Cloud Architect & Engineer, SME

Navstar Inc.; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K match

PTO / Federal holidays paid leave

Life Insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

Navstar Inc. seeks an experienced Cloud Architect/Engineer to design, build, and maintain secure, scalable AWS infrastructure for an enterprise migration and modernization initiative. The role emphasizes IaC, Kubernetes, security, and reliability.

The candidate will lead cloud architecture, automation, and integration of cloud-native technologies, translating complex requirements into automated, secure cloud solutions. Onsite in Sterling, VA, with potential travel.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI U.S. Security Clearance.
• 10+ years of cloud engineering/architecture experience.
• Associate degree or higher in Computer Science, IT, Engineering, or related field.
• Extensive hands‑on experience designing, implementing, and maintaining AWS cloud environments.
• Strong knowledge of AWS networking, compute, storage, IAM, security, and best practices.
• Infrastructure as Code with Terraform or CloudFormation.
• Hands‑on with Docker, Kubernetes, and EKS.
• Automation experience using Python, Bash, or similar.
• Cloud security, networking, encryption, and hardening expertise.
• Experience supporting enterprise migrations and cloud modernization.
• Willingness to work 100% onsite in Sterling, VA, with up to 25% travel.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, implement, and maintain scalable AWS cloud architectures.
• Architect AWS infrastructure including VPCs, identity management, and security services.
• Develop and maintain IaC using Terraform or CloudFormation.
• Design, deploy, and support Docker/Kubernetes workloads and EKS.
• Implement cloud security controls and encryption.
• Ensure highly available, fault‑tolerant cloud solutions with DR capabilities.
• Develop automation for provisioning, configuration, deployment, and operations.
• Collaborate with developers/DevOps for migrations and modernization.
• Implement monitoring, logging, and observability (CloudWatch, Prometheus, Grafana).
• Evaluate migration strategies and architectural improvements.
• Troubleshoot complex issues across AWS, networking, Kubernetes, and security.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and hands‑on support throughout modernization.

Skills

TS/SCI clearance

10+ years exp

AWS cloud

IaC

Kubernetes

Security

Python scripting

On-site Sterling VA

Education

Associate degree or higher in CS/IT/Engineering

Tools

Terraform

CloudFormation

Docker

Kubernetes

EKS

Job description

Navstar Inc.

Location: Chantilly, VA

Required Clearance Level: TS/SCI

Would you like to perform rewarding work while contributing to the success of an established, growing company? Navstar is an award-winning organization that has a proven track record of successfully providing IT services and solutions both as a prime and sub-contractor on mission-focused IT programs. Our employees are integral players in support of mission-critical programs focused on our National Security.

Role Description

Navstar is seeking an experienced, hands-on Cloud Architect / Cloud Engineer to design, build, and maintain secure, scalable AWS cloud infrastructure supporting an enterprise cloud migration and modernization initiative.

The selected candidate will serve as a technical SME responsible for cloud architecture, infrastructure engineering, automation, and integration of cloud-native technologies. This position requires extensive hands‑on experience designing and implementing AWS environments, with a strong emphasis on Infrastructure as Code, Kubernetes, security, and operational reliability.

The ideal candidate combines advanced cloud architecture expertise with practical engineering skills and the ability to translate complex technical requirements into secure, automated, and sustainable cloud solutions.

