How to hire Cloud Migration Experts Across AWS, Azure & GCP – Lessons from Pune Hiring Projects

You’re scaling fast, modernizing infrastructure, and eyeing cloud transformation as your next business priority. Maybe your board is pushing for agility, or your IT leaders are stuck firefighting legacy workloads. You know you need to move but do you have the right people to get it done?

This is where most companies in your shoes get stuck. And if you’re hiring in tier-1 cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, or Pune, you're likely facing fierce competition for talent with AWS, Azure, and GCP cloud migration experience. I’ve worked closely with mid-size enterprises and large-scale companies during this hiring phase, and let me tell you it’s not just about hiring fast. It's about hiring right.

In this article, I want to take you behind the scenes of how we’ve helped multiple companies in Pune, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru successfully hire Cloud Migration Experts across AWS, Azure & GCP and what you can learn from it. From choosing the right hiring approach to understanding in-demand skill sets, we’ll cover it all with real, actionable insights.

Let’s dive in.

Why Hiring Cloud Migration Experts is Harder Than It Looks (and What’s at Stake)

When your business commits to migrating workloads to the cloud whether it’s from on-premises data centers or a hybrid cloud setup you need experienced engineers who have done it before. You need hands-on expertise, not someone just certified on paper.

The problem? Companies across India (especially in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Gurugram) are already chasing the same limited talent pool. Most experienced Cloud Migration Engineers aren’t actively looking; they’re passive candidates. And worse, hiring managers often misjudge what real-world migration expertise looks like.

We recently helped a FinTech firm in Bengaluru hire a cross-platform cloud team. They were trying to move their core banking services from legacy systems to Azure while also integrating AWS analytics services. The catch? They tried hiring via job boards and internal referrals for 3 months no traction. Once we stepped in as their recruitment partner, we delivered 4 shortlisted Azure and AWS migration experts with deep DevOps integration experience in 3 weeks flat.

Need to hire cloud migration experts across AWS, Azure & GCP?We specialize in recruitment for cross-cloud roles, DevOps, and enterprise-scale cloud transitions. Let’s discuss your hiring needs

What to Look for in Cloud Migration Engineers (Beyond Just Certifications)

Let’s face it, everyone today lists AWS or Azure on their resume. But you’re not just hiring for tech familiarity you’re hiring for accountability. You need someone who can lead or execute your migration, avoid cost overruns, and minimize downtime.

Here’s what separates the top 5% of candidates from the rest:

• Hands-on experience migrating legacy workloads. Can they discuss actual applications they’ve migrated? How did they handle networking, identity, storage, and downtime?

• Understanding of lift-and-shift vs. refactor strategies. Cloud migration isn’t just rehosting. Look for experience with re-platforming or containerizing using Docker and Kubernetes.

• Proficiency in automation and IaC tools. Tools like Terraform, CloudFormation, and Ansible are must-haves for repeatable and scalable deployments.

• Multi-cloud fluency. Especially for hybrid/multi-cloud strategies, familiarity with Azure Migrate, AWS Application Migration Service, and GCP Migrate for Compute Engine is key.

• Security-first mindset. They should be well-versed in IAM, network security groups, encryption, and cloud governance.

In our previous article on hiring DevOps engineers in Bangalore, we discussed how companies often skip deep technical evaluations during interviews. Avoid this mistake create practical assessments or use structured hiring panels.

Common Mistakes Companies Make While Hiring Cloud Migration Experts

In our Bengaluru hiring projects, we saw a repeated pattern of mistakes by even the most well-funded tech companies. Here's what you should avoid:

1. Over-relying on certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect or Azure Admin. Certs don’t equal project experience. We’ve seen certified professionals struggle with real-time production migrations.

2. Misalignment between hiring manager expectations and candidate skillsets. One client in Coimbatore was looking for an “Azure Cloud Engineer” but their actual need was an Application Modernization Specialist with Kubernetes and Azure DevOps CI/CD experience. Mislabeling the role wasted two months of hiring time.

3. Hiring generalists when specialists are needed. When you need platform-specific migration (say, to AWS only), hire someone deeply experienced in that stack.

4. Ignoring soft skills and stakeholder communication. Migration projects need cross-functional collaboration. Look for candidates who’ve worked with security, compliance, and infra teams.

5. Choosing the wrong recruitment partner. Many staffing agencies don’t understand the difference between a Cloud Engineer and a Cloud Migration Engineer. That’s why we always begin with a technical intake session with your cloud team and hiring managers.

Tired of irrelevant profiles? We’ve helped firms in Mumbai, Gurugram, and Bangalore fill AWS, Azure, and GCP migration roles within 2–4 weeks using curated talent pools. Let’s talk about your hiring goals

Real Hiring Lessons from Pune’s Cloud Migration Projects

Lesson 1: Hire for hybrid cloud fluency

A global e-commerce client in Pune wanted to transition from a monolithic AWS architecture to a microservices approach, splitting workloads across AWS and GCP. We placed a candidate with specific experience in multi-cloud DNS, interconnectivity, and monitoring tools like Prometheus and Datadog. Result? Their migration phase 1 completed 30% faster than projected.

Lesson 2: Build a cross-functional interview panel

One enterprise client in Whitefield, Bengaluru, used only HR and hiring managers to screen. We suggested involving DevOps leads and project managers early in the process. This shift improved candidate quality dramatically.

Lesson 3: Speed matters in a competitive talent market

When a Pune-based analytics firm opened a cloud transformation wing, they missed out on 3 top AWS architects simply due to slow offer processes. We helped them streamline this with structured feedback loops and offer rollouts in under 7 days.

