Cloud Solution Architect

Position: Cloud Solution Architect
Location: Richmond, VA / REMOTE 100%
Duration:  Long term contract with possibility of extension / conversion to full time.
W2 Acceptable.

The **** is seeking a highly skilled Cloud Solution Architect with advanced expertise in solution development to support a modern cloud-based ecosystem. This role involves implementing technology solutions that enhance business decision-making and processes across all business units, in alignment with the agency's architectural roadmap and enterprise goals.

The Cloud Solution Architect II will engage in a broad range of tasks related to the development, deployment, and maintenance of cloud-based infrastructure and applications. Responsibilities include enabling collaboration, automation, and efficiency in the development of cloud-based systems, thereby facilitating the rapid delivery of high-quality software and services to customers.

This position requires technical proficiency in cloud initiatives, adherence to software engineering best practices, leading a team of architects, and alignment with the agency's technical direction. Additionally, the role involves training teams on leveraging the possibilities of cloud technologies to ensure successful adoption and implementation.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Hands on solution development on AWS cloud and integrating with various internal and external applications.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand business requirements and convert them into actionable solution components aligned with DBHDS's Enterprise Solution architecture patterns, procedures, and policies.
• Design and develop scalable, resilient cloud solution architectures and engineering solutions using cloud-native services and technologies.
• Develop front-end components and back-end services to create cohesive applications within cloud and hybrid infrastructures using AWS.
• Create comprehensive solution documentation detailing the design, testing, and production support processes and procedures.
• Set up and maintain continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines to automate updates and feature deployments.
• Ensure solution completeness through thorough testing and quality assurance processes, ensuring compliance with security policies and best practices.
• Manage configuration drift and ensure consistency across different environments, using tools like AWS Code Build/Deploy and AWS CloudFormation.
• Apply DevOps principles to streamline the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and enhance automation.
• Deploy solutions to various environments, establish monitoring processes, and ensure ongoing operational stability and application resiliency through system stress testing and feature enhancements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand change requirements, provide technical expertise, and ensure solutions align with business needs.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and process improvement to enhance solution efficiency, scalability, and reliability.

Qualifications include:

• Expertise in Cloud Solutions: Translate business requirements into fully tested solution workflows by designing, implementing, and maintaining technology assets using approved tools for both cloud (e.g., AWS, Azure) and on-premises environments.
• Proficiency in Cloud Platforms: Strong proficiency in cloud platforms, leveraging native cloud services for solution engineering.
• API Development: Expertise in designing, developing, and maintaining APIs specifically tailored for cloud environments (e.g., AWS API Gateway).
• Cloud Networking and Security: Understanding of cloud networking concepts (e.g., VPCs, subnets, security groups) and cloud security best practices, including identity and access management (IAM).
• Containerization and Orchestration: Experience with containerization technologies (e.g., Docker) and orchestration platforms (e.g., Kubernetes).
• Serverless Computing: Experience with serverless computing concepts, event-driven architecture, and serverless platforms (e.g., AWS Lambda).
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Automate the provisioning and management of cloud infrastructure using tools like AWS CloudFormation and Terraform.
• Scripting and Automation: Ability to write scripts and automate tasks using scripting languages (e.g., Python, Node.js).
• Building Monitoring and Logging Solutions: Experience in setting up alerts, dashboards, and logs for cloud infrastructure and applications.
• DevOps Practices: Strong understanding of DevOps practices, including developing and optimizing CI/CD pipelines, version control, and collaboration tools (e.g., AWS CodePipeline).
• Compliance: Adhere to all policies and procedures of the Agency.

Additional Considerations:

• Candidates should possess advance level of expertise and showcase experience in cloud architecture and software engineering skills (ex: API Development, Algorithm design), Scripting (preferably python/NodeJS), Serverless computing, Containerization and Orchestration, DevOps for pipelines. Experience building products in a modern cloud ecosystem is crucial.
• The role demands refined communication and training skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams. Building rapport and relationships with peers and end-users is vital, as is the ability to interface amicably with business partners showcasing an understanding of the business process that agency supports is crucial.
• Analytical mindset and problem-solving skills to troubleshoot issues, optimize processes, and implement automation solutions will enable the role to create an immediate impact.
• AWS Certified Solution Architect Professional and at least one AWS Specialty certification are preferred qualifications for executing tasks on this role.