineering Values:

Customer Focus: Prioritize customer needs and business objectives in all cloud engineering activities.
Innovation: Embrace continuous learning and improvement, driving cloud innovation and adoption across the organization.
Collaboration: Foster a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing, working effectively with cross-functional teams to deliver cloud solutions that meet business needs.
Quality: Ensure that cloud platforms are robust, secure, and future-ready, with a strong emphasis on performance, scalability, and cost-efficiency.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: Work closely with engineering, QA, operations, and delivery teams to ensure that cloud platforms meet their needs and support business goals.
Code Review Culture: Encourage a culture of code review and peer programming, with a strong emphasis on knowledge sharing and continuous learning.
Mentoring & Knowledge Sharing: Foster a culture of mentoring and knowledge sharing, with regular training, workshops, and brown-bag sessions to drive cloud engineering excellence.

📝 Enhancement Note: Specsavers' cloud engineering culture values customer focus, innovation, collaboration, and quality. The team encourages a collaborative work environment, with a strong emphasis on knowledge sharing, mentoring, and continuous learning.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Cloud Architecture: Design, migrate, and optimize cloud infrastructure at scale, balancing technical depth with business objectives and customer needs.
Automation & IaC: Implement and manage automation tools and IaC to streamline deployment, configuration, and management of cloud resources, with a strong emphasis on scalability, performance, and security.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work effectively with cross-functional teams to deliver cloud solutions that meet their needs and support business goals, with a focus on customer value and business impact.
Mentoring & Knowledge Sharing: Foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement, mentoring team members and driving cloud engineering excellence across the organization.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Cloud Platforms: Deepen your expertise in Azure, AWS, and GCP, and explore emerging cloud technologies and trends.
Automation & IaC: Enhance your skills in automation tools and IaC, and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices.
DevOps & Collaboration: Expand your knowledge of DevOps and collaboration tools, and explore new ways to improve cross-functional collaboration and customer value.
Cloud Governance & Security: Enhance your understanding of cloud governance, compliance, and security, and stay informed about emerging threats and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant technical challenges and growth opportunities, with a strong emphasis on cloud architecture, automation, cross-functional collaboration, and mentoring. Be prepared to discuss your experience with these challenges and your approach to driving cloud engineering excellence.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Cloud Architecture: Discuss your experience with cloud architecture design, migration, and optimization, focusing on Azure, AWS, and GCP. Be prepared to discuss best practices for scalability, performance, and security.
Automation & IaC: Demonstrate your proficiency in automation tools and IaC by discussing your experience with tools like Terraform, Ansible, Puppet, and Chef. Be prepared to discuss best practices for streamlining deployment, configuration, and management of cloud resources.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Present case studies that illustrate your ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams to deliver cloud solutions that meet their needs and support business goals. Be prepared to discuss your approach to understanding customer needs and driving business impact.

Company & Culture Questions:

Cloud Engineering Culture: Discuss your understanding of Specsavers' cloud engineering culture, focusing on customer focus, innovation, collaboration, and quality. Be prepared to discuss your approach to driving cloud engineering excellence and supporting business objectives.
Cloud Platforms: Discuss your experience with Azure, AWS, and GCP, and your preference for working with one or more of these platforms. Be prepared to discuss the benefits and challenges of each platform, and your approach to multi-cloud and hybrid cloud environments.
Cloud Governance & Security: Discuss your experience with cloud governance, compliance, and security, and your approach to ensuring that cloud platforms are robust, secure, and future-ready. Be prepared to discuss emerging threats and best practices, and your approach to cloud cost management and optimization.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Cloud Architecture: Highlight your experience with cloud architecture design, migration, and optimization, emphasizing your ability to balance technical depth with business objectives. Use live demos, diagrams, and case studies to illustrate your approach to cloud architecture and design.
Automation & IaC: Demonstrate your proficiency in automation tools and IaC by presenting projects that showcase your ability to streamline deployment, configuration, and management of cloud resources. Use live demos, code snippets, and best practice guides to illustrate your approach to automation and IaC.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Present case studies that illustrate your ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams to deliver cloud solutions that meet their needs and support business goals. Use live demos, user stories, and business impact metrics to illustrate your approach to cross-functional collaboration and customer value.
Mentoring & Knowledge Sharing: Provide examples of your mentoring and knowledge-sharing efforts, demonstrating your ability to foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Use live demos, training materials, and testimonials to illustrate your approach to mentoring and knowledge sharing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is designed to assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit with Specsavers. Be prepared to discuss your experience with cloud engineering, automation, and cross-functional collaboration, as well as your career aspirations and growth opportunities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Cloud Engineer position at Specsavers:

Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your experience with cloud engineering, automation, and cross-functional collaboration, emphasizing your ability to drive cloud engineering excellence and support business objectives.
Prepare Your Portfolio: Showcase your cloud architecture, automation, and cross-functional collaboration projects, emphasizing your ability to balance technical depth with business objectives and customer needs.
Research Specsavers: Familiarize yourself with Specsavers' cloud engineering culture, focusing on customer focus, innovation, collaboration, and quality. Prepare questions that demonstrate your understanding of the company and its cloud engineering priorities.
Practice Technical Challenges: Brush up on your cloud architecture, automation, and cross-functional collaboration skills, and practice solving technical challenges that mimic the interview process.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and cloud engineering industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Specsavers before making application decisions.

Senior Cloud Engineer