Cloud Computing Engineer Principal

Syms Strategic Group, LLC (SSG); Newport News (VA); Remote; USD 110,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

Syms Strategic Group (SSG) seeks a Cloud Computing Engineer Principal to lead Azure cloud architecture, security, and DevOps efforts for VA healthcare systems from a remote US-based position. The role emphasizes enterprise-scale design, governance, and secure modernization across multi-subscription environments.

Qualified candidates have 20+ years of experience, U.S. citizenship, and a Public Trust (MBI) clearance readiness, with strong Azure proficiency and experience in HIPAA/FedRAMP/NIST

Qualifications

• Proven experience designing, deploying, and managing Azure infrastructure and services.
• Experience with large-scale, high-availability cloud architecture.
• Expertise in core Azure services including Azure VMs, Blob Storage, SQL, VNet, Functions, Entra ID, ARM, Monitor, and DNS.
• Experience with Azure security practices including Entra ID, RBAC, DDoS protection, and WAF.
• Proficiency in Azure networking components and secure, scalable cloud infra design.
• Experience governing multi-subscription Azure environments with Management Groups, Azure Policy, and Landing Zones.
• Knowledge of cloud cost management and FinOps practices.
• Scripting for automation in Python/PowerShell/Bash/NodeJS.
• Experience with IaC tools like ARM templates and Ansible; GitOps practices.
• Proficiency with monitoring and observability tools including Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, App Insights, and Prometheus/Grafana.
• Experience improving performance, availability, and resiliency of Azure resources.
• Strong understanding of Azure security and compliance frameworks (HIPAA, FedRAMP, NIST, GDPR, PCI DSS).
• Experience encryption, key management, secrets, and Entra ID integration.
• Knowledge of Azure database services (Azure SQL DB/Managed Instance, Cosmos DB, PostgreSQL, MySQL).
• Experience with database tuning, backups, high availability, and disaster recovery.
• Familiarity with CI/CD tools (Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, Jenkins, GitLab).
• Experience with Docker and orchestration (AKS, Container Apps).
• Ability to mentor engineers and contribute to cloud governance.
• Leadership in cloud modernization and migrations.

Responsibilities

• Create data flow and cloud diagrams, high-level architectures for VA Cloud environments.
• Develop and operate automation for CI/CD in cloud infrastructure.
• Manage permissions for cloud apps and storage.
• Design and implement monitoring for cloud architectures to meet VA policies.
• Provide cloud support for VAEC environments and VIP documentation requirements.
• Support VAEC Azure GovCloud deployments with compliance focus.
• Adopt DevOps mindset with CI/CD tooling.
• Produce cloud security provider documentation.
• Design VAEC/cloud-hosted solutions and address readiness gaps.

Skills

Azure architecture

Azure security

Azure networking

Multi-subscription governance

FinOps

Scripting: Python

IaC: ARM templates

IaC: Ansible

CI/CD tooling

Monitoring: Azure Monitor

Containerization

AKS

Cloud governance

HIPAA/FedRAMP/NIST

Encryption / Key Vault

Azure DB services

Performance tuning

CI/CD tooling: Azure DevOps

CI/CD tooling: GitHub Actions

CI/CD tooling: Jenkins

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Cloud Engineering or related field

Tools

Azure DevOps Pipelines

GitHub Actions

Jenkins

GitLab CI

Docker

AKS

Job description

Syms Strategic Group (SSG)

Cloud Computing Engineer Principal (MCCF-Healthcare Systems)

Location: Remote

Department: Veterans Affairs (VA)

Type: Full Time

Min. Experience: Experienced

Security Clearance Level: Public Trust (MBI)

Salary Range: $109,623 - $126,790

If you have previously applied to Syms Strategic Group (SSG), there is no need to reapply. Applications are still under review.

Military Veterans are highly encouraged to apply!

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Create data flow diagrams, cloud diagrams, transition diagrams, and high-level architecture diagrams on Cloud Infrastructure, applications, and systems
• Design, develop, deploy, and operate automation technologies for continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD)
• Manage and control permissions in the cloud service provider for each cloud application, storage, and service being hosted
• Implement, manage, and design monitoring capabilities for cloud architecture and cloud-hosted systems and applications to ensure optimal performance and compliance with VA/Federal policies
• Provide customer-focused support for Product lines and Services, including setup, configuration, and provisioning of VA Enterprise Cloud (VAEC) environments
• Provide Cloud support services for systems and applications in the VAEC Azure (GovCloud) environments, ensuring compliance with Veterans Independence Program (VIP) development, release, and documentation requirements
• Adopt a DevOps mindset with an understanding of CI/CD practices and tooling
• Provide Cloud Security Provider Documentation
• Design VAEC/cloud-hosted solutions and address cloud-readiness gaps

