📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Cloud Systems Administrator
Company: Bowhead
Location: Arlington, VA, United States
Job Type: On-site, Full-time
Category: Server Administration, DevOps
Date Posted: August 1, 2025
Experience Level: 10+ years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Key Responsibilities: Manage and optimize cloud infrastructure across multiple classification levels, implement IaC solutions, monitor system performance, and ensure cybersecurity compliance.
Key Skills: Proficiency in Linux/Unix and Windows server administration, containerization technologies, networking protocols, scripting, and automation.
Key Technologies: AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, Google Cloud for Government, Terraform, CloudFormation, ARM templates, Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift, CloudWatch, Splunk, ELK stack, Nagios, Ansible, Puppet, Chef, and enterprise monitoring tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong focus on cloud infrastructure management, security, and compliance, with a significant emphasis on DoD-specific environments and classification levels.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Cloud Infrastructure Management: Administer, maintain, and optimize cloud infrastructure across multiple classification levels, including DoD IL4/IL5 environments.
IaC Implementation: Implement and manage Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions using tools such as Terraform, CloudFormation, or ARM templates.
Monitoring and Logging: Monitor cloud system performance, availability, and security posture using enterprise monitoring tools.
Virtual Machines and Containers: Configure and manage virtual machines, containers, storage systems, and networking components in secure cloud environments.
Backup and Disaster Recovery: Implement and maintain backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity procedures for mission-critical systems.
Cybersecurity Compliance: Collaborate with security teams to ensure compliance with DoD cybersecurity frameworks (RMF, NIST, STIG, DoD 8140).
Troubleshooting and Optimization: Troubleshoot complex cloud infrastructure issues and implement innovative solutions to optimize cloud cost and resource allocation.
Documentation and Governance: Maintain detailed documentation of cloud configurations, procedures, and compliance measures. Develop and implement cloud governance policies and procedures.
Migration and Leadership: Lead cloud migration initiatives and provide technical guidance to junior staff. Coordinate with DevSecOps teams to integrate security practices into cloud deployments.
Security and Access Management: Manage privileged access controls and implement zero-trust architecture principles. Conduct security assessments, vulnerability remediation efforts, and accreditation processes.
Performance Tuning and Capacity Planning: Conduct performance tuning and capacity planning for cloud resources. Provide training and mentorship to junior team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a broad range of technical skills and experience, with a strong emphasis on cloud infrastructure management, security, and compliance. Candidates should be prepared to handle complex issues and lead migration initiatives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field from an ABET-accredited institution. A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience may substitute for the degree requirement.

Experience: Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in systems administration, with at least 8 years focused on cloud technologies. Minimum of 5 years of experience managing cloud infrastructure in DoD or federal environments. Extensive experience with major cloud platforms (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, or Google Cloud for Government) and DoD IL4/IL5 cloud environment administration and compliance.

Required Skills:

Proficiency in Linux/Unix and Windows server administration in cloud environments
Strong experience with containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift)
Advanced knowledge of networking protocols, firewalls, VPNs, and cloud security best practices
Experience with monitoring and logging tools (CloudWatch, Splunk, ELK stack, Nagios)
Strong scripting and automation skills (PowerShell, Python, Bash, Ansible)
Experience with configuration management tools (Ansible, Puppet, Chef)
Knowledge of DevOps practices and CI/CD pipeline implementation
Familiarity with DoD Enterprise DevSecOps platforms and methodologies

Preferred Skills:

DoD 8570 IAM Level III certification
Multiple cloud platform certifications
CISSP, CISM, or equivalent advanced security certification
Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)
Kubernetes certifications (CKA, CKAD)

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a high level of technical expertise and experience, with a strong emphasis on cloud infrastructure management, security, and compliance. Candidates should possess a wide range of technical skills and be prepared to handle complex issues and lead migration initiatives.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate experience with cloud infrastructure administration, including virtual machines, containers, and storage systems.
Showcase expertise in managing cloud infrastructure across multiple classification levels and ensuring cybersecurity compliance.
Highlight experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions and scripting/automation skills.
Include examples of cloud migration projects and leadership roles in cloud initiatives.

