---
title: 'Senior Azure Cloud Engineer at LIGHTFEATHER IO LLC'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-azure-cloud-engineer-lightfeather-io-llc-washington-htzqv6evx04x'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-07'
---

# Senior Azure Cloud Engineer at LIGHTFEATHER IO LLC

- **Company:** LIGHTFEATHER IO LLC
- **Location:** Washington, DC
- **Posted:** 2026-09-04
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/lightfeatheriollc/jobs/5417038008

## Job description

LightFeather is seeking a Senior Cloud Engineer specializing in Microsoft Azure to design, implement, and manage secure cloud solutions for federal IT environments. You’ll play a key role in supporting Azure infrastructure, automation, and security, applying DevOps best practices to drive performance, strengthen compliance, and improve operational efficiency.

- Location: Hybrid, On-site 4 days/week in Washington, D.C. 20006 and 1 day Telework
- Job Type: Full-time
- Salary: $130,000–$170,000 annually, based on experience level.
- Clearance Requirement: U.S. citizenship is required for this position due to federal contract requirements and the need to obtain and maintain a Secret-level security clearance

## Key Responsibilities

- Design, deploy, and maintain Azure cloud infrastructure including VMs, VNets, Storage, Azure AD, and PaaS services.
- Manage and optimize Azure networking components (VNets, NSGs, Load Balancers, VPN/ExpressRoute connectivity).
- Develop and maintain Terraform templates as the primary IaC tool (critical requirement emphasized by hiring managers).
- Support automation via PowerShell, Bash, YAML/JSON, and GitLab pipelines.
- Deploy, configure, and manage AVD environments including host pools, session hosts, FSLogix profile containers, and Azure AD/M365 integrations.
- Provide troubleshooting and performance optimization for AVD users (explicit customer requirement).
- Build, maintain, and troubleshoot CI/CD pipelines in GitLab.
- Automate cloud operations, system configuration, and monitoring tasks.
- Implement secure cloud practices aligned with federal requirements (RBAC, Key Vault, IAM, encryption standards).
- Ensure compliance with NIST, RMF, FedRAMP, and agency-specific controls.
- Use Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, and related tools to analyze system health, diagnose issues, and enforce SLAs.
- Work with engineering, security, and program staff to support ongoing cloud modernization efforts.
- Support onsite collaboration with customer stakeholders (note: role cannot be performed remotely long-term).

Required Qualifications

- Active Secret or higher clearance
- 3+ years of experience with Azure Cloud Engineering
- 3+ years of experience with CI/CD pipelines
- 3+ years of experience using Terraform for IaC
- 3+ years of experience using GitLab
- Minimum of 4 years experience with PowerShell scripting
- 5+ years of experience in Cloud Engineering, DevOps, or Systems Engineering (mid-level target).
- Strong hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure core services and architecture.
- Proficiency with Terraform (high priority), PowerShell, and GitLab CI/CD.
- Experience supporting Azure networking (VNets, routing, NSGs, VPN/ExpressRoute).
- Hands-on experience with Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) in production environments.
- Understanding of federal cloud security frameworks (FedRAMP, NIST, RMF).
- Ability to work on-site in Washington, DC four days per week.

## Preferred Qualifications

- Experience supporting DoD or federal agency cloud environments.
- Experience with Docker/Kubernetes (AKS).
- Azure serverless tools (Functions, Logic Apps, Event Grid).
- Cost optimization using Azure Cost Management / FinOps practices.

Why Join LightFeather? At LightFeather, you're not just taking a job—you're joining a purpose-driven team that delivers innovative, mission-critical solutions to make a real difference. You'll work on diverse, meaningful projects that challenge and inspire you, alongside some of the best minds in the industry.

LightFeather is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

## About LIGHTFEATHER IO LLC

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: LightFeather is a mission-driven, woman- and service-disabled veteran-owned small business that modernizes federal legacy systems with cloud-native, AI/ML, and DevSecOps solutions.
- **Entity Type**: Private (small business; no disclosed funding rounds)
- **Headquarters**: Arlington, Virginia, United States
- **Founded**: 2018
- **Founders**: Sarah Fahden (Founder & CEO)

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Information Technology & Services, Federal Government IT, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning
- **Target customers**: B2G – U.S. federal agencies (DOJ, DHS, USCIS, IRS, DoS, PBGC)
- **Mission/Purpose**: “Delivering high-impact solutions across federal agencies” by combining technical expertise, operational excellence, and forward-leaning leadership to support complex modernization and transformation goals.

