SME Cloud Operations Engineer

Leidos•Alexandria, VA

About The Position

This Department of War enterprise data and analytics program delivers mission-critical capabilities that enable leaders across the Department to make faster, better-informed decisions using trusted data at scale. Leidos Digital Modernization sector is seeking an experienced SME Cloud Operations Engineer to support the delivery, enhancement, and adoption of enterprise data and analytics products used across multiple DoD organizations. In this role, you will work alongside government partners, engineers, and other industry teammates to translate operational and strategic requirements into scalable, production-ready solutions. You will contribute directly to product planning, execution, and continuous improvement—helping ensure capabilities are delivered efficiently, aligned to mission priorities, and positioned for sustained success. This position offers the opportunity to work on a high-visibility, enterprise program at the intersection of data, analytics, and emerging AI technologies. Ideal candidates are motivated by mission impact, comfortable operating in complex stakeholder environments, and interested in building deep domain expertise while delivering capabilities with real-world national security outcomes.

Requirements

Active TS/SCI clearance with CI Poly eligibility.
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related technical discipline and 12–15 years of relevant experience OR Master’s degree in a related field and 10–13 years of relevant experience.
At least one of the following foundational qualification pathways consistent with DoD 8140 requirements: Current DoD 8140 baseline certification appropriate for Advanced System Administrator roles (e.g., CASP+, CCNP Security, GCED, or equivalent), Offerings listed in the DoD 8140 Training Repository, Demonstrated equivalent training and experience qualifying under DoD 8140 foundational qualification alternatives.
Minimum of 8 years of experience in cloud operations engineering or related field.
Extensive experience operating and optimizing cloud environments (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud or GCP) in DoD or Federal environments.
Experience implementing and managing Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) and automation frameworks.
Experience with containerized environments (Docker, Kubernetes) and cloud-native architectures.
Experience implementing Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) tools (e.g., Terraform, CloudFormation, or similar).
Experience supporting DevSecOps pipelines and enterprise system operations.
Experience applying RMF, STIGs, and DoD cybersecurity requirements.
Experience diagnosing and resolving complex system and infrastructure issues.
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to conduct root cause analysis.
Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Nice To Haves

Active TS/SCI with CI Poly clearance.
Experience operating within SAFe or Agile frameworks supporting enterprise systems.
Experience supporting cloud operations across NIPRNet, SIPRNet, and JWICS environments.
Experience implementing Zero Trust and secure cloud architecture patterns.
Experience supporting enterprise data, AI/ML, or DevSecOps platforms.
Advanced cloud certifications (e.g., AWS DevOps Engineer – Professional, AWS Solutions Architect – Professional, Azure Architect, or equivalent).
Experience with AI/ML model serving and deployment.
Familiarity with DevSecOps practices and tools.

Responsibilities

Provide subject matter expertise in cloud operations across AWS, Azure, or GCP environments supporting WDP services.
Design and optimize cloud infrastructure architectures to ensure scalability, resilience, and performance.
Lead implementation and enhancement of Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) and automation frameworks for cloud provisioning and configuration.
Oversee and improve DevSecOps pipelines supporting software lifecycle activities including integration, testing, and deployment.
Provide operational system administration and deployment support across AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud, and private cloud platforms.
Configure, test, and implement COTS, FOSS, and custom capabilities within commercial and on-premises cloud environments.
Monitor and optimize system performance, availability, and reliability across multi-enclave cloud environments.
Implement and maintain advanced system administration practices including patching, configuration management, and system hardening.
Ensure compliance with NIST SP 800-53, RMF, STIGs, and Zero Trust architecture principles.
Lead troubleshooting and resolution of complex infrastructure and operational issues.
Support enterprise-level incident response, root cause analysis, and system recovery efforts.
Develop and maintain operational standards, runbooks, and automation strategies.
Collaborate with DevSecOps, cybersecurity, data engineering, and software engineering teams to enable integrated delivery.
Support asset management, backup, disaster recovery, and continuity of operations (COOP) strategies.
Provide technical recommendations to improve cloud operations efficiency and platform reliability.
Participate in SAFe ceremonies including PI Planning, backlog refinement, sprint reviews, and retrospectives.