Azure Cloud Architect

Job Category:
Information Technology
Time Type:
Full time
Minimum Clearance Required to Start:
None
Employee Type:
Regular
Percentage of

Travel Required:

Up to 10%
Type of Travel:
Local

CIAC is seeking an Azure Cloud Architect to join our Cloud Operations team supporting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Azure Cloud Architect will play a key role in assessing, designing, implementing, and supporting large-scale Azure cloud solutions for different applications, and automating cloud operations and deployment.

Location: Remote;
Springfield, VA is preferable (for occasional client site visits)

Shift: Core Hours MON – FRI, 8am – 5pm eastern time; some after hours/weekend work for maintenances/escalations

• Provide subject matter expertise using best practices for designing cloud solutions and migrating existing systems to Azure within cross-functional, agile teams.
• Design, develop, and implement strategies to move applications and workloads to the cloud using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) principles.
• Work closely with application and system owners to understand solution requirements and identify appropriate Azure architectural patterns.
• Design and implement Terraform-based infrastructure to provision, configure, and manage Azure resources in a repeatable, secure, and auditable manner.
• Monitor compliance of cloud resources to ensure alignment with industry standards, agency guardrails, and Azure best practices.
• Research and propose solutions for Azure data transformation, data connectivity, operational frameworks, and application integration.
• Collaborate with architects and engineers to create and maintain architectural standards, Terraform modules, build templates, and operational templates.
• Lead Azure cloud architecture design to meet client technical, security, and business requirements.
• Configure and architect cloud systems for high availability, scalability, resiliency, and disaster recovery.
• Implement and administer Azure IaaS services and support future‑state planning aligned with the Agency’s enterprise architecture.
• Consult with stakeholders, run proofs of concept (POCs), and advise on optimal use of Azure services to solve mission and business challenges.
• Develop and maintain automation scripts and tooling (Terraform, Power Shell, Azure CLI, etc.) to enforce desired‑state configuration for the Azure platform.
• Provision, manage, monitor, and decommission Azure cloud services through code‑driven lifecycle management.
• Support security audits, accreditation, and certification activities, including Authority to Operate (ATO) for cloud‑based architectures.
• Participate in daily stand‑up meetings to report accomplishments, plans, and impediments.
• Interact with Government and Contractor personnel in meetings and technical working sessions via Microsoft Teams.
• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date documentation of the Azure environment in accordance with Agency policy and governance requirements.

Required:

• BA/BS degree with 15+ years of industry experience or MA/MS with 12+ years of industry experience
• 10+ years of experience in solutioning, designing, developing, and delivering enterprise IT systems
• Proven experience as a Cloud Architect with a primary focus on Microsoft Azure
• Strong hands‑on experience with Terraform and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for Azure environments
• Microsoft Certified:
  Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• Demonstrated expertise in leadership, collaboration, governance, advocacy, and consensus building
• Strong scripting and automation experience (Terraform, Power Shell, Azure CLI, etc.)
• Deep understanding of SDLC methodologies including Waterfall, Scrum, and Agile
• Knowledge of IT application architecture and design methodologies across multiple platforms
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
• Fundamental Understanding of the Shared Responsibility Model

Desired:

• Experience with additional cloud platforms, particularly AWS
• Experience with container technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes (AKS)
• Understanding of hybrid cloud and multi‑cloud architectures
• Experience integrating Terraform with CI/CD pipelines (Azure Dev Ops, Git Hub Actions, etc.)
• Exper…