Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

The Space and Intelligence Division provides professional services to the US Space Force, Combatant Commands, Intelligence Community, and NASA. Our work includes enterprise architectural assessments, systems engineering and integration, test, planning and execution, cost estimating and analysis, acquisition support, and cybersecurity. We are trusted partners developing approaches and concepts to meet emerging high priority needs, assessing cutting-edge technologies, and supporting capabilities for our National Defense. Come join the fastest growing Division at Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc.!

The Space Systems Group, part of SPA's Space and Intelligence Division, provides timely and objective assessments and recommendations integrating technical, operational, programmatic, policy and business analysis. We focus on our key clients in the Space community including the US Space Force's Space Systems Command (USSF/SSC), one of the three designated Field Commands under USSF. We work tirelessly to provide integrated solutions based on information and communications throughout the chain of command. We provide clear and consistent analysis and recommendations which are aligned to strategic and leadership goals while balancing the ability to execute on time and on budget within the technical communities. Come join an organization responsible for being a key enabler of Spacepower!

SPA has an near-term need for a Cloud Engineer.

As a Cloud Engineer at SPA, you will be assigned to support the Space Systems Command Program Office developing software solutions to perform cyber operations in defense of the US Space Force's mission systems. Using the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) to implement a DevSecOps approach, you will enable the rapid development and shipment of software solutions to protect, defend, and respond to both ground- and space-based cyber adversarial threats. You will be expected to understand and apply the best practices and standards for secure software development and deployment as set forth by Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs), and Open Worldwide Application Security Project (OWASP) Top 10 policies and procedures. You will be expected to design, develop, test, integrate, and deploy software in accordance with the concepts and techniques defined by the 12 Factor App development practices (12factor.net), cloud native (cncf.io), and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Risk Management Framework (RMF).

As Cloud Engineer your responsibilities will include:

Preparing and participating in Agile and/or DevSecOps ceremonies.
• Serve as the primary cloud service administrator, managing all cloud services and environments and encompassing best practices.
• Implementing Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) practices and techniques to enable the cloud's Application Programming Interface (API)-driven model.
• Performing artifact ingestion for storage, retrieval, analysis, and display.
• Supporting capabilities development and fielding within Gov-cloud AWS-hosted environment and cloud support services.
• Performing patch management for existing Amazon Machine Instances (AMI) and provide quarterly updates to AMI templates, including the latest patches and STIGs for Windows and Linux instances.
• Advising and expanding the organization's use of cloud services including new features, functions, baselines, and new cloud environments (e.g., MS Azure, AWS).
• Developing and providing services within the Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) to extend on-premises services.
• Developing the organization's cloud strategy and plans.
• Researching and analyzing various Cloud Service Provider (CSP) capabilities to provide recommendations for a uniform, scalable, and consistent solution that meets defined cloud strategy objectives.
• Managing enterprise cloud business solutions to achieve lower total cost of ownership and drive more cost-effective and efficient operations.
• Providing cross-environment automation, orchestration, monitoring, and operations management capabilities.
• Developing and maintaining best practices, frameworks, and cloud-related documentation.
• Providing recommendations on policy changes to accommodate cloud-native tools and features in support of Zero Trust Architecture enhancements.
• Performing analysis, recommendations, and development activities in support of cloud migrations.
• Supporting the activities with the integration and configuration teams to ensure the automatic build and deployment process works effectively across all environments.

At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain the top talent. Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.

SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.

The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc.

Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. Salary pay range: 130k - 165k

About the Must Haves

• Minimum 7 years of professional experience performing cloud engineering
• Bachelor's degree in computer science or relevant STEM from an accredited institution
• Certified IAT Level II
• At least one or more of the following certifications:
  • CCNA, CCDE, AWS Practitioner, AWS Solutions Architect, AWS Security, AWS SysOps Admin, AWS DevOps Engineer, AWS Advanced Networking, or equivalent
• You are a US Citizen and possess a current Top Secret Clearance
• Your resume must demonstrate experience:
  • Administering, configuring, and maintaining cloud operations and services in AWS, Azure, or GPC
  • Examples of implementing Infrastructure as Code
  • Proficiency with scripting languages to introduce automation that enhances cloud infrastructure provisioning and management
  • Configuring monitoring and logging solutions
  • Deep understanding of how to implement cloud security controls and best practices
  • Designing and implementing scalable and highly available cloud architectures
  • Optimizing cloud resources
  • Proficiency with the following tools/technologies: Python, Terraform, AWS CloudFormation, Azure Resource Manager, Prometheus, Grafana, Bicep, Kafka, Keycloak, Active Directory