Position Responsibilities

• Design, develop, implement, and maintain secure, scalable AWS cloud architectures supporting enterprise applications and modernization efforts.
• Architect and engineer AWS infrastructure, including VPCs, networking, compute, storage, identity management, and security services.
• Develop and maintain reusable Infrastructure as Code using Terraform, CloudFormation, or comparable technologies.
• Design, deploy, and support containerized workloads using Docker, Kubernetes, and Amazon EKS.
• Implement cloud security controls, IAM policies, encryption, network segmentation, and secure connectivity.
• Architect highly available, fault‑tolerant, and resilient cloud solutions with appropriate backup and disaster recovery capabilities.
• Develop automation for cloud infrastructure provisioning, configuration management, deployment, and ongoing operations.
• Collaborate with software developers and DevOps engineers to support application migrations, cloud integration, and platform modernization.
• Implement monitoring, logging, performance optimization, and observability using CloudWatch, Prometheus, Grafana, or similar technologies.
• Evaluate existing applications and infrastructure to determine appropriate cloud migration strategies and architectural improvements.
• Troubleshoot complex technical issues across AWS services, networking, Kubernetes, security, and application infrastructure.
• Provide technical leadership, architectural guidance, documentation, and hands‑on engineering support throughout the cloud modernization lifecycle.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• To be eligible for this position you must hold an active TS/SCI clearance.
• Active TS/SCI U.S. Security Clearance.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in cloud engineering, cloud architecture, infrastructure engineering, or related technical disciplines.
• Associate degree or higher in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Extensive hands‑on experience designing, implementing, and maintaining AWS cloud environments.
• Strong knowledge of AWS networking, compute, storage, IAM, security, and cloud architecture best practices.
• Demonstrated experience with Infrastructure as Code using Terraform, CloudFormation, or comparable tools.
• Hands‑on experience with Docker, Kubernetes, and Amazon EKS.
• Experience developing automation using Python, Bash, or comparable scripting languages.
• Strong understanding of cloud security, networking, identity management, encryption, and infrastructure hardening.
• Experience supporting enterprise application migrations, cloud modernization, and infrastructure integration.
• Experience implementing cloud monitoring, logging, high availability, and disaster recovery solutions.
• Proven ability to independently design, troubleshoot, and implement complex cloud infrastructure solutions.
• Ability to work 100% onsite in Sterling, VA, with up to 25% CONUS travel.

Desired Skills and Qualifications

• Experience designing and implementing enterprise AWS cloud migration strategies.
• Experience building or supporting internally managed Platform as a Service (PaaS) environments.
• Experience with AWS EKS, ECS, Fargate, Lambda, and other cloud‑native services.
• Experience with Helm, Kustomize, GitOps, Argo CD, or Flux.
• Experience implementing CI/CD pipelines using Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, GitHub Actions, or similar technologies.
• Familiarity with zero‑trust architecture, NIST security frameworks, and secure cloud engineering practices.
• Experience with service mesh technologies such as Istio.
• Experience supporting platforms in restricted or disconnected environments.
• AWS Solutions Architect Professional or other advanced AWS certifications.
• Previous experience supporting IC or DoD programs and greenfield development efforts.

Pay Rate

In compliance with Virginia's Equal Pay for Equal Work law, the annual base salary range for this position is $190,000 - $240,000. This range represents the base pay for this role and is provided in accordance with Maryland’s requirements to disclose compensation in job postings. Please note that actual compensation may vary based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate’s qualifications, experience, education, skills, internal equity, and market conditions. In addition to base salary, candidates hired into this position may be eligible for a hiring bonus of $10,000.00, subject to applicable contingencies and Navstar policy.

About Navstar

For 20 years Navstar has provided high-quality Innovative Technology Services and Solutions throughout the Intelligence Community. We would not have achieved the success we have without the best AllStar team; this is not just a place to work, Navstar is a community. At Navstar everything we do revolves around listening to both our customers and employees, delivering the results they expect, and being a trusted partner as both a prime and subcontractor. We have a proven track record of successfully providing innovative technology services and solutions on highly mission-focused programs; all while enjoying what we do at the same time. Security is our priority; together, we will make the nation a safer place.

Benefits at Navstar

• Highly Competitive Health Care Premiums, including 100% employer paid for employee
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical and Dependent Care
• Generous PTO and Federal Holiday Paid Leave
• Employer Paid STD/LTD
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• 401K plan and Employer Match
• Referral and Opportunity Referral Programs
• Professional Development Assistance

EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled

Navstar, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religious beliefs, national origin, disability, U.S. veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics under federal, state or local law.

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.