Flexible FedRAMP Cloud Architect | Cloud Security Leader

Coalfire Systems; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 109,000 - 182,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid parental leave

Flexible time off

Certification reimbursement

Training reimbursement

Mental health support

Comprehensive insurance options

Job summary

Coalfire Systems is seeking a Principal Cloud Engineer in the United States to own FedRAMP reference architectures and drive security-centric cloud design across AWS, Azure, and GCP. You will lead architecture reviews, set standards, and mentor delivery teams in a role emphasizing technical judgment and impact.

You will collaborate with sales and delivery, stay current on FedRAMP and OSCAL, and balance security with mission needs while enjoying a flexible work model and generous benefits.

Qualifications

• BS or above in a related Information Technology field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 10+ years in cloud security engineering and architecture at principal- or staff-level scope.
• Hands-on FedRAMP authorization experience—building, operating, or assessing FedRAMP environments.
• Demonstrated design-authority experience: owning standards, running architecture review, and documenting decisions.
• Deep expertise in infrastructure-as-code (Terraform), CI/CD, policy-as-code, and compliance automation.
• Architecture depth on at least two of AWS, Azure, GCP.
• Fluency in NIST 800-53 and the FedRAMP control framework, as well as CMMC and DoD standards.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective documentation skills, including technical diagrams and written descriptions.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team with a professional attitude and demeanor.
• Critical thinking, and the ability to balance security requirements with mission needs.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical integrity of Coalfire’s FedRAMP reference architectures and capabilities across AWS, Azure, and GCP, and across certification levels.
• Set the engineering standards delivery teams build against—architecture patterns, security baselines, automation frameworks, and evidence-collection approaches.
• Review and approve custom architecture decisions when client requirements fall outside the standard; promote recurring customizations into the reference architecture so the standard improves every quarter.
• Serve as a technical escalation point for delivery teams on architecture and security design questions to improve client outcomes.
• Keep reference architectures current with evolving FedRAMP requirements, including machine-readable compliance packaging (OSCAL or JSON) and continuous-monitoring mandates.
• Mentor engagement architects and senior engineers; raise the technical bar across the delivery organization.
• Partner with the sales organization on solution shape for the most strategic pursuits.
• Represent Coalfire’s technical point of view in the FedRAMP community—working groups, public comment, and industry forums.

Skills

Cloud security engineering

Architecture design authority

FedRAMP authorization experience

Infrastructure as code (Terraform)

CI/CD and policy-as-code

Security compliance frameworks (NIST 8

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT or related field

Tools

Terraform

CI/CD tooling

Job description

Coalfire Systems is seeking a Principal Cloud Engineer in the United States to own FedRAMP reference architectures and drive security-centric cloud design across AWS, Azure, and GCP. You will lead architecture reviews, set standards, and mentor delivery teams in a role emphasizing technical judgment and impact.

You will collaborate with sales and delivery, stay current on FedRAMP and OSCAL, and balance security with mission needs while enjoying a flexible work model and generous benefits.