DevOps Engineer Lead Expert - AXA - Freelance

Daily rate: 600

Context

Build, test and operate Windows Server infrastructure solutions, produce associated technical documentation and ensure knowledge transfer towards relevant operational stakeholders.

Deliver project-related activities, including technical coordination activities when required.

Represent the Windows Server technology domain in discussions with appropriate global project stakeholders and client counterparts.

Contribute to process optimization initiatives (e.g., automation, documentation, transition of activities to offshore delivery models).

Perform proactive maintenance, operational L3-L4 support, software upgrades, license key management, OS patching, security hardening/compliance, vulnerability management, capacity management and inventory management across the Windows Server estate.

Provide infrastructure services and third-level support for Provisioning and Operations activities (onshore and offshore).

Leverage specialized toolsets to optimize performance of Windows virtual machines operating on virtualization platforms and contribute to achievement of agreed service levels.

Ensure security and audit compliance objectives are maintained in accordance with defined standards.

Represent Security and Distributed Server domains in discussions with appropriate global project stakeholders and client counterparts.

Perform proactive security and compliance management activities.

Contribute to process optimization initiatives (e.g., automation, documentation and transition of activities to offshore delivery models) with particular focus on vulnerability remediation across server platforms.

Manage Windows virtual machines within cloud environments such as Microsoft Azure and Amazon AWS.

Provide expertise to Migration Factory and Server Delivery activities by contributing to server provisioning enhancement and cloud hosting evolution initiatives, including server rehosting, server refresh and in-place upgrade procedures.

Contribute to the evolution of global server provisioning and engineering capabilities leveraging DevOps frameworks.

Maintain working knowledge of Microsoft DFS (Distributed File Systems) solutions.

Maintain working knowledge of Microsoft Active Directory Services.

Develop automation code (Puppet Enterprise / Ansible) to optimize server lifecycle management at global scale.

Provide engineering support across Windows OS build and development activities within the Windows OS product perimeter.

Missions

• Provide expertise for administration and operation of Windows Server platforms within a global enterprise environment.
• Deliver project activities, including technical coordination activities when required.
• Contribute to the evolution and optimization of Windows Server environments.
• Enhance automation capabilities to optimize operational support activities through DevOps toolsets and emerging AI-Ops technologies.
• Provide expertise regarding infrastructure regulatory requirements applicable to Windows Server environments across various regions.
• Contribute to global Windows OS product initiatives related to server evolution and transformation.
• Collaborate with infrastructure stakeholders involved in Windows Server engineering, build and transformation activities.
• Optimize Windows Server platform management across on-premises and public cloud datacenter environments (AXA POD, Microsoft Azure, Amazon AWS).
• Contribute to Incident, Problem and Change Management processes related to Windows OS environments.
• Perform advanced Windows Server OS troubleshooting activities.
• Deliver end-to-end industrialization of Windows Server image creation across diverse environments, including On-Premises (VMWare), Azure and AWS.
• Provide expertise for Windows Server in-place upgrade initiatives, including development of automation for recurring activities and contribution to strategic improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to infrastructure projects including server migrations, cloud rehosting, server refresh and server provisioning activities.

Service Deliverables

• Configured, tested and operational Windows Server infrastructure solutions.
• Technical documentation, operating procedures and knowledge articles.
• Automation assets developed through PowerShell, Puppet Enterprise, Ansible and related DevOps toolsets.
• Windows Server image creation and maintenance deliverables across VMWare, Azure and AWS environments.
• Server lifecycle management automation components.
• Security hardening, compliance and vulnerability remediation outputs.
• Technical deliverables supporting server migration, rehosting, refresh and provisioning initiatives.
• Documentation maintained in Confluence and other approved repositories.
• Knowledge transfer materials and technical guidance supporting operational continuity.
• Recommendations and improvement initiatives related to automation, AI-Ops adoption, cloud hosting and Windows Server platform optimization.

Tools & Environment

• Windows Server platforms (W2K8 – W2K25)
• PowerShell automation
• Windows image building tools: Hashicorp Packer (VMWare on-premises), Azure Image Builder (AIB), AWS EC2 Image Builder
• DevOps and Automation tools: AWS CloudFormation, Terraform, Puppet Enterprise, Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform, GitHub, Artifactory
• Hybrid infrastructure technologies: Azure Arc, ESU management
• Security and compliance tools: GPO management, WSUS patch management
• Server software packaging: Chocolatey
• Virtualization and datacenter infrastructure: VMWare ESX, hardware management, Active Directory, networking, firewall protocols
• AI-Ops technologies for operational optimization
• Agile tooling: Jira
• Documentation platforms: Confluence

Working Conditions

• Senior-level Windows Server engineering and administration role
• Operating within global and multicultural delivery environments
• Fluent English proficiency required
• Autonomous and proactive handling of complex technical situations
• Engagement in Agile frameworks and cross-functional collaboration