Cloud Architect

Roles & Responsibilities

• Design and develop cloud architecture strategies to support scientific applications, large-scale data processing, and mission-aligned workflows
• Lead the migration of legacy and modern systems to hybrid and multi-cloud environments (AWS, Azure, OCI, GCP)
• Architect secure, scalable, and resilient platforms optimized for research-to-operations (R2O) and high-throughput workloads
• Collaborate with scientific development, DevOps, cybersecurity, and mission stakeholders to deliver end-to-end cloud solutions
• Establish and enforce cloud governance, including cost controls, data compliance, and security best practices for scientific data systems
• Develop and maintain architecture documentation, diagrams, and reusable patterns to support scalable, cloud-native modernization
• Troubleshoot cloud infrastructure issues, optimize performance, and implement automation for system reliability and observability
• Stay informed on emerging cloud technologies and NOAA-relevant standards (e.g., cloud portability, FAIR data principles, etc.)

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field
• 5+ years of experience in IT, with at least 2 years in a cloud architecture or engineering role
• Proven experience with at least one major cloud provider (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, or Oracle Cloud Infrastructure)
• Hands-on experience with Infrastructure as Code tools (e.g., Terraform, CloudFormation) in support of automated, scalable deployments
• Strong understanding of cloud networking, security, identity management, and storage services in hybrid or multi-cloud environments
• Proficiency in scripting or programming (e.g., Python, Bash, PowerShell) for automation and orchestration
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps principles, particularly for data-driven or scientific systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Cloud certifications such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Associate or Professional), Microsoft Certified{{:}} Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect, or OCI Architect Associate/Professional
• Experience supporting scientific, research, or mission-critical applications in federal or environmental agencies
• Knowledge of containerization and orchestration (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes) for scalable application design
• Familiarity with scientific data lifecycle challenges, including ingest, storage, processing, and dissemination
• Experience integrating observability tools, cost management, and compliance into cloud-native environments
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical users