At a Glance
- Tasks: Design, deploy, and maintain our Microsoft Azure cloud platform with a focus on security and scalability.
- Company: Join Renaissance®, a global leader in education technology transforming learning for over 18 million students.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, healthcare, volunteering days, and a birthday off to celebrate you!
- Other info: Hybrid role with excellent career growth opportunities and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Be part of a collaborative team making a real impact in education through innovative cloud solutions.
- Qualifications: Experience with Microsoft Azure, Infrastructure as Code, and a passion for DevOps culture.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Renaissance® is a global leader in education technology. We help schools and school groups in the UK and around the world with educational assessments, practice and intervention solutions, and data analytics. Renaissance now incorporates GL Assessment (known internationally as GL Education), too – a leading provider of educational assessments. Together, our assessments offer the ideal starting point to help teachers understand their students’ strengths and pinpoint areas of need. Our teaching and learning tools then provide effective next steps, with online literacy and maths solutions that meet students exactly where we are. Worldwide, we support over 18 million students, operating in over 100 countries.
In this role, you'll be responsible for creating consistent, secure, and scalable environments using Infrastructure as Code. You'll manage infrastructure pipelines, implement security controls, and ensure optimal performance through continuous improvement and observability.
- Infrastructure & Platform
- Design, deploy, and maintain Azure infrastructure using IaC principles with Terraform
- Collaborate with product and software engineering teams to define and implement infrastructure requirements
- Configure and optimize Azure services including Front Door, App Services, Function Apps, APIs, Azure SQL, Storage Accounts, Key Vaults, container solutions (AKS/ACA), and Application Insights
- Networking & Security
- Design and implement secure network architectures using VNets, NSGs, Azure Firewall, and Application Gateway
- Implement security best practices including network segmentation, firewall rules, access controls, and compliance requirements
- Continuously monitor services for availability, performance, scalability, and security
- Operations & Optimization
- Define and track SLIs, SLOs, SLAs, and KPIs
- Create and optimize CI/CD pipelines within Azure DevOps
- Troubleshoot and resolve infrastructure, networking, and security incidents
- Foster knowledge sharing and collaborative working across teams
Experience we’d love to see includes:
- Strong understanding of DevOps culture and principles
- Practical experience with Microsoft Azure cloud platform
- Experience with Azure PaaS services: Front Door, App Services, Function Apps, Azure SQL
- Strong knowledge of Azure networking (VNets, subnets, NSGs, network peering)
- Experience implementing network security, firewalls, and access controls
- Proficiency with Infrastructure as Code, preferably Terraform
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines, ideally using Azure DevOps and YAML
- Working knowledge of Git and source control workflows
- Understanding of SQL databases and basic query capabilities
Nice to Have:
- Azure certifications (Administrator Associate, Solutions Architect, Security Engineer)
- Hands‑on experience with AKS and/or Azure Container Apps
- Knowledge of Azure Private Endpoints and private connectivity patterns
- Scripting skills (PowerShell, Python, or Bash)
- Familiarity with monitoring tools (Application Insights, Log Analytics, Azure Monitor, Grafana)
- Experience with AI and automation tools for operational efficiency
- Knowledge of compliance frameworks (ISO 27001, GDPR, SOC 2)
- Experience with configuration management tools (Ansible, Chef, Puppet)
- Understanding of FinOps principles and cloud cost optimization
Location: This is a Hybrid role based out of our Houghton Le Spring office – the team comes together a couple of times a week. There may be travel to other offices on occasion.
We offer a basic salary between £xx‑xx per annum dependent on experience, plus lots of amazing benefits:
- 25 Days a year plus Bank Holidays (3 to be used for our Christmas shutdown)
- A day off for your birthday to celebrate in style!
- 5 volunteering days a year to use for the causes of your choice
- Access to a benefits and discount platform with access to 1000’s of discounts at retailers, leisure attractions and restaurants
- BUPA Healthcare, Life assurance, Permanent health insurance
- Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution – up to 8%
- Season ticket loan and EAP
We have an ongoing commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and have taken strides to become a more welcoming and inclusive workplace, including the introduction of our DEI Matters Network which is owned and driven by our staff. We are an equal opportunities employer. We encourage and welcome applications from all underrepresented groups, as we believe and strive for community representation within our organisation. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to apply or attend any interview, please contact us and we will talk this through with you. All your information will be kept confidential according to GDPR guidelines. Please note that we can only consider applicants who already hold a full work permit. This role is subject to DBS and background checks.
Cloud Platform Engineer employer: Renaissance Learning
At Renaissance, we pride ourselves on being a leading employer in the education technology sector, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment that fosters innovation and professional growth. Our Houghton Le Spring office provides a hybrid working model, allowing for flexibility while still promoting teamwork through regular in-person collaboration. With generous benefits including 25 days of annual leave, volunteering opportunities, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we ensure our employees feel valued and supported in their career journeys.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cloud Platform Engineer
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Renaissance Learning values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Renaissance Learning might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Renaissance Learning!
✨Direct Apply to Renaissance Learning
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Renaissance Learning website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace Cloud Platform Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Renaissance Learning.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Renaissance Learning. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Renaissance Learning
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
