AI-Ready Cloud Infrastructure Lead

Steampunk, Inc.; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Steampunk, Inc. is seeking an Infrastructure Lead to drive the architecture, security, and integration of cloud infrastructure for the U.S. Coast Guard AI program.

You will guide a cross-functional team spanning cloud engineering, cloud security, DevSecOps, and systems integration, translating client needs into scalable infrastructure solutions. The role requires strong program management, stakeholder communication, and hands-on leadership across IAM, zero-trust, and data protection practices

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance
• Bachelor's degree and 10+ years of total IT experience
• 5+ years of experience across cloud engineering, cloud security, DevSecOps, or integration engineering roles
• Demonstrated experience leading or managing a technical team, including task assignment, mentoring, and performance feedback
• Experience managing project scope, schedule, risk, and client communications
• Experience with one or more cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
• Experience with infrastructure as code and CI/CD tooling (Terraform, CloudFormation, Ansible, Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, GitHub Actions)
• Experience with Git SCM providers such as GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket
• Working knowledge of cloud security practices, including IAM, zero-trust concepts, and vulnerability/risk management
• Familiarity with enterprise integration patterns, APIs, and microservices
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience engaging directly with clients and stakeholders
• Local to the Washington, DC metro area, with the ability to work onsite at Steampunk's Tysons, VA office and the USCG HQ client site (St. Elizabeths) a few days per week

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for the client, translating mission needs and stakeholder requirements into infrastructure, security, and integration solutions
• Lead and mentor a cross-functional team of cloud, cloud security, DevSecOps, and integration engineers, including task assignment, technical guidance, and performance feedback
• Own project management of the infrastructure workstream: schedule, staffing, risk/issue tracking, and status reporting to Steampunk and Coast Guard leadership
• Architect and oversee secure, scalable cloud solutions supporting AI/ML workloads, including IAM, zero-trust components, and data protection for data at rest and in transit
• Direct the design and implementation of CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code, and automated security scanning (SAST/DAST/SCA) to support build, release, and compliance gates
• Guide the design of APIs, microservices, and enterprise integrations that connect data, services, and systems across cloud and on-premises environments
• Oversee monitoring, risk assessment, and threat modeling of cloud environments; ensure systems comply with applicable federal standards (e.g., NIST 800-53, RMF, FISMA)
• Document the as‑is state of the environment, perform gap analyses, and produce artifacts (e.g., SSP, POA&M, A&A support documentation) that articulate options and recommendations to the client
• Identify technical and infrastructure risks, perform root cause analysis, and drive remediation across the team
• Present regular status updates to Steampunk leadership and the Coast Guard client, and represent the infrastructure team in client meetings and working groups

Skills

Cloud engineering

Cloud security

DevSecOps

Leadership

Project management

Technical mentorship

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Terraform

CloudFormation

Ansible

Jenkins

GitLab CI/CD

GitHub Actions

Job description

Steampunk, Inc. is seeking an Infrastructure Lead to drive the architecture, security, and integration of cloud infrastructure for the U.S. Coast Guard AI program.

You will guide a cross-functional team spanning cloud engineering, cloud security, DevSecOps, and systems integration, translating client needs into scalable infrastructure solutions. The role requires strong program management, stakeholder communication, and hands-on leadership across IAM, zero-trust, and data protection practices