Senior Cloud Architect

Job Locations US-DC-Washington

Position Overview

We are seeking a Senior Cloud Architect to serve as a technical authority for enterprise cloud operations within classified (TS/SCI) environments. This role combines strategic architecture, hands-on engineering, and program leadership to deliver mission-critical cloud capabilities across federal agencies. The ideal candidate will lead Landing Zone design, drive ATO readiness, and architect secure cloud solutions in air-gapped and hybrid environments-coordinating across government stakeholders, national laboratories, and cloud service providers.

Key Responsibilities

Serve as Cloud Architect for TS/SCI classified enclaves, owning enterprise Landing Zone design, security posture, and operational readiness
• Lead ATO gap analysis and remediation strategies, aligning cloud architecture to NIST 800-53, FedRAMP, and agency-specific security controls
• Architect and oversee secure, air-gapped AWS environments, including hybrid connectivity, cross-domain solutions, and controlled data flows
• Develop and implement automated cyber monitoring, anomaly detection, and alerting tools for cloud infrastructure and network activity
• Provide technical leadership for AI/LLM initiatives within classified cloud environments, including secure deployment patterns, data governance, and model lifecycle management
• Drive enterprise cloud optimization strategies to improve cost efficiency, operational performance, and mission delivery
• Architect backup, disaster recovery, and high-availability solutions for large-scale, mission-critical data environments
• Develop automation frameworks using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for provisioning, compliance enforcement, and operational efficiency
• Coordinate across government agencies, national labs, CSP(s), and contractor teams as the primary technical authority and point of escalation
• Support DevOps and CI/CD pipeline development for microservices architectures, including container orchestration and monitoring
• Mentor and lead teams of cloud engineers, fostering technical excellence and knowledge sharing

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 12 years with BS/BA; Minimum of 10 years with MS/MA; Minimum of 7 years with Ph.D., 16 years with a HS diploma
• 3 years of experience operating in classified, air-gapped, or disconnected cloud environments
• Strong knowledge of federal security frameworks including NIST 800-53, FedRAMP, and ATO processes
• Proficiency in Infrastructure as Code (CloudFormation, Terraform, or equivalent)
• Experience with DevOps toolchains including Docker, Jenkins, GitHub, and CI/CD pipeline design
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional technical teams and coordinate with senior government stakeholders
• Strong understanding of cloud security principles, including zero-trust architectures, encryption, and access management
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• Active TS/SCI or Q/SCI

Preferred Qualifications

• AWS Solutions Architect certification (Associate or Professional)
• Demonstrated expertise in AWS Landing Zone / Control Tower architecture and enterprise-scale multi-account strategies
• Hands-on experience with core AWS services: EC2, S3, VPC, IAM, Lambda, EKS, CloudWatch, CloudTrail, RDS, and networking constructs
• PMP (Project Management Professional) certification
• Experience supporting DOE, DOW, or IC agency missions
• Expertise in AI/ML and LLM deployment within secure or classified environments
• Experience with big data and analytics platforms
• Familiarity with container orchestration at scale in restricted environments
• Background in enterprise cost optimization delivering measurable savings
• Experience with cross-domain solutions and hybrid cloud networking
• Proficiency in Python for automation, scripting, and tooling development
• Track record of leading teams of 5 engineers on complex cloud delivery programs

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

$135,000 - $216,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.