Cloud Architect

Remote Work Flexibility 
This position offers hybrid work flexibility within Maine (minimum 2 in-office days per week). Fully remote work opportunities will be considered for residents of one of the following states: FL, GA, IN, IO, KY, ME, MI, MO, NH, NJ, NC, PA, RI, SC, TX, VA, WI.

Position Overview 
 
As a senior member of the IT Infrastructure team, you will lead the design, implementation, and ongoing management of Stone Coast’s cloud platforms, setting technical direction for current and future cloud technologies that support our operations. In this role, you will serve as an experienced Azure Cloud Architect responsible for crafting cost effective, scalable solutions by working closely with cross functional teams to translate business requirements into secure, high performing cloud architectures. You will mentor junior engineers while ensuring reliability, security, and compliance across a 24×7 environment.

What You’ll Do

You’ll be part of a dynamic team, responsible for research, design, and implementation of Azure-based cloud systems, and provide your deep and broad industry expertise functioning as subject-matter expert, mentor and escalation resource for the Infrastructure team - participating in resolution of escalated issues, root-cause analysis, and process and system analysis and refinement to help drive a culture of continuous improvement.

Cloud Architecture & Operations

• Research, design, plan, implement, and manage cloud technologies and solutions on an ongoing basis.
• Maintain and administer cloud platforms and services, driving timely issue resolution and continuous optimization.
• Stay abreast of cloud trends to maintain adherence to modern cloud best practices for optimal application performance and security throughout their lifecycle.
• Collaborate with IT, Operations, and vendors to develop, migrate, implement, optimize, and manage Stone Coast’s cloud environment.
• Implement resource optimization strategies and maintain cost management.

Reliability, Security & Compliance

• Administer infrastructure systems for optimal availability and security on a 24×7 basis.
• Proficiency with Azure AD / Entra ID, RBAC, and Zero Trust concepts
• Hands-on experience with IaC tools (Terraform, Bicep, ARM)
• Knowledge of backup, DR, and high availability design
• Familiarity with Azure Security Center, Defender, and monitoring tools
• Strong documentation and communication skills
• Serve as TierIII escalation to drive resolution; engage vendors/third parties when appropriate.
• Perform patching, maintenance, and proactive log/metric reviews; lead root‑cause analysis and implement durable fixes.
• Design and maintain monitoring for systems, applications, and automation in the cloud; own alert response and escalation runbooks.
• Follow and continuously improve Stone Coast’s change‑management protocols.
• Develop and automate recurring maintenance tasks to boost reliability and productivity.
• Ensure alignment to control objectives and documentation standards required for SSAE 18; contribute to DR planning, as‑builts, workflow diagrams, and technical procedures.

Project Delivery

• Lead stakeholder discovery; document business requirements and solution features for cloud initiatives.
• Scope projects and communicate risks, benefits, costs, and timelines to senior management.
• Research and vet vendors; facilitate meetings; lead or participate in rollouts and cutovers; keep stakeholders informed and risks visible.

Vendor Management

• Negotiate and document contract terms and obligations.
• Set vendor goals, define performance metrics, and drive continuous improvement.
• Optimize pricing and manage operating/project costs; build strong vendor relationships.

Training & Leadership

• Maintain a keen focus on industry trends and best practices; champion system and environment optimization to align with evolving industry best practices.
• Provide day‑to‑day guidance to junior engineers; deliver training on cloud technologies, trends, and best practices.
• Serve as a senior escalation point for difficult or complex problem resolution.
• Act as an IT SME for cross‑company projects and training.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• 8-10years in progressively responsible network, systems, or IT roles; 3–5 years focused on Azure cloud solution design, implementation, and management.
• 5+ years managing IaaS/PaaS and related cloud services.
• Demonstrated strengths in cloud system design, trouble complex issues, process improvement, automation, decision‑making, and time management.
• Intermediate (or stronger) experience with: 

• Cloud security solutions and best practices
• Infrastructures Code
• Networking (Routing/Switching/VPN)
• Email and browser security
• Identity platforms (e.g., Active Directory, Microsoft Entra,)
• Web and database systems such as IIS, Tomcat, SQL Server, MySQL
• Log collection, aggregation, and management
• Microsoft Azure CSP/NCE subscription models and cost optimization.
• Azure cloud databases (Azure SQL, SQL Server on Azure VMs, Managed Instances).
• Azure DevOps.

Preferred / Nice to Have

• Experience in financial services or other regulated industries.
• Hybrid cloud design/operations, including migrations (cross‑cloud).
• Advanced PowerShell scripting.
• VDI solutions ( Desktop).

Education

• Four‑year degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, MIS, or related field.
• Relevant, current industry certifications such as Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert strongly preferred.

Application Requirements  

Please be sure to include an updated copy of your resume with your application. Cover letters are read and considered, although they are not required.   

Interested? 

We seek high aptitude, intellectually curious candidates that enjoy working as part of a team, satisfying our clients, and striving for the highest standards. The quality of our services derives solely from the quality of our people. Therefore, we seek smart, hard-working, ethical, and friendly professionals – from recent college graduates to fund administration veterans. 

Inclusion and Equal Opportunity Statement 

Stone Coast strives to reflect the community of which we are grateful to be a part and are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect, where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other status protected under applicable law.

If you don’t see a current opening that matches your qualifications, but you have relevant industry experience, feel free to apply to our General Application at www.stone-coast.com. Our continued growth means we’re always seeking talented individuals who align with our values and mission.

The Company  

Stone Coast Fund Services is an award-winning, steadily growing hedge fund administrator that’s found a better way in a better place. With a sole office in Portland, Maine, Stone Coast comprises over 200 hard-working and smart professionals who deliver administration services to over 100 hedge fund managers around the country with investors around the world. We hire carefully, treat people well, and are rewarded by low turnover in an industry where high turnover is the norm.  

The Mission   

Our mission, to “take pleasure in work done well, and in working well with others,” is an obligation to our clients, to their investors, to our communities and ultimately to our peers and ourselves. Fund administration, done well, requires carefully selecting smart, dedicated professionals and providing them with the resources, training and workplace culture that will engender their loyalty and bring out their best. To that end, we strive to develop and nurture relationships that are characterized by trust, respect, and affection. We look for colleagues – and clients – who will share and reciprocate these values.  

The Location  

Our location is central to our mission. Stone Coast is in the heart of Portland’s Old Port waterfront, a picture-perfect tourist destination that we’re fortunate to call home. Our offices offer beautiful views of Portland Harbor and the islands of Casco Bay. From our front door, we can walk to award-winning restaurants, cafes, museums, and shops. Living in Portland and surrounding areas offers excellent schools, minimal commutes and proximity to beaches, mountains and state parks.