[ref. i13835717] Cloud Architect - CA-24-14616 - Charlotte

Duration: 3 months (with the possibility of extension)

Project Description:

The Integrated Research and Analytics Platform (IRAP) is a cloud-based data and analytics solution designed to enhance data management and analytics experiences for researchers. The platform enables users to search data catalogs, access data, and collaborate effectively.

Background:

IRAP is seeking a motivated Intermediate Cloud Architect to join the team and support the operations, maintenance, and enhancement of the platform.

Requirements:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and experience:

• 5 years of experience in designing, building, and maintaining cloud infrastructure on AWS.
• 7 years of experience in system administration, including patching, upgrading, and maintaining Windows and Linux servers.
• 3 years of experience in building AWS infrastructure using Terraform.
• 5 years of experience with Agile software development methodologies.
• 3 years of experience in building CI/CD pipelines, preferably using Azure DevOps or GitLab.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders of varying technical expertise.
• Knowledge of FISMA security review and the Authority to Operate (ATO) process.
• Experience in understanding large, complex software systems to isolate defects, reproduce issues, assess risks, and understand various customer deployments.

Responsibilities:

The Contractor shall deliver, but is not limited to, the following tasks:

• Maintain the IRAP platform by identifying, analyzing, and resolving emergent vulnerabilities in a timely manner.
• Perform necessary version upgrades to the tool stack utilized by the platform and conduct monthly maintenance activities, including upgrading servers to the latest Gold AMI version, applying patches, and testing the platform post-maintenance.
• Conduct security monitoring to maintain the ATO of the IRAP platform.
• Execute activities required to update the ATO of IRAP for hosting restricted datasets.
• Enhance IRAP capabilities in collaboration with Board Data Architects, Cloud Administrators, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure synchronization of the IRAP platform with the Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Terraform code in the repository.
• Monitor cloud resource consumption and alert leadership if usage exceeds defined limits.
• Identify opportunities for cloud cost savings and ensure optimized use of AWS resources through rightsizing, optimization, and reengineering of infrastructure.
• Manage external dependencies for platform enhancement efforts to ensure timely delivery.
• Develop cloud infrastructure using Terraform and deploy to production following successful comprehensive testing.
• Administer user activities on the IRAP platform, including onboarding and provisioning new users, and addressing user inquiries, concerns, and issues.