Job Title: Cloud & Systems Architect
Location: Remote (Occasional travel to Silver Spring, MD)
Work Schedule: On-site
Security Requirements: Must successfully complete required NOAA background investigation/public trust and maintain eligibility for facility and system access.
Work Authorization: Must be a US Citizen
AttainX is seeking an experienced Cloud & Systems Architect to support NOAA’s National Weather Service. This position supports enterprise architecture and modernization through systems planning, data flow modeling, security planning, performance and capacity management, risk assessment, testing, and integration. The individual will collaborate with Government stakeholders, developers, and programmers to improve mission-critical on-premises and cloud systems.
Qualifications and Education Requirements:
- BS/BA engineering degree (or equivalent) in a related area as well as 10+ years of overall experience in the field or in a related area.
- Eight (8) years of direct experience in software engineering, systems optimization, or specialized technical programming; additional relevant experience is welcome.
- Must have hands-on experience with Structurizr or another architecture-as-code tool, such as the C4 model, PlantUML or Mermaid
- Familiarity with Jira, GitHub, and/or Confluence is required
- Experience developing and maintaining enterprise architecture models, including current-state (As-Is) and future-state (To-Be) architectures, using ArchiMate and Microsoft Visio in alignment with The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF).
- Experience developing and maintaining comprehensive enterprise architecture models using the C4 model, including system context, container, component, and dynamic views, leveraging tools such as Structurizr, Mermaid, PlantUML, Draw.io, and other architecture modeling solutions.
- Experience Implementing architecture-as-code practices that integrate with development workflows, version control, and release processes to ensure system architecture diagrams and documentation remain accurate, current, and aligned with evolving applications and infrastructure.
- Leveraging Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC), cloud infrastructure discovery, and automation tools to analyze existing AWS/Azure environments and generate accurate architectural diagrams depicting system components, dependencies, integrations, and data flows.
- Must Have Hands-on development of enterprise-wide As-Is architecture baselines and To-Be architectural roadmaps, integrating existing infrastructure documentation with emerging development activities and planned modernization initiatives over a 6–12 month planning horizon.
- Ability to establish repeatable processes, standards, documentation practices, and knowledge-transfer procedures to support long-term ownership, maintenance, and continuous improvement of enterprise architecture artifacts across development, engineering, and Government stakeholder teams.
- Current AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional certification, or an equivalent professional-level cloud solutions architect credential. The required certification must remain valid during employment in the role.
- Working knowledge of federal information security frameworks and secure systems engineering practices, including NIST SP 800-53 and FIPS 200.
- Ability to collaborate with developers, programmers, engineers, and project stakeholders and explain technical findings to technical and nontechnical audiences.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, written communication, and organizational skills; ability to deliver accurate documentation and meet project milestones.
- Ability to meet NOAA background investigation, badging, system access, nondisclosure, and information protection requirements.
Job Duties:
The Cloud & Solutions Architect supports NWS systems engineering and portfolio modernization activities. Responsibilities include:
- Define and execute systems engineering processes for assigned NWS portfolios, coordinating requirements and technical activities with developers, programmers, and Government stakeholders.
- Document and maintain current system architectures, configurations, dependencies, service workflows, data flows, and network connectivity; incorporate approved changes within required project timelines.
- Develop target architecture views and evaluate emerging technologies, cloud approaches, integration options, compatibility, and performance trade-offs.
- Perform systems planning, performance analysis, capacity planning, lifecycle benchmarking, and optimization to support reliable, scalable mission operations.
- Evaluate project architectures and data and communication standards; identify integration gaps, bottlenecks, and architectural inconsistencies.
- Identify and document technical, security, and implementation risks; support the Technical Risk Registry, mitigation recommendations, and recurring status reporting.
- Develop engineering process documentation, design guidelines, system models, data flow diagrams, technical white papers, and architecture assessments using required NWS templates.
- Prepare and execute systems and software test plans, integration assessments, validation activities, and deployment readiness reviews; document results and support independent verification and validation.
- Integrate security requirements into the systems lifecycle and support vulnerability assessments, remediation recommendations, and secure system authorization activities under applicable DOC and NOAA/NWS policies.
- Coordinate technical findings, integration needs, schedules, and corrective actions with the engineering team; provide accurate deliverables and progress updates.
- Support accessibility requirements for applicable information and communication technology and protect proprietary information, Controlled Unclassified Information, and Personally Identifiable Information.
- Support knowledge transfer and continuity by maintaining current technical documentation and communicating system dependencies and pending tasks.
Non-Essential Functions:
Other related duties as assigned.
About Us
AttainX, Inc. delivers technology solutions, software products, and professional services to Federal Government customers. Our people are central to achieving our customers’ missions. We support quality, collaboration, and employee growth through teamwork and professional development.
Benefits
We are proud to offer competitive compensation and benefits packages, including paid vacation, medical, dental, and vision insurance, a matching 401(k) plan, tuition/training reimbursement, and long- and short-term disability coverage, subject to plan terms and eligibility.
EEO Commitment:
AttainX is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to a workplace free from discrimination. We provide equal opportunity to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
Accommodations:
Applicants and employees who need a reasonable accommodation for the application process or to perform essential job functions may contact Human Resources at AttainX HR.
Physical Demands:
This position primarily involves computer-based work, reviewing technical materials, and communicating with team members and stakeholders. Essential functions may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.
Work Environment:
Work is normally performed at NOAA’s National Weather Service Headquarters, generally during 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. operational hours, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. Remote work for authorized tasks must comply with Department of Commerce remote access requirements. Office noise is usually moderate.