## Products & Services
LightFeather delivers professional services rather than packaged products. Its core capabilities are offered as service lines:

- **DevSecOps & System Modernization**: Secure, scalable DevSecOps pipelines, cloud migration, and modernization of legacy applications in environments up to Top Secret.
- **Cloud Engineering**: Architecture, migration, and operations across multi-cloud (GCP, Azure, AWS) with Infrastructure as Code.
- **Cybersecurity**: Continuous monitoring, SOC operations, Risk Management Framework (RMF), security control assessments, penetration testing, FISMA compliance, and ATO support.
- **Data Engineering & Business Intelligence**: Design and maintenance of robust data infrastructures (Databricks, Looker/Tableau modernizations), ensuring reliable, scalable data collection, storage, and processing.
- **Data Science (AI/ML & RPA)**: Machine learning, generative AI, behavioral forecasting, anomaly detection, identity resolution, biometric verification, and robotic process automation – including MLOps for production deployment.
- **UI/UX Design**: Human-centered design and human-centered design for federal applications.
- **Business Operations Support**: Operational analytics, Agile/SAFe delivery, and documentation with security and audit trail requirements.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (private company).
- **Key Metric**: Total headcount of 28 employees (LinkedIn, 2025) and 19 active job postings representing 375% monthly growth in openings.
- **Notable Certifications**: Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) – enabling federal set-aside contracts.
- **Growth Signals**: LinkedIn followers grew 382.9% year-over-year to 6,944; job postings increased 171.4% year-over-year.

## Competitive Advantages
- Deep specialization in federal contracting with security clearance support (up to Top Secret).
- Small, agile team of senior engineers who operate with the discipline of federal compliance (RMF, ATO, FISMA).
- Certification status (WOSB/SDVOSB) provides preferential access to government contracts.
- Proven track record on high-impact projects: ML models trained on 600M+ federal records, real-time analytics on Databricks, and full-lifecycle modernization at DOJ, DHS, IRS, and other agencies.
- Modern technology stack (AI/ML, cloud-native, Databricks, ServiceNow, Unqork, Tableau) paired with veteran delivery experience.

## Strategic Focus
- Continue modernizing legacy federal applications using AI and cloud-native approaches.
- Expand DevSecOps, cloud engineering, and cybersecurity services across additional agencies.
- Strengthen capabilities in generative AI, MLOps, and multi-cloud operations while maintaining rigorous compliance.
- Grow the team strategically (19 open positions) to meet increasing demand from federal partners.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Described as “fun, flexibility, and purpose” – a team of curious, creative people who care about meaningful work and each other.
- **Remote/Hybrid**: Remote-first company; encourages team members to work from the office less and reduce carbon footprint.
- **Growth**: Rapidly expanding (375% monthly hiring increase) with opportunities to work on cutting-edge federal AI/ML and cloud projects.
- **Engineering Culture**: Senior, deeply technical engineers who pair modern capabilities with federal delivery discipline. Exposure to full-lifecycle development, high-security environments, and mission-critical systems.
- **Benefits**: Not explicitly detailed in search results, but company emphasizes family-friendly policies and “get stuff done” autonomy.

## Sources
1. [lightfeather.io](https://lightfeather.io/) – Company homepage with service descriptions, mission, and certifications.
2. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightfeather-io) – LinkedIn company page with headcount, growth rates, employee breakdown, and updates.
3. [job-boards.greenhouse.io](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/lightfeatheriollc) – Greenhouse career site with 19 open positions.

## Other roles at LIGHTFEATHER IO LLC

- [ServiceNow Business Analyst](https://feeny.ai/job/servicenow-business-analyst-lightfeather-io-llc-united-states-5p3e614de225) — United States
- [ServiceNow Platform Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/servicenow-platform-engineer-lightfeather-io-llc-washington-1qk09fbp4gyb) — Washington, DC
- [Senior ServiceNow Developer - Public Trust Clearance](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-servicenow-developer-public-trust-clearance-lightfeather-io-llc-united-86kf7hdh6y2r) — United States
- [Lead ServiceNow Developer](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-servicenow-developer-lightfeather-io-llc-united-states-xqr98wf4jss4) — United States
- [Full Stack Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/full-stack-engineer-lightfeather-io-llc-united-states-vnwe11b43201) — United States
- [GCP Cloud/DevOps Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/gcp-cloud-devops-engineer-lightfeather-io-llc-washington-eymej8f0nmkz) — Washington, DC
- [ServiceNow CMDB Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/servicenow-cmdb-engineer-lightfeather-io-llc-washington-w2xqq06x7tkn) — Washington, DC
- [Senior ServiceNow Developer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-servicenow-developer-lightfeather-io-llc-united-states-r0kvfxv6606j) — United States
- [Azure Cloud/DevOps Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/azure-cloud-devops-engineer-lightfeather-io-llc-washington-5mrnf4b63d0n) — Washington, DC
- [Senior Azure Cloud Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-azure-cloud-engineer-vaxcyte-san-carlos-california-1qrppv5z1hr4) — San Carlos California, United States