Required Skills and Experience

• A proven track record of designing, deploying, and managing Azure infrastructure and services
• Experience with large-scale, high-availability, and scalable cloud architecture
• Expertise in core Azure services such as Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Blob Storage, Azure Structured Query Language (SQL) Database, Azure Virtual Network (VNet), Azure Functions, Microsoft Entra ID, Azure Resource Manager (ARM), Azure Monitor, and Azure Domain Name System (DNS)
• Experience with Azure security practices and services including Microsoft Entra ID, Azure Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), Azure Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Protection, and Azure Web Application Firewall (WAF)
• Proficiency with Azure networking components such as VNet Peering, Azure ExpressRoute, Virtual Private Network (VPN) Gateway, Private Endpoints, and Azure Load Balancer
• An ability to design, deploy, and manage scalable, secure, and highly available Azure cloud infrastructures
• Experience establishing and governing multi-subscription Azure environments using Management Groups, Azure Policy, and Azure Landing Zones
• Knowledge of cloud cost management, FinOps practices, budgeting, tagging strategies, and resource optimization using Azure Cost Management
• Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python, PowerShell, Bash, or JavaScript/NodeJS for automation and cloud operations
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Azure Resource Manager (ARM) Templates, Ansible, and GitOps methodologies
• Proficiency with monitoring, logging, and observability tools including Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, Application Insights, Azure Activity Log, and third-party tools such as Prometheus, Grafana, and New Relic
• Experience optimizing performance, availability, and resiliency of Azure resources and services
• A strong understanding of Azure security best practices and compliance frameworks including Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
• Experience implementing encryption, key management, secrets management, and identity solutions using Azure Key Vault, customer-managed keys, and Microsoft Entra ID
• Knowledge of Azure database services including Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, Azure Cosmos Database (DB), Azure Database for PostgreSQL, and Azure Database for MySQL
• Experience with database performance tuning, backup and recovery, high availability, and disaster recovery strategies
• Familiarity with CI/CD tools and practices including Azure DevOps Pipelines, GitHub Actions, Jenkins, and GitLab CI
• Experience with containerization and orchestration technologies such as Docker, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure Container Apps, and Kubernetes
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholder
• Skilled in prioritizing tasks, managing competing priorities, and meeting project deadlines
• Strong attention to detail to ensure system stability, security, operational excellence, and data integrity
• A proven ability to mentor engineers, provide technical leadership, and contribute to cloud architecture governance
• Experience leading complex cloud modernization, migration, and transformation initiatives while collaborating across cross-functional teams
• A willingness to provide on-call support and participate in operational response activities when required
• Strong documentation skills for architecture, operational procedures, security controls, and system configurations
• An ability to manage and contribute to multiple projects simultaneously while ensuring high-quality deliverables
• A commitment to staying current with emerging Azure technologies, cloud-native architectures, and industry best practices
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to troubleshoot complex cloud-related issues
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Skilled in prioritizing tasks, managing time effectively, and meeting deadlines
• Strong attention to detail to ensure system stability, security, and data integrity
• A capability to mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers and team members
• An ability to lead technical projects and collaborate with cross-functional teams
• A willingness to be on call for emergency support and maintenance when required
• Strong documentation skills for creating and maintaining system configurations, processes, and procedures
• An ability to manage and contribute to multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and quality results
• A commitment to staying current with emerging Azure technologies, tools, and industry trends

Professional Certifications: n/a

Years of Professional Experience: 20+ years of professional experience

Desired experience

• X.12 medical claims (837, 834, 835, 277, etc)
• 270/271 and 278 transactions
• 999 transactions

Experience with Edifecs

Advanced Azure certifications

• Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert
• Azure Administrator Associate
• Azure Security Engineer Associate

Formal Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Cloud Engineering or a related technical discipline

Citizenship Requirement

U.S. Citizenship required for this specific opportunity

Security Clearance Requirements

Must possess or qualify for a Public Trust (MBI)

CRITICAL NOTES:

• SSG will not make assumptions regarding your qualifications. Your answers to the mandatory screening questions must be supported by the information on your resume. Applications with inconsistencies will not be considered
• Recruiters or Third parties will not be considered
• This is a 100% U.S. based remote position. However, candidates from CA, CO, IL, MN, NJ, NY, OR, or WA will not be considered
• This is a W-2 position
• All interviews will be conducted on Microsoft Teams with your camera on; there will be no exceptions
• As part of our screening process, you will be requested to provide a link to your LinkedIn profile

U.S Citizenship is required for this specific opportunity

Syms Strategic Group, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or genetic information.