Cloud Engineer Senior

Job Title : Cloud Engineer

Job Location : onsite Linthicum Heights, MD

Job Type : Contract W2

Position : Cloud Engineer

Location : DC3, Linthicum Heights, MD (on-site)

Education / Experience Requirements : Bachelor's degree and 12+ years of experience, or Master's Degree and 10+ years of experience, or 7 years with PhD. A degree in one of the following fields is highly desired : Information Technology, Data Science, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Systems, or Software Engineering. However, 4 years of additional relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a Bachelor's degree.

Clearance Requirement : Minimum active Secret

Certification Requirements (One active certification from each category, must include a copy of the certifications with the candidate submittal) :

Architect Certification : Solutions Architect cert (preferably Azure)

Security Certification : Security+ or computing environment certificate equivalent to IAT Level II or III

Description :

The Cloud Engineer plays a critical role in supporting a federal government program by focusing primarily on migrating sensitive workloads to the cloud. This hands-on position requires expertise in designing, implementing, and maintaining cloud architectures, with an emphasis on security, scalability, and compliance.

Key Responsibilities-

Design and implement secure, scalable, and highly available cloud solutions on Azure Government, utilizing PaaS / IaaS services and containerization (Kubernetes, Docker, AKS).

Create and execute detailed cloud migration plans while ensuring security and compliance throughout the process.

Drive enhancements for cloud management platforms, evaluating their performance and making necessary improvements.

Develop infrastructure as code (IAC) using CI / CD pipelines with tools such as Terraform and ARM templates.

Lead cloud consulting engagements, providing strategic insights on cloud architecture, technology deployments, and portfolio management.

Educate and guide stakeholders and engineering teams on effective cloud solutions, security best practices, and cost optimization strategies.

Participate in technical project reviews to ensure designs meet operational and security requirements.

Maintain technical documentation and stay updated on emerging tools and best practices.

Required Qualifications :

Knowledge of computer networking concepts and protocols, and network security methodologies.

Knowledge of risk management processes.

Knowledge of cybersecurity principles, cyber threats, and vulnerabilities.

Knowledge of cloud computing service models Software as a Service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS).

Knowledge of cloud computing deployment models in private, public, and hybrid environments.

A minimum of 3 years of experience specifically within Microsoft Azure Government.

Proven experience in designing flexible, scalable, and highly-available cloud architectures and systems.

Expertise in containerization technologies (Kubernetes, Docker) and IAC tools (Terraform, ARM templates).

Familiarity with DevOps concepts and tools (GitLab, JIRA, Jenkins).

Desired Qualifications :

Familiarity with NIST 800-53, FedRAMP, security tools, and principles.

In-depth expertise with DAF CLOUDWorks (multi-cloud environments).

Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI) and cyber threat intelligence platforms.

Knowledge of AI / ML concepts and tools.

Highly Desired Certifications :

Cloud :

Azure Solutions Architect Expert,

Azure Administrator Associate,

AWS Certified SysOps Administrator,

AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Professional / Associate)

Cloud Security :

CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional),

Cloud+ (CompTIA Cloud Plus),

GCLD (GIAC Cloud Security Essentials),

GCSA (GIAC Cloud Security Automation)

Project Management :

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification,

PMI-Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP),

Certified Scrum Master (CSM)