Senior/Staff DevOps Engineer, Azure (HHS)

📍 Job Overview

• Job Title: Senior/Staff DevOps Engineer, Azure (HHS)
• Company: Skylight
• Location: United States
• Job Type: Remote
• Category: DevOps Engineer
• Date Posted: 2025-08-01
• Experience Level: 5-10 years

🚀 Role Summary

• Key Responsibilities: Develop and manage Azure cloud infrastructure, collaborate with developers to ensure code can be reliably released, and ensure the security and compliance of applications.
• Key Skills: Azure cloud infrastructure, Terraform, strong communication skills, security best practices, infrastructure as code, continuous integration/deployment, monitoring, metrics, logging, collaboration, legacy systems modernization, agile engineering principles, Docker, Kubernetes, healthcare technology.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

🔧 Infrastructure Development & Management

• Develop and manage Azure cloud infrastructure to support critical public health tooling for state, local, territorial, and tribal partners.
• Collaborate with developers to engineer great experiences in web-based environments such as Ruby, Python, Java, and Node.js through automation, virtualization, and process improvement.
• Achieve technical excellence by advocating for and adhering to lean-agile engineering principles and practices such as simple design and automated testing.

🔒 Security & Compliance

• Protect sensitive data by applying security and privacy best practices.
• Conduct security audits and risk analyses, and plan and implement remediations.
• Select and use the right tools, frameworks, languages, and technologies for the job, with a preference for open-source solutions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

🎓 Education & Experience

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. Relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Experience: 5-10 years of experience in DevOps, with a focus on Azure cloud infrastructure and Terraform. Experience working with healthcare technology and standards (HL7, FHIR) is a plus.

🛠️ Required Skills

• Technical Skills:
  • Proficiency in Azure cloud infrastructure and Terraform
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across technical and non-technical audiences
  • Experience working with developers to understand needs and communicate solutions
  • Ability to clearly articulate technical, design, and business tradeoffs when making decisions
  • Demonstrated ability to learn, understand, and modernize legacy systems
  • Understanding of modern software development concepts and ability to work closely with software engineers
  • Comfort with developing infrastructure intended for handoff to customers or other partners
  • Ability to work in a cloud-centric world, ensuring the availability, reliability, and resiliency of systems
  • Knowledge of creating and maintaining infrastructure as code and standardizing deployment processes
  • Ability to work successfully within a professional services environment

🛠️ Preferred Skills

• Experience flexing into software development tasks as part of a delivery team
• Experience with legacy system modernization efforts
• Experience with Docker and containerized services, including Kubernetes
• Comfort working in a variety of cloud platforms
• Prior experience working in a hybrid cloud or on-prem environment
• Knowledge of operating in highly regulated government environments (FedRAMP, FISMA, etc.)
• Familiarity with healthcare technology and standards (HL7, FHIR)
• Prior experience working in the civic tech space
• Experience working in a remote team environment

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

📚 Portfolio Essentials

• Azure Infrastructure Projects: Showcase your experience developing and managing Azure cloud infrastructure for critical public health tooling. Highlight your ability to collaborate with developers and ensure the reliability and security of applications.
• Terraform Demonstrations: Provide examples of Terraform code that demonstrates your proficiency in managing infrastructure as code in Azure-based environments.
• Security & Compliance Projects: Display your ability to protect sensitive data, conduct security audits, and implement remediations. Highlight your understanding of security best practices and compliance standards.
• Collaboration & Communication: Showcase your strong communication skills and ability to work with both technical and non-technical audiences. Provide examples of how you have effectively communicated technical, design, and business tradeoffs.

📚 Technical Documentation

• Code Quality & Documentation: Demonstrate your commitment to code quality, commenting, and documentation standards. Show how you ensure that your code is well-organized, easy to understand, and maintainable.
• Version Control & Deployment: Highlight your experience with version control systems, deployment processes, and server configuration. Provide examples of how you have ensured the smooth and reliable deployment of applications.
• Testing & Optimization: Showcase your understanding of testing methodologies, performance metrics, and optimization techniques. Provide examples of how you have identified and addressed performance bottlenecks and improved the overall quality of applications.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

💰 Salary Range

• Staff DevOps Engineer: $170,000 - $203,000 per year

🎁 Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Dependent care FSA, healthcare FSA, and health savings account
• 401(k) match up to 10% of your salary with no vesting period
• Flexible paid-time-off policy (around 25 days per year) and 11 paid federal holidays
• Up to 12 weeks paid-time-off for new birth, adoption, or foster parents
• Performance rewards, including annual salary increase, annual performance bonus, spot bonuses, and stock options
• Business development/sales bonuses and referral bonuses
• Annual $2,000 allowance for professional development and $750 allowance for tech-related purchases
• Annual swag budget of $100 for Skylight-branded merchandise
• Dollar-for-dollar charity donation matching, up to $500 per year
• Flexible, remote-friendly work environment
• An environment that empowers you to unleash your superpowers for public good

