Principal Cloud Engineer

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

Coalfire is an EEO employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to respecting one another, embracing individual differences, and creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Principal Cloud Engineer

About Coalfire

Coalfire is on a mission to make the world a safer place by solving our clients’ hardest cybersecurity challenges. We work at the cutting edge of technology to advise, assess, automate, and ultimately help companies navigate the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape. We are headquartered in Chicago, Illinois with offices across the U.S. and U.K., and we support clients around the world.

But that’s not who we are – that’s just what we do.

We are thought leaders, consultants, and cybersecurity experts, but above all else, we are a team of passionate problem-solvers who are hungry to learn, grow, and make a difference.

Why Join Us

FedRAMP’s 2026 modernization replaces narrative compliance documentation with measurable security outcomes, validated through automation and evidenced continuously. Coalfire delivers FedRAMP environments against standardized reference architecture, and this role owns those architectures and the capabilities that deliver them. This is the top of our engineering individual-contributor track: a design-authority role with no direct reports, whose influence comes from technical judgment and expertise. The standards you set are what dozens of engineers build against, at every client, every day. You’ll take on the most strategic and technical implementations our clients require and support the Cloud Services organization on continuous delivery improvements through client engagements. If you’re driven by a desire to innovate, excel at operational excellence, and thrive in a collaborative environment, come be part of a team committed to making the world a safer place.

What You’ll Do

• 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.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/TRAVEL REQUIRED:

Travel: Approximately 10–15%

U.S. citizenship is required, as this position supports federal compliance programs.

What You’ll Bring

• BS or above in a related Information Technology field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 10+ years in cloud security engineering and architecture, including 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 in a form other engineers build from
• Deep expertise in infrastructure-as-code (Terraform or equivalent), CI/CD, policy-as-code, and compliance automation
• Architecture depth on at least two of the three major cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Fluency in NIST 800-53 and the FedRAMP control framework, as well as CMMC and DoD compliance 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

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS:

• Professional/Expert-level certification in at least one major cloud platform (AWS, Azure, or GCP)

Bonus Points

• Familiarity with FedRAMP 20x, Key Security Indicators (KSIs), and machine-readable evidence (OSCAL, JSON)
• Experience designing productized or repeatable delivery models for professional services
• Published writing, conference talks, or open-source work in cloud security or compliance automation
• CISSP, CISM, or CISA certifications
• Familiarity with configuration baseline standards such as CIS Benchmarks & DISA STIG

The salary range listed is a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role based on national salary averages. The actual salary offer to the successful candidate will be based on job-related education, geographic location, training, licensure and certifications and other factors. You may also be eligible to participate in annual incentive, commission, and/or recognition programs.

Why You’ll Want to Join Us

At Coalfire, you’ll find the support you need to thrive personally and professionally. In many cases, we provide a flexible work model that empowers you to choose when and where you’ll work most effectively – whether you’re at home or an office.

Regardless of location, you’ll experience a company that prioritizes connection and wellbeing and be part of a team where people care about each other and our communities. You’ll have opportunities to join employee resource groups, participate in in-person and virtual events, and more. And you’ll enjoy competitive perks and benefits to support you and your family, like paid parental leave, flexible time off, certification and training reimbursement, digital mental health and wellbeing support membership, and comprehensive insurance options.

At Coalfire, equal opportunity and pay equity is integral to the way we do business. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Coalfire is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact our Human Resources team at [e-mail].

$109,000 - $182,000 a year

Bonus Points

Bonus Points

Why you’ll want to join us

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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