Lead Platform Cloud Engineering Specialist

Summary

Join Bixal as a Lead Cloud Engineering Specialist to support the development and deployment of cloud-based solutions for a US Department of State project. This full-time position, contingent on contract award, offers a one-year term with potential extensions. You will work in an Agile DevSecOps environment, implementing, optimizing, and maintaining cloud infrastructure and applications. Collaborate with various teams to ensure reliable and scalable solutions, gaining hands-on experience with AWS services and related technologies. This role provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact while contributing to Bixal's mission. Bixal is committed to transparency and supporting your professional journey.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least five (5) years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience in cloud engineering, DevOps, or system administration
• Demonstrated success leading cloud-native infrastructure efforts in AWS, including experience with services like Aurora PostgreSQL, Redis (ElastiCache), and ECR
• Proficiency with containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes, EKS) and orchestrating workloads across clusters
• Hands-on experience with Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Helm) and modern CI/CD platforms (GitLab CI, Drone, Jenkins, ArgoCD)
• Solid background in Linux systems, networking fundamentals, and scripting (e.g., Bash, Python)
• Strong understanding of cloud security and compliance frameworks (e.g., NIST 800-53, CIS Benchmarks, ISO 27001)
• Experience with monitoring and observability tools (e.g., AWS CloudWatch, Prometheus, Grafana) and synthetic testing
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to bridge technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives in a fast-paced Agile environment
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, provisioning, and management of secure, scalable cloud infrastructure using AWS services (e.g., EC2, S3, Aurora PostgreSQL, EKS, ElastiCache, CloudFront, IAM)
• Oversee deployment pipelines and IaC practices using Terraform, Helm, and GitLab CI/CD (with Drone and ArgoCD integration where applicable)
• Collaborate with BESPIN platform teams to align infrastructure with federal hosting standards and inherited security controls
• Drive automation initiatives that improve deployment speed, repeatability, and system reliability across multiple environments
• Configure and monitor access control, data encryption, and secrets management using AWS-native tools (e.g., Secrets Manager, KMS, IAM)
• Conduct system performance monitoring using CloudWatch and implement synthetic checks and dashboards for real-time observability
• Identify and remediate infrastructure vulnerabilities; support compliance with FedRAMP, Section 508, and NIST 800-53 security controls
• Troubleshoot complex issues involving Kubernetes workloads, microservices, networking, and container lifecycle management
• Mentor junior engineers and foster a DevSecOps culture of continuous learning, peer reviews, and knowledge sharing
• Participate in Agile ceremonies, contributing to sprint planning, retrospectives, and backlog prioritization with the broader technical team
• Other relevant duties as qualified and trained to assume

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with BESPIN or other federal AWS environments, including shared service integration and inherited controls
• Experience supporting Authority to Operate (ATO) activities and contributing to system security plans
• Ability to manage Kubernetes applications using Helm and GitOps workflows for modular, scalable deployments
• Exposure to secure service integrations with external APIs, gateways, or legacy ESB platforms (e.g., USPS, Pay.gov )

Benefits

• Flex hours
• 401K with matching incentive
• Parental Leave
• Medical/dental/vision benefits
• Flex Spending Account
• Company provided short-term disability and life insurance
• Commuter benefits
• Generous PTO
• 11 Paid holidays
• Professional development opportunities