Lead DevOps Engineer - SaaS Product (MS Azure)

Job Title: Lead DevOps Engineer - SaaS Product (MS Azure)

Type of employment: Permanent, Full-Time, Remote.

Location: This is a remote role based either in the UK, Bulgaria or Portugal. You need to currently based in either of these locations and have the rights to work without visa sponsorship. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position.

About ZigZag Global   

We are Returns! We’re an award-winning eCommerce returns business founded in 2015 by our CEO, Al Gerrie. We live to push boundaries of smarter returns, and we want a thriving retail world where every customer experience is both delightful and considered, everything we buy can be loved and re-loved and preserving our planet is part of the fabric of how we shop.  

Today, more than 200 companies across 130 countries use our SaaS platform to help reduce the cost, friction, and impact of returns. Part of our leading enterprise retail clients include Zara, Superdry, New Look, Boden, Selfridges, Sports Direct, The Hut Group, Swarovski, not to forget the Whitelabel partnership with the world’s biggest logistics businesses like DHL, Evri, and FedEx.  

In March 2021, ZigZag was acquired by Global Blue, an industry leader in tax free shopping. Strengthening our reach across the global retail industry and allowing us to continue to do what we do best, help retailers manage and re-sell their returns.  

At ZigZag, we embody a set of values that lies at the core of our workplace culture. Our dedication to the Start-up Spirit, Human Heart and Grown-up Mindset defines our collaborative spirit and shapes our collective success.  

Passionate and Collaborative Minds Wanted:

You’ll join a brilliantly diverse group across Europe. We believe a business is strongest when its teams are both inclusive and diverse. We recognise and aim to challenge everyday biases, remove obstacles to inclusion and ensure all our people can thrive and be themselves.

If you are passionate about making a positive impact, caring for both colleagues and clients, and embracing a collaborative mindset, we invite you to apply. Join us in building a workplace where every contribution matters, and each team member feels a profound sense of belonging and value.

Position Overview:

We are in search of a Lead DevOps Engineer who resonates with our Purpose, Vision, and Values and is eager to contribute to a team where these principles are more than words – they guide our actions. Your commitment to fostering positive relationships, whether with colleagues or customers, will help create an environment where everyone feels appreciated and valued.

As a Lead DevOps Engineer joining our small, remotely distributed DevOps Team.  The DevOps Team is part of, and works closely with, the wider Platform team to design, implement, maintain and support ZigZag’s Infrastructure and application architecture to support and enhance the infrastructure and deployment processes of our SaaS product hosted in Microsoft Azure. Working in a dynamic environment, you'll contribute to our grown-up mindset by implementing scalable and resilient solutions. 

Application Support Technology Stack

• Cloud Platforms: AWS, Azure
• Databases: SQL Server, MongoDB, CosmosDB, mySQL
• APIs & Integrations: RESTful APIs, GraphQL APIs, SOAP APIs, Postman, Swagger
• Scripting & Automation: Python, Bash, PowerShell

Key Responsibilities:

1.      Infrastructure Management:

Lead the DevOps Team to:

• Design, implement, and maintain scalable and secure infrastructure solutions on Microsoft Azure, on a hybrid environment (Window/Linux) using Kubernetes, docker, Cosmosdb, SQL Server, embodying our startup spirit of innovation and adaptability.
• Manage Azure resources with a grow-up mindset, prioritizing scalability, reliability, and cost-efficiency.
• Monitor system performance, ensuring the satisfaction of our users and stakeholders by proactively addressing issues and optimizing performance. 

2.      Continuous Integration and Deployment:

Lead the DevOps Team to:

• Implement and maintain CI/CD pipelines on Azure DevOps and ArgoCD with a startup spirit of agility and iteration, automating processes to accelerate software delivery.
• Collaborate closely with development teams, embodying our grow-up mindset to optimize release cycles and improve deployment efficiency.
• Ensure the human heart of our team members is nurtured by fostering a culture of collaboration, learning, and empowerment through streamlined deployment processes.

3.      Configuration Management:

Lead the team to:

• Implement configuration management solutions with flexibility and adaptability, using tools like Terragrunt, Terraform, Ansible ARM.
• Manage infrastructure as code, promoting consistency and reliability across environments to support our expanding operations.
• Foster a human-centric approach by prioritizing ease of use and accessibility in configuration management processes, empowering team members to contribute effectively.

4.      Monitoring and Alerting:

Lead the DevOps Team to:

• Implement monitoring solutions with a startup spirit of innovation, leveraging cutting-edge tools to track system health and performance.
• Configure logging and alerting systems, to ensure proactive detection and resolution of issues to maintain high availability and reliability.
• Prioritize the well-being of our team members by optimizing monitoring tools and processes to minimize alert fatigue and promote a healthy work-life balance.

5.      Security and Compliance:

Lead the DevOps Team to:

• Implement security best practices with resilience and adaptability, protecting infrastructure and data in accordance with industry standards.
• Conduct regular security assessments with a grow-up mindset, addressing vulnerabilities and ensuring compliance with regulations such as GDPR and SOC 2.
• Foster a human-centric approach to security by promoting a culture of awareness and accountability, empowering team members to prioritize security in their daily activities.

6.      Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing:

Lead the DevOps Team to:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams with innovation and creativity, aligning infrastructure and deployment processes with business objectives.
• Share expertise and best practices, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement across the organization.
• Prioritize the human heart of our team members by promoting inclusivity and empathy in collaboration and knowledge-sharing activities, ensuring every voice is heard and valued.

What you’ll need to be successful:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in a DevOps or infrastructure engineering role.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Azure cloud services and architecture.
• Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.
• Good understanding on helm and GitOps tools like ArgoCD and Flux.
• Proficiency in scripting and automation using languages like PowerShell, Bash, or Python.
• Hands-on experience with CI/CD tools like Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions or GitLab CI.
• Practical experience with Grafana, Prometheus and/0r other monitoring tools.
• Solid understanding of networking, security, and compliance principles.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Experience of motivating and leading a team of technical engineers.
• We before Me Collaboration: Prioritize collective success over individual achievements, demonstrating a "We before Me" attitude in collaborative projects and team goals.
• Tenacious Problem-Solving: Exhibit tenacity in addressing challenges, embodying the value of "Be Tenacious" by persistently seeking solutions and overcoming obstacles.

• Competitive holiday allowance, plus bank holidays + an additional day of holiday after every full year of service (up to 5 additional days), plus a bonus day off for your birthday
• Flexible working options
• Healthcare insurance (location specific)
• Home office equipment budget
• Annual L&D budget and time to utilize it
• Employee referral bonus scheme
• Summer working hours
• Food vouchers (location specific)
• Mental health support

  For a detailed breakdown of our benefits based on location please click here ZigZag Careers Page

If you are interested, please send your CV in English.

Your application will be reviewed with strict confidentiality. Only the short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview. Providing your personal data, you explicitly agree that it will be processed for the purpose of recruiting and for the purpose of the possible signing of a labour contract and will be stored and operated by “ZigZag Global” EOOD in their capacity of the personal data controller and personal data processor in accordance with the effective legislation. Please have in mind that with this you give permission for your resume to be shared with other parties of the ZigZag Global Group.