Technical Documentation:

Provide detailed documentation of cloud configurations, procedures, and compliance measures.
Include examples of performance tuning, capacity planning, and cost optimization strategies.
Demonstrate experience with monitoring and logging tools and enterprise monitoring systems.
Showcase expertise in security assessments, vulnerability remediation, and accreditation processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong focus on cloud infrastructure management, security, and compliance. Candidates should demonstrate expertise in these areas through their portfolio and technical documentation.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 - $160,000 per year (Based on market research for similar roles in the Arlington, VA area, considering the required experience level and the specific nature of the role)

Benefits:

Health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) retirement plan with company match
Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
Employee assistance program
Tuition reimbursement
Professional development opportunities

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with the possibility of working overtime for on-call rotations and mission-critical systems support.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is based on market research for similar roles in the Arlington, VA area, considering the required experience level and the specific nature of the role. Benefits may vary based on the company's standard benefits package.

🎯 Team & Company Context

Company Culture: Bowhead is a leading provider of technology and professional services to the federal government. With a strong focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, Bowhead seeks to attract and retain top talent in the industry.

Industry: Technology and professional services for the federal government, with a focus on cloud infrastructure management, cybersecurity, and mission-critical systems.

Company Size: Medium-sized company with a significant presence in the federal government contracting space.

Founded: 1994, with a rich history of supporting federal government clients and a commitment to delivering high-quality services.

Team Structure:

The cloud systems administration team consists of experienced professionals responsible for managing and optimizing cloud infrastructure across multiple classification levels.
The team works closely with security teams to ensure compliance with DoD cybersecurity frameworks and collaborates with DevSecOps teams to integrate security practices into cloud deployments.
The team reports to the Director of Cloud Services, who is responsible for overall cloud strategy and execution.

Development Methodology:

Agile methodologies, with a focus on iterative development, continuous integration, and continuous deployment.
Regular code reviews, testing, and quality assurance practices to ensure the delivery of high-quality, secure, and reliable cloud infrastructure.
Deployment strategies, including CI/CD pipelines and automated deployment, to streamline cloud infrastructure management and optimize resource allocation.

Company Website: Bowhead

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture at Bowhead emphasizes innovation, customer satisfaction, and a commitment to delivering high-quality services to federal government clients. The team structure and development methodology reflect a strong focus on collaboration, security, and continuous improvement.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: Senior Cloud Systems Administrator, responsible for managing and optimizing cloud infrastructure across multiple classification levels, ensuring cybersecurity compliance, and leading cloud migration initiatives.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Director of Cloud Services, with a dotted line to the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for cybersecurity-related matters.

Technical Impact: This role has a significant impact on the security, performance, and reliability of cloud infrastructure supporting mission-critical systems. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the availability, scalability, and security of cloud environments, as well as leading cloud migration initiatives and providing technical guidance to junior staff.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Leadership: With experience and demonstrated expertise, candidates may progress to roles such as Senior Cloud Architect, Cloud Engineering Manager, or Chief Cloud Officer.
Specialization: Candidates may specialize in specific cloud platforms, emerging technologies, or cybersecurity domains to further develop their careers.
Cross-functional Collaboration: Opportunities exist to work with other teams, such as software development, data analytics, or cybersecurity, to gain a broader understanding of the organization and its mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development, with a focus on technical leadership, specialization, and cross-functional collaboration. Candidates should be prepared to take on increasing responsibilities and leadership roles as they progress in their careers.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative workspace with a focus on open communication and knowledge sharing.

Office Location(s): Arlington, VA, United States

Workspace Context:

Collaborative Environment: The workspace encourages collaboration and teamwork, with dedicated spaces for meetings, brainstorming sessions, and training.
Technical Tools and Resources: The workspace is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including multiple monitors, testing devices, and development tools.
Cross-functional Interaction: The workspace facilitates interaction with other teams, such as software development, data analytics, and cybersecurity, to foster a culture of collaboration and innovation.

