Lead Cloud Architect with Security Clearance

Position Overview Seeking an experienced Lead AWS Cloud Architect to support a large-scale federal enterprise cloud modernization program. This is a highly visible, client-facing technical leadership role responsible for shaping enterprise AWS architecture, establishing cloud platform standards, and guiding engineering teams through complex infrastructure modernization initiatives. The environment consists of 200+ AWS accounts, with AWS representing approximately 80% of the overall cloud infrastructure. The ideal candidate is a true enterprise AWS platform/infrastructure architect who combines deep hands-on technical expertise with the ability to independently lead customer discussions, develop architectural solutions, and provide strategic technical direction.

Key Responsibilities Lead the design, architecture, and modernization of large-scale enterprise AWS environments. Architect AWS landing zones, multi-account structures, networking, IAM, governance, security guardrails, and shared services. Establish enterprise-wide cloud architecture standards, automation strategies, and governance practices. Work directly with federal customers to gather requirements, recommend solutions, and present architectural decisions. Translate complex or undefined business requirements into technical architectures, proofs of concept (POCs), and implementation plans.

Develop and support infrastructure automation using Terraform, CloudFormation, and CI/CD pipelines. Provide technical guidance to cloud engineering teams throughout implementation, troubleshooting, and validation. Collaborate with security, networking, DevSecOps, and infrastructure teams to ensure scalable, secure, and reliable cloud operations. Serve as a primary technical advisor and architectural lead for the customer. Required Qualifications 10+ years of IT, infrastructure architecture, or cloud transformation experience.

Extensive hands-on experience designing and implementing enterprise AWS cloud infrastructure. Proven experience architecting and governing large-scale AWS multi-account environments, ideally involving hundreds of AWS accounts. Deep understanding of AWS Organizations, Control Tower, landing zones, IAM Identity Center, SCPs, networking, and security guardrails. Strong experience with Terraform, CloudFormation, infrastructure as code (IaC), and automation. Experience with AWS networking, including VPCs, Transit Gateway, Direct Connect, routing, and hybrid connectivity.

Strong understanding of enterprise cloud governance, security, and infrastructure architecture best practices. Demonstrated ability to independently lead technical discussions, present architecture recommendations, and communicate with senior stakeholders. Experience developing technical solutions from high-level requirements and guiding engineering teams through implementation. U.S. Citizenship and eligibility to obtain a Public Trust.

Preferred Qualifications Experience supporting federal government or large enterprise cloud modernization programs. AWS Solutions Architect Professional or other advanced AWS certifications. Experience with Azure or Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Familiarity with AWS Control Tower Account Factory, AWS Organizations governance, and automated account provisioning. Experience incorporating Generative AI or AI-assisted tools into cloud architecture, automation, or proof-of-concept development. Experience with federal cloud security and compliance frameworks.

Additional Information Work Arrangement: Primarily remote, with occasional customer meetings in the DMV area.

Location Preference: Candidates within reasonable travel distance of Washington, DC are strongly preferred.

Role Focus: Approximately 60% architecture/client-facing leadership and 40% hands-on technical work.

Career Opportunity: Contract-to-hire supporting a major federal cloud modernization initiative. Why This Opportunity? This is an opportunity to help shape the future of a large-scale federal cloud environment while serving as a trusted technical advisor to customer leadership. We are looking for someone who has personally designed and built enterprise AWS infrastructure at scale, understands the technology from the ground up, and can confidently lead architectural decisions from initial discovery through implementation.