My client based in Dublin are seeking Senior Cloud & Security Operations Engineer. This is a daily rate contract for 6 months.This role requires deep expertise in Microsoft Azure security, Microsoft Defender, SIEM/SOAR platforms, and incident response. The successful candidate will play a key role in detecting, investigating, and mitigating threats while driving proactive threat hunting and cloud security initiatives. In addition, you will provide leadership during critical security incidents, mentor junior analysts, and engage with stakeholders across both technical and business teams.Key ResponsibilitiesCloud & Infrastructure SecurityConfigure and manage Azure Security Center / Microsoft Defender for Cloud, including alert triage and security posture management.Secure Azure workloads (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) using Zero Trust principles and hybrid cloud security solutions (Azure Arc, on-prem AD integration).Implement and monitor Azure AD security controls : Conditional Access, Identity Protection, MFA, Privileged Identity Management (PIM).Configure and manage Azure network security (NSGs, ASGs, firewall rules, DDoS protection).Administer the Microsoft Defender suite : Defender for Endpoint, Defender for Identity, Defender for Office 365.Ensure data protection with Key Vaults, encryption practices, and secure storage .Security Operations & Incident ResponseLead end-to-end incident handling : triage, investigation, containment, eradication, recovery, and lessons learned.Perform forensic analysis including log correlation (Sentinel, Log Analytics), evidence collection, and timeline reconstruction.Conduct threat hunting across Azure and hybrid workloads using IoCs and advanced analytics.Investigate malware and phishing campaigns, applying reverse engineering basics and sandboxing techniques.Develop and maintain automation playbooks for SOAR platforms (Microsoft Sentinel, IBM QRadar).Write and optimize Kusto Query Language (KQL) queries and PowerShell scripts for investigations and automation.Integrate security telemetry via APIs from Azure and OT platforms.Governance, Risk & ComplianceApply and track compliance using Azure Policy and regulatory frameworks (GDPR, EU NIS2.0).Align practices with NIST CSF, ISO 27001, CIS Controls, and OT standards (NIST 800-82, IEC Support IT/OT network segmentation and asset monitoring (experience with Armis highly beneficial).Leadership & CollaborationAct as incident commander during major security events.Provide threat intelligence reporting to executives and external stakeholders.Mentor and guide junior analysts, fostering continuous learning and development.Communicate complex technical issues clearly to non-technical stakeholders .Required Skills & ExperienceProven hands-on experience with Azure Security, Microsoft Defender suite, and SIEM/SOAR platforms (Sentinel, QRadar, or equivalent).Strong knowledge of cloud security, hybrid environments, and Zero Trust .Practical experience in incident response, digital forensics, and threat hunting .Familiarity with NIST, ISO 27001, CIS Controls, and OT-specific standards.Excellent proficiency with KQL, PowerShell, and security API integrations.Strong communication, leadership, and mentoring skills.