Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior DevOps Engineer (NOAA badge required)
at Element84
🏢 About Element84
Element84 is a small, mission-driven company specializing in geospatial data and cloud solutions for government clients. They prioritize work-life balance and offer fully remote positions, making them an attractive option for experienced engineers seeking impactful projects in the public sector.
About This Role
As a Senior DevOps Engineer, you'll lead the design of secure, scalable cloud-native solutions on AWS and Azure, supporting critical NOAA missions. Your work will directly enable efficient data processing and deployment for environmental monitoring, with a focus on compliance and automation.
💡 A Day in the Life
Start with a stand-up to coordinate with the team on infrastructure changes, then dive into writing Terraform modules for a new AWS account. After lunch, troubleshoot a CI/CD pipeline failure, collaborate with security on compliance controls, and end the day reviewing pull requests for IaC updates.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Element84 Is Looking For
- Has 6+ years of software development with at least 3 years hands-on in AWS/Azure cloud technologies, including designing and implementing production-grade infrastructure.
- Expert in Infrastructure as Code (e.g., Terraform, CloudFormation) and proficient in Python, Bash, and JavaScript for scripting and automation.
- Possesses an active NOAA CAC badge and is a US Person (US citizen or legal permanent resident), ready to work on government projects.
- Experienced in CI/CD pipeline optimization, monitoring (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana), and networking (e.g., VPCs, VPNs) in a multi-account cloud environment.
📝 Tips for Applying to Element84
Highlight your NOAA CAC badge prominently in your resume and cover letter, as it's a strict requirement.
Emphasize specific experience with both AWS and Azure, as the role involves managing infrastructure across both platforms.
Provide concrete examples of leading infrastructure-as-code projects, including the scale and complexity of accounts managed.
Mention any experience with geospatial data or government compliance frameworks (e.g., FedRAMP, NIST) to align with Element84's focus.
Tailor your resume to show 6+ years of software development, not just DevOps, to meet the explicit requirement.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['State your active NOAA CAC badge and US Person status upfront to immediately qualify.', 'Describe a specific project where you led cloud-native solution design on AWS/Azure, emphasizing scalability and security.', 'Showcase your proficiency in Python, Bash, and JavaScript with examples from CI/CD or infrastructure automation.', "Express enthusiasm for working on environmental missions and contributing to NOAA's goals."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore Element84's website to understand their geospatial projects and client base (e.g., NASA, NOAA).
- → Read about their work on the Cumulus project or other open-source tools for Earth science data.
- → Review NOAA's cloud adoption strategy and any recent initiatives related to AWS/Azure.
- → Check Element84's blog or case studies for insights into their engineering culture and tech stack.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to mention your NOAA CAC badge or assuming it's optional—it's mandatory for this role.
- Overlooking the requirement for 6+ years of software development; ensure your resume reflects this breadth.
- Not demonstrating hands-on experience with both AWS and Azure; the role explicitly mentions both.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!