Platform Engineering Lead Jobs in Virginia
Platform Engineering Lead jobs in Virginia are in strong demand, concentrated in defense technology, federal contracting, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity sectors that define the northern Virginia corridor and the broader D.C. metro tech ecosystem, with openings at every level from senior individual contributor through principal engineering lead. The largest hiring hubs are Northern Virginia, Arlington, and Richmond, where employers such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and Amazon Web Services maintain deep engineering organizations. The most sought-after specialties in Virginia listings include Kubernetes orchestration, internal developer platform buildout, and cloud-native infrastructure on AWS and Azure. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 13+ Platform Engineering Lead jobs
Navy Federal Credit Union currently does not provide sponsorship for this role. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.
The successful candidate will be a subject matter expert with hands-on experience in cloud technologies, tools, and methodologies, with a particular focus on Microsoft Azure. This role is suited for an experienced Senior Platform Engineer with deep expertise in Cloud FinOps, especially in Azure cost optimization and billing administration. The engineer will serve as the sole FinOps expert within the Cloud Native Engineering group and will be responsible for driving financial accountability and efficiency across cloud operations.
Cloud Native Engineering fosters a collaborative environment and is building a best-in-class cloud platform that supports scalable, secure, and cost-effective solutions across the enterprise.
- Lead FinOps strategy and execution for Azure cloud, including cost forecasting, budgeting, and optimization.
- Own and manage Azure billing administration tasks such as reservation purchases, compute savings plans, and cost allocation.
- Develop and maintain tooling and dashboards to monitor cloud spend and identify savings opportunities.
- Collaborate with engineering, finance, and procurement teams across geographies to align cloud usage with business goals.
- Provide guidance and training to teams on cloud cost management best practices.
- Analyze usage patterns and recommend architectural changes to improve cost efficiency.
- Ensure compliance with internal financial policies and external regulatory requirements.
- Contribute to platform engineering initiatives, including automation, infrastructure as code, and cloud governance.
- Actively participate in Cloud Native Engineering’s roadmap planning and execution.
- Manage relationships with cloud vendors, including Microsoft and third-party FinOps tooling providers, to ensure optimal service delivery, contract alignment, and cost efficiency.
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Finance, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in cloud engineering, with at least 3 years focused on Azure FinOps or cloud cost management.
- Proven experience managing Azure rate optimization techniques including reservations, savings plans, and cost analysis.
- Strong understanding of Azure services, pricing models, and usage optimization techniques including but not limited to right-sizing, automated decommissioning, and automated shutdowns.
- Experience with Azure Cost Management + Billing, Azure Advisor, and third-party FinOps tools.
- Familiarity with Infrastructure-as-Code tools such as ARM templates, Bicep, or Terraform.
- Excellent collaboration and communication skills across technical and non-technical teams.
- Ability to work independently and drive initiatives as the sole FinOps expert.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Desired Qualifications
- FinOps Certified Practitioner or similar certification.
- Experience in financial operations within large-scale enterprise cloud environments.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Defender for Cloud, Azure Policy, and Identity Governance.
- Expertise with scripting languages such as PowerShell or Python.
- Familiarity with Azure DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud governance frameworks.
- Exposure to data platforms such as Azure Synapse, Databricks, or Microsoft Fabric.
Additional Information
Hours:
- Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Locations:
- 820 Follin Lane, Vienna, VA 22180
- 5510 Heritage Oaks Drive, Pensacola, FL 32526
- 141 Security Drive, Winchester, VA 22602
Navy Federal provides much more than a job. We provide a meaningful career experience, including a culture that is energized, engaged and committed; and fierce appreciation for our teams, who are rewarded with highly competitive pay and generous benefits and perks.
Our approach to careers is simple yet powerful: Make our mission your passion.
- FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® 2025
- Yello and WayUp Top 100 Internship Programs
- Computerworld® Best Places to Work in IT
- Newsweek Most Loved Workplaces
- 2025 PEOPLE® Companies That Care
- Newsweek Most Trustworthy Companies in America
- Military Times 2025 Best for Vets Employers
- Best Companies for Latinos to Work for 2025
- Forbes® 2025 America’s Best Large Employers
- Forbes® 2025 America's Best Employers for New Grads
- Forbes® 2025 America's Best Employers for Tech Workers
- 2025 RippleMatch Campus Forward Award Winner for Overall Excellence
- Military.com Top Military Spouse Employers 2025
- 2025 Handshake Early Talent Award
From Fortune . ©2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license. Fortune and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of, Navy Federal Credit Union.
Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or any other basis protected by applicable law.
