Principal Cloud Engineer

About the position

The Hartford's Enterprise Cloud Organization is seeking a Principal Cloud Solution Engineer to lead the transformation of its cloud activities. This role involves setting strategic direction for cloud engineering, designing modern architectures for multi-cloud deployments evaluating future technical solutions and assessing security risks. The Principal Cloud Solution Engineer will collaborate closely with leaders in infrastructure, enterprise cloud operations, security architecture, data services, and CIO areas to build an application-focused cloud ecosystem using Google services. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in architecting cloud-first solutions within primarily within GCP and should have a strong understanding of AWS, and/or Azure. Along with a strong technical background in Infrastructure the ideal candidate should have proficiency in software engineering, network services, security automation platforms, FinOps and cloud operations. This position offers the opportunity to shape the future direction of cloud engineering at The Hartford, drive transformation efforts, and present recommendations to executive management. The role requires a confident thought leader capable of challenging existing norms and leading foundational cloud ecosystem projects across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead cloud solution engineering efforts for GCP from ideation through execution, including analysis, design, implementation, and knowledge transfer.
• Establish software engineering principles and guardrails through robust governance at all stages of the GCP, AWS, and multi-cloud product development lifecycle.
• Develop, mature the GCP platform in alignment with multi-cloud strategy and roadmap by identifying dependencies and creating working prototypes for use by engineering teams.
• Oversee the design, implementation, orchestration, automation, and maintenance of GCP, AWS, and multi-cloud services in alignment with our cloud strategy.
• Engineer and orchestrate immutable infrastructure leveraging programmable infrastructure (Infrastructure as Code) using CI/CD pipelines with a shift-left approach.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders and technology partners to provide leadership and support for our company's ongoing cloud transformation, ensuring a security perspective that aligns with business goals and delivery timelines.
• Offer expert guidance and consultation on the implementation of new security technologies to enhance the operational efficiency and strategic value of the IT landscape.
• Develop and maintain enablers like technology standards, reference architecture blueprints, enterprise-level architecture decisions, technology decision trees, and a catalog of reusable engineering and architecture patterns.
• Define standards, patterns, policies, and processes to be enforced primarily within GCP, in conjunction with multi-cloud product engineering practices (AWS and other major CSPs).
• Lead technology selection workshops and proof-of-concept projects to evaluate the viability and integration of new technologies into the business environment.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience as a Cloud Engineer, focusing on platform and product engineering for infrastructure services, networking, security, and software engineering.
• 5+ years of direct experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and services, with strong technical knowledge. Familiarity with AWS and multi-cloud ecosystems.
• Extensive engineering skills and experience in building scalable cloud solutions for various business use cases, utilizing emerging capabilities such as Generative AI (GenAI), machine learning, and advanced analytics.
• Strong understanding of DevSecOps philosophy and scaled agile methodologies.
• Proven ability to navigate a highly matrixed environment and operate successfully within cross-functional teams in a large organization.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills for interacting with all levels of management and staff.
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, information security, or a related field, Advanced degree desirable.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in creating and distributing technical assets such as white papers, technical journals, blog posts, and videos.
• Knowledge of the insurance industry.
• Certifications including Google Professional Cloud Architect, AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional, and Azure Solutions Architect - Expert.

Benefits

• Short-term or annual bonuses
• Long-term incentives
• On-the-spot recognition