Explore mid-level platform engineer cloud network jobs and discover a pivotal role at the intersection of modern infrastructure and development velocity. A Mid-level Platform Engineer specializing in Cloud Networks is a technical professional focused on designing, building, and maintaining the foundational network fabric that enables applications to run securely and efficiently in cloud environments. This role moves beyond traditional network administration, embracing a platform mindset to create automated, self-service, and scalable networking solutions for product development teams. Professionals in these jobs typically act as crucial enablers, bridging the gap between core network infrastructure and developer needs. A core responsibility involves architecting and implementing secure, resilient, and high-performance network topologies within public clouds like AWS, Azure, or GCP, as well as in hybrid or multi-cloud setups. They design virtual private clouds (VPCs/VNets), configure subnets, establish routing policies, and implement critical perimeter security controls such as Web Application Firewalls (WAF), Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) protection, and VPN or direct connect solutions for secure on-premises connectivity. Their work ensures seamless and governed connectivity between services, databases, and users. Common day-to-day tasks include automating network provisioning and changes using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools like Terraform or AWS CloudFormation to ensure consistency and reduce manual errors. They configure and manage network security groups and access control lists to enforce the principle of least privilege. Collaboration is key; these engineers frequently work alongside security teams to embed security into the network layer, with development teams to unblock connectivity issues, and with managed service partners. They are also responsible for monitoring network performance, troubleshooting complex connectivity issues, and optimizing costs associated with data transfer and network resources. Typical skills and requirements for mid-level platform engineer cloud network jobs include strong hands-on experience with cloud networking services (e.g., Azure Networking, AWS VPC, GCP VPC). A solid foundation in enterprise networking concepts (TCP/IP, DNS, BGP, routing & switching) is essential. Proficiency in scripting (Python, PowerShell) and IaC is highly valued for automation. Candidates often possess intermediate cloud certifications, such as the Azure Network Engineer Associate or AWS Advanced Networking Specialty. A understanding of security principles, identity and access management flows, and foundational service management (ITIL) concepts rounds out the profile for these critical infrastructure roles. This career path is ideal for those who enjoy solving complex puzzles of scale, security, and automation in a dynamic cloud-first world.
