Cloud Services Architect

Who we are:

Raft (https://TeamRaft.com) is a customer-obsessed non-traditional defense tech company dedicated to empowering U.S. military and government agencies with cutting-edge AI/ML and data solutions. We are a leader in autonomous data fusion and Agentic AI, with a purposeful focus on Distributed Data Systems, Platforms at Scale, and Complex Application Development. With headquarters in McLean, VA, our range of clients includes innovative federal and public agencies leveraging design thinking, cutting-edge tech stack, and cloud-native ecosystem. We build digital solutions that impact the lives of millions of Americans.

About the role:

As a Cloud Services Architect, you will provide direct cloud architect and engineering support to deliver cybersecurity capabilities protecting the USSF's Operational Enterprise. You will develop and maintain cloud environments, including simulation environments, for DoD customers. You will design, plan, and integrate cloud computing and virtualization systems, translating customer requirements into hardware and software specifications.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Design and build hybrid cloud-based environments ensuring high availability and disaster recovery
• Translate customer requirements into hardware and software specifications
• Develop and conduct testing of cloud and virtualization systems
• Maintain expertise in cloud computing technologies including cloud service provider architecture, deployment models (public, community, private, hybrid), and delivery models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)
• Implement automation, hypervisors, containers, virtual compute, storage, networks, and virtual infrastructure management
• Evaluate and report on new cloud and virtualization technologies
• Define requirements throughout SDLC including integrating, upgrading, and sustaining hybrid cloud environments
• Guide migration of legacy systems to modern cloud platforms
• Design enterprise and systems security throughout cloud development lifecycle
• Perform systems engineering activities: Concept of Operations, Requirements Definition, System Architecting, System Analysis and Design, Interface and Data Architectures, Validation and Verification, System Integration, Performance Analysis, Lifecycle Cost Analysis, Decision Analysis, and PCA

What we are looking for: 

• Bachelor's & 14+ years experience, Master's & 12+ years, or PhD & 9+ years
• Cloud architecture knowledge (OS, multi-tenancy, virtualization, orchestration, elastic scalability)
• Experience deploying to DoD Cloud Service Providers (AWS, Microsoft, Google, Oracle)
• DevSecOps tool chains and Infrastructure as Code knowledge
• Automation, hypervisors, containers, virtual compute, storage, networks experience
• Virtual infrastructure management, self-provisioning, and scaling experience
• Application migration and Agile development experience
• Security+ or IAT II certification (within 90 days of employment)
• Big Data experience (Hadoop, NiFi, Spark, PySpark, Dask, etc.)

Highly preferred: 

• Space Systems Command and Cyber Operations Branch (SSC/SZWO) experience
• Team leadership and mentoring abilities
• Cloud Security Implementation experience
• SCIF/SAPF security procedures familiarity
• Azure Solutions, Google Professional Cloud, AWS Certified Solutions, and/or Red Hat Certified Architect certifications

Clearance Requirements:

• Active Top Secret with ability to obtain and maintain SCI 

Work Type:

• Onsite in Colorado Springs, CO
• May require up to 15% travel

Salary Range:

• $145,000 - $175,000
• The determination of compensation is predicated upon a candidate's comprehensive experience, demonstrated skill, and proven abilities

What we will offer you:

• Highly competitive salary
• Fully covered healthcare, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) and company match
• Take as you need PTO + 11 paid holidays
• Education & training benefits
• Generous Referral Bonuses
• And More!

Our Vision Statement: 

We bridge the gap between humans and data through radical transparency and our obsession with the mission. 

Our Customer Obsession: 

We will approach every deliverable like it's a product. We will adopt a customer-obsessed mentality. As we grow, and our footprint becomes larger, teams and employees will treat each other not only as teammates but customers. We must live the customer-obsessed mindset, always. This will help us scale and it will translate to the interactions that our Rafters have with their clients and other product teams that they integrate with. Our culture will enable our success and set us apart from other companies.

How do we get there? 

Public-sector modernization is critical for us to live in a better world. We, at Raft, want to innovate and solve complex problems. And, if we are successful, our generation and the ones that follow us will live in a delightful, efficient, and accessible world where out-of-box thinking, and collaboration is a norm. 

Raft’s core philosophy is Ubuntu: I Am, Because We are. We support our “nadi” by elevating the other Rafters. We work as a hyper collaborative team where each team member brings a unique perspective, adding value that did not exist before. People make Raft special. We celebrate each other and our cognitive and cultural diversity. We are devoted to our practice of innovation and collaboration.