Cloud Engineer

Overview

Acuity is seeking a Cloud Services Engineer in Washington, D.C. or Denver, CO.  We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Cloud Services Engineer to lead cloud transformation projects and design secure, scalable cloud infrastructure for critical government missions. You will leverage your expertise in Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud to develop cloud strategies, drive DevSecOps best practices, and enable delivery of mission-critical services through CI/CD principles. This role is customer-facing and requires the ability to translate business needs and requirements and translate them into technical requirements and guidance, while mentoring a team of engineers to deliver impactful cloud solutions, ensuring high availability, security, and performance.

Why Acuity?

Looking to make a difference, to help keep people safe, or even to save lives through your work with technology? Join Acuity’s team of experts to have an impact on our government’s critical missions. Acuity, Inc. is a consulting firm that supports federal agencies in the areas of IT Modernization, Data Enablement, and Hyperautomation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of secure cloud infrastructures leveraging Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define cloud architecture, establish migration strategies, and optimize cloud environments.
• Architect and contribute to implementation of cloud-native solutions via DevSecOps methodologies, focusing on automation, monitoring, and continuous improvement.
• Architect Kubernetes environments, leveraging both self-hosted clusters and cloud-native solutions (AKS, EKS, GKE) to optimize scalability, security, and cost-efficiency.
• Guide decisions on whether to deploy Kubernetes independently (for full control and customization) or use managed services offered by cloud providers, depending on project requirements and constraints.
• Provide technical guidance on cloud security, compliance (FedRAMP, FISMA, NIST), and best practices for microservices, containers, and infrastructure as code (IaC).
• Drive cloud migration initiatives, including assessment, planning, and execution of IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS solutions.
• Develop and document cloud architecture, technical roadmaps, and security protocols to support strategic IT goals.
• Lead efforts in infrastructure automation using tools like Ansible, Terraform, ARM / Bicep templates, and PowerShell scripting.
• Design solutions for high availability, disaster recovery, and incident response, ensuring robust cybersecurity measures.
• Mentor and work closely with cloud engineering teams to integrate cloud services into the application lifecycle, enhancing security and performance
• Foster a collaborative culture of proactive problem solving, personal accountability, and continuous improvement through Agile/Scrum methodologies, ensuring alignment with project objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• 5+ years of experience in cloud architecture, including hands-on experience with Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud.
• Proven expertise in designing and implementing cloud solutions, including IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS platforms.
• Strong experience with DevOps practices, including CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure as Code (Ansible, Terraform, ARM, Bicep, JSON, YAML), and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes, both self-managed and cloud-native implementations like AKS, EKS, GKE).
• Deep understanding of cloud security frameworks, network architectures (firewalls, VPNs, load balancers), and identity management (Azure AD, OAuth).
• Proficient in scripting and automation using PowerShell, Python, or similar languages.
• Demonstrated experience in customer-facing roles, with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions.
• Strong analytical and leadership skills, with experience managing cross-functional teams and complex project.
• Able to report onsite on a daily basis.

Desired Skills:

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
• Technical certifications (e.g., Google Cloud Architect, Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect, AWS Certified Solutions Architect).
• Experience with DevSecOps practices, microservices, and cloud-native development.
• Expertise in cloud cost optimization, monitoring tools (Azure Monitor, AWS CloudWatch, Google Stackdriver), and performance tuning.
• Prior experience working within government or federal environments, understanding compliance and regulatory requirements.

Soft Skills & Attributes:

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven leadership in cloud transformation projects, with a focus on delivering results and exceeding customer expectations.
• Strong collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and adaptable, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Clearance Requirement

• Active security clearance (Secret OR Top Secret)

Min

USD $115,000.00/Yr.

Max

USD $160,000.00/Yr.

Salary Range

The salary range for this position represents Acuity's good faith estimate of the compensation for this job title at the time of posting. Final compensation will be determined based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, education, certifications, skills, geographic location, contract requirements, applicable labor categories, and, where applicable, contract award and funding.