Accommodations: If you need accommodation or assistance for a qualifying condition to complete the online application (or during any stage of the hiring process), you can contact Navy Federal's Medical Accommodations team at medicalaccommodations@navyfederal.org or by calling 1-888-503-6013. This team cannot provide any information on job postings or application status.
Disclaimers: Navy Federal reserves the right to fill this role at a higher/lower grade level based on business need. An assessment may be required to compete for this position. Job postings are subject to close early or extend out longer than the anticipated closing date at the hiring team’s discretion based on qualified applicant volume. Navy Federal Credit Union assesses market data to establish salary ranges that enable us to remain competitive. You are paid within the salary range, based on your experience, location and market position. For additional details regarding compensation and benefits, review the Benefits page of the Navy Federal Career Site.
Protect Yourself from Job Scams: Navy Federal Credit Union jobs are posted on our career site, jobs.navyfederal.org and reputable job boards (e.g., LinkedIn, Indeed). We do not post jobs on social media marketplaces, messaging apps or unverified websites. We will never ask candidates for payment, bank details or personal financial information during the hiring process.
Bank Secrecy Act: Remains cognizant of and adheres to Navy Federal policies and procedures, and regulations pertaining to the Bank Secrecy Act.
Navy Federal Credit Union currently does not provide sponsorship for this role. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.
The successful candidate will be a subject matter expert with hands-on experience in cloud technologies, tools, and methodologies, with a particular focus on Microsoft Azure. This role is suited for an experienced Senior Platform Engineer with deep expertise in Cloud FinOps, especially in Azure cost optimization and billing administration. The engineer will serve as the sole FinOps expert within the Cloud Native Engineering group and will be responsible for driving financial accountability and efficiency across cloud operations.
Cloud Native Engineering fosters a collaborative environment and is building a best-in-class cloud platform that supports scalable, secure, and cost-effective solutions across the enterprise.
- Lead FinOps strategy and execution for Azure cloud, including cost forecasting, budgeting, and optimization.
- Own and manage Azure billing administration tasks such as reservation purchases, compute savings plans, and cost allocation.
- Develop and maintain tooling and dashboards to monitor cloud spend and identify savings opportunities.
- Collaborate with engineering, finance, and procurement teams across geographies to align cloud usage with business goals.
- Provide guidance and training to teams on cloud cost management best practices.
- Analyze usage patterns and recommend architectural changes to improve cost efficiency.
- Ensure compliance with internal financial policies and external regulatory requirements.
- Contribute to platform engineering initiatives, including automation, infrastructure as code, and cloud governance.
- Actively participate in Cloud Native Engineering’s roadmap planning and execution.
- Manage relationships with cloud vendors, including Microsoft and third-party FinOps tooling providers, to ensure optimal service delivery, contract alignment, and cost efficiency.
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Finance, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in cloud engineering, with at least 3 years focused on Azure FinOps or cloud cost management.
- Proven experience managing Azure rate optimization techniques including reservations, savings plans, and cost analysis.
- Strong understanding of Azure services, pricing models, and usage optimization techniques including but not limited to right-sizing, automated decommissioning, and automated shutdowns.
- Experience with Azure Cost Management + Billing, Azure Advisor, and third-party FinOps tools.
- Familiarity with Infrastructure-as-Code tools such as ARM templates, Bicep, or Terraform.
- Excellent collaboration and communication skills across technical and non-technical teams.
- Ability to work independently and drive initiatives as the sole FinOps expert.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Desired Qualifications
- FinOps Certified Practitioner or similar certification.
- Experience in financial operations within large-scale enterprise cloud environments.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Defender for Cloud, Azure Policy, and Identity Governance.
- Expertise with scripting languages such as PowerShell or Python.
- Familiarity with Azure DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud governance frameworks.
- Exposure to data platforms such as Azure Synapse, Databricks, or Microsoft Fabric.
Additional Information
Hours:
- Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Locations:
- 820 Follin Lane, Vienna, VA 22180
- 5510 Heritage Oaks Drive, Pensacola, FL 32526
- 141 Security Drive, Winchester, VA 22602
Navy Federal provides much more than a job. We provide a meaningful career experience, including a culture that is energized, engaged and committed; and fierce appreciation for our teams, who are rewarded with highly competitive pay and generous benefits and perks.
Our approach to careers is simple yet powerful: Make our mission your passion.
- FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® 2025
- Yello and WayUp Top 100 Internship Programs
- Computerworld® Best Places to Work in IT
- Newsweek Most Loved Workplaces
- 2025 PEOPLE® Companies That Care
- Newsweek Most Trustworthy Companies in America
- Military Times 2025 Best for Vets Employers
- Best Companies for Latinos to Work for 2025
- Forbes® 2025 America’s Best Large Employers
- Forbes® 2025 America's Best Employers for New Grads
- Forbes® 2025 America's Best Employers for Tech Workers
- 2025 RippleMatch Campus Forward Award Winner for Overall Excellence
- Military.com Top Military Spouse Employers 2025
- 2025 Handshake Early Talent Award
From Fortune . ©2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license. Fortune and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of, Navy Federal Credit Union.
Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity or any other basis protected by applicable law.
Accommodations: If you need accommodation or assistance for a qualifying condition to complete the online application (or during any stage of the hiring process), you can contact Navy Federal's Medical Accommodations team at medicalaccommodations@navyfederal.org or by calling 1-888-503-6013. This team cannot provide any information on job postings or application status.
Disclaimers: Navy Federal reserves the right to fill this role at a higher/lower grade level based on business need. An assessment may be required to compete for this position. Job postings are subject to close early or extend out longer than the anticipated closing date at the hiring team’s discretion based on qualified applicant volume. Navy Federal Credit Union assesses market data to establish salary ranges that enable us to remain competitive. You are paid within the salary range, based on your experience, location and market position. For additional details regarding compensation and benefits, review the Benefits page of the Navy Federal Career Site.
Protect Yourself from Job Scams: Navy Federal Credit Union jobs are posted on our career site, jobs.navyfederal.org and reputable job boards (e.g., LinkedIn, Indeed). We do not post jobs on social media marketplaces, messaging apps or unverified websites. We will never ask candidates for payment, bank details or personal financial information during the hiring process.
Bank Secrecy Act: Remains cognizant of and adheres to Navy Federal policies and procedures, and regulations pertaining to the Bank Secrecy Act.
See All 13 Platform Engineering Lead Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsPlatform Engineering Lead Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Platform Engineering Lead Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in platform engineering lead jobs across Virginia.
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related technical field
- Five or more years of platform, infrastructure, or DevOps engineering with team leadership experience
- Proficiency with Kubernetes, Terraform, and CI/CD pipeline tooling at enterprise scale
- Experience supporting federal or DoD environments with a security clearance or clearance eligibility
- Demonstrated ownership of internal developer platforms, golden paths, or platform-as-a-product initiatives
- Strong cross-functional collaboration skills working alongside security, product, and application engineering teams
Platform Engineering Lead Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a platform engineering lead in Virginia?
Most Virginia employers expect a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related field combined with several years of hands-on platform or infrastructure engineering before moving into a lead role. Virginia's large defense and federal contracting sector adds a practical requirement many other states lack: a Department of Defense security clearance or the background profile to obtain one accelerates hiring significantly. Building experience with cloud-native tooling, container orchestration, and internal developer platforms while contributing to open-source projects or earning certifications from AWS, Google Cloud, or the Cloud Native Computing Foundation strengthens a Virginia candidacy considerably.
How much do platform engineering leads make in Virginia?
Platform engineering leads in Virginia earn a median of about $176,160 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $124,830 for the lowest 10% to over $253,060 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire platform engineering leads in Virginia?
Employers hiring platform engineering leads in Virginia right now include Amazon Web Services, Deloitte, and Ferguson, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Virginia's concentration of federal agencies and defense primes means many of these roles sit at the intersection of enterprise platform engineering and government cloud modernization programs.
Which Virginia cities have the most platform engineering lead jobs?
The cities with the most platform engineering lead openings in Virginia are Arlington, McLean, and Richmond. Northern Virginia dominates because it hosts the largest concentration of federal contractors, hyperscaler data center campuses, and defense technology firms in the country, while Richmond draws hiring from financial services firms, state government technology agencies, and a growing base of mid-size software companies that have expanded out of the D.C. corridor.
Are there remote platform engineering lead jobs in Virginia?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 80% of platform engineering lead openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the desk-based, tool-driven nature of the role. The work that most consistently stays fully remote covers internal tooling development, developer experience improvements, and cloud infrastructure management, while roles supporting classified federal programs or on-premises data center infrastructure tend to require at least partial on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a platform engineering lead in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a site reliability engineer, DevOps engineer, or cloud infrastructure engineer role at one of Virginia's large federal contractors or commercial cloud organizations, then building toward a lead position over time. Employers such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and SAIC run early-career and associate engineer programs that place candidates without prior industry experience into supported engineering teams. Earning an AWS Solutions Architect, Certified Kubernetes Administrator, or HashiCorp Terraform Associate credential before applying gives a Virginia candidate a measurable edge, and contributing to internal platform tooling projects in any role signals the cross-functional ownership mindset Virginia hiring managers look for in lead candidates.
Where can I find and apply to platform engineering lead jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to platform engineering lead jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings updated regularly. Search the listings for roles that match your experience level and specialization, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 13 Platform Engineering Lead Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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