Senior Principal Cloud Architect

Iridium is an award-winning and innovative satellite communications company with bragging rights to the only network that offers voice and data connectivity anywhere in the world. For over 20 years, Iridium’s unique network and services have supported critical communications needs for individuals, businesses, and the evolving Internet of Things.

At Iridium, we understand the importance of staying connected and the limitations of traditional communications networks. People across the globe, including first responders, humanitarians, global militaries, scientific researchers, and lone workers, as well as ships, aircraft and remote operations all rely on Iridium to stay connected. We take our responsibility for providing these essential communications very seriously and pride ourselves on offering a reliable lifeline when needed. Likewise, Iridium is committed to providing an exciting and innovative workplace, where employees are challenged to think outside the box and collaborate on new, bold ideas and solutions. Our talented teams are passionate about their work and the impact our company makes around the world. Iridium fosters an empowering and inclusive culture that allows employees to genuinely be their best selves. We are looking for others who want to join this truly unique company that celebrates our employees and provides the opportunity to truly make a difference in the world.

What We’re Looking For

Iridium is seeking a motivated Senior Principal Cloud Architect to join our Government focused System Architecture Team on a Space Development Agency (SDA) project. As a Senior Principal Cloud Architect, you’ll work closely with the Senior Technical Management Team and be responsible for implementing continuous improvements cross-functionally, by setting objectives and effectively managing multiple priorities, as it relates to actual deployment methodologies, delivery of high-quality results and complex solutions, and subsequent senior-level support to the Cloud team responsible for deployed solutions. In this role, your primary focus will be to lead design activities related to the deployment, use, and servicability of government utilized Cloud Systems following commercial best practices to ensure rapid integration is possible. You’ll be successful in this role if you enjoy developing a long term vision, working closely with cross-functional teams to establish best practices, create roadmaps, and actively deploy highly available, secure cross domain cloud-based solutions, and deliver on that strategic vision.

This position requires an active/current Top Secret Security Clearance or the ability to obtain a Top Secret Security Clearance (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active).

What You’ll Do

• Spearhead the development of Cloud deployment options for government cross-domain programs, encompassing both development and operational environments
• Design and implement solutions to guarantee that our safety-of-life services adhere to telecommunication-level service availability goals
• Analyze and conceptualize options for creating Digital Twin solutions within cloud-native and hybrid architectures, particularly to address Satellite Vendor Operational Technology needs
• Take a lead role in setting architectural patterns for new developments and act as a catalyst for change within government divisions, ensuring overall corporate governance
• Manage competing constraints for both long-term goals and operational requirements when architecting solutions, balancing innovation with practicality
• Provide subject matter expertise to ensure architectural plans are effectively communicated and well-documented, fostering an evolvable and sustainable system architecture
• Implement improvements by setting objectives and adeptly managing multiple priorities, driving continuous enhancement of our architectural landscape
  
  
  

What You’ll Need to Succeed

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field OR equivalent relevant experience in lieu of degree
• 15 years experience as a Cloud Solutions Architect or similar role, with a strong background in designing and implementing cloud-based solutions for government or enterprise-level programs
• 5 years of relevant government experience in cross domain Cloud-based solutions
• 5 years of relevant experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Terraform, CloudFormation, Ansible or similar tools
• 5 years of relevant experience with Software as a service (SaaS) solutions, specifically related to the creation of Digital Twin environments
• Must possess the ability to create and present complex solutions in diagrams and presentation formats
• Experience with Remote Virtual display connections to Cloud hosted solutions (egs AWS Workspace) in an Operations-focused, Mission Critical, Secure space
• Experience with configuration management, green/blue deployments and CI/CD for cloud-native solutions, as well as high availability architectural design patterns needed to meet telecom grade availability requirements
• Fluency in security best practices for cloud-native solutions
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present information, drive discussion, and respond to difficult scenarios with limited preparation across all employee groups
• The ability to build productive relationships with all levels of leadership and promote collaboration across multiple partners, and internal departments, with the ability to convey abstract, complex concepts clearly, simply and confidently
• Be able to think on your feet to respond to difficult situations and resolve issues, including being able to generate compelling architectural options, and support a team decision process to balance long-term goals with short-term constraints and operational concerns
• Must possess good judgement and decisiveness
• Actively looks for ways to enhance and improve current processes and procedures
• Skilled at managing multiple priorities while ensuring that work is of high quality
• Must be proactive in seeking out knowledge and sharing what you’ve learned with others
• Act as a business partner and collaborate to align others with your vision
  
  
  

Things That Would be Great if You Brought to the Table

• AWS Solutions Architect Professional, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, or similar certification demonstrating advanced expertise in cloud architecture and design.
  
  
  

We’ll also need you to

• Be onsite to support in-person discussions, meetings, on a regular basis (2-3 days a week)
• Be on call with the ability to support virtual meetings across various timezones
• Be able to travel up to 15% to various Iridium/partner sites
• US Citizenship required
  
  
  

Work Environment

This position primarily works in the company office or in a home office. The position is largely sedentary with the majority of the position sitting in a chair and working with a computer. The role uses basic office equipment including a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse and printer. For meetings in-person, this position will need to be able stand, walk within the office and climb stairs on occasion.

Iridium is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or status as a protected veteran. EOE of Minorities/Females/Vets/Disability and other protected categories.