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

• Industry: Skylight is a digital consultancy using design and technology to help government agencies deliver better public services.
• Company Size: Skylight is a growing team of public interest technologists.
• Founded: Skylight was founded in 2012.
• Team Structure: Skylight's DevOps team works closely with software engineers to ensure the reliability, security, and scalability of applications. The team is structured to facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing across disciplines.
• Development Methodology: Skylight follows lean-agile engineering principles and practices, such as simple design and automated testing. The team uses Agile methodologies, such as Scrum, to manage development projects.
• Company Website: Skylight

📝 Enhancement Note: Skylight's culture is driven by a mission to create better public outcomes through great government services. The company values collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to public service.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

• Web Technology Career Level: Senior/Staff DevOps Engineer roles at Skylight involve significant technical leadership and responsibility. Staff engineers are expected to drive technical decisions, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to the company's technical vision.
• Reporting Structure: Staff DevOps Engineers at Skylight typically report directly to the Director of Engineering or another senior technical leader within the organization.
• Technical Impact: Staff DevOps Engineers at Skylight have a significant impact on the company's technical direction and the quality of its products. They are responsible for ensuring the reliability, security, and scalability of critical public health tooling and collaborate with developers to drive technical innovation.

🌐 Work Environment

• Office Type: Skylight offers a flexible, remote-friendly work environment, with the option to work from the company's offices in Washington, D.C., or remotely from anywhere in the United States.
• Office Location(s): Skylight's headquarters are located in Washington, D.C. The company also has offices in New York, New York, and San Francisco, California.
• Workspace Context: Skylight's remote-friendly work environment allows employees to work from home or from one of the company's offices. The company provides the necessary tools and resources to ensure a productive and comfortable workspace, regardless of location.
• Work Schedule: Skylight offers a flexible work schedule, with the option to work full-time or part-time. The company also offers flexible time off and paid holidays to ensure a healthy work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Skylight's flexible work environment allows employees to balance their personal and professional responsibilities while maintaining a high level of productivity and job satisfaction.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

📄 Interview Process

1. Screening: A brief phone or video call to assess your qualifications and cultural fit.
2. Technical Deep Dive: A deeper dive into your technical skills and experience, focusing on your proficiency in Azure cloud infrastructure, Terraform, and security best practices.
3. Behavioral & Cultural Fit: An interview to assess your communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit with Skylight's values and mission.
4. Final Decision: A final interview with senior leadership to make a hiring decision.

📚 Portfolio Review Tips

• Azure Infrastructure Projects: Highlight your experience developing and managing Azure cloud infrastructure for critical public health tooling. Showcase your ability to collaborate with developers and ensure the reliability and security of applications.
• Terraform Demonstrations: Provide examples of Terraform code that demonstrates your proficiency in managing infrastructure as code in Azure-based environments.
• Security & Compliance Projects: Display your ability to protect sensitive data, conduct security audits, and implement remediations. Highlight your understanding of security best practices and compliance standards.
• Collaboration & Communication: Showcase your strong communication skills and ability to work with both technical and non-technical audiences. Provide examples of how you have effectively communicated technical, design, and business tradeoffs.

💡 Technical Challenge Preparation

• Azure Infrastructure Challenges: Familiarize yourself with Azure cloud infrastructure, including deploying and managing services in enterprise or government environments. Practice creating and managing Azure resources using Terraform and other infrastructure as code tools.
• Security Challenges: Brush up on your knowledge of security best practices, compliance standards, and common vulnerabilities. Practice conducting security audits, risk analyses, and implementing remediations.
• Collaboration & Communication Challenges: Prepare for scenarios that test your ability to communicate technical, design, and business tradeoffs effectively. Practice explaining complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences and working with stakeholders to understand their needs and communicate solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Skylight's interview process is designed to assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit with the company's values and mission. The company values collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to public service, and seeks candidates who share these priorities.

🛠️ Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

🔧 Infrastructure Technologies

• Azure Cloud Infrastructure: Proficiency in deploying and managing services in Azure-based environments, including Azure Virtual Machines, Azure App Service, Azure Functions, and Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS).
• Terraform: Proficiency in managing infrastructure as code using Terraform, including creating and maintaining Terraform modules and writing custom scripts to automate infrastructure management tasks.
• Docker & Kubernetes: Experience with Docker and containerized services, including Kubernetes, is a plus. Familiarity with managing containerized services in Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) is beneficial.
• Security & Compliance Tools: Experience with security and compliance tools, such as Azure Security Center, Azure Sentinel, and Azure Policy, is desirable. Familiarity with implementing and managing security best practices and compliance standards is essential.

📝 Enhancement Note: Skylight's technology stack is built on Azure cloud infrastructure and leverages Terraform for infrastructure as code management. The company values open-source solutions and encourages the use of industry-standard tools and technologies.

👥 Team Culture & Values

🌟 Skylight's Core Values

• Collaboration: Skylight values collaboration and cross-functional teamwork. The company encourages employees to work together to achieve shared goals and drive technical innovation.
• Innovation: Skylight fosters a culture of innovation, encouraging employees to think creatively and challenge the status quo. The company values experimentation, iteration, and continuous learning.
• Commitment to Public Service: Skylight is dedicated to creating better public outcomes through great government services. The company values a strong commitment to public service and a passion for making a positive impact on people's lives.