Key Job Titles You Should Be Hiring For

If you're in the middle of your cloud migration roadmap or just starting, here are the high-impact roles you should consider adding immediately:

• Cloud Migration Engineer (AWS / Azure / GCP)

• Cloud Solutions Architect

• Cloud DevOps Engineer

• Platform Engineer (Terraform / IaC)

• Cloud Security Engineer

• Cloud Automation Specialist

• Multi-Cloud Engineer

• Data Migration Engineer

• Hybrid Cloud Network Engineer

We cover each of these roles in detail across our recruitment-focused articles, like our guide to hiring AWS Solutions Architects in India and how to recruit DevOps engineers.

Where to Find and Hire AWS, Azure, GCP Cloud Migration Experts (And How We Do It Differently)

You might have tried traditional hiring channels LinkedIn, job boards, even referrals. But the best cloud migration experts are passive candidates. That’s why we use a multi-pronged sourcing approach:

• Private cloud talent communities: Especially in cities like Hyderabad, Chennai, and Noida.

• Hackathons and tech events: We participate in AWS Community Days, Microsoft Azure events in India, and GCP summits to network directly with hands-on engineers.

• Pre-screened databases: We’ve built a curated cloud migration talent pool from past successful hires across Tier 1 cities.

• In-house tech evaluation: Our recruitment team includes certified cloud professionals who help with role-fitment and screening.

  
  

When Should You Work With a Specialized Recruitment Agency?

Here’s when companies bring us in:

• You’ve tried hiring internally and aren’t getting qualified profiles.

• You're short on time and can’t afford a bad hire.

• You're scaling across multiple cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).

• You need cross-functional hires: Cloud + DevOps, Cloud + Security, Cloud + Data.

We’ve worked with companies from 100-employee startups to 5,000+ workforce giants. Our staffing agency expertise lies in understanding how cloud transformation affects not just IT, but your entire business. And that’s why we go beyond resumes we map skills to outcomes.

Want handpicked profiles within 72 hours?Our clients hire cloud architects and engineers with 3–10 years of experience in 2–4 weeks. Schedule a hiring consultation today

Your Cloud Migration Recruitment Strategy

Hiring in 2025 is different. The stakes are higher. Technologies are evolving faster. And the market is more candidate-driven than ever. Here's how you can stay ahead:

1. Double down on candidate experience

Make sure your hiring process is smooth, fast, and structured. We helped an AI SaaS firm in Gurugram improve their offer-to-join ratio by simplifying feedback cycles and involving engineering leads from day one.

2. Invest in employer branding for tech roles

Your career pages, LinkedIn content, and interview experience need to speak to what migration engineers want challenging projects, cross-cloud exposure, and freedom to innovate.

3. Choose a recruitment partner who knows the cloud ecosystem

Generic staffing companies don’t understand the nuances of cloud roles. That’s where we bring value by acting as a hiring advisor, not just a resume provider.

Hiring the right Cloud Migration Experts across AWS, Azure & GCP isn’t just about filling roles it’s about accelerating your digital transformation without risking your uptime, security, or performance.

If you’re hiring in cities like Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, or Gurugram, and need hands-on engineers who can migrate, optimize, and stabilize your cloud infrastructure we’re ready to help.

We’ve done this for FinTechs, SaaS firms, Healthcare players, and Enterprises across India.

Now, let’s do it for you.

Start your hiring journey with experts who understand your goals. Email Us today

FAQs -

• What does a cloud migration expert do? Cloud migration experts help businesses move applications, data, and workloads from on-premise or legacy systems to cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP. They ensure the process is secure, cost-effective, and disruption-free.

• Why is hiring cloud migration experts in Bengaluru challenging? Bengaluru is home to top tech talent but also fierce competition from startups, MNCs, and GCCs. Skilled cloud professionals often have multiple offers, making it tough to attract and retain them without a focused hiring strategy.

• Which cloud skills should I look for when hiring migration experts? Look for hands-on experience in AWS, Azure, or GCP, with knowledge of tools like CloudFormation, Terraform, Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelines. Also, assess their ability to handle security, scalability, and cost optimization.

• How much experience is ideal for cloud migration roles? For migration projects, 3–5 years of relevant experience is a good benchmark. Senior roles may require 7+ years with a proven track record in architecture design, DevOps integration, and large-scale enterprise migrations.

• What are the most common mistakes companies make when hiring cloud experts?Mistakes include hiring general cloud engineers instead of migration specialists, ignoring platform certifications, rushing without proper assessments, and underestimating soft skills like stakeholder communication.

• What’s the average salary of a cloud migration expert in Bengaluru? Salaries vary by platform and experience. Mid-level migration experts earn ₹18–30 LPA, while senior architects or consultants can earn ₹35–50+ LPA, especially if certified in AWS, Azure, or GCP.

• Should I hire separate experts for AWS, Azure, and GCP? It depends on your infrastructure. If you're working with multi-cloud environments, hiring specialists for each platform or someone with hybrid expertise in at least two platforms is ideal for seamless migrations.

• How can I evaluate a candidate's cloud migration skills during interviews? Use real-world migration case studies, scenario-based questions, and technical assessments. Ask about their approach to downtime, rollback planning, and cloud-native architecture modernization.

• Is it better to use a recruitment agency to hire cloud migration talent? Yes, especially in Bengaluru’s competitive market. Specialized tech recruitment agencies can provide pre-vetted candidates, faster hiring cycles, and better cultural fits based on local market insights.

• How long does it take to hire cloud migration experts in Bengaluru? On average, it takes 3–6 weeks to close cloud migration roles. Partnering with agencies or building a talent pipeline in advance can help avoid project delays due to prolonged hiring cycles.