Seeking someone who is talented and versatile and who thrives on the challenge of solving complex problems. The Cloud Engineer is part of the IT Operations team and is a hands-on role with a responsibility of installing, configuring, and maintaining hybrid server and network components of Homesteaders while assisting in the facilitation and execution of a cloud strategy. Additionally, our smaller team and company size provides maximum exposure to real business challenges, allowing you to learn about and influence the business beyond technology.

Homesteaders provides consumer friendly insurance products to fund prearranged funerals through a network of independent funeral homes located throughout the United States. As a mutual life insurance company we exist to serve our policy holders and funeral home customers. We act with the highest level of integrity to promote the value of funeral service. Homesteaders is a leader in the industry and this pride and dedication starts with our employees!

What you’ll do:

• Install, configure and test platform and software systems (servers, print servers, network switches, network routers, network firewall, operating systems, Homesteaders applications, vendor applications, etc.). Conduct diagnostic procedures on platform and software when necessary to identify and correct errors or system failures.
• Act as SME on the full Microsoft 365 and Azure AD suite of offerings. This includes, but is not limited to: Azure AD, Azure SSO, Exchange Online, Sharepoint Online, Teams, Office, Stream, Planner, and Yammer.
• Stay current on new technologies implemented by Homesteaders Cloud-centric initiatives and aid in the implementation of cloud-first patterns and hybrid configurations as needed.
• Aid in the adoption and commitment of a progressive and proactive culture regarding DevOps practices and frameworks.
• Develop and implement IaC and other automated processes.
• Assist Security Engineers with configuration changes required for improving the overall security stance of the organization.
• Aid senior Operations and Security personnel in the configuration and maintenance of system, network, and user security authentication and authorization policies.
• Install, configure, and test application and operating system patches when appropriate.
• Assist in the install, configuration, and execution of system and network backup strategies.
• Actively maintain Business Continuity documentation when making changes to network hardware and software infrastructure.
• Maintain inventory and support documentation of all network and system components and applications.
• Assist in maintaining software licensing and environment compliance under the direction of senior Operations and Security personnel.
• Provide functional backup responsibilities to non-cloud platform IT Operations systems and services.

So here’s what we’re looking for. First and foremost, we believe that what distinguishes a great engineer from a merely adequate one is dedication to results, an ability to learn and adapt quickly, and professional integrity and humility - not specific technical skills. But, of course, you’ll need those too.

Ideally, you would have a 4-year degree and 2-4+ years of IT professional experience where you’ve demonstrated that you have these skills:

• Experience with Azure Active Directory and Microsoft 365 administration
• IT infrastructure and systems engineering experience, with at least 2 years working with either Microsoft Azure or AWS, using IaaS & PaaS solutions
• Experience with cloud networking, logging, monitoring and alerting tools
• General Microsoft Windows Server administration knowledge
• Excellent PowerShell and or other scripting language experience
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a focus on partnering with business users to drive results
• Ability to solve a broad range of problems using a wide array of technologies
• Willingness to keep up on new technologies and techniques.

But, it’d also be nice if you have:

• Experience with Azure Active Directory B2B and or B2C
• Familiarity with authentication patterns (IAM and MFA)
• Azure Role-Based Access Control knowledge and how it’s applied in conjunction with other security and IAM authentication practices
• Knowledge with continuous integration and DevOps delivery models
• Microsoft SQL Server

Benefits:

• Competitive base pay with quarterly and year-end sales awards
• Company sponsored group medical and dental insurance
• Company provided life insurance
• Company-matched 401(k) Plan
• Success Share Profit-Sharing program
• Great work schedule - 4 1/2 day work week year round. Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and until 1:00 p.m. on Friday
• Remote work
• Paid leave
  

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, but women apply only if they meet 100% of them. If you believe that you would excel in this role, we encourage you to apply!