Solutions Architect

Lead the technical vision for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as it merges and modernizes its enterprise knowledge and data systems into a single, AI-driven platform, reducing manual effort, improving data accuracy, and enhancing transparency for stakeholders.

Own the architecture. Design a robust, modern enterprise architecture built on AWS, guided by the AWS Well-Architected Framework, the USDS playbook, and Twelve-Factor App principles, while minimizing on-premises footprint and maintaining strong disaster recovery.

Steer a seamless, low-risk transition and ongoing operations, meeting infrastructure and application availability SLAs without disrupting CMS’s core business.

Merge two systems without breaking either. Apply patterns like strangler-fig and cyclomatic-complexity analysis to identify, prioritize, and sequence refactor, integration, and modernization opportunities.

Design for change. Build modular systems using containerization, infrastructure as code, and CI/CD so the platform can flex with CMS’s evolving strategies and new initiatives.

Partner with the AI Lead to identify and architect automation opportunities, including LLM-driven and automated data-collection strategies.

Establish observability and insight. Work with the team to stand up continuous monitoring (CloudWatch, New Relic, Splunk) and turn performance, health, and cost data into decisions.

Be the bridge between technology and business. Translate stakeholder needs into technical direction and explain technical trade-offs to non-technical audiences with clarity.

Provide technical leadership and mentorship. Set engineering standards, guide the development team, and grow the technical capability of the people around you.

A bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field.

5+ years of experience in solutions architecture, software engineering, or systems engineering, including significant time architecting AWS cloud environments.

Deep expertise in AWS services, cloud architecture patterns, and modern best practices.

Strong command of modern engineering practices - microservices, containerization (Docker), infrastructure as code (Terraform, Ansible), and CI/CD (Jenkins, GitLab CI).

A track record of leading the technical direction of complex, distributed systems and guiding engineering teams.

Proficiency in one or more programming/scripting languages (e.g., Python, Bash, Go) and the credibility that comes from having built things yourself.

Excellent communication skills, with a real talent for presenting complex technical concepts to both engineers and stakeholders.

You’ve previously worked with CMS.

You have experience working in AI, NLP, or LLM-driven environments - specially hosting models securely within a cloud environment.

You have familiarity with FISMA boundaries, ATO/cATO, and federal security frameworks (RMF, ARS, IS2P2).

Even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications, we encourage you to apply. At Skyward, we’re focused on hiring individuals with the right skills and passion to grow, not just checking off every box.

Medical, dental, vision insurance

15 days of paid leave

7 days of sick leave

2 days bereavement leave

11 paid Federal holidays

Up to 40 hours for jury duty

401K with 4% employer contribution (and no vesting period)

Up to 4 weeks of paid paternity and maternity leave

Company provided laptop

$5,000 per year for professional development

$600 per year for technical supplies and equipment

$2,000 referral bonus

Life and disability insurance

HSA and FSA

Legal Shield and ID Shield Voluntary Benefits

Opportunity to work in a collaborative, motivated team focused on modernizing government services with cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions. Who says government work can't be exciting!