Head of Engineering - Federal

Position Overview

Armada is an edge computing startup that provides computing infrastructure to remote areas with limited connectivity and cloud resources, as well as locations where real‐time analytics and AI need to be executed at the edge. We’re looking to bring on the most brilliant minds to help bridge the digital divide with advanced technology infrastructure that can be rapidly deployed anywhere. In this role, the Head of Engineering – Federal will hold TS/SCI clearance and lead Armada’s engineering organization for TS/SCI, FedRAMP, and DoD-accredited programs. You will define technical strategy, guide multiple software teams, and ensure the delivery of secure, high-performance systems in classified, air-gapped, and GovCloud environments while working closely with the VP of Federal to align engineering delivery with federal growth and compliance priorities.

Location: Seattle, WA (preferred) · Virginia / Washington, DC metro area · Austin, TX.

Key Responsibilities

• Own technical readiness for FedRAMP Moderate/High and DoD Impact Level 4/5 environments.
• Partner with Security & Compliance to achieve and sustain Authority to Operate (ATO) certifications.
• Implement Zero Trust architecture, enclave segmentation, and continuous monitoring aligned with NIST 800-53, FISMA, and RMF.
• Lead vulnerability management, compliance automation, and audit evidence generation.
• Serve as the primary engineering contact for 3PAOs, assessors, and federal partners during accreditation.
• Define and execute the federal engineering roadmap for classified and edge deployments.
• Lead cross-functional teams building Galleon and Atlas software using Golang, Kubernetes, and distributed systems.
• Ensure architectures are secure-by-design and optimized for disconnected or tactical environments.
• Drive Agile execution and deliver high-quality, predictable releases.
• Provide mentorship and technical oversight across design, integration, and secure APIs.
• Build and lead cleared and clearance-eligible software and infrastructure teams.
• Foster a mission-driven, inclusive culture emphasizing accountability, learning, and technical excellence.
• Partner with Recruiting to develop pipelines and onboarding processes for cleared engineers.
• Establish KPIs for velocity, uptime, SLA adherence, and compliance closure rates.
• Oversee DevSecOps pipelines, release management, and configuration control for secure enclaves.
• Drive Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) and automation for distributed Galleon fleets.
• Continuously improve testing, monitoring, and post-ATO sustainment processes.

Required Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance.
• 10+ years in software or infrastructure engineering, including 5+ years leading multi-team organizations.
• Deep experience with backend and distributed systems (Golang, Python, or Java).
• Strong background in Kubernetes, container orchestration, and secure cloud or edge deployments.
• Proven experience delivering systems within FedRAMP or DoD-accredited environments.
• U.S. Citizenship required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, or similar secure cloud platforms.
• Familiarity with air-gapped or tactical edge deployments.
• Certifications such as CISSP, CCSP, or FedRAMP Practitioner.
• Experience collaborating with system integrators, primes, or federal agencies.

Benefits & Perks

• Compensation: $187,360 USD - $235,000 USD
• Competitive base salary and equity
• Medical, dental, and vision (subsidized cost)
• Health savings accounts (HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), and dependent care FSAs (DCFSA)
• Retirement plan options, including 401(k) and Roth 401(k)
• Unlimited paid time off (PTO)
• 15 paid company holidays per year