Technical Consultant - Linux & Azure Cloud Engineer at thinkahead

We are seeking a highly experienced Linux & Azure Cloud Engineer with a strong foundation in Linux system administration across multiple distributions, Python scripting, test-driven development (TDD) using PyTest, and end-to-end cloud automation. A key requirement for this role is hands-on experience with Zerto, specifically in the context of cloud migrations and disaster recovery planning. The ideal candidate will be well-versed in Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Terraform and Ansible, with deep operational knowledge of both Linux server environments and Microsoft Azure services across compute, networking, containers, and monitoring.  Roles & Responsibilities • Azure Infrastructure Engineering • Architect, deploy, and manage robust Azure environments including Networking: VNet, Subnet, Private Endpoints, VPN Gateway, ExpressRoute, Route Tables, and Azure Firewall • Compute & Containers: Azure VMs (Linux-based), Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure Container Apps, Azure Container Registry (ACR) • Platform Services: Azure Web Apps, Azure Functions, Azure Automation • Monitoring & Logging: Azure Monitor, Application Insights, Log Analytics Workspace • Linux System Administration • Administer and support Linux environments across Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian, FreeBSD, and SUSE in on-premises and cloud-integrated scenarios • Manage local users and groups including creation, modification, deletion, and enforcement of access controls and sudo policies • Configure and manage filesystem permissions using standard POSIX models (chmod, chown, ACLs) and manage disk layouts including LVM, ext4, XFS, and NFS-mounted volumes • Perform package installations, upgrades, and removals using distribution-native package managers (yum/dnf, apt, zypper, pkg) and maintain patch compliance • Control and manage system services using systemd and SysVinit, including enabling, disabling, starting, stopping, and monitoring service states • Schedule and manage automated tasks using cron and crontab, including system maintenance, backups, and monitoring scripts • Configure and integrate LDAP for centralized authentication and directory services in enterprise Linux environments • Configure DNS (BIND/systemd-resolved) and NTP (chrony/ntpd) services for reliable network time synchronization and name resolution • Set up and manage NFS server and client configurations for shared storage in enterprise and hybrid cloud environments • Develop and maintain Bourne shell (sh/bash) scripts for system automation, administrative tasks, and operational workflows • Analyze syslog output and journal logs (journalctl) to diagnose issues, identify security events, and audit system activity • Monitor system performance using tools such as top, htop, vmstat, iostat, sar, and netstat; proactively identify and resolve bottlenecks and capacity issues • Develop and execute Ansible Playbooks for configuration management, application deployment, and system hardening across Linux fleets • Python Automation & Testing • Develop scalable, testable Python scripts for cloud automation, Linux system integrations, and operational workflows • Implement test-driven development (TDD) using PyTest to validate automation scripts, infrastructure logic, and monitoring pipelines • Infrastructure as Code (IaC) • Automate infrastructure provisioning using Terraform and Ansible across hybrid Linux and Azure environments • Build reusable, parameterized Terraform modules and Ansible roles aligned with best practices for repeatable, secure deployments • Zerto Implementation & DR Strategy • Lead Zerto-based migration and disaster recovery implementations between on-premises Linux environments and Azure • Optimize replication, orchestration, and failover strategies using Zerto in hybrid or multi-cloud environments • CI/CD & DevOps Integration • Integrate IaC and automation into Git-based pipelines for Linux and cloud infrastructure • Design and support efficient CI/CD workflows that promote velocity, compliance, and observability across Linux-based build and deployment systems Qualifications • Cloud & Azure • Deep hands-on expertise with Microsoft Azure cloud services and Linux-based Azure workloads • Proficiency in Python with real-world experience in test-driven development using PyTest • Strong experience with Zerto for cloud migration, backup, and DR orchestration • Infrastructure automation using Terraform and Ansible • Solid understanding of Git, version control workflows, and DevOps tooling • Strong grasp of Azure networking, compute, and container-based architectures • Experience with cloud security, RBAC, policies, and compliance frameworks • Linux Platform • O/S knowledge: Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian, FreeBSD, and SUSE • Local user and group management including access control and sudo policy enforcement • Filesystem permissions: POSIX model, ACLs, LVM, and storage management • Package installation and updates using yum/dnf, apt, zypper, and pkg • Service control using systemd and SysVinit • Cron jobs and scheduled task management • LDAP configuration for centralized authentication • DNS and NTP configuration (BIND, chrony, systemd-resolved) • NFS server and client configuration for shared storage • Bourne shell scripting (sh/bash) for system automation • Syslog and journal log analysis for diagnostics and auditing • Performance monitoring and troubleshooting using native Linux tools • Familiarity with Ansible Playbook authoring and execution • Education & Certifications • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or equivalent • Microsoft Azure Certifications (e.g., AZ-104, AZ-400, AZ-305) • Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) or equivalent Linux certification preferred • Familiarity with Agile methodologies and enterprise IT operations