Cloud System Engineer

Position Description

ERT is seeking a Cloud System Engineer to support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS). Key tasks include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Work with the Cloud Architect to develop and implement cloud native solutions that align with the Architect’s vision for cloud systems implementation and operation of existing real-time applications hosted in the cloud.
• Configure cloud network solutions, load balancers, firewalls and VPN/Direct Connect.
• Setup and streamline Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions for system management.
• Set up object storage buckets, relational/NoSQL databases and visualization platforms.
• Assist with containerization, CI/CD integration, and deployment automation.
• Apply security controls as necessary to meet DOC/NOAA/NWS security policies.
• Manage multiple cloud environments supporting production, testing and integration, and development. Maintains system reliability through automation, scaling and high availability configurations. Monitors costs and reports on existing spend and forecast.
• Generate and enhance solutions in bulk data management and application migration into the cloud.
• Evaluate cloud applications, hardware, and software to promote optimization, scalability, and cost savings.
• Recommend solutions for various technical aspects of Cloud AWIPS (e.g. data ingress/egress, storage, and compute strategies).
• Collaborate with IT security teams to guide cloud security and promote adherence to applicable security requirements.
• Collaborate with the team to develop and implement a well-informed AWIPS cloud strategy and manage the adaptation and deployment process, consistent with NWS and NOAA practices and policy.
• Assess and advise cloud architecture solutions to successfully execute the strategic migration of IT enterprise requirements into cloud environments, including the cloud application framework and monitoring.
  
  
  

Required Skills

• 5+ years of experience designing, executing, and supporting cloud solutions.
• Hands-on experience in at least one major cloud (AWS, Azure or GCP)
• Strong knowledge of cloud computing technologies and current computing trends.
• Strong scripting skills (python, bash)
• Experience with relational databases (PostGreSQL)
• Experience with Infrastructure-as-Code
• Familiarity with Kubernetes, Docker and CI/CD pipelines
• Understanding of security best practices (IAM, encryption, least privilege)
• Effective written and verbal communication skills to articulate complex cloud reports to management and development partners.
• Must be a US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident and able to pass a background investigation to obtain a security badge to access applicable government facilities/systems.
  
  
  

Desired

• Understanding of NOAA/NWS operations and AWIPS system
• Understanding of cloud cost drivers and monitoring techniques
• Experience with geospatial databases and data structures and formats used in earth science applications
• Experience working in physical science field
  
  
  

Education

BS in computer science, computer engineering, information technology, related discipline, or equivalent.

Location

This position supports work at NOAA's Silver Spring and College Park, MD facilities and may be performed remotely with 0-25% travel.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $48,000 - 269,000/year. This range is a good faith estimate based on similar roles across the organization. ERT uses several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the position's scope and expected duties, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

Benefits

All full-time employees are eligible to participate in our flexible benefits package, which includes:

• Medical, Rx, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
• 11 Paid Federal Government Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Basic Life & Supplemental Life
• Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities
• Skills Development & Certifications
• Professional Membership Reimbursement
• Employee Referral Program
• Competitive compensation plan
• Discretionary variable incentive bonuses based on factors such as individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance
• Publication and Conference Presentation Awards with bonuses
  
  
  

ERT is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and Equal Opportunity employer - All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.