Western Governors University
Senior Cloud Engineer
🇺🇸 Salt Lake City, UT
🕑 Full-Time
💰 $128K - $192K
💻 Software Engineering
🗓️ September 11th, 2025
CI/CD
FERPA
Golang
Edtech.com's Summary
WGU is hiring a Senior Cloud Engineer who will lead the design, implementation, and maintenance of scalable, secure, and highly available cloud environments. This role bridges software development and infrastructure operations by managing complex projects, optimizing system performance, mentoring engineers, and ensuring reliable cloud-based services for students and employees.
Highlights
- Lead software deployments across cloud environments and implement advanced monitoring solutions.
- Develop automation tools for deployment and infrastructure management.
- Optimize system performance, reliability, and scalability with continuous improvements.
- Implement AWS cost optimization strategies and manage disaster recovery for Amazon EKS applications.
- Expert-level AWS knowledge, Linux administration, and proficiency in Bash, Java, Python, and Node.js scripting.
- Experience with DevOps, Scrum, ITIL, CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation), and observability tools.
- Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor's degree or equivalent, 5+ years of AWS experience, 8+ years Linux administration, and AWS certifications.
- Preferred skills include expertise in distance learning, multiple programming languages, serverless technologies, and compliance requirements.
- Compensation range: $127,700.00 - $191,500.00, with comprehensive benefits including bonuses, healthcare, retirement plans, and paid leave.
- Supports cross-functional teams, mentors junior staff, communicates with leadership, and participates in on-call rotation.
Senior Cloud Engineer Full Description
Senior Cloud Engineer
Salt Lake City Office
Full time
If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.
Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.
The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.
At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:
Grade: Technical 409Pay Range: $127,700.00 - $191,500.00
Grade: Technical 409Pay Range: $127,700.00 - $191,500.00
Job Description
Job Summary
The Senior Cloud Engineer serves as a strategic technical leader bridging software development and infrastructure operations. This role is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining scalable, secure, and highly available cloud environments. The Senior Cloud Engineer mentors junior engineers, leads complex projects, and ensures the reliability and efficiency of cloud-based systems supporting student and employee services.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
- Leads and performs software deployments across cloud environments.
- Designs and implements advanced monitoring and observability solutions.
- Develops and maintains automation tools for deployment and infrastructure management.
- Optimizes application and system performance and responsiveness.
- Proactively identifies and resolves operational issues to ensure system reliability.
- Enhances infrastructure scalability and stability through continuous improvement.
- Implements and monitors AWS cost optimization strategies to ensure efficient resource usage and budget adherence.
- Documents technical processes and progress using in-house tools.
- Communicates delays and roadblocks to leadership and stakeholders.
- Provides expert guidance and mentorship to development and infrastructure teams.
- Leads maintenance and innovation-based projects with cross-functional teams.
- Participates in and supports the team’s on-call rotation.
- Manage disaster recovery planning and support for applications running on Amazon EKS to ensure high availability and resilience.
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Expert-level understanding of AWS core technologies and tools.
- Practitioner knowledge of utilizing GenAI/AgenticAI tooling to automate and expedite engineering delivery
- Advanced administration knowledge of Linux systems.
- Proficient in scripting/programming with Bash, Java, Python, and Node.js.
- Deep understanding of DevOps, Scrum, and ITIL methodologies.
- Expertise in virtualization and containerization technologies.
- Understanding of trunk-based Git feature flagging, GitFlow, and Continuous Integration with Travis or Jenkins
- Experience with Infrastructure as Code using Terraform, CloudFormation, Chef, or SaltStack.
- Experience using observability tooling like Dynatrace, Prometheus/Grafana, CloudWatch, or New Relic
- Excellent communication, documentation, and leadership skills.
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Strong customer service orientation and analytical problem-solving skills.
Job Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology or related field or equivalent experience.
- 5+ years of experience working with AWS.
- 3 years of combined experience in CI/CD pipelines using Octopus, Jenkins, Argo CD, or similar AWS tooling (CodeBuild, CodePipeline, CodeDeploy)
- 8+ years of experience as a Linux Systems Administrator/Engineer.
- 6+ years of experience collaborating with development and operational teams.
- 2 AWS Associate Certifications or 1 Professional certificate.
Preferred Qualifications
- Strong experience with distance education and distance learning students
- Expertise in multiple programming language including Python, Java, and Golang
- Expertise in cloud spend optimizations and serverless technology such as AWS Lambda
- Expertise with compliance and risk management requirements related to PII, PCI, SOX, HIPAA, FTI, and FERPA
- Expertise in JSON and YAML based configuration
Physical Requirements
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
Position & Application Details
Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.
How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.
Additional Information
Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive.
Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.
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