Lead Engineer (Cloud & DevOps)
Job description
LAB3 is one of the largest Azure engineering practices in the Australasia region with a focus on Cloud & DevOps, Data, IoT & AI, Modern Workplace, Modern Apps & Integration, Security, and Network services. We have an opportunity for a Lead Engineer to provide technical leadership across our Azure Cloud & DevOps Managed Services capabilities. This role will be central to LAB3’s transformation towards an AI-enabled, automation-first Managed Services operating model. The Role • Provide technical leadership across Azure Cloud and DevOps Managed Services, with broader technical coordination across Modern Workplace and Networking. • Translate the Program vision into a prioritised technical roadmap covering automation, AI agents, service modernisation, observability, reliability and operational efficiency. • Identify high-volume, repeatable and manual operational work that can be removed or reduced through automation, AI-assisted operations, self-service and agentic workflows. • Establish reusable engineering standards, reference architectures, patterns, guardrails and technical controls across the Managed Services portfolio. • Own and coordinate the Managed Services technical improvement backlog, balancing client commitments, operational risk, service improvement and strategic transformation. • Provide technical direction to engineers operating within the matrix structure and ensure engineering work is delivered consistently across service lines. • Partner with People Leaders to identify capability gaps, establish development priorities and ensure engineers are supported to deliver the technical roadmap. • Strengthen the connection between Professional Consulting, Product and Technology, and Managed Services so solutions are designed for operability, automation and effective transition from the outset. • Embed DevOps, infrastructure-as-code, SRE and DORA-aligned practices into service delivery and continuous improvement. • Define technical quality gates covering onboarding, production readiness, security, supportability, documentation and transition into Managed Services. • Measure and communicate improvements in automation, reliability, deployment performance, operational toil, service quality and client outcomes. • Provide senior technical input into complex incidents, problem management, architecture decisions and service risks. • Maintain appropriate human oversight, auditability, testing and governance as AI agents and automated workflows are introduced into production services. • Support client-facing technical engagements, service reviews, solution development and growth opportunities where senior engineering leadership is required. The Ideal Candidate • Demonstrated technical leadership across Azure Cloud & DevOps environments. • Strong hands-on knowledge of Azure architecture, governance, identity, networking, security, infrastructure-as-code (Terraform and Bicep), CI/CD, observability and operational support. • Experience leading technical change across multiple teams without relying solely on direct line-management authority. • Proven ability to convert a strategic transformation agenda into practical engineering priorities, standards and measurable deliverables. • Strong understanding of automation-first operations, including deterministic automation, AI-assisted workflows and the responsible use of AI agents. • Experience with DevOps, SRE, DORA metrics, production readiness, service reliability and continual improvement practices. • Ability to identify and quantify operational toil, prioritise automation opportunities and demonstrate resulting improvements. • Strong stakeholder and consulting skills, with the ability to work across Managed Services, Professional Consulting, Product and Technology, Sales and client teams. • Commercial awareness and the ability to balance technical quality, operational risk, delivery capacity and client outcomes. • Strong documentation discipline and the ability to establish reusable standards, patterns, runbooks and technical controls. • Relevant Microsoft Azure certifications are preferred. • Experience with Modern Workplace and enterprise networking is desirable but not mandatory. What’s in it for you? • Be part of a team that leverages modern technologies to solve real problems and provides top levels of customer satisfaction. • Work with a Microsoft Partner of the Year award winner with multiple specialisations. • Be supported by experienced peers and leaders that value technical expertise and encourage innovation, with clear career pathways and ongoing learning. • Enjoy a supportive workplace that promotes inclusion, flexibility, diversity, and celebrates differences. • Take advantage of the flexibility of a hybrid workplace. • Thrive in a community with strong values #BeTrue #TeamUp #StandOut #ThinkAhead #FearLessAchieveMore