Senior AWS Cloud Architect with Security Clearance

Senior AWS Cloud Architect Salary: $174,000–$220,000
Employment Type: Full-Time
Clearance: Active TS/SCI with CI Poly Required
Onsite in Washington DC Position Overview We are seeking an experienced Senior AWS Cloud Architect to architect, design, and implement secure, scalable cloud solutions supporting complex mission-critical environments. This position will play a key technical leadership role in developing robust AWS cloud infrastructure, establishing cloud architecture and security standards, and mentoring cloud engineering teams. The ideal candidate brings extensive experience designing and operating AWS environments at scale, including infrastructure supporting multiple classification domains. Key Responsibilities Cloud Architecture & Engineering
Design and implement secure, scalable, highly available, and resilient cloud architectures aligned with industry best practices and mission requirements. AWS Infrastructure
Architect and support AWS environments utilizing services such as EC2, S3, Lambda, EBS, and other core AWS technologies. Technical Leadership & Mentorship
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to cloud engineers, review technical work, establish engineering best practices, and assist teams in solving complex infrastructure challenges. Requirements & Solution Design
Work with technical and non-technical stakeholders to translate requirements into actionable cloud architecture and engineering solutions. Cloud Governance & Compliance
Develop and implement cloud governance strategies that support applicable security, regulatory, and compliance requirements. Infrastructure Automation
Lead automation efforts across deployment, configuration, monitoring, and infrastructure management to improve efficiency and reduce manual processes. Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
Design and maintain repeatable cloud infrastructure using Terraform, AWS CloudFormation, Ansible, and related automation technologies. Cloud Security
Implement cloud security controls, identity and access management, authentication, authorization, SSO, federation, and infrastructure-hardening practices. Cloud Image Management
Create, manage, and harden cloud-based desktop operating system images, including Amazon Machine Images (AMIs), across multiple classification domains. Modern Cloud Architecture
Design and support modern architecture patterns involving microservices, serverless computing, containerized workloads, Docker, and Kubernetes. Risk Management
Participate in architecture reviews, risk management assessments, security planning, and technical evaluations. Documentation & Training
Develop operating procedures, technical documentation, and end-user training materials as required. Technical Subject Matter Expertise
Serve as a cloud architecture subject matter expert and contribute to technical knowledge sharing and engineering best practices. Required Qualifications
Active TS/SCI with CI Poly security clearance
Certification meeting DoD 8140/8570 requirements, such as Security+ or higher
10+ years of experience as a Cloud Solution Architect, Senior Cloud Engineer, or similar technical role
Extensive experience designing and leading AWS cloud infrastructure solutions at enterprise scale
Experience supporting cloud infrastructure across multiple classification domains, including IL5 through IL6+
Strong hands-on experience with AWS services, including EC2, S3, Lambda, EBS, and related technologies
Expert-level experience creating, managing, and hardening cloud desktop operating system images, including AMIs
Strong understanding of microservices, serverless architecture, and containerized workloads
Hands-on experience with Docker and Kubernetes
Advanced experience with Infrastructure as Code using Terraform, CloudFormation, Ansible, or similar technologies
Strong knowledge of cloud security architecture and implementation of security controls within cloud environments
Experience integrating enterprise identity and access technologies, including IAM, SSO, and federation
Strong scripting and automation skills using Python and Bash
Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical challenges within large-scale cloud environments
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Preferred Qualifications
Hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure and/or Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
Advanced AWS certifications
Experience architecting cloud solutions for highly regulated or mission-critical environments
Experience leading or mentoring cloud engineering teams
Compensation Salary Range: $174,000–$220,000 Compensation will be based on qualifications, technical expertise, relevant professional experience, responsibilities of the position, and other applicable factors. Additional compensation and professional development opportunities may be available, including performance incentives, employer-sponsored training and certifications, and referral programs.