Job Details

Amazon Web Service (AWS) Operations Engineer

Nakupuna Consulting seeks an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Operations Engineer with strong technical expertise and Agile experience to serve as a technical contributor and to enforce Agile processes across the Systems Administration team. The AWS Operations Engineer will provide hands-on engineering support in an AWS GovCloud and Microsoft Windows Server 2022 environment, while facilitating Agile practices to ensure priorities are executed efficiently and in alignment with customer direction. The candidate will support a team of 4–5 Systems Administrators and AWS Operations Engineers, collaborating with contractor and government IT professionals to accomplish system architecture and sustainment objectives.

Responsibilities

• Perform operational tasks in the AWS Console including provisioning and managing Amazon EC2 instances, configuring backup policies, managing credentials, and reviewing logs.
• Configure and manage EC2 management tools such as AWS Config, Systems Manager, and Patch Manager.
• Develop and maintain AWS Lambda functions to automate operational processes.
• Support security and operational implementations with AWS-native technologies, ensuring compliance with DoD requirements.
• Propose and evaluate the use of new AWS technologies, and recommend modernization paths to improve efficiency and security.
• Support DevSecOps practices including automated testing, release pipelines, and deployment using AWS CodePipeline and related components.
• Assist migration to serverless AWS offerings to reduce operational footprint on EC2 instances.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for AWS GovCloud and Windows Server 2022 environments.
• Harden systems per DoD Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs) and support compliance documentation.
• Assist with patching and remediation of Information Assurance Vulnerability Alerts (IAVAs).
• Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), technical documentation, and reporting on system operations.
• Conduct compliance reporting and weekly data reconciliation and audits.
• Support upgrades to server operating systems and applications as needed.
• Coordinate with other system tools and services including Active Directory (AD), SCCM, ACAS, and Trellix Endpoint Security.

Qualifications

• Skills/Qualifications: Strong technical expertise in AWS GovCloud and Microsoft Windows Server environments.
• Familiarity with AWS services: GuardDuty, Security Hub, AWS Inspector, IAM Access Analyzer, Detective, CloudWatch, CloudTrail, Athena, CloudFormation, Terraform.
• Experience serving as a Scrum Master or facilitating Agile practices within IT operations.
• Excellent technical, organizational, decision-making, and analytical skills.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage both technical staff and executive stakeholders.
• Ability to enforce program best practices (ticketing, documentation, reporting).
• Familiarity with DoD IT environments, compliance requirements, and cybersecurity standards.
• Ability to adapt in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and support teams across geographically dispersed locations.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field from an accredited institution, or equivalent years of related work or military experience.
• Minimum of 6–8 years of relevant professional experience, including systems administration and cloud operations.
• Experience supporting DoD IT environments preferred.

Certifications

• Required: Active IAT II Certification (e.g., CCNA Security, CySA+, GICSP, GSEC, Security+ CE, SSCP) and at least one Microsoft/Windows OS certification.
• Preferred: AWS certification (e.g., SysOps Administrator Associate, Solutions Architect Associate) and Scrum Master or other Agile-related certification.

Clearance & Citizenship

• Must currently have at least a Secret level security clearance. Must be a U.S. citizen.

Work Location

• Position may be based in Arlington, VA or Honolulu, HI.
• Must be on-site at least three (3) days per week.
• Occasional travel (1–2 weeks per year) within the Continental U.S. or to Hawaii may be required.
• This position may require working outside of normal business hours, including evenings and weekends, to meet operational or project demands.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform repetitive motions with the hands, wrists, and fingers.
• Ability to engage in and follow audible communications in emergency situations.
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods at a desk and work on a computer.

Note: This description reflects the role as described and excludes unrelated content and notices not pertinent to the responsibilities or qualifications of the AWS Operations Engineer position.