Job description

Job Type: Regular DevOps Engineer – Information Services The DevOps Engineer is a member of the Application Delivery team in RAND’s Information Services department. The team is responsible for managing a broad portfolio of enterprise applications, including custom-developed cloud-based applications and commercial SaaS applications used throughout the RAND enterprise. Primary responsibilities include managing the team’s Microsoft Azure environment with a focus on service monitoring to ensure uptime and reliability, scripting the deployment and automation of new services, and leading efforts to implement CI/CD processes. This role works collaboratively with internal customers, researchers, and Information Services team members (application developers, operations engineers, information security). The ideal candidate maintains a positive attitude and is a team player with a desire to impact change. The candidate has very strong analytical and technical skills along with demonstrated ability to get things done in a customer-driven, fast-paced collaborative team environment. We highly value candidates who demonstrate strong enthusiasm and an aptitude for rapid learning, with direct experience in the specified technologies considered beneficial. Minimum Qualifications 5+ years of experience in a DevOps or similar role, working with a variety of technologies and cloud platforms. Proven experience managing and configuring complex Azure environments, including subscriptions, resource groups, virtual networks and private endpoints, DNS, identity and access management, RBAC, security controls, cost management and billing, monitoring, backup and disaster recovery. Experience with Azure services such as Monitor, Application Gateway, Entra ID, Key Vault, Storage, Defender, OpenAI. Strong coding/scripting abilities in languages such as Python, PowerShell, JavaScript, C#, etc. Experience developing and supporting infrastructure-as-code (IaC) templates using ARM, Bicep, Terraform, etc. Experience implementing automated CI/CD pipelines with tools such as GitHub/GitLab, Jenkins, Azure DevOps, etc. Familiar with containerization and orchestration platforms such as Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift, etc. Familiar with logging and monitoring tools such as Prometheus, Grafana, Splunk, etc. Proven ability to develop technical documentation such as system architecture diagrams, networking diagrams, process and data flow diagrams, data models, etc. Experience working in an Agile/Scrum/Lean development environment and tracking tasks in Jira or similar systems. Excellent problem solving and troubleshooting skills. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with a wide variety of technical and non-technical stakeholders. Familiar with Microsoft best practice architecture patterns, governance frameworks, zero trust principles. Passionate about software and technology. Stays current on industry trends, technologies, and best practices. Desired Qualifications Strong preference for a generalist who can contribute across numerous functional areas – multi-cloud environments (experience with AWS in addition to Azure is a plus), on-prem infrastructure management, infrastructure automation, deployment pipelines, networking configuration, system administration, coding, patching and vulnerability management, etc. Experience developing or supporting Microsoft Azure cloud-native applications that leverage PaaS offerings such as App Service Plans, Functions, SQL Database, Search, Data Factory, Data Lake, Synapse, Fabric, etc. General understanding of artificial intelligence concepts and related technologies such as Azure OpenAI, AI Foundry, etc. Education Requirements Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.   Experience Minimum 5 years of experience as a software developer, cloud engineer, or system administrator. Technical Writing Samples Required Applicants are required to provide writing samples, architecture diagrams, and other relevant technical materials. Location The ideal candidate will be located near a major RAND office location in Santa Monica, Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., or Boston. Remote candidates will be considered. Salary Range: $102,800 - $156,500 RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate’s work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity. The salary range includes base pay plus RAND’s sabbatic pay (which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more. Equal Opportunity Employer: race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet RAND is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND’s research and analysis address issues that impact people everywhere, including security, health, education, sustainability, growth, and development. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, RAND has approximately 1,775 people from approximately 55 countries working in offices in North America, Europe and Australia, with annual revenues of $356.2 million. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest. Our research is sponsored by government agencies, international organizations, and foundations. We rely on philanthropic support to pursue visionary ideas; address critical problems that are under-researched; and devise innovative approaches for solving acute, complex, or provocative policy challenges. RAND values objectivity and integrity in both its research processes and internal interactions. We emphasize a collegial environment that respects the contributions and dignity of all staff. RAND's reputation is built on quality and objectivity. RAND provides an exciting intellectual environment and opportunities for career growth. We hire highly qualified applicants and provide challenging assignments. Diversity is an essential operating principle at RAND. We look for unique backgrounds, original views, and diversity in academic training, work experience, and ideological outlook. We are committed to Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action. RAND is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please contact Human Resources at (310) 393-0411 or at jobs@rand.org and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

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