DevOps Engineer (FinOps)

This role supports the U.S. Air Force Cloud One Architecture and Common Shared Services contract and currently has an opening for a DevOps Engineer. This role focuses on developing and implementing automated solutions that enforce cost optimization, eliminate waste, and enable continuous, programmatic cost control across cloud platforms.

This is an exciting opportunity to use your experience to modernize a leading, global-scale multi-cloud environment in support of a critical mission, supporting USAF system resiliency, security, and cost effectiveness.

Location: This positions will be hybrid remote. Candidates may be required to work onsite as needed. Preferred candidates will be located near Hanscom AFB (Boston, MA), Gunter AFB (Montgomery, AL) or work in Reston, VA or Huntsville, AL.

This role supports the U.S. Air Force Cloud One Architecture and Common Shared Services contract and currently has an opening for a DevOps Engineer. This role focuses on developing and implementing automated solutions that enforce cost optimization, eliminate waste, and enable continuous, programmatic cost control across cloud platforms.

This is an exciting opportunity to use your experience to modernize a leading, global-scale multi-cloud environment in support of a critical mission, supporting USAF system resiliency, security, and cost effectiveness.

Location: This positions will be hybrid remote. Candidates may be required to work onsite as needed. Preferred candidates will be located near Hanscom AFB (Boston, MA), Gunter AFB (Montgomery, AL) or work in Reston, VA or Huntsville, AL.

As a DevOps Engineer you will design, build, and maintain automated systems that continuously optimize cloud spend. You will partner closely with cost analysts, cloud engineers, and program leadership to translate cost-saving opportunities into scalable, repeatable engineering solutions. AWS Infrastructure Fundamentals

• Design and implement automated cost optimization solutions using Infrastructure as Code (IaC), scripting, and cloud-native tooling.

• Build automation to enforce compute rightsizing recommendations across AWS, Azure, GCP, and OCI.

• Develop scripts and workflows to identify and automatically remediate underutilized or idle resources (e.g., unattached volumes, orphaned disks, idle compute).

• Create and manage automated snapshot and backup lifecycle policies to eliminate unnecessary retention and reduce storage costs.

• Implement automation to manage and optimize logging configurations, including dynamic log retention and filtering policies to reduce cost.

• Develop and maintain automation pipelines to track, recommend, and execute Reserved Instance (RI) and Savings Plan purchases and renewals.

• Integrate cost and usage data into automated workflows to continuously identify and act on savings opportunities.

• Build guardrails and policy enforcement mechanisms (e.g., via Terraform, Cloud Custodian, or native cloud policies) to prevent cost inefficiencies.

• Develop dashboards, alerts, and automated reporting for cost visibility, anomaly detection, and optimization tracking.

• Collaborate with engineering teams to embed cost optimization into CI/CD pipelines and deployment workflows.

• Create reusable modules and automation frameworks to standardize FinOps practices across the environment.

• Maintain documentation for automation solutions, processes, and runbooks.

• Contribute to the evolution of FinOps automation strategy, tooling, and governance.

Required Skills:

• Bachelors and 8+ years of experience; Masters and 6+ years of experience. Additional experience may be accepted in lieu of degree.

• Interim Secret clearance required to start; ability to obtain Secret clearance required to maintain employment.

• US citizenship required.

• Certifications: CompTIA Security+ or equivalent (IAT-2). If expired, renewal of certification will be required to begin work.

• Strong hands-on experience with at least one major cloud provider (AWS, Azure, GCP, or OCI).

• Demonstrated experience building automation using Infrastructure as Code (Terraform preferred) and scripting (Python, PowerShell, Bash).

• Experience with cloud cost management tools and APIs (AWS Cost Explorer, Azure Cost Management, GCP Billing APIs).

• Strong understanding of cloud cost drivers and optimization techniques (compute, storage, networking, logging).

• Experience building scalable, repeatable solutions in cloud environments.

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with a focus on automation and efficiency.

• Ability to work across cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

• Strong communication and documentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with FinOps practices, frameworks, or certifications (FinOps Certified Practitioner or equivalent).

• Experience developing policy-as-code solutions (e.g., Cloud Custodian, Open Policy Agent, Azure Policy, AWS SCPs).

• Experience integrating cost optimization into CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps workflows.

• Familiarity with USAF Cloud One, Platform One, or DoD cloud environments.

• Experience with tagging strategies, cost allocation, and chargeback/showback models.

• Knowledge of Reserved Instances, Savings Plans, and commitment-based discount strategies.

• Experience building dashboards and automation using tools like CloudHealth, Apptio, or native cloud services.

• Experience with event-driven architectures and automation (e.g., Lambda, Azure Functions, Cloud Functions).

• Experience building dashboards and reporting using tools like Cloudability, Kion, or native cloud tools.

• Scripting experience for automation (Python, Bash, PowerShell).

• Cloud certifications (AWS, Azure, GCP, OCI, Terraform) at the associate/intermediate level or higher.

SES provides a competitive salary and the following benefits:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• AD&D
• STD
• LTD
• Company paid Life Insurance
• 401k with employer contribution
• Paid Time Off
• Pet Insurance