Cloud Architect Lead

Founded in 2007, Initiate Government Solutions (IGS) is a Woman-Owned Small Business and a fully remote IT services provider supporting federal partners nationwide. We deliver innovative Enterprise IT and Health Services solutions with a strong focus on data analytics, health informatics, cloud migration, AI, and the modernization of federal information systems.

Our vision is to be a health IT trendsetter, continuing to solve the nation’s most challenging healthcare IT issues by conceiving, designing, and building solid, creative, and innovative open-source solutions. 

Our mission is to innovate, design, and deliver tailored solutions that balance technical advancement with cost-awareness while providing exceptional service.

IGS is currently recruiting a remote Cloud Architect Lead to support our work with a federal client. Please note the role is contingent upon award. 

Assignment of Work and Travel:

This is a remote access assignment. The candidate will work remotely daily and will remotely access customer systems and therein use approved customer provided communications systems. Travel is not required; however, the candidate may be required to attend onsite client meetings as requested.

The Cloud Architect Lead is a senior-level leader responsible for designing, implementing, and managing enterprise cloud solutions in support of federal IT programs. The role oversees cloud strategy, system architecture, and full lifecycle delivery, ensuring compliance with HHS frameworks while leading technical teams and stakeholder engagements. This position serves as the primary point of contact for government clients, ensuring high-quality, secure, and scalable solutions across cloud modernization, DevSecOps, and operations.

Responsibilities and Duties (Included but not limited to):

• Provide overall leadership, direction, and accountability for cloud architecture, delivery, and operational performance.
• Ensure timely delivery of high-quality deliverables in accordance with contractual requirements and performance standards.
• Design and oversee implementation of cloud solutions across IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS platforms in alignment with enterprise architecture standards.
• Lead cloud strategy development, cloud suitability assessments, and application rationalization efforts.
• Architect and guide solutions for application modernization, migration, and cloud-native development.
• Establish and maintain DevSecOps pipelines, configuration management practices, and CI/CD strategies.
• Provide technical oversight across all phases of the SDLC.
• Lead activities related to systems analysis, systems engineering, database design, and application development.
• Ensure solutions comply with federal cybersecurity requirements, including HHS security policies, privacy, and Section 508 standards.
• Integrate information assurance, risk management, and cybersecurity controls into all cloud and system architectures.
• Support application and system security, including secure design, testing, and accreditation readiness.
• Provide insights on emerging technologies, tools, and market trends to inform modernization efforts.
• Oversee cloud environment management and sustainment, including monitoring, optimization, and continuous improvement.
• Other duties as assigned

• 10 years of experience in cloud architecture, systems engineering, or IT modernization within federal or enterprise environments. 
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale cloud implementation and transformation programs. 
• Strong knowledge of federal IT frameworks, including EPLC, CPIC, and SDLC methodologies. 
• Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud (GovCloud environments preferred). 
• Expertise in DevSecOps, CI/CD pipelines, and Agile/DevOps methodologies. 
• Proven experience in application migration, cloud modernization, and enterprise architecture.

Preferred Qualifications and Core Competencies:

• Familiarity with FedRAMP, FISMA, NIST, and federal security compliance requirements. 
• Experience with enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF). 
• Strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills.
• Prior experience supporting federal agencies, specifically health IT 
• Prior, successful experience working in a remote environment
• Ability to work and complete tasks independently and take an proactive approach

Successful IGS employees embody the following Core Values:

• Integrity, Honesty, and Ethics: We conduct our business with the highest level of ethics. Doing things like being accountable for mistakes, accepting helpful criticism, and following through on commitments to ourselves, each other, and our customers. 
• Empathy, Emotional Intelligence: How we interact with others including peers, colleagues, stakeholders, and customers’ matters. We take collective responsibility to create an environment where colleagues and customers feel valued, included, and respected. We work within a diverse, integrated, and collaborative team to drive towards accomplishing the larger mission. We conscientiously and meticulously learn about our customers’ and end-users’ business drivers and challenges to ensure solutions meet not only technical needs but also support their mission.
• Strong Work Ethic (Reliability, Dedication, Productivity): We are driven by a strong, self-motivated, and results-driven work ethic. We are reliable, accountable, proactive, and tenacious and will do what it takes to get the job done. 
• Life-Long Learner (Curious, Perspective, Goal Oriented): We challenge ourselves to continually learn and improve ourselves. We strive to be an expert in our field, continuously honing our craft, and finding solutions where others see problems.  

Compensation: There are a host of factors that can influence final salary, including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications.

Benefits: Initiate Government Solutions offers competitive compensation and a robust benefits package, including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision care, matching 401K and profit sharing, paid time off, training time for personal development, flexible spending accounts, employer-paid life insurance, employer-paid short and long term disability coverage, an education assistance program with potential merit increases for obtaining a work-related certification, employee recognition, and referral programs, spot bonuses, and other benefits that help provide financial protection for the employee and their family.

Initiate Government Solutions participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program.