🤝 Collaboration Style

• Cross-Functional Integration: Skylight's DevOps team works closely with software engineers, designers, and stakeholders to ensure the reliability, security, and scalability of applications. The team is structured to facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing across disciplines.
• Code Review Culture: Skylight values a culture of code review, with a focus on continuous learning and improvement. The company encourages employees to share their knowledge and expertise with their colleagues and contribute to the team's collective skillset.
• Knowledge Sharing & Mentoring: Skylight fosters a culture of knowledge sharing and mentoring, with a focus on helping employees grow both technically and professionally. The company encourages employees to share their expertise with their colleagues and contribute to the team's collective success.

📝 Enhancement Note: Skylight's culture is driven by a commitment to collaboration, innovation, and public service. The company values a strong work ethic, a passion for learning, and a dedication to making a positive impact on people's lives.

⚡️ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

🔧 Technical Challenges

• Azure Infrastructure Challenges: Develop and manage Azure cloud infrastructure for critical public health tooling, ensuring the reliability, security, and scalability of applications.
• Security & Compliance Challenges: Protect sensitive data, conduct security audits, and implement remediations. Stay up-to-date with security best practices, compliance standards, and emerging threats.
• Legacy System Modernization Challenges: Work with legacy systems and help modernize them to meet the needs of today's users. Collaborate with developers to ensure the reliability, security, and scalability of applications built on legacy infrastructure.
• Emerging Technology Challenges: Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and trends in the DevOps and cloud infrastructure space. Identify opportunities to leverage new tools and techniques to improve the reliability, security, and scalability of applications.

📚 Learning & Development Opportunities

• Technical Skill Development: Skylight offers opportunities for technical skill development, including training, workshops, and mentoring programs. The company encourages employees to pursue certifications and other forms of professional development.
• Conference Attendance & Networking: Skylight supports employees' attendance at industry conferences and events, providing opportunities for networking and learning from other professionals in the field.
• Technical Leadership Development: Skylight offers opportunities for technical leadership development, including mentoring programs, team leadership training, and architecture decision-making responsibilities.
• Company-Specific Learning Opportunities: Skylight provides company-specific learning opportunities, including onboarding programs, team-building exercises, and regular check-ins to discuss career growth and development.

📝 Enhancement Note: Skylight's challenges and growth opportunities are designed to help employees develop their technical skills, advance their careers, and make a positive impact on the company's mission to create better public outcomes through great government services.

💡 Interview Preparation

💡 Technical Questions

• Azure Infrastructure Questions: Be prepared to discuss your experience deploying and managing services in Azure-based environments. Practice explaining your approach to infrastructure as code management using Terraform and other tools.
• Security & Compliance Questions: Brush up on your knowledge of security best practices, compliance standards, and common vulnerabilities. Practice explaining your approach to protecting sensitive data, conducting security audits, and implementing remediations.
• Collaboration & Communication Questions: Prepare for scenarios that test your ability to communicate technical, design, and business tradeoffs effectively. Practice explaining complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences and working with stakeholders to understand their needs and communicate solutions.

📚 Portfolio Presentation Strategy

• Azure Infrastructure Projects: Highlight your experience developing and managing Azure cloud infrastructure for critical public health tooling. Showcase your ability to collaborate with developers and ensure the reliability and security of applications.
• Terraform Demonstrations: Provide examples of Terraform code that demonstrates your proficiency in managing infrastructure as code in Azure-based environments.
• Security & Compliance Projects: Display your ability to protect sensitive data, conduct security audits, and implement remediations. Highlight your understanding of security best practices and compliance standards.
• Collaboration & Communication: Showcase your strong communication skills and ability to work with both technical and non-technical audiences. Provide examples of how you have effectively communicated technical, design, and business tradeoffs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Skylight's interview process is designed to assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit with the company's values and mission. The company values collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to public service, and seeks candidates who share these priorities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior/Staff DevOps Engineer, Azure (HHS) position at Skylight:

1. Submit Your Application: Visit the Skylight careers page and follow the instructions to submit your application.
2. Prepare Your Portfolio: Highlight your experience developing and managing Azure cloud infrastructure, your proficiency in Terraform, and your commitment to security best practices and compliance standards. Showcase your ability to collaborate with developers and ensure the reliability, security, and scalability of applications.
3. Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your relevant technical skills, experience, and achievements. Include specific keywords and phrases related to Azure cloud infrastructure, Terraform, and security best practices to help your resume stand out.
4. Prepare for Technical Interviews: Brush up on your knowledge of Azure cloud infrastructure, Terraform, and security best practices. Practice explaining your approach to infrastructure as code management, protecting sensitive data, and collaborating with developers and stakeholders.
5. Research Skylight: Learn about Skylight's mission, values, and culture. Prepare questions to ask during your interviews that demonstrate your interest in the company and its work.

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