Principal AWS Cloud Architect

Profiles; Alexandria (VA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Access to ongoing professional development

Mentorship opportunities

Job summary

A leader in professional services is hiring a Principal AWS Cloud Architect in Alexandria, VA. The role involves leading modernization initiatives, designing cloud-native architectures, and providing technical leadership. Candidates should have over 12 years of cloud architecture experience with expertise in AWS, and a degree in a relevant field is required. The position offers a hybrid work model with in-office collaboration.

Qualifications

• 12+ years enterprise cloud architecture & modernization experience; 7+ years IL4 experience.
• Proven leadership in transforming monolithic systems to cloud-native solutions.
• Ability to obtain/maintain Secret clearance (IL4 environments).

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-year modernization strategy for workloads.
• Design and implement cloud-native architectures (serverless, containerized, managed services).
• Deliver technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams.

Skills

AWS architecture

Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation, GitOps)

Stakeholder management

Compliance frameworks (NIST, RMF, CC SRG, STIG)

Education

Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Nexus

Fortify

F5

GitLab

Jenkins

Elasticsearch

Job description

Principal AWS Cloud Architect – Profiles

Recruiter: Marketing & Creative Sr. Recruiter, Profiles

A leader in the professional services industry is hiring a Principal AWS Cloud Architect in Alexandria, VA or San Diego, CA for a full‑time position, onsite 3 days a week with up to 2 days remote after the probationary period.

• Opportunity to lead a high‑visibility modernization initiative with long‑term impact.
• Collaborative, mission‑driven culture in a non‑profit dedicated to science and societal advancement.
• Hybrid flexibility with up to 2 days remote after probationary period.
• Access to ongoing professional development and mentorship opportunities in cloud and security domains.

Principal AWS Cloud Architect Requirements:

• US Citizen with ability to obtain/maintain Secret clearance (IL4 environments).
• Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (MS preferred).
• 12+ years enterprise cloud architecture & modernization experience; 7+ years IL4 experience.
• Expertise in AWS architecture, security, and managed services with advanced Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation, GitOps).
• Proven leadership in transforming monolithic systems to cloud‑native solutions.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills across complex matrix organizations.
• Experience with compliance frameworks (NIST, RMF, CC SRG, STIG).

Principal AWS Cloud Architect Responsibilities:

• Lead multi‑year modernization strategy for workloads; define roadmaps and execution phases.
• Design and implement cloud‑native architectures (serverless, containerized, managed services).
• Apply AWS Well‑Architected Framework principles to ensure scalability, security, and cost efficiency.
• Modernize and integrate toolchains (e.g., Nexus, Fortify, F5, GitLab, Jenkins, Elasticsearch) with AWS‑native solutions.
• Drive CI/CD modernization with automated testing, security scanning, and compliance validation.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams adopting cloud‑native approaches.
• Establish governance and architectural standards across modernization projects.
• Navigate complex stakeholder environments, influencing change without direct authority.

Seniority Level

• Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

• Contract

Job Function

• Strategy/Planning and Research

Industries

• Non‑profit Organizations, Government Relations Services, and Government Administration

About Profiles:

An award‑winning creative and marketing workforce solutions provider. Profiles places the highest caliber candidates in Fortune 500 companies and leading brands nationwide. Our specialized recruiters represent an elite group of skilled professionals for contract, contract‑to‑hire, and direct hire positions. Profiles is headquartered in Baltimore, MD with a remote staff of entrepreneurial individuals across the nation.