Cloud Architect SME – Cloud-Native Platforms & Data Systems

Job description

Summary ActioNet is seeking a Cloud Architect Subject Matter Expert to lead the architecture, modernization, and cloud adoption of mission-critical enterprise systems supporting federal programs. This role serves as the technical authority for designing secure, scalable, and resilient cloud-native environments that integrate front-end applications, API-driven microservices, enterprise databases, queueing services, large-scale computation engines, and analytical platforms. The Cloud Architect SME partners with engineering, cybersecurity, and program stakeholders to define migration and modernization strategies, establish reference architectures, and guide implementation teams across the full system lifecycle. The position emphasizes AWS-based architectures, microservices, containerization, DevSecOps enablement, and data platform integration. Location: Hybrid/Remote. Candidates should be local to the DMV area. Salary range for this position is up to $200,000, depending on qualifications, including relevant certifications, education, years of experience, and demonstrated experience supporting Federal Government programs within the field. Candidates with specialized expertise, industry-recognized certifications, and strong Federal contracting experience may be considered at the higher end of the range. Duties and Responsibilities Serve as the technical authority for enterprise and solution-level cloud architecture, guiding the design and modernization of complex application ecosystems Assess legacy and on-premises environments and define cloud migration and modernization strategies including rehost, re-platform, refactor, and cloud-native redesign Define target-state architectures that support front-end applications, API platforms, enterprise databases, queueing systems, scalable computation engines, and analytical services Architect secure AWS-based environments leveraging services such as EC2, ECS, EMR, EKS, S3, RDS, Aurora, Lambda, Step Functions, EventBridge, and CloudWatch Lead the architectural design of microservices-based platforms emphasizing API-first integration, loose coupling, stateless and stateful service separation, and elastic scalability Establish containerization and orchestration standards using Docker and Kubernetes to support portability, resilience, and automated deployment Architect data platforms integrating Oracle, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, Aurora, and cloud-native object storage for large-scale transactional and analytical workloads Define architectures for computation engines that execute Python-based analytical workloads and large-scale data processing Design secure cloud-native environments incorporating identity and access management, encryption, secrets management, logging, monitoring, and compliance controls Lead DevSecOps and CI/CD architecture integrating GitHub, Bitbucket, Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, Terraform, CloudFormation, and automated testing and security scanning tools Define infrastructure-as-code standards and reusable deployment patterns for cloud environments Optimize cloud architectures for performance, scalability, reliability, and cost efficiency Collaborate closely with cybersecurity teams to ensure architectures align with federal security requirements and cloud compliance frameworks Produce and maintain cloud architecture artifacts including reference architectures, system diagrams, data flows, and migration roadmaps Guide engineering teams during implementation, providing architectural oversight, design reviews, and technical risk management Support planning and execution of phased migration efforts including validation, testing strategies, and rollback planning Provide post-migration architectural support including performance tuning, resiliency improvements, and continuous optimization Mentor technical teams and contribute to the development of cloud standards, best practices, and long-term modernization roadmaps Basic Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Cloud Computing, Computer Science, or a related field 8+ years of experience in cloud engineering, cloud architecture, or enterprise infrastructure modernization Demonstrated experience architecting complex cloud-native platforms and leading migration and modernization initiatives Strong hands-on experience with AWS cloud services and enterprise-scale deployments Proven expertise in automation and infrastructure-as-code tools such as Terraform, CloudFormation, and Ansible Strong background in microservices architecture, containerization, and cloud-native application design Excellent communication skills with experience presenting architecture designs to technical and executive stakeholders Preferred Qualifications AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional or equivalent certification Experience architecting data platforms, analytics solutions, or large-scale computation environments Experience with Kubernetes and container orchestration in regulated or federal environments Background in disaster recovery, high availability architecture, and continuity planning Experience supporting Agile or SAFe development organizations ActioNet is a CMMI-DEV Level 4, CMMI-SVC Level 4, ISO 20000, ISO 27001, ISO 9001, HDI-certified, woman-owned IT Solutions Provider with strong qualifications and expertise in Agile Software Engineering, Cloud Solutions, Cyber Security and IT Managed Services. With 26+ years of stellar past performance, ActioNet is the premier Trusted Innogrator ! Core Capabilities: Advanced and Managed IT Services Agile Software Development DevSecOps Cybersecurity Health IT C4ISR & SIGINT Data Center Engineering & Operations Engineering & Installation Why ActioNet? At ActioNet, our Passion for Quality is at the heart of everything we do: Commitment to Employees : We are committed to making ActioNet a great place to work and continue to invest in our ActioNeters. Commitment to Customers : We are committed to our customers by driving and sustaining Service Delivery Excellence. Commitment to Community : We are committed to giving back to our community, helping others, and making the world a better place for our next generation. ActioNet is proud to be named a Top Workplace for the 13th year in a row (2014 - 2026). We have a 98% customer retention rate. We are passionate about the inspirational missions of our customers, and we entrust our employees and teams to deliver exceptional performance to enable the safety, security, health, and well-being of our nation. What's in It For You? As an ActioNeter, you get to be part of an exceptional team and a corporate culture that nurtures mutual success for our customers, employees, and communities. We give you the tools to be successful; all you need to do is bring your best ideas, your energy, and a desire to develop your skills, experience, and career. Are you ready to make a difference? ActioNet is an equal-opportunity employer and values inclusion at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Full-Time Employees are eligible to participate in our ActioNet’s Benefits Program: Medical Insurance Vision Insurance Dental Insurance Life and AD&D Insurance 401(k) Savings Plan Education and Professional Training Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Employee Referral and Merit Recognition Programs Employee Assistance and Identity Theft Protection Paid Holidays: 11 per year Paid Time Off (PTO) Disability Insurance ActioNet is an equal opportunity employer and value inclusion at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. ********Direct Applicants, only. No Agencies, No third-party recruiters, please**** ****