Cloud Architect

Who is Element?

We serve as a consulting partner at the intersection between innovation and our clients’ needs, efficiently crafting meaningful user experiences for government customers. As a HUBZone-certified business, we foster local economic development. We also lead digital transformation in government agencies. Join us to drive impactful change in government service delivery while contributing to meaningful initiatives focused on innovation, usability, and accessibility.

Why Work at Element?

We foster a supportive culture where collaboration and creativity flourish, even in a remote work setting, encouraging all to be in their element. With a continued commitment to diversity and inclusion, we ensure every voice is valued and heard, inspiring a place of belonging. Our human-centered approach extends beyond our services, with a culture that supports our team's mission of making a meaningful impact through technology, innovation, and user-centric design. Whether you're developing cutting-edge technology solutions or designing intuitive interfaces, your contributions will have a transformative effect on the lives of countless individuals, shaping how users engage with vital government services. Join us and have a far-reaching impact, resonating across diverse demographics, from communities to the families that build th

Position Overview

As a Cloud Solutions Architect at Element, you’ll play an important role in the design and implementation of resilient, secure, scalable, and cost-effect solutions leveraging Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Compute cloud. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, to understand business requirements and to provide architectural oversight and guidance throughout the software lifecycle. You’ll be part of a team of digital service experts helping the US federal government modernize and streamline federal digital infrastructure and services. 

Key Responsibilities

• Architecture Advice: Provide architectural guidance to development teams, ensuring cost-effective design and implementation of cloud solutions. This includes:Reviewing and optimizing existing cloud architecturesRecommending cost-efficient infrastructure and servicesPromoting the use of cost-aware design patternsEnsuring alignment with Marketplace best practices.
• Marketplace Leadership: Champion Marketplace principles and best practices, driving adoption across the organization.
• Cloud Cost Optimization: Analyze cloud usage and spending patterns to identify and implement cost-saving opportunities.
• Synthesizing as-is processes: experience with efficiently documenting system architecture and associated processes using Vizio/LucidChart.
• Cloud Financial Management: Develop and implement cloud financial management strategies, including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
• Collaboration: Work closely with stakeholders across different departments to align cloud cost management with business goals.
• Automation: Leverage automation tools and technologies to streamline Marketplace processes and improve efficiency.
• Continuous Improvement: Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies to continuously improve Marketplace practices.
• Mentorship: Guide and mentor junior team members on Marketplace principles and best practices. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4-10 years of cloud infrastructure engineering experience, focusing on AWS Cloud Platform.
• AWS Solutions Architect – Associate/Professional Certification preferred.
• Proven track record working in Agile teams and collaborating with product managers and business stakeholders.
• Deep understanding of AWS pricing models (On-Demand, Reserved Instances, Spot Instances, Savings Plans) and cloud financial operations (FinOps) principles.
• Expertise in tools and platforms like Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift, and ECS for containerization and orchestration.
• Good foundation in Linux/Unix fundamentals, as these operating systems commonly run in cloud environments.
• Skills in cloud resource optimization and cost management environment. 
• US Citizenship or Permanent Residency required.
• Must reside in the Continental US.
• Depending on government agency, specific requirements may include public trust background check or security clearance.
• Foster open communication with stakeholders, providing regular updates on project status and milestones.
• Act as one of the points of contact between clients, stakeholders, and development teams.
• Communicate regularly with stakeholders, including product managers, executives, and customers, to keep them informed of progress and address any concerns.
• Strong leadership qualities, with the ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams.
• Forward-thinking with a keen eye for identifying opportunities for innovation and improvement.
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency 
• Collaborate with various departments to ensure the seamless integration of technologies and solutions.
• Facilitate problem-solving sessions to address complex challenges and foster innovation.
• A willingness to continually learn and adapt to the evolving technology landscape.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with IaC; Terraform, AWS CDK, and Cloudformation.
• Experience with CI/CD tools and processes (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab, Circle CI) Experience with monitoring and logging tools (e.g., NewRelic, DataDog, Grafana).
• Deep understanding of cloud network configurations, including VPC, CDN, VPN, Direct Connect, and load balancing.
• Knowledge of cloud security tools, best practices, and compliance standards (IAM, encryption, security groups, etc.).
• Solid knowledge of scripting languages such as Python, Bash, JavaScript, or PowerShell is essential for automating tasks.
• Experience working in an Agile development environment.
• Experience in government consulting preferred.
• Experience in management consulting is preferred, and a client-facing role is a plus.
• Proficient in Marketplace practices with a strong understanding of AWS Cost and Usage Report (CUR) data, enabling efficient cost tracking, optimization, and insightful reporting to drive data-informed financial decisions.

Location

Be in your Element. We are a remote-first company based in Washington, DC.

Element is an equal opportunity employer All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected class. 

We believe in a world where solutions we build improve the lives of those who use them.