Cloud Operations Engineer

Job description

Company Description Join us and make YOUR mark on the World! Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability. Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact. Job Description We have an opening for a Cloud Operations Engineer to join our team. In this position, you will be responsible for designing, implementing, and managing cloud solutions that support the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) business services and programmatic missions, including scientific research and mission-critical operations. This position is in the Enterprise Infrastructure Services (EIS) Division within the Computing Directorate. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to drive innovation, improve scalability, and ensure the secure and efficient utilization of cloud resources for NNSA initiatives. This role supports multiple sites across the country and occasional travel is required to collaborate with stakeholders and partners. This position offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic and highly technical environment, supporting critical infrastructure for enterprise-level applications. This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work. This position will be filled at either the SES.2 or SES.3 level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level. In this role you will Deploy and manage cloud infrastructure (primarily AWS) in support of scientific, engineering, and business applications. Develop automation scripts and Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) solutions for cloud resource provisioning and management. Collaborate with researchers, engineers, and IT staff to migrate workloads and optimize applications for cloud environments. Implement and manage cloud financial operations (FinOps) practices to optimize cloud spending, track usage, and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure cost-effective resource allocation. Monitor cloud performance and usage, and implement solutions for high availability, scalability, and cost efficiency. Ensure compliance with Department of Energy (DOE) and NNSA security policies and federal regulations for cloud operations. Provide technical support, documentation, and training for cloud users across the enterprise. Stay abreast of emerging cloud technologies and recommend adoption of innovative solutions. Perform other duties as assigned. Additional job responsibilities at the SES.3 Level Develop and implement advanced cloud computing environments that align with customer needs and enterprise system strategies, ensuring optimal performance and scalability. Independently configure and utilize systems and cloud management tools to monitor, maintain, and optimize infrastructure operations effectively. Identify, troubleshoot, and document complex system and network issues to ensure timely resolution and minimize disruptions. Qualifications Ability to obtain and maintain a US DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. Citizenship. Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of technical education and relevant experience. Broad experience in cloud platform administration and support, with proficiency in technologies such as AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, or hybrid cloud environments. Broad knowledge of cloud infrastructure operations, including resource provisioning, automation, and the use of infrastructure management tools. Proficient understanding of cloud support systems, such as virtual networking, identity and access management, and monitoring solutions. Comprehensive experience with cloud architecture documentation tools, including Visio and other office productivity software. Proficient in managing and troubleshooting cloud-based resources and services, including performance monitoring and incident response. Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to work independently while effectively collaborating with customers and team members. Additional Qualifications at the SES.3 Level Significant experience managing enterprise cloud environments, including platforms such as AWS, Azure, and hybrid cloud networking. Advanced knowledge of troubleshooting techniques, with strong skills in resolving issues through analysis of logs, metrics, and cloud-native diagnostic tools. Significant experience with resource provisioning, automation, and infrastructure as management tools, such as Terraform, CloudFormation, Cloud Development Kit, or similar platforms. Significant experience training and mentoring team members, focusing on cloud engineering best practices and architectural design principles. Desired Qualifications Active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top-Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at the time of hire. AWS Certified Solutions Architect credential or an equivalent advanced cloud certification. Deep familiarity with hybrid cloud architectures and expert-level proficiency in integrating on-premises environments with cloud platforms in air-gapped environments. Comprehensive knowledge of compliance frameworks, such as National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), FedRAMP, and related standards, with proven experience implementing and maintaining compliance within cloud environments. Pay Range $146,340 - $222,564 Annually $146,340 - $185,544 Annually for the SES.2 level $175,530 - $222,564 Annually for the SES.3 level This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs. Additional Information #LI-Hybrid Position Information This is a Flexible Term appointment, which is for a definite period not to exceed six years. If final candidate is a Career Indefinite employee, Career Indefinite status may be maintained (should funding allow). Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory? Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor! Flexible Benefits Package 401(k) Relocation Assistance Education Reimbursement Program Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs) Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values Security Clearance This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. Pre-Employment Drug Test External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor. Wireless and Medical Devices Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices. If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings. How to identify fake job advertisements Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond. To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf Equal Employment Opportunity We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. Reasonable Accommodation Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. California Privacy Notice The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here .