Entry Level Automation Engineer Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Koniag Technology Solutions, a Koniag Government Services company, is seeking a motivated Junior Cloud Engineer to join a focused, dynamic team supporting cloud service offerings for a government agency undergoing cloud modernization and migration. The ideal candidate is an eager team-player with foundational knowledge of cloud services and computing across one or more major cloud platforms, a passion for automation and continuous learning, and the ability to collaborate effectively within a fast-paced, agile environment. This position requires an active Secret Clearance to support our government customer.

We offer competitive compensation and an extraordinary benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance, 401K with company matching, flexible spending accounts, paid holidays, three weeks paid time off, and more.

The Junior Cloud Engineer will serve as a contributing member of a focused, small team responsible for supporting cloud service offerings used by a federal agency to modernize and migrate systems to the cloud. Working under the guidance of senior engineers and the team lead, the Junior Cloud Engineer will assist in the design, implementation, and day-to-day support of cloud solutions across one or more major cloud platforms, including Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and/or Google Cloud Platform (GCP). This role provides an excellent opportunity to grow technical skills in a collaborative, mission-driven environment. Principal responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Assist in the support and maintenance of cloud service offerings operating at FISMA Moderate and FISMA High security levels.
• Work collaboratively with senior engineers, the Scrum Master, and security engineers to contribute to the build and ongoing improvement of cloud service offerings.
• Assist in the implementation of proof of concepts and pilots for various cloud solutions under the direction of senior team members.
• Support the development of operational plans, documentation, and implementation plans for solutions used to access and leverage cloud platforms.
• Assist in building and maintaining YAML-based CI/CD pipelines leveraging tools such as GitLab CI, GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, Jenkins, CircleCI, or similar.
• Support Infrastructure as Code (IaC) efforts using tools such as Terraform, Pulumi, Ansible, or similar under the guidance of senior engineers.
• Develop and maintain basic scripting solutions using PowerShell, Bash, Python, or similar languages to support operational and automation tasks.
• Partner with senior engineers and operations teams to troubleshoot automation issues and contribute to practical solutions that move projects forward.
• Support Change and Configuration Management processes in accordance with team best practices.
• Participate in Agile ceremonies including daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospectives.
• Contribute to a team culture of collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement.
• Research and evaluate emerging cloud technologies and solutions across Azure, AWS, and/or GCP, presenting findings to the team as directed.

Education and Experience:

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Business Administration, Information Technology, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of one entry-level cloud certification from a major cloud provider, including but not limited to:
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
• Google Cloud Certified: Cloud Digital Leader or Associate Cloud Engineer
• Or an equivalent entry-level certification from a recognized cloud provider
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a cloud computing or cloud engineering role, utilizing one or more of the following platforms: Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Active Secret Clearance or higher.

Desired

• Associate-level or higher cloud certification from a major cloud provider, including but not limited to:
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
• Google Cloud Certified: Associate Cloud Engineer

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Foundational knowledge of cloud services and cloud computing concepts, including IaaS and PaaS offerings, on one or more of the following platforms: Microsoft Azure, AWS, or GCP.
• Effective communication skills in English – both written and oral – with the ability to communicate clearly with technical team members and stakeholders.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment under the direction of senior engineers and a technical lead.
• Basic experience with or exposure to YAML-based CI/CD pipelines using tools such as GitLab CI, GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, Jenkins, CircleCI, or equivalent.
• Basic experience with or exposure to Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform, Pulumi, Ansible, CloudFormation, or equivalent.
• Foundational scripting knowledge in one or more languages such as PowerShell, Bash, or Python, including basic logical constructs such as if/else, loops, and error handling.
• Familiarity with Cloud-Native and Hybrid cloud architecture concepts.
• Understanding of the DevOps lifecycle and a desire to grow within it.
• Familiarity with Change and Configuration Management best practices.
• Experience with or exposure to Agile methodologies, particularly Scrum.
• Eagerness to learn, grow, and take on increasing technical responsibility over time.

Desired Skills and Competencies:

• Associate-level or higher certification in Azure, AWS, or GCP.
• Experience supporting federal government IT environments.
• Familiarity with FISMA Moderate and/or FISMA High compliance requirements.
• Exposure to Kanban methodology.
• Foundational knowledge of cloud security best practices and federal compliance frameworks.
• Familiarity with Terraform Open Source in CI/CD-driven solutions.
• Experience working across multiple cloud platforms in a hybrid or multi-cloud environment.

Our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy:
The company is an equal opportunity employer. The company shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity (except where gender is a bona fide occupational qualification), national origin or ancestry, age, disability, citizenship, military/veteran status, marital status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to equal employment opportunity in all decisions related to employment, promotion, wages, benefits, and all other privileges, terms, and conditions of employment.

The company is dedicated to seeking all qualified applicants. If you require an accommodation to navigate or to apply to a position on our website, please contact Heaven Wood via e-mail at accommodations@koniag-gs.com or by calling 703-488-9377 to request accommodations. 

Koniag Government Services (KGS) is an Alaska Native Owned corporation supporting the values and traditions of our native communities through an agile employee and corporate culture that delivers Enterprise Solutions, Professional Services and Operational Management to Federal Government Agencies. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Koniag, we apply our proven commercial solutions to a deep knowledge of Defense and Civilian missions to provide forward leaning technical, professional, and operational solutions. KGS enables successful mission outcomes for our customers through solution-oriented business partnerships and a commitment to exceptional service delivery. We ensure long-term success with a continuous improvement approach while balancing the collective interests of our customers, employees, and native communities. For more information, please visit www.koniag-gs.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. Shareholder Preference in accordance with Public Law 88-352