We are seeking an experienced Cloud Architect to join our State and Local Platforms and Data Managed Services team. In this key role, you will design, implement, and manage cloud solutions across a diverse portfolio of client environments. You will be responsible for architecting secure, scalable, and resilient cloud infrastructures, while ensuring ongoing optimization, compliance, and client satisfaction. This is not a single-client or in-house environment: you will juggle multiple projects and maintenance responsibilities for various organizations under strict SLAs. This is a remote position that may require periodic travel to customer facilities. Candidate must be within commuting distance of Columbia, SC.
Essential Duties:
- Design, deploy, and optimize cloud architectures (AWS, Azure, GCP, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and/or hybrid environments) for multiple clients in line with industry best practices and compliance standards.
- Collaborate with client stakeholders and internal service delivery teams to translate business requirements into scalable, cost-effective, repeatable cloud solutions.
- Serve as a subject matter expert on cloud technologies, including Oracle IaaS/PaaS services, infrastructure automation, and cloud-native application design for multiple client accounts.
- Lead client onboarding and cloud migration projects, ensuring minimal disruption and adherence to security and compliance requirements.
- Monitor and proactively manage cloud environments, leveraging monitoring tools to identify and remediate issues under contractual SLAs.
- Partner with our Network Operations Center (NOC) and Service Desk to respond to incidents, troubleshoot cloud-related issues, and manage escalations.
- Develop and maintain standardized Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) templates, deployment pipelines, and automation scripts for repetitive client needs.
- Stay updated on the latest cloud service offerings, cost-saving opportunities, and security best practices; advise clients on strategic improvements and modernization.
- Maintain accurate and detailed documentation for client environments, architecture diagrams, and standard operating procedures.
- Assist with pre-sales activities including technical scoping, effort estimation, and proposal development for potential clients.
- Implement and manage multi-tenant cloud environments ensuring secure resource separation, cost tracking, and compliance for each client.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of our managed services processes and cloud management frameworks.
Required Skills & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field; or equivalent work experience.
- 5+ years hands-on experience designing, implementing, and supporting cloud infrastructure in a managed services, MSP, or consulting environment.
- Deep expertise with at least one cloud platform (AWS, Azure, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), or GCP); multi-cloud or hybrid experience highly preferred.
- Proficient in IaC tools such as Terraform, ARM, CloudFormation, Oracle Resource Manager, or Ansible.
- Strong understanding of networking, identity and access management, security best practices, and monitoring in the cloud.
- Experience with automation, CI/CD pipelines, and containerization (Kubernetes, Docker, etc.).
- Demonstrated experience with ITIL, service management frameworks, and MSP-specific toolsets (ServiceNow, etc.).
- Excellent interpersonal, client communication, and project management skills.
- Able to work efficiently in a fast-paced, multi-client, SLA-driven environment.
Desired Skills & Experience
- Strategic thinker with the ability to align technical solutions with business goals.
- Industry certifications (e.g., AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Google Professional Cloud Architect, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Architect Associate or Professional, CISSP, etc.) are a strong plus.
- Familiarity with Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), TIC 3.0, and security controls
- Exposure to AI/ML tooling within AWS, Azure, Oracle Cloud and/or Google (e.g., Bedrock, SageMaker, Comprehend, Lex, Azure OpenAI, Gemini)
- Ability to mentor and guide technical teams.
# LI-SA1
The SMX salary determination process takes into account a number of factors, including but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories, relevant prior work experience, specific skills, education and certifications. At SMX, one of our Core Values is to Invest in Our People so we offer a competitive mix of compensation, learning & development opportunities, and benefits. Some key components of our robust benefits include health insurance, paid leave, and retirement.
At SMX®, we are a team of technical and domain experts dedicated to enabling your mission. From priority national security initiatives for the DoD to highly assured and compliant solutions for healthcare, we understand that digital transformation is key to your future success.
We share your vision for the future and strive to accelerate your impact on the world. We bring both cutting edge technology and an expansive view of what’s possible to every engagement. Our delivery model and unique approaches harness our deep technical and domain knowledge, providing forward-looking insights and practical solutions to power secure mission acceleration.
SMX is an Equal Opportunity employer including disabilities and veterans.
Selected applicant may be subject to a background investigation and/or education verification.
SMX does not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization or immigration related support for this position (i.e. H1B, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, TN, E-2, E-3, L-1 and O-1, or any EADs or other forms of work authorization that require immigration support from an employer).
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field; or equivalent work experience.
- 5+ years hands-on experience designing, implementing, and supporting cloud infrastructure in a managed services, MSP, or consulting environment.
- Deep expertise with at least one cloud platform (AWS, Azure, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), or GCP); multi-cloud or hybrid experience highly preferred.
- Proficient in Infrastructure-as-Code tools such as Terraform, ARM, CloudFormation, Oracle Resource Manager, or Ansible.
- Strong understanding of networking, identity and access management, security best practices, and monitoring in the cloud.
- Experience with automation, CI/CD pipelines, and containerization (Kubernetes, Docker, etc.).
- Demonstrated experience with ITIL, service management frameworks, and MSP-specific toolsets (ServiceNow, etc.).
- Excellent interpersonal, client communication, and project management skills.
- Able to work efficiently in a fast-paced, multi-client, SLA-driven environment.
- Must be within commuting distance of Columbia, SC (remote with periodic onsite travel).
- Industry certifications (e.g., AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Google Professional Cloud Architect, OCI Architect, CISSP).
- Familiarity with Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), TIC 3.0, and security controls.
- Exposure to AI/ML tooling within cloud platforms (e.g., Bedrock, SageMaker, Comprehend, Lex, Azure OpenAI, Gemini).
- Ability to mentor and guide technical teams.
SMX Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about SMX and has not been reviewed or approved by SMX.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Salary ranges are publicly listed on many postings and a pay transparency statement clarifies how location, contract, and credentials influence offers. This visibility helps set clear expectations around compensation.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — About four weeks of PTO plus 11 paid federal holidays are highlighted in careers materials. Paid military leave on some roles further expands time‑off coverage.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with a dollar‑for‑dollar match on the first 5% and immediate vesting is called out in role descriptions. Traditional and Roth options support long‑term savings.
SMX Insights
What We Do
SMX is a global technology and advanced engineering provider specializing in Cloud Solutions, C5ISR, and Advanced Engineering / IT. Our tradition of delivering innovative, technical solutions dates back to 1995, however, you may know us better by one of our legacy company names: Trident Technologies, Smartronix, Datastrong, or C2S Consulting Group. With the support of OceanSound Partners, our private equity investment sponsor, we began operating as one business starting in 2019 and became SMX in 2021. We operate in close proximity to our clients around the globe and have core locations in Alabama, California, the DC Metro, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, and Massachusetts. Today, as SMX, we are one team and together empower government and commercial enterprises to become more effective, innovative, and resilient, no matter what challenges they face. SMX offers competitive benefits, excellent work environments, and growth opportunities for our employees while continuing to expand operations and support our communities. We have more than 25 years of rapid and consistent growth with continuous recognition as an employer-of-choice technology company. In addition, we have earned coveted industry quality and business certifications; have a strong commitment to business partnerships, ethics, compliance, and sustainability; and have a multitude of premier contracting vehicles. The combination of these attributes allows us to provide sound, repeatable business solutions yet remain flexible and agile to quickly adapt to specific customer requirements. Committed to ensuring the highest levels of customer satisfaction, SMX is structured around the programs and technologies we support to provide optimal and seamless operations. We have maintained a reputation for excellence, helping to assure the missions of our Department of Defense, Public Sector, Fortune 1000, and other Government and commercial customers.
