Lead Cloud Architect - AWS

The Lead AWS Systems Architect provides architectural leadership and hands-on implementation for AWS-based cloud solutions supporting assigned federal contracts and proposal efforts. This role is responsible for developing, documenting, and implementing AWS architectures in alignment with government direction, contract requirements, and security controls .

While final architectural decisions may be made by federal stakeholders, this position independently drives technical analysis, solution development, and execution , serving as the primary contractor-side AWS expert for assigned systems.

Key Responsibilities

Program Architecture Execution

• Serve as the contractor-side AWS architectural lead for assigned federal contracts
• Develop AWS architecture designs, options, and recommendations in response to government requirements
• Implement approved architectures and configuration changes following government direction
• Translate SOWs, task orders, and security requirements into technical implementation plans

AWS Architecture & Implementation

• Design and implement AWS environments aligned with approved architectures
• Configure networking, compute, storage, IAM, monitoring, and backup solutions
• Develop and maintain infrastructure-as-code (IaC) templates and deployment artifacts
• Ensure implementations meet availability, performance, security, and resilience requirements

Security & Compliance Support

• Implement and maintain AWS configurations supporting FISMA Moderate/High and FedRAMP requirements
• Support ATO activities by providing technical inputs, evidence, and remediation support
• Address findings, POA&Ms, and audit requests for assigned systems
• Ensure logging, monitoring, encryption, and access controls are correctly implemented

Operational Support

• Execute architectural changes related to patching, upgrades, and environment improvements
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex AWS infrastructure issues
• Optimize environments for cost, performance, and operational sustainability
• Maintain configuration and architecture documentation for audit and sustainment purposes

Proposal & Capture Support

• Provide AWS architecture support for proposals, task orders, and technical responses
• Develop solution diagrams, narratives, and infrastructure assumptions based on solicitation requirements
• Support technical sizing and pricing inputs
• Participate in solutioning sessions as a technical contributor

Documentation & Technical Artifacts

• Produce and maintain accurate, auditable architecture diagrams and system documentation
• Document design rationale, trade studies, and implementation details as required
• Ensure artifacts align with government and contract documentation standards

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience
• 7–10+ years of experience in infrastructure or cloud engineering roles
• 5+ years of hands-on AWS architecture experience
• Experience supporting federal government systems where technical decisions are government-led
• Working knowledge of FISMA, FedRAMP, and ATO processes
• Proven ability to execute independently within defined government direction
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional (or ability to obtain within 90 days)
• AWS Certified Security – Specialty (or ability to obtain within 6 months)

(Candidates without current certifications may be considered if willing to obtain within defined timeframes.)

Preferred Qualifications

• AWS GovCloud experience
• Prior experience supporting systems through ATO and steady-state operations
• Experience contributing to federal proposal efforts
• AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty
• AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional

Key Competencies

• Strong technical execution without formal decision authority
• Ability to translate government direction into working solutions
• Comfort operating in customer-led architecture environments
• Clear technical documentation and follow-through
• Reliable delivery under compliance and schedule constraints

Why This Role Exists

This role is being added to increase technical execution capacity across federal programs and proposal efforts. The Lead AWS Systems Architect will reduce workload concentration by independently handling architecture development, implementation, compliance support, and proposal solutioning under government direction.