📍 Job Overview

• Job Title: Principal Platform Cloud Architect (Onsite)
• Company: RTX
• Location: Aurora, CO
• Job Type: On-site
• Category: Cloud Architecture & Engineering
• Date Posted: 2025-06-12
• Experience Level: 10+ years

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the delivery of a private cloud infrastructure for a premier program, focusing on cost model savings initiatives.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to streamline schedules, monitor ICITE efficiencies, and create/ review design documentation.
• Leverage industry best practices and capabilities to deploy, implement, modernize, and support DevOps solutions.
• Monitor and analyze AWS cloud spending, implement cost management tools, and maintain cost forecasts.
• Identify and facilitate cost-savings opportunities through resource optimization, instance sizing, and Reserved Instance purchases.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in cloud architecture, DevOps, and cost optimization strategies to effectively manage and reduce cloud expenses while ensuring high availability and performance.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

• Cloud Cost Management & Optimization:

  • Monitor and analyze AWS cloud spending across accounts and services.
  • Implement and maintain cloud cost management tools and dashboards.
  • Maintain annual cloud cost forecasts and support forecasting future expenses.
  • Monitor ICITE efficiency metrics and manage annual exception requests.
  • Identify and facilitate execution of cost-savings opportunities through resource optimization.

• Technical Optimization:

  • Optimize instance sizing, Reserved Instance purchases, and compute savings plans.
  • Establish and document cost optimization best practices.
  • Identify and eliminate unused or underutilized resources.

• Stakeholder Management:

  • Collaborate with component architects and chief architects to design cost-efficient solutions.
  • Interface with program leadership on cost optimization strategies and reporting.
  • Act as a liaison to AWS TAMs to facilitate AWS support for cost optimization efforts.
  • Coordinate with SETAs relative to cloud cost and ICITE-related activities, including quarterly RI purchase recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The candidate should possess excellent communication skills to effectively collaborate with various teams and stakeholders, ensuring alignment with cost optimization goals and technical requirements.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) is required.

Experience:

• 10+ years of systems engineering experience, with a focus on cloud architecture and design.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing cloud solutions, including network architecture, security, and high availability.
• Experience with DevOps practices, automation, infrastructure as code, and other DevOps principles.
• Experience with cloud migration, containerization, orchestration, and database administration is preferred.
• Proficiency in programming and scripting languages such as Python, Java, or other scripting languages.

Required Skills:

• Cloud Architecture & Design
• DevOps Practices & Automation
• Infrastructure as Code
• Cloud Migration & Containerization
• Database Administration
• Programming & Scripting
• Cloud Management & Monitoring
• Cloud Security & Compliance
• Problem-solving & Analytical Skills

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with AWS cloud services and tools.
• Familiarity with cloud cost management tools and best practices.
• Knowledge of ICITE efficiency metrics and monitoring.
• Experience with security clearance processes and compliance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates with experience in government or defense contracting environments may have an advantage in understanding the unique requirements and constraints of this role.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Cloud Architecture & Design Projects: Highlight projects demonstrating your expertise in cloud architecture, design, and optimization.
• Cost Optimization Case Studies: Include case studies showcasing your ability to identify and implement cost-saving strategies in cloud environments.
• DevOps & Automation Projects: Display projects that showcase your proficiency in DevOps practices, automation, and infrastructure as code.
• Security & Compliance Projects: Highlight projects that demonstrate your understanding of cloud security best practices and compliance requirements.

Technical Documentation:

• Cloud Architecture & Design Documentation: Provide detailed documentation outlining your approach to cloud architecture, design, and optimization strategies.
• Cost Optimization Strategies: Document your methodology for identifying and implementing cost-saving opportunities in cloud environments.
• DevOps & Automation Scripts: Include scripts and code samples that demonstrate your proficiency in DevOps practices, automation, and infrastructure as code.
• Security & Compliance Policies: Provide documentation outlining your understanding of cloud security best practices and compliance requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: As this role requires a security clearance, candidates should be prepared to discuss their understanding of and commitment to maintaining security and compliance standards in cloud environments.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $101,000 - $203,000 USD per year. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function, and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-term & Long-term Disability
• 401(k) Match, Flexible Spending Accounts, Flexible Work Schedules
• Employee Assistance Program, Employee Scholar Program, Parental Leave, Paid Time Off, Holidays

Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is a good faith estimate and may vary based on the candidate's experience, education, and other factors. RTX offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and work-life balance initiatives.

🎯 Team & Company Context

Company Culture:

• Industry: Defense and Aerospace
• Company Size: Large (10,000+ employees)
• Founded: 1922
• Team Structure: The Principal Platform Cloud Architect will work within a multi-disciplinary team consisting of systems engineers, cloud architects, DevOps engineers, and other technical specialists.
• Development Methodology: Agile/Scrum methodologies are used for cloud project management and delivery.
• Company Website: RTX Website

📝 Enhancement Note: RTX values safety, trust, respect, accountability, collaboration, and innovation. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their alignment with these core values and how they have demonstrated them in previous roles.

Career & Growth Analysis:

• Web Technology Career Level: Senior/Principal Cloud Architect
• Reporting Structure: The Principal Platform Cloud Architect will report directly to the Cloud Architecture & Engineering Manager and collaborate with various teams, including program management, customer management, and other technical specialists.
• Technical Impact: This role has a significant impact on the program's cost model, cloud infrastructure, and overall technical strategy.
• Growth Opportunities:
  • Technical Leadership: Candidates may have the opportunity to mentor junior team members, contribute to architecture decisions, and drive cloud optimization strategies.
  • Emerging Technologies: RTX invests in emerging technologies, providing opportunities for candidates to gain experience with cutting-edge cloud platforms and tools.
  • Career Progression: Candidates may have the opportunity to advance to a Principal or Senior Principal Cloud Architect role, depending on their performance and the organization's needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: RTX offers a clear path for career progression and professional development, with opportunities for candidates to grow both technically and managerially within the organization.

Work Environment:

• Office Type: On-site, with a collaborative workspace designed to facilitate team interaction and knowledge sharing.
• Office Location(s): Aurora, CO
• Workspace Context:
  • Collaboration: The workspace is designed to encourage cross-functional collaboration between cloud architects, DevOps engineers, and other technical specialists.
  • Development Tools: RTX provides access to industry-leading cloud architecture and design tools, as well as development environments for automation and scripting tasks.
  • Team Interaction: The workspace is designed to facilitate team interaction, with dedicated spaces for meetings, brainstorming sessions, and training events.

Work Schedule:

• Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexible scheduling options to support work-life balance.
• Deployment Windows: Candidates should be prepared to work during deployment windows and maintenance periods as needed to ensure minimal downtime and optimal performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: RTX is committed to providing a flexible and supportive work environment that enables employees to balance their professional and personal lives effectively.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

• Technical Preparation: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their cloud architecture and design experience, cost optimization strategies, and DevOps methodologies. Familiarize yourself with RTX's cloud environment, tools, and best practices.
• Cloud Architecture & Design Assessment: Be prepared to present and discuss your approach to cloud architecture and design, including network architecture, security, and high availability considerations.
• Cost Optimization Strategies: Demonstrate your ability to identify and implement cost-saving opportunities in cloud environments, and be prepared to discuss your approach to cloud cost management and optimization.
• DevOps & Automation Assessment: Showcase your proficiency in DevOps practices, automation, and infrastructure as code, and be prepared to discuss your experience with cloud migration, containerization, and orchestration.
• Final Evaluation: Demonstrate your understanding of RTX's cloud environment, tools, and best practices, and be prepared to discuss your alignment with the company's values and culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Cloud Architecture & Design Projects: Highlight projects that demonstrate your expertise in cloud architecture, design, and optimization, and be prepared to discuss your approach to network architecture, security, and high availability.
• Cost Optimization Case Studies: Include case studies that showcase your ability to identify and implement cost-saving strategies in cloud environments, and be prepared to discuss your methodology for cloud cost management and optimization.
• DevOps & Automation Projects: Display projects that showcase your proficiency in DevOps practices, automation, and infrastructure as code, and be prepared to discuss your experience with cloud migration, containerization, and orchestration.
• Security & Compliance Projects: Highlight projects that demonstrate your understanding of cloud security best practices and compliance requirements, and be prepared to discuss your approach to maintaining security and compliance in cloud environments.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

• Cloud Architecture & Design: Familiarize yourself with RTX's cloud environment, tools, and best practices, and be prepared to discuss your approach to cloud architecture and design, including network architecture, security, and high availability considerations.
• Cost Optimization Strategies: Research RTX's cloud cost management tools and best practices, and be prepared to discuss your approach to identifying and implementing cost-saving opportunities in cloud environments.
• DevOps & Automation: Brush up on your skills in DevOps practices, automation, and infrastructure as code, and be prepared to discuss your experience with cloud migration, containerization, and orchestration.

📝 Enhancement Note: RTX values candidates who can demonstrate their ability to think critically, solve complex problems, and adapt to new technologies and environments.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Cloud Platform: AWS (Amazon Web Services)

Cloud Services:

• Compute: Amazon EC2, AWS Lambda, AWS Fargate
• Storage: Amazon S3, Amazon EBS, Amazon Glacier
• Databases: Amazon RDS, Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Redshift
• Networking: Amazon VPC, AWS Direct Connect, AWS Transit Gateway
• Security & Compliance: AWS IAM, AWS Shield, AWS WAF, AWS Certificate Manager
• Monitoring & Logging: Amazon CloudWatch, AWS CloudTrail, AWS X-Ray

DevOps & Automation Tools:

• Infrastructure as Code: Terraform, AWS CloudFormation
• Configuration Management: Ansible, Puppet
• Containerization & Orchestration: Docker, Kubernetes, Amazon EKS
• CI/CD Pipelines: Jenkins, AWS CodePipeline, AWS CodeBuild
• Version Control: Git, GitHub, AWS CodeCommit

📝 Enhancement Note: RTX uses a combination of open-source and proprietary tools to manage and automate its cloud infrastructure. Candidates should be familiar with the tools listed above and be prepared to discuss their experience with cloud infrastructure management and automation.

👥 Team Culture & Values

RTX Values:

• Safety: RTX prioritizes the safety of its employees, customers, and the communities in which it operates.
• Trust: RTX fosters a culture of trust, integrity, and ethical behavior.
• Respect: RTX values diversity, inclusion, and the unique perspectives that each employee brings to the organization.
• Accountability: RTX holds its employees accountable for their actions and decisions, and encourages a culture of continuous improvement.
• Collaboration: RTX values collaboration and teamwork, and encourages employees to work together to achieve common goals.
• Innovation: RTX fosters a culture of innovation, encouraging employees to think creatively and challenge the status quo.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: RTX encourages collaboration between cloud architects, DevOps engineers, and other technical specialists, as well as with program management, customer management, and other stakeholders.
• Code Review Culture: RTX values a culture of code review and peer programming, ensuring that best practices and quality standards are maintained.
• Knowledge Sharing: RTX encourages knowledge sharing and mentoring, providing opportunities for employees to learn from one another and grow both technically and professionally.

📝 Enhancement Note: RTX values candidates who can demonstrate their ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, and contribute to a positive and inclusive team culture.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

• Cloud Cost Optimization: Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities in a complex and dynamic cloud environment.
• Security & Compliance: Maintain security and compliance in a multi-cloud environment, ensuring that best practices and industry standards are met.
• Emerging Technologies: Stay up-to-date with the latest cloud technologies, tools, and best practices, and be prepared to adapt to new environments and requirements.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Technical Skill Development: RTX offers opportunities for candidates to gain experience with cutting-edge cloud platforms, tools, and best practices, and to develop their technical skills in a dynamic and supportive environment.
• Mentorship & Leadership Development: RTX provides opportunities for candidates to mentor junior team members, contribute to architecture decisions, and drive cloud optimization strategies, fostering their growth as technical leaders within the organization.
• Career Progression: RTX offers a clear path for career progression, with opportunities for candidates to advance to Principal or Senior Principal Cloud Architect roles, depending on their performance and the organization's needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: RTX values candidates who are committed to continuous learning and professional development, and who are eager to take on new challenges and grow both technically and managerially within the organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

• Cloud Architecture & Design: How would you approach designing a highly available and secure cloud architecture for a mission-critical application? What tools and best practices would you use to ensure optimal performance and cost-efficiency?
• Cost Optimization Strategies: How would you identify and implement cost-saving opportunities in a complex cloud environment? What tools and methodologies would you use to monitor and manage cloud costs effectively?
• DevOps & Automation: How would you automate the deployment and management of cloud resources using infrastructure as code (IaC) tools? What best practices would you follow to ensure consistency, reliability, and scalability in your IaC implementations?

Company & Culture Questions:

• RTX Values: How do you align with RTX's core values, and how have you demonstrated these values in previous roles? Can you provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond to ensure the safety, trust, respect, accountability, collaboration, and innovation within your team or organization?
• Cloud Environment & Tools: How familiar are you with RTX's cloud environment, tools, and best practices? Can you discuss your experience with AWS, Terraform, Ansible, and other relevant tools, and how you have used them to manage and automate cloud infrastructure in previous roles?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Cloud Architecture & Design Projects: Present your approach to cloud architecture and design, including network architecture, security, and high availability considerations. Be prepared to discuss your use of AWS services, Terraform, and other relevant tools to implement and manage cloud infrastructure.
• Cost Optimization Case Studies: Present your methodology for identifying and implementing cost-saving opportunities in cloud environments. Be prepared to discuss your use of AWS cost management tools, best practices, and other relevant tools to monitor and manage cloud costs effectively.
• DevOps & Automation Projects: Present your proficiency in DevOps practices, automation, and infrastructure as code. Be prepared to discuss your experience with cloud migration, containerization, orchestration, and other relevant tools to automate the deployment and management of cloud resources.

📝 Enhancement Note: RTX values candidates who can demonstrate their ability to think critically, solve complex problems, and adapt to new technologies and environments. Be prepared to discuss your approach to cloud architecture, design, cost optimization, and automation, and how you have applied these skills in previous roles to drive success and innovation.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Principal Platform Cloud Architect (Onsite) role at RTX:

1. Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your cloud architecture, design, cost optimization, and DevOps experience, and ensure that your resume is tailored to the specific requirements and qualifications listed in the job description.
2. Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure that your portfolio showcases your expertise in cloud architecture, design, cost optimization, and automation, and be prepared to discuss your approach to these disciplines in the interview process.
3. Research RTX: Familiarize yourself with RTX's cloud environment, tools, and best practices, and be prepared to discuss your alignment with the company's values and culture.
4. Prepare for Technical Interviews: Brush up on your cloud architecture, design, cost optimization, and automation skills, and be prepared to discuss your approach to these disciplines in the interview process. Familiarize yourself with RTX's cloud environment, tools, and best practices, and be prepared to discuss your experience with AWS, Terraform, Ansible, and other relevant tools.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web technology industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with RTX before making application decisions.