Cloud Optimization Engineer (Azure SME)
About the Role:
CloudZero is the leading cloud cost intelligence platform helping businesses align cloud spend with business goals. We’re looking for a Cloud Optimization Research Engineer with a strong foundation in cloud cost optimization, particularly across Azure environments, to help uncover savings opportunities, refine automation strategies, and enhance our platform’s intelligence.
This is a hands-on, technical role focused on solving cost efficiency problems at scale. While you’ll need Azure experience, we’re looking for optimization thinkers first; people who understand the tradeoffs, mechanics, and modeling behind efficient architectures. You’ll collaborate with our data science and engineering teams to turn insights into action through automation, light scripting, and intelligent design.
What You’ll Do
Analyze Azure workloads to uncover inefficiencies and propose cost-saving strategies
Design and document scalable optimization logic, patterns, and algorithms
Collaborate with data science to incorporate AI/ML into optimization workflows
Write clean, maintainable Python code for lightweight automation and analysis
Use SQL and scripting to explore, model, and validate optimization ideas
Work with APIs and platform metadata to surface actionable insights
Track evolving Azure pricing, resource configurations, and ecosystem trends
Partner with cross-functional teams and customers to drive adoption of best practices
What We’re Looking For
Proven experience in cloud optimization, ideally in enterprise environments
Working knowledge of Azure services (e.g., Databricks, Snowflake, Kubernetes)
Strong command of SQL, Python, and lightweight scripting for data analysis
Familiarity with API interactions, metadata parsing, and infrastructure modeling
Conceptual understanding of ML pipelines (MLP) and data science workflows
An analytical mindset with the ability to model and validate savings strategies
Strong written and verbal communication skills, especially for technical documentation
Comfortable working across functions: product, engineering, and customer-facing teams
Bonus Points!
Azure certifications or cross-cloud experience (e.g., AWS, GCP)
Previous consulting, research, or platform roles focused on cost optimization
Experience influencing product direction through experimentation and insight
Understanding of DevOps principles and how they intersect with cost strategies
Please note: CloudZero is unable to sponsor employment visas or provide immigration-related support now or in the future. All candidates must have current, unrestricted authorization to work in the United States permanently.