Freelance Lead Cloud Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Location: Various U.S. Federal Client Sites (Onsite)
Travel: Yes - Travel to federal client sites as required
Salary: $120,000 - $150,000
Clearance: Active TS/SCI

PGTEK is a leading provider of enterprise IT modernization, cloud transformation, and infrastructure solutions supporting U.S. Federal Government agencies. As we expand our Google Cloud and AI practice, we're seeking a Lead Cloud AI Engineer to serve as the senior technical authority for enterprise cloud migration and AI platform modernization initiatives.

This is a highly visible leadership role responsible for architecting secure, compliant Google Cloud environments while mentoring engineering teams and guiding customers through large-scale cloud transformation efforts.

As the Lead Cloud AI Engineer, you will own the technical strategy, architecture, and execution of Google Cloud and Gemini for Government deployments. You'll work directly with federal customers to design secure cloud solutions, lead complex migration initiatives, establish architectural standards, and ensure every deployment aligns with FedRAMP, DoD, and NIST compliance requirements.

This role combines hands-on technical leadership with customer engagement, mentoring, and enterprise architecture.

• Lead architecture and design for enterprise Google Cloud Platform (GCP) environments
• Develop migration strategies for legacy, hybrid, and multi-cloud infrastructures
• Design secure cloud architectures using Google Cloud Assured Workloads
• Establish governance and architectural standards based on Google Cloud Well-Architected Framework
• Serve as the primary technical advisor to federal customers and agency leadership
• Lead cloud modernization initiatives from planning through implementation
• Design secure IAM, resource hierarchy, networking, and encryption strategies
• Architect solutions utilizing Cloud KMS, CMEK, VPC Service Controls, Organization Policies, and hierarchical firewalls
• Drive FedRAMP authorization and Authority to Operate (ATO) efforts alongside compliance teams and 3PAOs
• Lead infrastructure automation, CI/CD, deployment governance, and operational excellence initiatives
• Oversee observability, monitoring, release management, penetration testing, and continuous compliance
• Guide implementation of Gemini for Government, Google AI APIs, Model Garden, and enterprise AI solutions
• Mentor Associate and Mid-Level Cloud Engineers while helping develop the organization's Google Cloud practice
• Provide technical leadership throughout the full project lifecycle including planning, deployment, optimization, and ongoing support

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related STEM discipline
• 5-8+ years of experience designing and leading enterprise cloud solutions
• Extensive experience architecting and deploying Google Cloud Platform (GCP) environments
• Strong background leading enterprise cloud migration initiatives
• Deep understanding of Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect domains
• Experience implementing Google Cloud Well-Architected Framework best practices
• Strong knowledge of NIST SP 800-53, RMF, and federal security compliance
• Experience leading ATO efforts and working with federal agencies
• Proven leadership experience managing technical teams and customer engagements
• Excellent communication and presentation skills

• Experience supporting FedRAMP High, DoD IL4, IL5, or IL6 environments
• Experience with Gemini for Government and enterprise AI platforms
• Knowledge of Google AI APIs, Agent Builder, and Model Garden
• Experience with AI Hypercomputer, GPU, or TPU environments
• Familiarity with Google Distributed Cloud (GDC) air-gapped environments
• Strong software development lifecycle (SDLC) and DevSecOps experience
• Experience with enterprise API management (Apigee)
• Background in cloud financial management and migration planning

• Google Cloud Certified - Professional Cloud Architect (PCA) (Required at time of hire)
• Google Cloud Certified - Associate Cloud Engineer (ACE) (Required or expected foundational certification)

• Active TS/SCI clearance - or eligibility to get one (meaning at least an active Top Secret).

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits package for full-time salaried employees is effective immediately upon the start date. Benefits include comprehensive PPO medical coverage with access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) option, a vision plan, and dental insurance with the base dental plan option paid for by PGTEK. Life Insurance, Short and Long-Term disability, and Critical Illness insurance have premiums covered.  Additionally, PGTEK offers a matching 401(k) plan and a discount on pet insurance through ASPCA Pet Insurance.   An Employee Assistance Program is available at no cost to all employees.  PGTEK offers a generous amount of PTO and Holidays, and an Education Assistance Program is available after 12 months of employment.

ABOUT PGTEK

PGTEK is a true consulting organization dedicated to helping clients achieve their business and technology objectives utilizing our decades of experience and business relationships. PGTEK invests in the educational advancements of our staff by providing the necessary resources to complete Professional and Business Certifications. Our company is our people, and we treat them like family.

EOE, including disability/veterans