NLM Lead Cloud Engineer

Ripple Effect•Bethesda, MD

13h•Onsite

About The Position

Ripple Effect is seeking 2 seasoned Lead Cloud Engineers to serve as the Infrastructure Lead and DevOps Lead for enterprise cloud platforms. This role is responsible for owning the architecture, standards, and governance for AWS, Azure, and DGP environments, ensuring platforms are secure, compliant, and operationally efficient. The roles play a critical role in enabling compliant cloud operations aligned with FISMA, FedRAMP, and NIH security requirements while partnering across application, security, and systems engineering teams to deliver auditable, scalable solutions. The position requires passion for designing and governing secure, scalable, and resilient cloud platforms that support enterprise-wide mission delivery, thriving in senior leadership roles where expertise in cloud architecture, DevOps enablement, and federal compliance shapes strategy, drives transformation, and empowers high-performing teams.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree
Minimum of 8 years of related experience
2+ years of management experience
Demonstrated experience leading enterprise cloud platforms across AWS, Azure, and/or government cloud environments
Proven ownership of cloud architecture, operational standards, and governance
Deep familiarity with federal compliance frameworks, including FISMA, FedRAMP, and NIH security requirements
Experience overseeing technical strategy across multiple programs including large complex initiatives with contractual and regulatory constraints
Intermediate experience with Microsoft Office productivity software and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams and SharePoint

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree preferred
Ability to bridge technical execution and executive strategy, translating complex cloud and DevOps concepts into business-level decisions
Experience establishing enterprise documentation frameworks that support audit readiness, knowledge transfer, and operational continuity
Executive presence with the ability to influence without authority and build lasting strategic relationships
Data-driven decision-making mindset, leveraging analytics to guide technical and organizational outcomes
Intermediate experience with AI tools, including their limitations and risks, and how they can be applied to support database management tasks

Responsibilities

Serve as the Infrastructure and DevOps Lead for enterprise cloud platforms, owning architecture, operational standards, and governance across AWS, Azure, and DGP environments while overseeing shared services, infrastructure-as-code (IaC), CI/CD enablement, and operational guardrails to ensure resilient, scalable, and repeatable solutions
Validate technical deliverables across programs, manage deviations, and incorporate evolving industry trends and cloud technologies into enterprise practices
Lead the development and enforcement of compliance frameworks aligned with FISMA, FedRAMP, and NIH security requirements, responding to client inquiries regarding regulatory and contractual adherence, and embedding risk-based thinking into infrastructure, DevOps, and operational practices across the enterprise
Oversee enterprise technical strategy and quality across programs by ensuring alignment with organizational goals, contractual commitments, and enterprise architecture standards
Establishing governance mechanisms that promote consistency, auditability, and continuous improvement
Sponsoring enterprise-wide improvement initiatives informed by external trends, internal performance data, and strategic priorities
Shape and lead communication and relationship strategies across the organization by delivering high-impact messaging to clients, executives, and internal leadership
Developing and maintaining strategic relationships that expand organizational impact and influence, informed by evolving market conditions and policy developments