Applications Architect

Northramp LLC•Washington, DC

7h•Hybrid

About The Position

Northramp is seeking an Applications Architect to join the team supporting the client's Cloud BPA Bridge program. This mission-critical effort focuses on consolidating, modernizing, and operating the client's enterprise cloud services across IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS environments under FedRAMP High authorization. In this role, you will design, engineer, and oversee the development of application-layer solutions within the client's cloud-hosted enterprise environment. The position bridges enterprise architecture, cloud infrastructure, and software development, ensuring application platforms support the client’s CI/CD DevOps model, mission-critical workloads, and the growing portfolio of IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS systems. This role is part of Northramp's integrated delivery model, where engineers and advisors work as one team to bring sound judgment, disciplined execution, and deep federal experience to high-stakes modernization programs.

Requirements

7–10 years of progressive, hands-on experience in application architecture design for cloud-native, hybrid, and microservices-based environments.
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or a related technical field.
Deep expertise in application architecture for cloud-native, hybrid, and microservices environments across AWS, Azure, and GCP.
Strong proficiency with PaaS development platforms and multiple languages — Python, .Net, Java, Node JS, Ruby, PHP.
Experience designing containerized applications with Docker and Kubernetes, and serverless architectures.
Solid understanding of CI/CD tools and practices — automated testing, version control (Git), deployment orchestration.
Knowledge of messaging and event-driven architectures (MQS, Pub/Sub).
Familiarity with AI/ML platform services and cloud-application integration.
Experience with SaaS integration patterns, REST APIs, and OAuth/SAML identity federation with Active Directory.
Strong grasp of application security requirements — FISMA, NIST 800-53, FedRAMP High, STIG, DHS standards.
Excellent communication and documentation; ability to support SELC reviews and brief senior government personnel.
Familiarity with Section 508 accessibility for application-layer ICT deliverables.
U.S. Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a DHS suitability / Public Trust clearance.

Nice To Haves

AWS Certified Developer or Solutions Architect, Azure Developer Associate, or equivalent GCP certification.
Kubernetes certification (CKA or CKAD).
Security+ or CISSP.
DHS, or other federal application architecture experience.
Active Public Trust or higher clearance.

Responsibilities

Design and govern application architectures supporting the client's CI/CD pipeline model across development, testing, pre-production, and production environments on FedRAMP High-authorized CCBs.
Architect and oversee deployment of PaaS development platforms supporting Python, PowerShell, R, .Net, Java, Ruby, Node JS, and PHP per SOO Section 4.1.7.
Design microservices and containerized application architectures leveraging Server Containerization Services (SCS) with Docker, Kubernetes, and Pivotal Cloud Foundry; integrate with Virtual Load Balancers and IAM.
Lead architecture for serverless compute (SOO Section 4.1.12), Message Queuing Services (MQS), and Publish/Subscribe Notification services supporting event-driven workflows.
Design and integrate AI/ML platform capabilities (SOO Section 4.1.8) for data-driven application development and automated decision-making.
Oversee architecture of SaaS integrations — including CRM and Service Desk Management platforms — with client's Active Directory and Microsoft Office 365.
Collaborate with Cloud Architects and Systems Engineers to align application architectures with network, security, and infrastructure designs including FESS and TIC 3.0.
Assess fit of new and emerging application technologies against client's target architectures per SOO Section 4.2.2.
Ensure application designs meet FISMA High, NIST 800-53, STIG compliance, and FedRAMP requirements; support ATO documentation.
Lead Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) activities and technology evaluations; conduct testing in physical or virtual labs.
Evaluate replacement or enhancement options against existing client portfolio applications.
Mentor development and engineering teams on application architecture, DevSecOps, and client's SELC review processes.
Develop and maintain application architecture documentation, technical specifications, and standards aligned with the client's Architecture Repositories.