Cloud Systems Architect

Location: Annapolis Junction, MD
Clearance: TS/SCI with Polygraph required
Work Type: On-site (with customer-approved flexibility)

Salary: $157,000 - $175,000

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Cloud Systems Architect to design, deploy, and support secure cloud-based infrastructures supporting mission-critical systems. This role requires deep hands-on expertise across AWS and other cloud platforms, strong DevOps and automation skills, and the ability to operate independently with minimal prescriptive guidance.

The Cloud Systems Architect will serve as a technical authority, supporting cloud infrastructure design, deployment, integration, troubleshooting, and Tier I/II operational support while acting as a key liaison between customers and engineering teams.

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Key Responsibilities

Cloud Architecture & Deployment

• Design, deploy, and manage cloud-based production, staging, and test environments

• Architect scalable, resilient, and secure cloud infrastructures with minimal downtime

• Plan and execute infrastructure and application deployments, load testing, and disaster recovery

• Identify and recommend the most agile and scalable cloud services and technologies for customer needs

DevOps & Automation

• Develop and deploy infrastructure using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and DevOps best practices

• Automate cloud infrastructure using tools such as:

  • Terraform

  • Amazon CloudFormation

  • OpsWorks

  • Ansible

  • Chef

  • Docker

• Support Linux and Windows workloads across cloud environments

Cloud Platforms & Technologies

• Design and implement IaaS and PaaS solutions using:

  • AWS

  • OpenStack

  • Azure

  • Kubernetes

  • OpenShift

  • Eucalyptus

• Deploy new solutions into existing cloud or off-premise infrastructure environments

Operational Support

• Provide Tier I/II support for cloud-based resources

• Support implementation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of customer environments

• Assist users with access to and utilization of cloud compute resources

• Monitor and respond to operational chat rooms

• Serve as the technical point of contact between customers and Architecture & Capacity Engineering teams

Documentation & Knowledge Management

• Maintain accurate and current system documentation

• Update Wiki and SharePoint knowledge bases

• Ensure full documentation to enable seamless handoff to application teams

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Required Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph

• 9+ years of related cloud engineering or architecture experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field

  • Four (4) additional years of relevant experience may be substituted for a degree

• Strong expertise in cloud platforms including AWS, OpenStack, and Microsoft Azure

• Demonstrated experience with Kubernetes, OpenShift, Eucalyptus, and OpenStack

• Experience with Linux and Windows cloud workloads

• Proficiency with scripting languages such as Python, Perl, or Ruby

• Experience working independently with little to no prescriptive guidance

• Must hold one active mid-level or advanced cloud certification (AWS, Azure, or OpenStack)

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Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using Terraform for infrastructure automation

• Strong DevOps mindset with full lifecycle ownership

• Experience supporting mission-critical or IC systems

• Familiarity working with ServPro or similar enterprise support teams

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Benefits

Our client offers a comprehensive, flexible benefits package supporting financial security, health, and work-life balance.

Retirement

• 15% automatic company 401(k) contribution (3% safe harbor + 12% discretionary profit sharing)

• No vesting – 100% immediately vested

• Pre-tax and Roth options; contributions deposited every payroll

Paid Time Off & Flexibility

• PTO accrued at 13% of hours worked (≈ 6 weeks / 30 days annually for full-time employees)

• Up to 240 hours carryover

• Flexible option to adjust PTO and/or 401(k) contributions in exchange for salary adjustments

Health & Wellness

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with significant company contribution

• CareFirst medical plans:

  • Platinum POS – $0 deductible

  • High Deductible POS – $1,600 / $3,200 deductible

    • Company contributes 25% of deductible to HSA quarterly

• HSA and FSA options available

Insurance (Company-Paid)

• $50,000 Life Insurance

• $50,000 AD&D

• Short-Term Disability: 60% pay (up to $1,000/week)

• Long-Term Disability: 60% pay (up to $6,000/month)

Flexible Schedule

• Hourly pay with flexible/alternate schedules (customer approval required)

Education & Training

• Up to $5,000 annually for certifications, courses, conferences, books, and related expenses

Additional Perks

• $100 annually toward company-branded apparel

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Why This Role

This position offers the opportunity to work on high-impact, technically challenging systems in a secure environment while leveraging modern DevOps tooling and cloud-native technologies. The role is well-suited for a senior-level engineer who enjoys ownership, problem-solving, and driving automation at scale.

We do not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

https://www.staffed4u.com/