Job Description
Principal Cloud Infrastructure Engineer
Location: Boston, MA (Vertex Headquarters)
Position Summary
The Principal Cloud Infrastructure Engineer will lead the design, implementation, and optimization of enterprise-scale Azure cloud infrastructure with a strong emphasis on automation, operational excellence, and emerging AI technologies. This role will serve as a technical leader responsible for architecting resilient, scalable, and secure cloud solutions that support critical business operations while driving automation-first approaches and ITIL best practices. The Principal Engineer will champion the integration of GenAI capabilities to enhance infrastructure operations, reduce manual toil, and accelerate cloud service delivery across the enterprise.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Azure Infrastructure Architecture & Strategy: Lead the design and evolution of enterprise Azure infrastructure, including compute, storage, networking, and platform services. Define technical standards, reference architectures, and cloud-native patterns that align with business objectives, security requirements, and industry best practices. Serve as the primary technical authority for Azure infrastructure decisions.
Automation & Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Drive automation-first initiatives across all infrastructure operations using tools such as Terraform, Azure DevOps, PowerShell, and Python. Design and implement CI/CD pipelines for infrastructure deployment, configuration management, and continuous compliance. Eliminate manual processes through intelligent automation and orchestration.
ITIL Process Integration & Service Excellence: Establish and optimize ITIL-aligned processes for incident, problem, change, and service request management within cloud environments. Ensure infrastructure operations meet SLA commitments and incorporate continuous service improvement practices. Partner with service management teams to enhance operational maturity.
GenAI Integration for Infrastructure Operations: Identify and implement GenAI and Azure OpenAI capabilities to enhance infrastructure monitoring, incident resolution, capacity planning, and operational workflows. Develop AI-assisted automation solutions that improve mean time to resolution (MTTR) and enable predictive infrastructure management.
Governance, Security & Compliance: Partner with Information Security, Compliance, and Privacy teams to ensure cloud infrastructure adheres to regulatory requirements, security frameworks, and data protection standards. Implement Azure Policies, landing zones, and governance controls that enforce compliance while enabling developer agility.
Performance Optimization & Cost Management: Monitor, analyze, and optimize Azure infrastructure for performance, reliability, and cost efficiency. Utilize Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, and cost management tools to identify optimization opportunities. Implement FinOps practices to ensure cloud spending aligns with business value.
Technical Leadership & Mentorship: Provide technical guidance and mentorship to infrastructure engineers and cross-functional teams. Lead architecture reviews, proof-of-concepts, and technical assessments. Foster a culture of innovation, learning, and engineering excellence within the infrastructure organization.
Vendor & Partner Collaboration: Engage with Microsoft and technology partners to influence product roadmaps, participate in preview programs, and ensure enterprise needs are represented. Leverage Microsoft resources, including Unified Support and FastTrack, to accelerate cloud initiatives.
Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity: Design and maintain robust disaster recovery and business continuity solutions using Azure Site Recovery, backup services, and multi-region architectures. Conduct regular DR testing and ensure infrastructure resilience meets business requirements.
Required Education
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field
Required Experience
Typically requires 10+ years of experience in infrastructure engineering, cloud architecture, or the equivalent combination of education and experience
5+ years of hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure infrastructure and services
Proven track record of leading complex infrastructure projects in enterprise environments
Experience implementing automation frameworks and IaC practices at scale
Required Knowledge/Skills
Expert-level knowledge of Microsoft Azure services including Virtual Networks, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure Virtual Machines, Storage, Azure Active Directory, and Azure Monitor
Deep expertise in infrastructure automation using Terraform, ARM templates, PowerShell, and Azure DevOps
Experience with AWS cloud infrastructure is strongly preferred
Strong understanding of ITIL v4 framework and IT service management practices
Familiarity with GenAI technologies, including Azure OpenAI Service and AI-assisted operations tools
Proficiency in scripting and programming languages (PowerShell, Python, Bash)
Knowledge of networking concepts, including VPN, ExpressRoute, DNS, load balancing, and firewall architectures
Understanding of security frameworks, compliance requirements (SOX, HIPAA, GxP), and zero-trust principles
Experience with monitoring and observability tools (Azure Monitor, Application Insights, Log Analytics, Grafana)
Experience with SaaS based virtual desktop solutions and corresponding profile management solutions (Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365, FSLogix)
Strong problem-solving abilities and capacity to troubleshoot complex technical issues
Excellent communication skills with ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders
Relevant certifications preferred: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Azure DevOps Engineer Expert, or equivalent
#LI-HYBRID
Pay Range:
$144,000 - $216,000Disclosure Statement:
The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.
At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.
Flex Designation:
Hybrid-Eligible Or On-Site EligibleFlex Eligibility Status:
In this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as:
1. Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or select
2. On-Site: work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.
Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.
#LI-Hybrid
Company Information
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.
Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.
Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at [email protected]
Top Skills
What We Do
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious and life-threatening diseases.
We discovered and developed the first medicines to treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis (CF), a rare, life-threatening genetic disease. In addition to clinical development programs in CF, Vertex has more than a dozen ongoing research programs focused on the underlying mechanisms of other serious diseases.
Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, our corporate headquarters is now located in Boston’s Innovation District, and our international headquarters is in London, United Kingdom. We currently employ approximately 3,500 people in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia and Latin America with nearly two-thirds of our staff dedicated to research and development.
Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry’s top places to work by Science Magazine, The Boston Globe, Boston Business Journal and the San Diego Business Journal. Our research and medicines have also received esteemed recognitions, including the Robert J. Beall Therapeutics Development Award, the French Prix Galien and the British Pharmacological Society awards.
