Azure Operations Administrator

Building the space between proven and possible, MDA Space is a trusted mission partner to the global space industry. A robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer with a 55-year+ story of world firsts and more than 450 missions, MDA Space is a global leader in communications satellites, Earth and space observation, and space exploration and infrastructure. The MDA Space team of more than 3,400 space experts in Canada, the US and the UK has the knowledge and know-how to turn an audacious customer vision into an achievable mission – bringing to bear a one-of-a-kind mix of experience, engineering excellence and wide-eyed wonder that’s been in our DNA since day one. For those who dream big and push boundaries on the ground and in the stars to change the world for the better, we’ll take you there. For more information, visit www.mda.space.

The Role

MDA is seeking a talented and experienced Azure Operations Administrator to join our team. The successful candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day management and maintenance of our Azure infrastructure with a focus on managing and maintaining our Data and Analytics platform and web application development platform on Azure. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the high availability, security, and performance of our Azure-based data and analytics services, as well as our web application development platform. The Azure Operations Administrator will work closely with our data engineering, data science, and development teams to ensure seamless integration of Azure services with our existing infrastructure.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain Azure subscriptions, resource groups, and resources (e.g., virtual machines, storage, networking)
• Manage and maintain Azure services, including Azure Databricks, Azure Data Factory, and Azure Data Lake Storage
• Manage and maintain Azure services, including Azure App Service, Azure Functions, Azure API Management, and Azure Container Registry
• Implement and manage Azure services, such as Azure Active Directory, Azure Storage, and Azure Networking, for data and analytics workloads
• Configure and manage Azure security features, including Azure Security Center, Azure Policy, and Azure Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), for data and analytics workloads
• Deploy and configure Azure resources, including virtual machines, databases, and web applications, for data and analytics workloads
• Implement and manage Azure security features, such as threat protection, vulnerability assessment, and compliance monitoring, for data and analytics workloads
• Ensure compliance with organizational security policies and industry standards including data encryption, access controls, and data retention
• Ensure web application security, compliance, and performance, including SSL/TLS certificates, web application firewalls, and load balancing
• Monitor and optimize data pipeline performance and data quality
• Monitor and optimize web application performance and scalability
• Monitor Azure resources and services using Azure Monitor, Azure Log Analytics, and other tools, with a focus on data and analytics workloads
• Monitor and optimize Azure costs, including resource utilization, reserved instances, and pricing models, for data and analytics workloads
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to data pipeline performance, data quality, and web application performance
• Perform root cause analysis for major incidents and resolve operational issues
• Automate tasks using tools like Azure Automation runbooks, Azure CLI, or ARM/Bicep templates to improve efficiency and optimize costs
• Understand and manage Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) for authentication and authorization
• Collaborate with data engineering, data science, and development teams to identify and resolve issues related to data and analytics workloads
• Collaborate with the security team to ensure Azure security best practices are followed for data and analytics workloads
• Collaborate with finance teams to ensure accurate cost allocation and budgeting for data and analytics workloads
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of Azure infrastructure, resources, and services, with a focus on data and analytics workloads
• Develop and maintain knowledge base articles, runbooks, and other documentation to support Azure operations for data and analytics workloads
• Provide on-call support in support for the Data and Analytics platform and web application development platform
• Provide operational support on failures and outages

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Computer/Data Science or related discipline
• 5+ years of experience in Information Technology
• 3+ years of proven experience as an Azure Operations Administrator
• 3+ years of proven experience in managing and maintaining Azure infrastructure, resources, and services
• Experience with Azure services, including Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Storage, Azure Networking, and Azure Active Directory
• Experience with Azure security features, including Azure Security Center, Azure Policy, and Azure RBAC
• Experience with Azure services, including Azure Databricks, Azure Data Factory, and Azure Data Lake Storage.
• Experience with web application development platforms, including Azure App Service, Azure Functions, and Azure API Management.
• Experience with Azure CLI, Azure PowerShell, and Azure SDKs
• Solid scripting skills in Python and Bash
• Critical Thinking, Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Highly motivated, enthusiastic, and a positive thinker
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) and Azure Container Instances (ACI).
• Cloud security and compliance frameworks, such as NIST
• Relevant Azure certifications

Successful candidates must obtain and hold security clearance at the reliability status level, and pass security assessment for the Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and ITAR.

MDA provides competitive compensation and benefits packages for its employees at all locations. As a team member of MDA, you and your qualified dependents are eligible to participate in a benefit plan that ensures a comprehensive level of protection through competitive health care including extended healthcare and flexible drug plans, dental and vision benefits, disability income protection, life insurance, group retirement savings plans; and an employee and family assistance program.

The compensation range for this position is $85,000 - $120,000 annually. The specific compensation offered will be based on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.

MDA is an equal opportunity employer prizing diversity and inclusion. We are committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity. If you require assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please feel free to notify us.