The Cloud Architect (Reach Back) / SME – Computer Systems Engineer/Architect will provide senior-level technical leadership and architecture support for the GEOMAP platform operating within AWS Cloud. This role serves as a reach-back subject matter expert (SME), supporting cloud architecture, systems engineering, technical assessments, modernization planning, scalability, security, and integration across development, sustainment, and release activities. The Cloud Architect advises program and technical leadership on cloud design decisions, risk reduction strategies, technical refresh opportunities, and secure implementation approaches for mission‑critical geospatial capabilities supporting the United States Air Force.
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This position is contingent upon contract award.
Responsibilities
- Provide senior architecture and engineering expertise for GEOMAP cloud-hosted systems, applications, and supporting services.
- Advise program leadership and technical teams on cloud architecture strategy, systems engineering, and modernization planning within AWS Cloud environments.
- Support architecture reviews, technical assessments, and engineering analyses to improve system performance, scalability, security, maintainability, and operational resilience.
- Evaluate existing and proposed solution designs to ensure alignment with mission requirements, security controls, and long-term platform sustainability objectives.
- Provide technical guidance on architecture decisions involving cloud infrastructure, containerized services, data management, CI/CD integration, and geospatial application hosting.
- Collaborate with DevSecOps, Kubernetes, database, software engineering, testing, and production support teams to resolve complex technical issues and reduce delivery risk.
- Support technical refresh planning, prototyping efforts, and evaluation of emerging technologies for applicability within the GEOMAP environment.
- Advise on infrastructure as code (IaC), automation, secure cloud configuration, and system integration approaches to enable efficient, repeatable deployments.
- Review and assess solution impacts related to RMF, STIGs, IAM, vulnerability remediation, system hardening, and assessment and authorization (A&A) activities.
- Support release planning and transition activities to ensure architectural integrity across development, testing, integration, and production environments.
- Contribute to engineering documentation, technical recommendations, architecture artifacts, and decision-support materials for government and internal stakeholders.
- Provide reach-back support for surge requirements, complex technical investigations, and high-priority cloud or architecture challenges, as directed.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Active Secret security clearance is required.
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in systems engineering, cloud architecture, enterprise application architecture, or related senior technical leadership roles.
- Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and supporting secure AWS environments, including EC2, RDS, EKS, EBS, Elastic Beanstalk, AWS Backup, S3, SNS, DynamoDB, Systems Manager, CloudFormation, CloudWatch, CloudTrail, KMS, IAM, Config, and VPC.
- Required experience supporting AWS Cloud or similarly secured DoD cloud environments.
- Experience conducting systems engineering activities, architecture reviews, and technical assessments for complex software platforms within Agile or DevSecOps delivery environments.
- Strong knowledge of cybersecurity and compliance requirements for federal or DoD systems, including RMF, NIST, STIGs, IAM, vulnerability remediation, and A&A support.
- Experience with containerized platforms and orchestration technologies such as Kubernetes, along with CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure automation concepts.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable recommendations for engineering teams and program stakeholders.
Preferred
- Experience supporting Esri enterprise environments, ArcGIS Enterprise, or other geospatial/GIS platforms, including backend Esri COTS implementations.
- Experience architecting or assessing cloud solutions that support mission systems operating across classified and unclassified environments.
- Experience supporting technical refresh initiatives, prototype evaluations, and modernization roadmaps within secure enterprise environments.
- AWS, security, or architecture certifications such as AWS Solutions Architect, CISSP, or comparable credentials.
About Us
Diné Development Corporation (DDC) is a Navajo Nation owned family of companies that provides government agencies and commercial organizations with high-quality IT, professional, environmental, and research and development services. DDC is dedicated to empowering the Navajo Nation and communities we serve.
Benefits
Eligible full-time employees receive a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life and disability coverage, retirement savings with company match, paid time off, voluntary supplemental benefits, and access to an employee assistance program. The package also includes educational assistance, with tuition reimbursement.
EEO Statement
This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or for inquiring about, discussing, or disclosing information about compensation, or any other basis prohibited by law. We participate in E-Verify.
