Senior Cloud/DevOps Engineer

Description: Onsite in Fort Meade, MD Our client seeks a Senior Cloud/DevOps Engineer to design, automate, secure, and operate enterprise cloud and hybrid platforms for a mission within a secure DoD environment. The role will implement infrastructure as code, build CI/CD pipelines, and manage container orchestration while embedding DevSecOps practices. The engineer will collaborate with systems, software, and cybersecurity teams to modernize infrastructure, ensure compliance, and improve reliability across mission-critical systems. Due to federal security clearance requirements, applicant must be a United States Citizen with an active Secret clearance. This is a contract to hire opportunity. Applicants must be willing and able to work on a w2 basis and convert to FTE following contract duration. For our w2 consultants, we offer a great benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits, 401k with company matching, and life insurance. Rate: $65.00 to $75.00/hr. w2 JN -052026-107032 Responsibilities: • Design, deploy, and maintain secure cloud and hybrid infrastructure environments supporting DISA Citadel operations. • Develop and manage CI/CD pipelines to automate application and infrastructure deployments. • Implement infrastructure as code using tools such as Terraform, Ansible, or CloudFormation. • Build and maintain containerized environments using Docker and Kubernetes. • Automate provisioning, configuration management, monitoring, and operational workflows. • Integrate security controls and compliance checks into deployment pipelines to support DevSecOps. • Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to ensure compliance with RMF, STIG, and DoD security standards. • Monitor performance, troubleshoot infrastructure issues, and optimize reliability and scalability. • Support cloud migration, modernization, and technology refresh initiatives. • Develop technical documentation, SOPs, architecture diagrams, and deployment procedures. • Participate in incident response, disaster recovery planning, and operational readiness activities. • Mentor junior engineers and contribute to best practices and continuous improvement. Experience Requirements: • Eight or more years in cloud engineering, DevOps, platform engineering, or systems automation. • Experience supporting DoD or federal government environments. • Proficiency with AWS, Azure, or hybrid cloud environments. • Hands-on experience with CI/CD tools such as Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, GitHub Actions, or Azure DevOps. • Expertise with Terraform and Ansible or similar IaC and configuration management tools. • Experience with Kubernetes, OpenShift, and container orchestration technologies. • Strong Linux administration and shell scripting skills. • Familiarity with monitoring and logging tools such as Prometheus or Grafana. • Experience implementing DevSecOps and automated security practices. • Understanding of RMF, STIG compliance, ACAS, and DoD cybersecurity requirements. • Active Security+ CE or equivalent DoD 8570/8140 certification. • Active Secret clearance. • AWS Certified Solutions Architect, DevOps Engineer, Kubernetes, or Terraform certifications (preferred). • Experience supporting enterprise DISA or mission-critical defense systems (preferred). • Familiarity with Platform One, Iron Bank, or DoD cloud initiatives (preferred). • Experience with serverless architectures and microservices design (preferred). • Knowledge of Zero Trust architecture principles (preferred). • Experience supporting classified cloud environments (preferred). • Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills (preferred). • Ability to work in fast-paced operational environments (preferred). • Excellent communication and collaboration abilities (preferred). • Understanding of automation-first operational models (preferred). • Ability to balance mission priorities, operational support, and engineering modernization efforts (preferred). Education Requirements: • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience. • Security+ CE certification or equivalent DoD 8570/8140 certification. • AWS Certified Solutions Architect, AWS DevOps Engineer, Kubernetes certification, or Terraform certification (preferred).