Cloud Systems Architect - SME

UIC Alaska•Arlington, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

CLOUD SYSTEMS ARCHITECT - SME (NAUT): Bowhead seeks a Cloud Systems Architect - SME to support our customer on the Nautical contract in the Arlington, VA area. This position requires on-site presence due to work requirements and will not entertain work from home capabilities. Responsibilities Strategic Architecture Leadership: Lead architectural design and implementation of cloud-native solutions for mission-critical Department of Defense applications, driving strategic migration of legacy DoD systems to secure cloud environments while ensuring compliance with federal security standards. Cloud Platform Architecture: Design and oversee end-to-end cloud architecture strategies across AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, and other FedRAMP-authorized cloud platforms for complex DoD legacy system migrations. Security Integration & Compliance: Implement and maintain security controls compliant with NIST, FISMA, DoD Directive 8140, and DoD security frameworks while ensuring operational continuity throughout migration processes. Legacy System Assessment: Conduct comprehensive assessments of existing DoD applications and J6 IT processes to determine optimal migration pathways and identify corrective actions for hardware, software, and business management procedures. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Interface with the customer and external stakeholders in working groups, technical exchange meetings, and other forums while providing technical guidance to development teams and junior architects. Technical Documentation & Reporting: Create and maintain detailed architectural documentation, migration plans, security compliance reports, and prepare contingency plans while identifying/recommending GOTS/COTS software applications for program tracking. Project Management & Oversight: Chair/co-chair meetings and working groups on behalf of government representatives, resolve problems, allocate resources, manage personnel, and monitor performance to meet contract requirements. Infrastructure Management: Oversee development/coordinate technical solutions ensuring compatibility within the customers infrastructure while maintaining accountability for all IT assets through ITEC Team oversight. Personnel Supervision: Provide daily control and supervision of assigned personnel, provide planned replacement information at least 15 calendar days prior to replacement, and provide information within 24 hours of unplanned replacements. Risk Management & Process Improvement: Identify and mitigate technical and security risks, recommend life cycle management processes for automated information systems, and develop cost-efficiency strategies. Governance Participation: Participate in J6 IT Governance processes and identify/assign C4IT support personnel for Projects & Portfolio Managers to meet J6 timelines. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Systems, or related field from an ABET accredited or CAE designated institution; Master's degree preferred.
Experience: Minimum 16+ years of systems architecture experience with 8+ years specifically in cloud architecture and minimum 5 years managing 10+ personnel for IT and/or cybersecurity efforts.
DoD Experience: Minimum 5 years experience working with DoD systems and understanding of military operational requirements, specifically with the customers infrastructure.
Technical Skills: Expert knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, GCP) with emphasis on government cloud environments
Proficiency in containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)
Experience with Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation)
Strong understanding of microservices architecture and API design
Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps practices
Familiarity with database migration strategies and data architecture
Experience with Cryptonet Management Workstation (CMW) and crypto status communication protocols
Framework Compliance: Meets the Core and Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Tasks (KSATs) defined in the DoD Cyber Workforce Framework for Work Role 802 (NIST: OV-PM-002) and Work Role 632 (NIST: SP-SYS-002).
Required: CompTIA Security+ and AWS Solutions Architect Professional or Azure Solutions Architect Expert
SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to maintain a security clearance at the Top Secret level with SCI eligibility and maintain SAP eligibility.
US Citizenship is a requirement for this contract.

Nice To Haves

Leadership Experience: Previous experience leading large-scale enterprise architecture initiatives and managing cross-functional teams
Programming Knowledge: Proficiency in Python, Java, or other enterprise programming languages
Government Experience: Experience with FedRAMP, ATO processes, and government compliance frameworks
Desired: CISSP, SABSA, DAWIA PM Practitioner, GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC), FITSP-D, GIAC Cloud Security Automation (GCSA), GIAC Information Security Fundamentals (GISF), (ISC)2 Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

Responsibilities

Lead architectural design and implementation of cloud-native solutions for mission-critical Department of Defense applications, driving strategic migration of legacy DoD systems to secure cloud environments while ensuring compliance with federal security standards.
Design and oversee end-to-end cloud architecture strategies across AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, and other FedRAMP-authorized cloud platforms for complex DoD legacy system migrations.
Implement and maintain security controls compliant with NIST, FISMA, DoD Directive 8140, and DoD security frameworks while ensuring operational continuity throughout migration processes.
Conduct comprehensive assessments of existing DoD applications and J6 IT processes to determine optimal migration pathways and identify corrective actions for hardware, software, and business management procedures.
Interface with the customer and external stakeholders in working groups, technical exchange meetings, and other forums while providing technical guidance to development teams and junior architects.
Create and maintain detailed architectural documentation, migration plans, security compliance reports, and prepare contingency plans while identifying/recommending GOTS/COTS software applications for program tracking.
Chair/co-chair meetings and working groups on behalf of government representatives, resolve problems, allocate resources, manage personnel, and monitor performance to meet contract requirements.
Oversee development/coordinate technical solutions ensuring compatibility within the customers infrastructure while maintaining accountability for all IT assets through ITEC Team oversight.
Provide daily control and supervision of assigned personnel, provide planned replacement information at least 15 calendar days prior to replacement, and provide information within 24 hours of unplanned replacements.
Identify and mitigate technical and security risks, recommend life cycle management processes for automated information systems, and develop cost-efficiency strategies.
Participate in J6 IT Governance processes and identify/assign C4IT support personnel for Projects & Portfolio Managers to meet J6 timelines.
Other duties as assigned.