DevOps Engineer

The role 

This role is a senior key contributor in the overall Legal Technology solutions and Data and Analytics, AI initiatives of the firm. You will be automating the environments for Data Science Lab applications in Azure Cloud and Clifford Chance on-premises. You will help integrate third-party applications (such as ContraxSuite) and AI/LLM workloads on Azure Cloud, collaborating closely with LTS stakeholders, data science lab, infrastructure, operations, and security teams.


Who you will work with

The candidate will be responsible for implementing and maintaining all on-premises and Azure infrastructure used by the Data and Analytics, AI team. You will help Data Scientists on automation-related challenges. It is expected that you will work in autonomy, implementing best practices (including Microsoft Gold standards), having high appreciation for security-related challenges, and working in a fully automated environment (everything must be scripted).
 

Skill & Key Responsibilities

Scripting & Automation

• Expert-level proficiency in scripting for automation using PowerShell, Bash, and Python.
• Design and develop automation templates/tools for infrastructure provisioning, configuration, and change management with a strong focus on Infrastructure as Code (IaC):  ARM Templates, Azure Blueprints, Terraform, Biceps

Azure Infrastructure:

• Deploy, configure, and troubleshoot Azure components:
  • Networking: NSGs, Subnets, Firewalls, Application Load Balancers (ALBs), App Gateway, Certificates.
  • Compute & Services: Azure App Service, Virtual Machines, Scale Sets, AKS.
  • Managed Services: SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Azure ASE.
  • Storage: Storage Accounts, Blob, Data Lakes.
• Working knowledge of data services: Azure Databricks, Azure Data Factory, Azure Insights, Azure AI Services.
• Expertise in Logging, Monitoring, Azure AD, and Azure Security Center.

DevOps Practices:

• Hands-on experience with:
  • CI/CD Pipelines: Azure Pipelines, GitHub Actions.
  • Source Control: Azure Repos, GitHub.
• Build & Test Automation, Configuration Management, Containerization, Deployment Automation, Log Management, Performance Monitoring, and Transaction Analytics.
• Develop scripts/tools for CI/CD of containerized applications.

AI/ML Operations:

• LLMOps:
  • Manage inference pipelines, token usage optimization, and cost-aware deployments of GPT/Azure OpenAI models.
  • Deploy and monitor LLM-powered microservices.
  • Tools: Azure OpenAI, Azure Prompt Flow, MLflow, Weights & Biases.
• MLOps & Model Lifecycle:
  • End-to-end lifecycle management: experimentation → deployment → monitoring.
  • Automated CI/CD for model artifacts using Azure ML, MLflow registry, and A/B testing.
  • GPU-based cluster provisioning and cost optimization for inference.

Kubernetes & Container Security:

• Expertise in managing, securing, and automating AKS clusters, including:
  • Helm, Autoscaling, Service Mesh, RBAC, GitOps practices.
• Implement security best practices for containerized environments:
  • Image scanning, runtime protection, vulnerability management.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity risks and mitigation strategies.
   

Additional Responsibilities:

• Assess current environments and recommend improvements for performance and scalability.
• Evaluate emerging cloud and storage technologies.
• Assist in design, architecture, and implementation of cloud solutions and deployment strategies.
• Troubleshoot and escalate issues as needed.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams in an Agile delivery environment.
• Optimize Azure costs using tools like Azure Cost Management, Advisor recommendations, and implement cost-saving measures (reserved instances, rightsizing, scaling automation).
• Knowledge of Azure Active Directory, role assignments, and conditional access policies.
• Design and deploy event-driven architectures using Azure Queue and Service Bus.
• Experience with Azure AI services, Vector Databases (e.g., Azure Cognitive Search).
• Automate deployment of AI/ML models in production using Azure ML and related tools.

Technical Stack

• Languages: Python, Node.js, SQL.

Certifications (Preferred)

• Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• Azure Administrator Associate
• Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (or equivalent)
   

• BTech in Software Engineering

Written and Verbal Communications

• Highly developed written communication skills and capable of producing global and sensitive communications to a varied audience at all levels in both Practice Areas and Business Services.
• Excellent verbal and interpersonal communications skills – some form of customer-facing interaction or consulting experience is a plus.

Core Competencies

Analytical Thought and Problem Solving

• Makes decisions that solve the immediate problem and prevent it from occurring again. 
• Prepares for potential problems and contingencies in case things go wrong. 
• Takes prompt action to resolve problems quickly. 
• Makes pragmatic and practical decisions about how centrally driven initiatives should be implemented locally. 
• Uses all relevant sources of information, including the team and other colleagues, to generate solutions.

Communicating and Influencing

• Uses a range of different influencing techniques.
• Takes account of different needs and concerns in order to effectively persuade others.
• Communicates effectively with the team through structured meetings and reviews.
• Resolves conflict and delivers feedback in an assertive and transparent way.

Commitment and Self-Motivation

• Makes oneself accessible to clients. 
• Monitors and reviews the quality of service that is provided in order to ensure that it meets/exceeds client expectations. 
• Resolves any problems with clients confidentially and professionally. 
• Remains positive even if progress is slow and solutions are diluted. 
• Is open to learning new skills. 
• Demonstrates a drive towards continual personal growth and development.

Leading and Developing Others

• Addresses underperformance swiftly and constructively. 
• Helps others to understand their own strengths and areas for development by providing regular and constructive feedback. 
• Helps others to set themselves clear goals which work towards the overall aim. 
• Promotes a climate of openness and trust within teams by encouraging individuals to share problems, feedback and credit.
   

Who we are

As a global law firm our work spans jurisdictions, cultures, and languages – and so do our people.

Our culture is collaborative and inclusive — where diverse perspectives are recognised and valued. Where performing to your highest ability, unlocks equal access to opportunities to learn, thrive and grow. 

We combine deep legal expertise and commercial intelligence to grow, transform, protect, and defend our clients' businesses, across every critical moment.

We operate in the sectors and regions that matter to our clients. With forward-thinking insights and innovative, tech-enabled solutions that combine deep knowledge of their sectors and markets.

You’ll build connections and work with colleagues as one global team. You’ll unlock opportunities for clients, across borders, cultures, legal and commercial disciplines.

Join us to work with colleagues as one global team – empowering each other to be exceptional and create advantage for our clients.

Our India team is a well-established and integral part of the firm’s global operations, delivering high-value support across a wide spectrum of functions. With over 800 business professionals based in Gurugram and Hyderabad, we’ve been driving operational excellence and innovation for more than 15 years.

We contribute to global success in areas such as Information Technology, Finance, Human Resources, Risk & Compliance, Legal Support, Research & Knowledge, Document Production, Virtual Executive Assistance, Programme Management, Client & Market Development, and Continuous Improvement.
 

How we will support you

From your first day with us, you will have varied opportunities to continuously grow and development your skills and knowledge. From formal training, informal coaching and mentoring through to skills-based and technical training and on the job learning.
 

Equal opportunities

At Clifford Chance we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society.

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age.  This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm. Find out more here.