Cloud Solutions Architect

Key Responsibilities:

• Cloud Architecture and Design:
• Architect, design, and implement enterprise-wide cloud-based and hybrid cloud-based solutions to meet DHS’s operational requirements and strategic goals.
• Work with cross-functional teams to develop cloud infrastructure solutions that are highly available, scalable, and secure.
• Translate business and technical requirements into practical cloud solutions, ensuring alignment with DHS policies, standards, and federal security regulations (e.g., NIST, FISMA).
• Cloud Implementation and Deployment:
• Lead the deployment of cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud) and hybrid cloud environments, ensuring secure and efficient implementation.
• Oversee the migration of applications, services, and workloads to the cloud, managing associated risks, downtime, and security concerns during the transition.
• Implement and maintain fault-tolerant systems that ensure the availability and integrity of cloud-hosted services, applications, and data.
• DevSecOps and Agile Development:
• Integrate DevSecOps practices into the cloud architecture and deployment pipeline to ensure continuous delivery with security built into every stage.
• Leverage Agile methodologies and application pipeline development practices to improve the speed, quality, and security of cloud services.
• Design, implement, and maintain automated workflows for cloud service provisioning, updates, and security patches.
• Cloud Computing and Networking:
• Design cloud-based computing (compute) resources, ensuring proper sizing and cost management of cloud instances.
• Design and implement networking solutions that enable efficient communication and connectivity between cloud and on-premise systems.
• Ensure that network configurations, including virtual private clouds (VPCs) and load balancing, meet performance, security, and scalability requirements.
• Database and Storage Solutions:
• Architect cloud-based database and storage solutions, including both SQL and NoSQL databases, ensuring high availability, data integrity, and secure access.
• Oversee the management of database administration, including backup, disaster recovery, and scaling.
• Cybersecurity and Identity Management:
• Ensure the implementation of robust security controls for cloud infrastructure, including access management, encryption, vulnerability scanning, and incident response.
• Design and implement identity, credentialing, and access management (ICAM) solutions to secure cloud environments and enable secure, compliant access to cloud resources.
• Stay abreast of emerging cybersecurity threats and work proactively to mitigate risks within the cloud environment.
• Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery:
• Architect and implement business continuity and disaster recovery solutions within cloud environments, ensuring critical applications and data are protected and recoverable.
• Conduct regular disaster recovery testing and ensure that cloud systems are resilient to outages and failures.
• Budgeting and Cost Optimization:
• Provide budgeting oversight for cloud infrastructure, ensuring that cloud service costs are optimized and align with DHS financial guidelines.
• Lead efforts to monitor cloud expenditures and identify opportunities to reduce costs without sacrificing performance, security, or scalability.
• Documentation and Collaboration:
• Develop and maintain detailed documentation for cloud architectures, configurations, and processes, ensuring that solutions are fully documented for future maintenance and auditing.
• Collaborate closely with government stakeholders, security teams, and project managers to ensure solutions meet DHS’s strategic objectives and security standards.

Qualifications:

• Education:
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cloud Computing, or a related field.
• Experience:
• 8+ years of experience in cloud architecture, solution design, and implementation, with a focus on enterprise and hybrid cloud environments.
• Extensive experience in translating business requirements into cloud solutions, covering compute, DevSecOps, networking, storage, and security.
• Proven experience in designing and deploying cloud solutions using major cloud providers (AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud).
• Experience in creating cloud architectures that include fault tolerance, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning.
• Expertise in cybersecurity practices, including securing cloud environments and implementing identity and access management (IAM) solutions.
• Skills and Competencies:
• Strong understanding of cloud computing technologies, including cloud services, hybrid cloud solutions, virtualization, and containerization.
• Experience with Agile methodologies and DevSecOps practices, focusing on the integration of security into the development and deployment pipeline.
• Knowledge of cloud-based database solutions (SQL and NoSQL), networking, and storage technologies.
• Expertise in designing and implementing secure cloud infrastructures with a focus on compliance (FISMA, NIST, FedRAMP).
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to address complex technical challenges related to cloud infrastructure and security.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to guide and mentor technical teams and collaborate across functional areas.
• Certifications (Required/Preferred):
• Professional-level cloud service provider-based certification (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect).
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP).
• ITIL Foundation or other relevant IT service management certifications.

Security Clearance: