CDAO - War Data Platform - Senior Cloud Engineer
✨ AI Summary
The Department of War's Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office is hiring a Senior Cloud Engineer to build and sustain secure, scalable cloud infrastructure for its War Data Platform, which powers AI and analytics across 700+ data sources. The role requires expertise in cloud-native services, containerization, and Infrastructure as Code using Terraform and Ansible, with a focus on DevSecOps and multi-enclave environments. Candidates must be U.S. citizens with a Top Secret/SCI security clearance and possess advanced computing concepts to lead technical modernization efforts. The position offers a pay scale of $139,395-$197,200 and is based in Arlington, Virginia.
JOA: CDAO-2026-000114
Pay Scale: $139,395-$197,200
Open Date: 31 August 2026
War Data Platform (WDP) expands the legacy (Advana) Department of War core data integration layer to provide standardized, high-quality data essential for accelerating decision advantage for the warfighter and powers analytics across the DoW. WDP partners with 55+ DoW organizations and empowers DoW users, systems, and agents by providing data products and analytics using over 700+ data sources. In direct support of the Artificial Intelligence Strategy for the Department of War, the War Data Platform is one of DoW’s most vital data platforms for AI exploitation and mission advantage.
As a Senior Cloud Engineer for the War Data Platform (WDP), you will serve as a technical authority applying advanced computing concepts, cloud architecture, and modern DevSecOps practices to build and sustain enterprise-grade infrastructure. You will provide expert guidance to senior leadership, resolve novel technical challenges, and drive modernization efforts across multi-enclave cloud environments supporting AI/ML workflows and warfighter analytics.
- Design, deploy, and manage scalable, secure, and highly available cloud infrastructure across security enclaves, leveraging cloud-native and open-source compute, storage, networking, and containerization services to support mission-critical workloads.
- Develop and maintain IaC using tools such as Terraform and Ansible to automate provisioning, configuration, and lifecycle management, ensuring repeatable, consistent, and compliant deployments.
- Monitor infrastructure health, performance, and cost utilization; implement optimization strategies (rightsizing, auto-scaling, intelligent storage tiering) to maximize efficiency and reduce operational expenditures.
- Collaborate with DevSecOps, security, and application development teams to implement cloud architectures aligned with DoW cybersecurity frameworks, accreditation requirements, and Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) to maintain continuous authorization.
- Support cloud migrations, technology refresh cycles, and platform modernization by evaluating emerging technologies, improving CI/CD deployment pipelines, and providing technical expertise for acquisition strategies.
- Oversee mixed civilian and contractor engineering teams executing cloud engineering and infrastructure initiatives across the platform lifecycle.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- U.S. Citizenship is required.
- Candidate is encouraged to provide e-portfolio, project samples, Github, etc. to their submission package.
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration
- This position is subject to provisions of the WHS/OSW Priority Placement Program (please see details below)
- A three-year trial period may be required if not previously completed a trial or probationary period in the excepted or competitive service
- Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
- Required to participate in the direct deposit program.
- This position is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing.
- We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of the closing date.
- Recruitment, relocation, or retention incentives may be authorized based on the availability of funds.
- This position requires a Top Secret/ Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) security clearance.
- If you are a veteran claiming veteran's preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must submit documents verifying your eligibility with your application package.
- This position may require work other than normal duty hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and/or holidays and/or mandatory overtime.
- This position may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station via military or commercial aircraft.
About the Company
The Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) leads and oversees the Department of Defense's strategy development and policy formulation for data, analytics, and AI. It works to break down barriers to data and AI adoption, creates enabling digital infrastructure and services, selectively scales proven digital and AI-enabled solutions for enterprise and joint use cases, and surges digital services for rapid response to crises and emergent challenges.