Cloud Architect, Team Lead

Position Summary

We are seeking a Cloud Architect Team Lead to provide technical leadership and architectural direction for a large-scale, enterprise cloud environment supporting a federal organization. This role is responsible for defining and governing cloud architecture across multiple domains, ensuring solutions are secure, scalable, compliant, and cost-effective while aligning with mission objectives and federal standards.

The Cloud Architect Team Lead will oversee a team of architects and work closely with engineering, platform, security, automation, and program leadership to translate business and mission requirements into end-to-end cloud solutions. This individual will play a critical role in shaping cloud strategy, driving modernization efforts, and ensuring architectural consistency across a complex, multi-account cloud environment.

 

Responsibilities of the Position

• Lead and manage the cloud architecture function, providing technical direction across all cloud initiatives
• Define and maintain enterprise cloud architecture standards, patterns, and reference architectures
• Design and oversee scalable, secure, and resilient cloud solutions across infrastructure, platform, and application layers
• Collaborate with Cloud Engineering, Platform Engineering, Security, and Automation teams to ensure architectural alignment and successful implementation
• Serve as the primary authority on cloud architecture decisions, ensuring solutions align with federal compliance requirements (e.g., NIST, FedRAMP, Zero Trust)
• Evaluate and select cloud services, tools, and technologies to support mission and program objectives
• Lead architecture reviews and design approvals for new and existing cloud solutions
• Ensure integration and interoperability across cloud platforms, applications, and enterprise systems
• Drive cloud modernization efforts, including migration strategies, application refactoring, and adoption of cloud-native technologies
• Incorporate cost optimization strategies into architectural designs in coordination with FinOps teams
• Establish and enforce governance processes related to architecture, including documentation, design standards, and lifecycle management
• Identify and mitigate architectural risks, including performance, security, and scalability concerns
• Provide mentorship and guidance to cloud architects and senior engineers
• Support stakeholder engagement by presenting architectural strategies, tradeoffs, and recommendations to leadership

Requirements of the Position

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 12+ years of experience in IT, with at least 5 years focused on cloud architecture and design
• Demonstrated experience leading cloud architecture efforts in large-scale, complex environments
• Strong expertise in cloud platforms (AWS preferred), including:
• Networking (VPC design, routing, hybrid connectivity)
• Identity and Access Management (IAM)
• Compute, storage, and database services
• Multi-account architecture and governance
• Experience designing and implementing cloud-native architectures, including microservices and containerized environments (e.g., Kubernetes/EKS)
• Proficiency with Infrastructure as Code (e.g., Terraform, CloudFormation) and DevOps practices (CI/CD pipelines)
• Strong understanding of cloud security principles, including Zero Trust, encryption, and secure architecture design
• Proven ability to design high availability, disaster recovery, and fault-tolerant systems
• Experience with cloud cost optimization and FinOps principles
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate complex technical tradeoffs
• Excellent communication skills, with experience presenting to technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing or mentoring architects and senior technical staff
• Must be a US Citizen. 
• Ability to obtain Public Trust.

Preferred Qualifications:

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional (or equivalent)
• Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) or similar container certification
• Experience with hybrid cloud and multi-cloud environments
• Familiarity with enterprise architecture frameworks
• Experience supporting large federal cloud programs or enterprise IT transformations

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world’s leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can’t be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we’re keeping people around the world safe and secure.

$104,000 - $166,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.

EEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.