Senior IT & Cloud Solutions Architect / Manager

Description:

This position is responsible for the strategic planning, architecture, implementation, security, and management of NWD's information technology, cloud, cybersecurity, and emerging technology environment. The position partners with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to align technology solutions with business objectives, growth, and operational requirements.

The position will lead the development of secure, scalable cloud solutions while identifying opportunities to leverage Artificial Intelligence, automation, and emerging technologies to improve business performance and productivity. The successful candidate must have demonstrated experience with AWS and AWS GovCloud and working knowledge of CMMC Level 2, NIST SP 800-171, ITAR, DFARS, FedRAMP, and CUI requirements.

Responsibilities:

IT Strategy & Architecture:

• Develop and implement IT strategies, technology roadmaps, and architecture standards aligned with NWD's business objectives, growth plans, and operational requirements.
• Develop and maintain NWD's overall IT, infrastructure, cloud, application, data, and security architecture while evaluating emerging technologies for business value, scalability, security, and cost.
• Lead technology modernization, integration, migration, and implementation initiatives, including identification of opportunities to improve business processes through technology, automation, and AI.
• Partner with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to identify technology opportunities, risks, requirements, and priorities.

Cloud Solutions Architecture:

• Design, implement, and manage secure, scalable, and highly available cloud solutions, with an emphasis on AWS and AWS GovCloud.
• Architect cloud infrastructure, networking, identity and access management, compute, storage, monitoring, security, backup, and disaster recovery solutions, including secure integration with on-premises environments.
• Establish cloud governance, security, cost-management, and operational standards and utilize automation and Infrastructure as Code where appropriate.
• Lead cloud migration, modernization, and optimization initiatives.

Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technology:

• Develop and execute NWD's strategy for the responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, Machine Learning, and automation.
• Identify and implement opportunities to leverage AI to improve productivity, business processes, engineering support, knowledge management, and decision-making.
• Evaluate and implement AI platforms, tools, vendors, and emerging technologies based on business value, security, compliance, scalability, and cost.
• Design secure enterprise AI solutions and establish appropriate AI governance, data management, privacy, and acceptable-use practices to protect proprietary information, CUI, ITAR-controlled information, customer information, and other sensitive data.
• Lead AI proof-of-concept initiatives through implementation and production deployment while maintaining awareness of emerging technologies and opportunities.

System Administration & IT Operations:

• Manage and maintain servers, networks, cloud infrastructure, endpoints, and other IT systems to ensure performance, availability, reliability, and security.
• Provide technical leadership and direction to IT personnel, including IT System Administrator(s), and establish IT standards, procedures, and operational best practices.
• Address technical issues and provide appropriate end-user support while minimizing disruption to business operations.
• Maintain accurate documentation of IT systems, architecture, configurations, procedures, and operational processes.

FSO & Industrial Security:

• Serve as, or provide support to, NWD's Facility Security Officer (FSO) and oversee applicable industrial security requirements in accordance with the National Industrial Security Program (NISP) and government requirements.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for applicable government security representatives and support DCSA requirements, inspections, and assessments.
• Manage personnel security requirements, including security clearances, required reporting, security briefings, debriefings, and ongoing security responsibilities.
• Establish and maintain policies, procedures, records, training, and controls related to personnel, facility, information, and classified security requirements.
• Coordinate with IT, Engineering, Operations, and leadership to ensure industrial security requirements are incorporated into technology, facilities, business processes, customer engagements, and security incident response.

Security Management & Compliance:

• Implement and maintain cybersecurity protocols and technical controls to protect NWD's data, systems, networks, and users from cyber threats and unauthorized access.
• Lead efforts to achieve and maintain CMMC Level 2 and implement security controls aligned with NIST SP 800-171.
• Ensure IT systems and processes address ITAR, DFARS, FedRAMP, CUI, and other applicable government and defense-industry requirements.
• Establish and maintain appropriate identity and access management, encryption, network segmentation, logging, monitoring, vulnerability management, endpoint security, and other cybersecurity controls.
• Support cybersecurity assessments, audits, compliance activities, corrective actions, and maintenance of required policies, procedures, technical documentation, and evidence.

Vendor Management & Procurement:

• Evaluate, select, and manage third-party vendors, managed service providers, cloud providers, software providers, and other technology partners.
• Oversee the selection and procurement of hardware, software, cloud services, AI solutions, and other technology resources based on business, security, compliance, scalability, and cost requirements.
• Manage vendor relationships, service-level expectations, software licensing, renewals, and technology lifecycle planning.

Team Leadership:

• Supervise, mentor, and provide technical direction to IT professionals, including IT System Administrator(s).
• Establish goals, priorities, and performance expectations while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, security awareness, accountability, and customer service.
• Represent NWD professionally with employees, customers, vendors, government representatives, and external partners.

Budget Management:

• Develop and manage the IT department budget, ensuring cost-effectiveness and appropriate resource allocation.
• Develop technology investment recommendations and monitor IT spending, cloud costs, licensing, vendor expenses, and technology investments.

Backup, Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity:

• Implement and maintain backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity solutions to protect critical systems and data.
• Establish recovery objectives and regularly test and evaluate recovery processes to ensure business continuity.

IT Project Management:

• Lead and manage IT projects, including system upgrades, cloud migrations, infrastructure improvements, cybersecurity initiatives, AI implementations, and new technology deployments.
• Establish project objectives, timelines, resources, and deliverables and coordinate with internal teams, vendors, and external partners to successfully complete projects.

Training:

• Provide training and guidance to employees on IT systems, cybersecurity practices, cloud technologies, and approved AI tools.
• Promote security awareness and responsible technology use throughout the organization.