Work Schedule: Standard work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the possibility of working overtime for on-call rotations and mission-critical systems support.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment at Bowhead is designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. Candidates should be prepared to work in a dynamic, team-oriented environment and contribute to the company's mission and values.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Technical Phone Screen: A 30-45 minute phone or video call to assess technical skills, including cloud infrastructure management, scripting, and automation.
On-site Technical Interview: A 2-3 hour on-site interview, including a technical deep dive, system design discussion, and cultural fit assessment.
Final Review: A final review by the hiring manager and other stakeholders to make a hiring decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Cloud Infrastructure Projects: Highlight cloud infrastructure administration, management, and optimization projects, demonstrating expertise in virtual machines, containers, storage systems, and networking components.
IaC and Automation: Showcase experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions and scripting/automation skills, including examples of automated deployment, configuration management, and cost optimization.
Security and Compliance: Demonstrate experience with cybersecurity best practices, DoD cybersecurity frameworks, and compliance measures.
Leadership and Migration: Highlight cloud migration projects and leadership roles, including technical guidance, mentorship, and architecture decision-making.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Cloud Infrastructure Scenarios: Prepare for cloud infrastructure management and optimization scenarios, including virtual machines, containers, and storage systems.
IaC and Automation Challenges: Brush up on Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions and scripting/automation skills, including automated deployment, configuration management, and cost optimization.
Security and Compliance Challenges: Familiarize yourself with cybersecurity best practices, DoD cybersecurity frameworks, and compliance measures.
System Design and Architecture Challenges: Prepare for system design and architecture discussions, focusing on cloud migration initiatives and technical leadership.

ATS Keywords: [Provided in the "Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure" section]

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is designed to assess technical skills, cultural fit, and leadership potential. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate expertise in cloud infrastructure management, security, and compliance, as well as leadership and migration experience.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Cloud Platforms:

AWS GovCloud
Azure Government
Google Cloud for Government

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Tools:

Terraform
CloudFormation
ARM templates

Containerization Technologies:

Docker
Kubernetes
OpenShift

Monitoring and Logging Tools:

CloudWatch
Splunk
ELK stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana)
Nagios

Configuration Management Tools:

Ansible
Puppet
Chef

Enterprise Monitoring Tools:

[To be determined based on the company's standard enterprise monitoring tools]

ATS Keywords:

Cloud Platforms: AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, Google Cloud for Government
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Tools: Terraform, CloudFormation, ARM templates
Containerization Technologies: Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift
Monitoring and Logging Tools: CloudWatch, Splunk, ELK stack, Nagios
Configuration Management Tools: Ansible, Puppet, Chef
Enterprise Monitoring Tools: [To be determined based on the company's standard enterprise monitoring tools]
Cybersecurity Frameworks: RMF, NIST, STIG, DoD 8140
Cloud Migration: Cloud migration, cloud migration tools, cloud migration strategies
Leadership and Management: Cloud leadership, cloud migration leadership, cloud governance
Scripting and Automation: PowerShell, Python, Bash, Ansible
DevSecOps: DevSecOps, DevSecOps tools, DevSecOps best practices
DoD-specific: DoD IL4/IL5, DoD cybersecurity, DoD compliance
Cloud Infrastructure: Cloud infrastructure, cloud infrastructure management, cloud infrastructure optimization
Virtual Machines and Containers: Virtual machines, containers, virtualization, containerization
Storage Systems: Storage, cloud storage, object storage, block storage
Networking Components: Networking, cloud networking, network security, firewalls, VPNs
Backup and Disaster Recovery: Backup, disaster recovery, business continuity, data protection

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack for this role is focused on cloud infrastructure management, security, and compliance. Candidates should be familiar with the listed cloud platforms, Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools, containerization technologies, monitoring and logging tools, and enterprise monitoring tools. Additionally, candidates should have experience with cybersecurity frameworks, cloud migration, leadership and management, scripting and automation, DevSecOps, DoD-specific environments, and cloud infrastructure components.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

