Sr. Cloud Architect (Hybrid)

As a Sr. Cloud Architect at Ampsight, you are tasked with designing and architecting cloud-based solutions specifically for defense and intelligence clients. You'll collaborate with various stakeholders, maintain documentation of processes, and implement cloud solutions using best practices. Your role will also involve ensuring the security and compliance of these architectures, optimizing for cost and performance, and providing mentorship to junior engineers.

To qualify for the Sr. Cloud Architect position at Ampsight, you need a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, significant expertise with Amazon Web Services (AWS), and familiarity with infrastructure-as-code tools such as Terraform. A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field is essential, alongside an active Top Secret Clearance. An AWS Certified Solutions Architect certification is also a requirement.

At Ampsight, we believe in fostering a collaborative and supportive workplace culture. As a Sr. Cloud Architect, you will work with a team that prioritizes communication and productivity while celebrating each team member’s contributions. We pride ourselves on creating an inclusive environment where your voice matters, and everyone is truly valued.

Ampsight is dedicated to the professional growth of its employees. As a Sr. Cloud Architect, you will have access to various career development resources, workshops, and mentoring opportunities. The company encourages continuous learning, allowing you to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving cloud technology landscape.

Ampsight offers a robust benefits package for its Sr. Cloud Architects, including stock options, performance-based bonuses, generous paid time off, and a 401k plan with company matching. Comprehensive health benefits, disability, and life insurance are also part of our commitment to employee well-being.

Yes, Ampsight embraces a hybrid work model for the Sr. Cloud Architect position, providing flexibility to work both remotely and in the office as needed. This allows you to balance your professional and personal life while maintaining productivity and collaboration with your team.

To excel as a Sr. Cloud Architect at Ampsight, familiarity with various cloud technologies, particularly Amazon Web Services (AWS), is essential. Knowledge of scripting languages like Python or PowerShell, experience with containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes, and understanding of networking concepts are also crucial in helping you design effective cloud solutions.

In approaching cloud architecture design, it's essential to first gather and understand the project requirements from all stakeholders. This involves analyzing business needs, compliance issues, and existing infrastructure. Ensuring scalability, security, and optimal performance are also priorities. Once you have a clear understanding, you can draft an architecture diagram and determine necessary AWS services, keeping cost considerations in mind.

When faced with a significant challenge, I focus on analyzing the issue thoroughly. For instance, during a previous project where scalability was becoming an issue, I implemented an auto-scaling solution and optimized the architecture for better performance. Results were monitored closely to ensure success. It's vital to adapt and stay flexible as challenges arise, collaborating with the team for diverse insights.

I have extensive experience using infrastructure as code tools like Terraform and AWS CloudFormation alongside traditional provisioning methods. Infrastructure as code is crucial as it allows for automation, consistency, and scalability in deployments. It also enables collaboration within cross-functional teams, as resources can be provisioned with version control, ensuring that changes are tracked efficiently.

To maintain security and compliance, I follow industry best practices and government regulations during the design phase. Implementing identity and access management policies, regularly updating encryption protocols, and conducting compliance checks are crucial. Moreover, I advocate for continuous monitoring and logging to identify potential vulnerabilities and address them promptly, ensuring that our cloud architecture remains secure.

In my experience, I utilize several monitoring tools, including AWS CloudWatch for performance metrics, and third-party tools like Datadog and Prometheus for enhanced visibility. These tools help identify issues before they affect end users, allowing for proactive management and optimization of cloud resources.

My experience with containerization includes setting up environments using Docker for development and deploying microservices with Kubernetes. This experience has taught me the importance of creating lightweight, consistent environments for application development and deployment. Understanding orchestration with Kubernetes has also empowered me to manage multiple containers effectively, ensuring high availability and scalability.

To remain informed about industry trends and cloud technologies, I regularly participate in online courses, webinars, and reach out to my professional network. Additionally, I follow influential blogs, attend conferences, and engage with communities on platforms like LinkedIn and GitHub. Continuous learning is key in the ever-evolving cloud landscape, and I prioritize it in my professional development.

Effective communication plays a pivotal role in my work as a Sr. Cloud Architect. It ensures that I understand client needs, share technical insights with non-technical stakeholders, and collaborate with teammates. Clear communication also fosters transparency and aids in identifying issues early on in projects, ensuring all team members are aligned and informed.

For cost optimization in cloud environments, I start by analyzing usage patterns and identifying underutilized resources. Implementing auto-scaling can help match capacity with demand, while choosing reserved instances for predictable workloads can provide significant savings. I also advocate for resource tagging to track expenses accurately and make informed decisions about scaling or decommissioning resources.

If a project is falling behind schedule, I first conduct a root cause analysis to understand the underlying issues. I communicate transparently with stakeholders, identifying areas where we can reallocate resources or adjust priorities. Implementing agile methodologies often allows teams to refocus and push forward, ensuring that we meet project goals while maintaining quality.