Infrastructure Lead

Steampunk; Bloomington (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Steampunk is seeking an Infrastructure Lead to guide the architecture, security, and integration of cloud infrastructure for the Coast Guard's BEACON AI program. You will lead a cross-functional team spanning cloud engineering, security, DevSecOps, and systems integration, translating client needs into scalable solutions.

This role requires a leader who can manage schedule, risk, and client relations, while ensuring compliance with NIST RMF, FISMA, and federal standards.

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 a mix of 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 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, onsite at Tysons, VA office and USCG HQ a few days per week.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary technical point of contact translating mission needs 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, and data protection.
• Direct the design and implementation of CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code, and automated security scanning (SAST/DAST/SCA).
• Guide the design of APIs, microservices, and enterprise integrations across cloud and on-prem environments.
• Oversee monitoring, risk assessment, and threat modeling; ensure compliance with NIST 800-53, RMF, FISMA.
• Document the as-is state, perform gap analyses, and produce SSP/POA&M/A&A docs for client options.
• Identify technical/infrastructure risks, perform root cause analysis, and drive remediation.
• Present status updates to Steampunk leadership and the Coast Guard client; represent the team in meetings.

Skills

Security clearance eligibility

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Cloud engineering

DevSecOps

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. Government Security Clearance

Tools

Terraform

CloudFormation

Ansible

Jenkins

GitLab CI/CD

GitHub Actions

Job description

Overview

As the Infrastructure Lead supporting the U.S. Coast Guard's AI program, you will lead the architecture, security, and integration of the cloud infrastructure underpinning BEACON's mission capabilities. You will work within Steampunk's growing DevSecOps practice, guiding a cross-functional team that spans cloud engineering, cloud security, DevSecOps, and systems integration.

We are looking for a technical leader who can translate client needs into infrastructure solutions, lead and mentor a delivery team, and manage the schedule, risk, and client relationship for the infrastructure workstream. You do not need to be the subject-matter expert in every one of these disciplines — you need the judgment and experience to lead a team that collectively is.

Contributions

• 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 identity and access management, 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

Qualifications

Required:

• 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 a mix of 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 (e.g., 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

Preferred:

• Certifications such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect, AWS Certified Security – Specialty, AWS Certified DevOps Engineer, Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator/DevOps Engineer Expert, CISSP, or PMP
• Experience supporting a DHS, Coast Guard, or other federal AI/ML or data program
• Familiarity with NIST 800-53, RMF, or FISMA categorization processes
• Experience with containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Experience scripting in Python, Bash, PowerShell, or similar languages

About steampunk

Steampunk relies on several factors to determine salary, including but not limited to geographic location, contractual requirements, education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience. The projected compensation range for this position is $140,000 to $180,000. The estimate displayed represents a typical annual salary range for this position. Annual salary is just one aspect of Steampunk’s total compensation package for employees. Learn more about additional Steampunk benefits here.

Identity Statement

As part of the application process, you are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.

Steampunk is a Change Agent in the Federal contracting industry, bringing new thinking to clients in the Homeland, Federal Civilian, Health and DoD sectors. Through our Human-Centered delivery methodology, we are fundamentally changing the expectations our Federal clients have for true shared accountability in solving their toughest mission challenges. If you want to learn more about our story, visit http://www.steampunk.com.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Steampunk participates in the E-Verify program.