Senior Cloud Infrastructure Engineer (AWS/Linux)

Senior Engineer, Cloud

By joining the National Student Clearinghouse, you can be sure that the work you do now will help shape the future of education and the workforce in the U.S. As the trusted source for higher education data since 1993, the Clearinghouse is the leading provider of transcript and data exchange services, automated enrollment and degree verifications, learner insights and research, and compliance solutions for schools, businesses, and learners nationwide. In addition, the Research Center publications inform policymakers and business leaders about student educational pathways. Using our unique combination of data, analytics, and software to drive our mission, security and privacy is paramount. Join us as we continue to invest in our talent and new advanced technologies to unlock the power of data on behalf of all learners.

About the Role:

The Senior Engineer, Cloud is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining secure, reliable, and scalable cloud infrastructure. This role focuses on migrating on-premise applications to AWS and other cloud platforms, optimizing performance, and ensuring high availability across multiple regions and availability zones. The position requires strong expertise in Linux systems, automation, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) to support enterprise modernization initiatives.

Currently, this is a remote-first position, and this position may be required to periodically work on-site at our office and the frequency would depend on the department/division's requirements. Therefore, candidates must either reside within a reasonable distance to commute to our office or be willing to travel to our office in Herndon, when required.

How You Contribute:

• Demonstrate the Clearinghouse's core competencies: Customer Focus, Optimizes Work Processes, Collaborates, Communicates Effectively, and Be Open and Authentic.
• Actively participate in the reengineering and migration of on-premise applications to AWS and other cloud platforms, with a focus on Linux servers and open-source technologies.
• Support applications in an AIX & Linux-based cloud environment comprised of custom-built applications, SaaS solutions, and open-source components.
• Ensure all Linux application services are monitored, and performance meets or exceeds established SLAs.
• Administer access, rights, and privileges to Clearinghouse staff on Linux systems in cloud environments.
• Configure, monitor, and manage Linux servers and infrastructure and cloud management services.
• Ensure continuous operation of servers and components through effective patch management, backup and archival of data, and ensuring that monitoring/alerting needs are met.
• Create, maintain, and operate all servers and infrastructure devices including troubleshooting, patching, backups, monitoring and alerting, architectural and operational documentation, creating and managing AWS VPC, URL proxies, and Bastion Hosts.
• Develop and deploy automation infrastructure as code using the AWS Cloud Formation templates as part of the CI/CD process. Ensure that any infrastructure deployed is correctly sized based on the environmental needs and projected volume of data/transactions tools.
• Ensure all application components are monitored, performance is baselined, and actual performance meets or exceeds established SLAs.
• Collaborating with application support teams, architects, and others in support of IT projects.
• Actively participate with scrum teams in the development of new functions and features by provisioning needed services, assigning access levels, and developing cloud formation templates to deploy infrastructure as software in all environments.
• Effectively monitor cloud optimization strategies, budget planning, governance, and reporting within AWS and Azure.
• Create and maintain system documentation (e.g., network/system architecture, daily operational procedures, disaster recovery procedures, and checklists) for all environments.
• Monitor system components and application processing to proactively identify incidents, resolve issues, and participate in root cause analysis.
• Collaborate and share knowledge with team members.
• Establish and maintain a strong working relationship with all team members.
• Demonstrate openness with positive intent for entertaining new perspectives and ideas.

Position may be required to perform other duties as required. These essential functions are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

What You Bring to the Table:

• Bachelors degree in Computer Information Systems, Computer Science or other related technical field. A combination of education and experience including military service will also be considered.
• 10 years of overall IT experience.
• 5 years years of experience in roles supporting IT infrastructure.
• 3 years of related AWS cloud-based IT infrastructure experience.
• Managing and monitoring systems using tools such as Cloud Watch, Cloud Trail, and X-Ray, etc.
• Migrating traditional infrastructure to Linux-based cloud environments.
• Working knowledge of SVN, GIT, Code Commit.
• With Linux security hardening (SELinux, iptables, firewall, IAM policies).
• Working knowledge of Networking Elastic Load Balancers (ELB), VPN, Transit Gateway, Direct Connect and VPC Peering.
• With Windows and/or Linux operating system experience in administration and troubleshooting.
• With system installation of high availability/fault tolerance IT environments, including cloud, networking, and back- end data systems.
• Collaborating with application support teams, architects, and others in support of IT projects.
• With disaster Recovery planning and execution.
• Demonstrated ability to provide backup system operation.
• Familiarity with the ITIL service delivery, including system processes and documentation (architectural, logical, functional drawings and creation and maintenance of standard operating procedures).
• Strong organizational skills (must be detail-oriented), and the ability to resolve problems quickly and successfully.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate technical and nontechnical messages to all levels of staff.
• Demonstrates ability to work independently with little supervision and be a team player.
• Demonstrates the Clearinghouse's core competencies: customer focus, optimizes work processes, communicates effectively, collaborates, and is open and authentic.
• Must live within a commutable distance to Herndon, VA or in one of the Clearinghouse's approved States for hiring purposes. Refer to our HR Policies Page, located on our Careers site at for more details.
• Must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. We do not intend to sponsor external applicants for work visas, and may consider sponsorship only if no qualified candidates can be found who are authorized to work without sponsorship.
• Must be at least 18 years old.

Additional Desired Qualifications:

• Possession of an AWS SysOPS Administrator Associate certification or Linux Foundation certifications (LFCS, LFCE) is highly desirable.

Physical Demands:

• Use of a computer for 8 or more hours a day.
• Use of a telephone and/or copy machine.
• Frequently required to sit for 7 or more hours per day.
• Occasionally required to use hands and fingers to operate, handle, and reach.
• Vision abilities include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must be flexible to do out-of-town assignments and travel occasionally when needed.
• Must be able to work during maintenance windows, after business hours, and may be required to provide on-call remote, or 24/7 technical support.

Benefits and Related Information

The National Student Clearinghouse provides a robust benefit program designed to help meet the needs of each employee and their family, both now and in the future. We offer comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as life and disability insurance benefits, for employees and their qualified dependents. Health care, dependent care, and limited purpose flexible spending accounts, as well as a health savings account with annual employer contributions of $300 for employees and $600 for employees who are enrolled with their spouse and/or dependents, voluntary supplemental health plans for Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage, and infertility coverage are options available for employees to set aside pre-taxed dollars for certain qualifying expenses. We offer a very generous 401k matching contribution program with the opportunity to defer pre-tax and Roth contributions, as well as catch-up contributions for those who are eligible! We are proud to offer a competitive paid leave program consisting