Innovation: Encourage continuous learning, experimentation, and the pursuit of new technologies to drive business value and improve user experiences.
Security: Prioritize security in all aspects of cloud infrastructure management, ensuring compliance with DoD cybersecurity frameworks and best practices.
Reliability: Focus on high availability, scalability, and performance optimization to ensure mission-critical systems remain operational and performant.
Collaboration: Foster a culture of open communication, knowledge sharing, and teamwork to drive collective success and continuous improvement.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-functional Integration: Encourage collaboration between cloud systems administrators, software developers, data analysts, and cybersecurity professionals to drive innovation, security, and user experience improvements.
Code Review Culture: Implement a code review culture to ensure high-quality, secure, and maintainable cloud infrastructure.
Knowledge Sharing: Promote a culture of knowledge sharing, technical mentoring, and continuous learning to drive professional development and team growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The web development values and collaboration style at Bowhead emphasize innovation, security, reliability, and collaboration. Candidates should be prepared to work in a dynamic, team-oriented environment and contribute to the company's mission and values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Cloud Infrastructure Management: Manage and optimize cloud infrastructure across multiple classification levels, ensuring compliance with DoD cybersecurity frameworks and best practices.
IaC Implementation and Management: Implement and manage Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions using tools such as Terraform, CloudFormation, or ARM templates.
Security and Compliance: Ensure compliance with DoD cybersecurity frameworks, implement security best practices, and manage privileged access controls.
Cloud Migration: Lead cloud migration initiatives, providing technical guidance, mentorship, and architecture decision-making.
Performance Optimization: Conduct performance tuning, capacity planning, and cost optimization for cloud resources.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Skill Development: Develop expertise in cloud infrastructure management, security, and compliance, as well as emerging technologies and cybersecurity domains.
Leadership and Management: Gain experience in technical leadership, cloud governance, and cloud migration leadership to drive career progression.
Cross-functional Collaboration: Work with other teams, such as software development, data analytics, or cybersecurity, to gain a broader understanding of the organization and its mission.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant technical challenges and learning opportunities, with a focus on cloud infrastructure management, security, and compliance. Candidates should be prepared to take on complex issues, lead migration initiatives, and drive continuous learning and improvement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Cloud Infrastructure Management: Describe your experience managing and optimizing cloud infrastructure across multiple classification levels. How do you ensure compliance with DoD cybersecurity frameworks and best practices?
IaC Implementation and Management: Explain your experience implementing and managing Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions. How do you approach automation, configuration management, and cost optimization?
Security and Compliance: Discuss your experience with cybersecurity best practices, DoD cybersecurity frameworks, and privileged access controls. How do you ensure the security and compliance of cloud infrastructure?
Cloud Migration: Describe your experience leading cloud migration initiatives. How do you approach technical guidance, mentorship, and architecture decision-making?
Performance Optimization: Explain your experience with performance tuning, capacity planning, and cost optimization. How do you ensure the optimal performance and resource allocation of cloud infrastructure?

Company & Culture Questions:

Cloud Systems Administration: How do you approach cloud systems administration in a dynamic, team-oriented environment? What steps do you take to ensure the availability, scalability, and security of cloud infrastructure?
Cloud Migration Leadership: Describe your experience leading cloud migration initiatives. How do you collaborate with other teams, such as software development, data analytics, or cybersecurity, to drive successful migration projects?
Cloud Governance: How do you approach cloud governance in a large, complex organization? What steps do you take to ensure the security, compliance, and optimization of cloud infrastructure?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Cloud Infrastructure Projects: Highlight cloud infrastructure administration, management, and optimization projects, demonstrating expertise in virtual machines, containers, storage systems, and networking components.
IaC and Automation: Showcase experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions and scripting/automation skills, including examples of automated deployment, configuration management, and cost optimization.
Security and Compliance: Demonstrate experience with cybersecurity best practices, DoD cybersecurity frameworks, and compliance measures.
Leadership and Migration: Highlight cloud migration projects and leadership roles, including technical guidance, mentorship, and architecture decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation for this role focuses on cloud infrastructure management, security, and compliance, as well as leadership and migration experience. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate expertise in these areas and provide specific, practical examples of their work.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Cloud Systems Administrator position at Bowhead:

Update Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight cloud infrastructure management, security, and compliance experience, as well as leadership and migration projects.
Prepare Your Portfolio: Showcase cloud infrastructure administration, management, and optimization projects, demonstrating expertise in virtual machines, containers, storage systems, and networking components.
Research the Company: Familiarize yourself with Bowhead's mission, values, and culture, as well as the specific needs of the Nautical contract and Arlington, VA location.
Prepare for Technical Interviews: Brush up on cloud infrastructure management, security, and compliance concepts, as well as leadership and migration strategies. Practice system design and architecture discussions, focusing on cloud migration initiatives and technical leadership.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web development/server administration industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Cloud Systems Administrator