Lead Cloud Engineer - Azure

Job Description

LightFeather is seeking a Lead Cloud Engineer – Azure to drive the architecture, implementation, and management of secure cloud infrastructure within federal IT environments. This leadership role demands deep expertise in Azure cloud technologies, automation, and security compliance, with a strong emphasis on DevOps practices. As the technical lead, you will shape cloud strategies, lead Agile teams, and mentor junior engineers to ensure high standards of performance, security, and operational excellence.

Location: In-Person (5 days/week) in Washington, DC

Job Type: Full Time

Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship Required

Clearance Requirement: Active Secret/Top Secret Security Clearance Required

Responsibilities:

Cloud Architecture & Deployment:

Lead the design and deployment of secure, scalable Microsoft Azure solutions tailored for federal environments.

Develop and maintain Infrastructure as Code using Terraform, ARM templates, or Bicep.

DevOps & Automation:

Enhance CI/CD pipelines and DevOps workflows using tools like Azure DevOps and GitHub Actions.

Streamline cloud infrastructure provisioning through automation and standardized practices.

Security & Compliance:

Ensure adherence to federal cybersecurity frameworks including NIST 800-53, FedRAMP, and FISMA.

Implement best practices in monitoring, threat detection, and incident response across Azure environments.

Operations & Optimization:

Oversee infrastructure performance, cost control, and optimization strategies.

Manage core Azure services such as networking, virtual machines, storage, identity management, and security policies.

Agile & Team Leadership:

Serve as Scrum Master to facilitate sprint planning, retrospectives, and Agile ceremonies.

Mentor and guide junior cloud engineers, promoting a high-performance, collaborative culture.

Collaboration:

Coordinate with cross-functional teams including development, security, and operations to improve cloud delivery.

Champion DevSecOps principles and foster alignment with enterprise architecture standards.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

U.S. Citizenship.

Active Secret or Top Secret Security Clearance.

7+ years of hands-on experience in Microsoft Azure engineering and DevOps roles.

Advanced knowledge of Azure infrastructure architecture, provisioning, and automation.

Strong expertise in Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Terraform, ARM, or Bicep.

Experience with CI/CD pipelines, Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, and Agile SDLC.

Familiarity with federal compliance frameworks: NIST 800-53, FedRAMP, FISMA.

Proficiency in scripting languages: PowerShell, Python, or Bash.

Technical leadership and mentoring capabilities.

Must be available to work on-site in Washington, DC (5 days/week).

Preferred:

Azure Certifications: AZ-104 (Administrator), AZ-400 (DevOps Engineer), AZ-305 (Solutions Architect).

Prior experience in U.S. federal government IT programs.

Knowledge of hybrid cloud models and on-premises Azure Stack integration.

Understanding of FinOps principles and cloud cost optimization techniques.

Why Join LightFeather?

You'll be part of a team dedicated to meaningful impact, working on solutions that address mission-critical needs. Experience variety, fulfillment, and the opportunity to work with some of the best in the industry. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone is valued and respected.

Full-time