Engagement Architect - Cloud Architecture (FedRAMP) in Chicago, Illinois at Coalfire Systems

Coalfire builds and operates FedRAMP-compliant cloud environments for software companies entering the federal market. We’re looking for an Engagement Architect to serve as the technical owner of a client engagement—taking a signed contract and carrying it through architecture build, security control implementation, and a verified transition into managed operations. You’ll own active engagements: deep enough to be accountable for every technical outcome, focused enough to do it well. If you’re driven by a desire to innovate, excel at operational excellence, and thrive in a collaborative environment, come be part of a team committed to making the world a safer place.

• Own client engagements end-to-end: from contract signature through environment build, control implementation, automated evidence pipelines, and handoff to managed operations.
• Instantiate Coalfire’s reference architecture for the contracted certification level and cloud platform, adapting it to the client’s application and boundary.
• Lead implementation of security controls and the automation that continuously validates them—the evidence a modern FedRAMP certification runs on.
• Coordinate Coalfire’s engineering teams as they deploy their capabilities (identity, monitoring, change management, and more) into your engagement.
• Drive the build through defined quality gates, with a clean, measurable transition to operations—every in-scope control implemented, validated, and stable.
• Serve as the client’s primary technical counterpart: run technical working sessions, manage milestones and risks, and keep scope honest.
• Document architecture decisions and feed lessons from each build back into Coalfire’s standards.

· BS or above in a related Information Technology field or equivalent combination of education and experience

· 8+ years in cloud engineering or architecture, including 3+ years leading technical delivery for external clients

· Experience leading FedRAMP builds or authorizations—or equivalent depth in another regulated cloud regime (DoD impact levels, StateRAMP, PCI, HIPAA)

· Hands-on skill across infrastructure-as-code, identity and access management, logging and monitoring, and cloud networking on at least one major cloud platform (AWS, Azure, or GCP)

· Strong client-facing communication—able to explain an architecture decision to an engineer, a project sponsor, or an assessor

· Sound judgment about scope, risk, and when to escalate

· Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills

· Effective documentation skills, including technical diagrams and written descriptions

· Ability to work independently and as part of a team with a professional attitude and demeanor

· Critical thinking, and the ability to balance security requirements with mission needs

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS:

· Professional-level certification in AWS, Azure, or GCP

· Familiarity with FedRAMP 20x, Key Security Indicators (KSIs), and machine-readable compliance artifacts (OSCAL or JSON)

· Experience with productized or fixed-price delivery models

· Relevant certifications such as cloud platform professional/security certifications or CISSP

· Familiarity with configuration baseline standards such as CIS Benchmarks & DISA STIG

· Familiarity with frameworks such as FedRAMP, FISMA, HIPAA, HITRUST, or PCI