Associate Cloud AI Engineer (Entry Level)
Location: Various U.S. Federal Client Sites (Onsite)
Travel: Travel required to customer sites throughout the Continental U.S.
Salary: $80,000 – $100,000
Clearance: Active TS/SCI or the ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance required
About PGTEK
PGTEK is a leading provider of enterprise IT modernization, cloud transformation, and AI solutions supporting U.S. Federal Government agencies. As we continue expanding our Google Cloud and AI practice, we're seeking motivated engineers who want to build their careers deploying next-generation cloud and AI technologies in secure government environments.
This is an excellent opportunity for early-career cloud professionals, recent graduates, military veterans, and PGTEK Academy candidates looking to gain hands-on experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP), enterprise AI, and federal cloud modernization projects.
Position Summary
As an Associate Cloud AI Engineer, you'll work alongside Senior and Lead Cloud AI Engineers to help deploy, secure, and support Google Cloud environments for federal customers. You'll participate in cloud migrations, infrastructure deployments, automation initiatives, and AI platform implementations while developing expertise in Google Cloud technologies and federal security best practices.
This role offers significant mentorship and professional growth opportunities as you build toward becoming a Cloud AI Engineer and ultimately a Cloud Architect.
Responsibilities
Assist with deploying and configuring Google Cloud Platform (GCP) environments
Configure resource hierarchies, IAM roles, Cloud Identity, and organizational policies
Support Google Cloud Assured Workloads implementations
Deploy and manage Compute Engine virtual machines, Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), Cloud Run, and enterprise AI services
Configure cloud networking including VPCs, subnets, firewall rules, and network security policies
Assist with Google Cloud storage, databases, and data services including:
Cloud Storage
Cloud SQL
BigQuery
Spanner
Pub/Sub
Dataflow
Support Infrastructure as Code (IaC) deployments using Terraform, Config Connector, and Helm
Utilize Google AI-assisted tools including Gemini CLI and Gemini Cloud Assist
Monitor cloud environments using Cloud Monitoring, Cloud Logging, Cloud Trace, and Cloud Profiler
Assist with identity, access management, encryption, and least-privilege security implementations
Support compliance documentation and evidence collection for FedRAMP and DoD environments
Collaborate with senior engineers throughout cloud migration and modernization projects
Continuously expand Google Cloud knowledge through certifications, mentoring, and hands-on experience
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or another STEM-related field (or equivalent practical experience)
- 0–2 years of experience supporting cloud infrastructure or enterprise IT environments
- Basic understanding of cloud computing concepts
- Familiarity with Linux and networking fundamentals
- Experience using command-line tools and scripting is a plus
- Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills
- Excellent communication and willingness to learn
- Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced team environment
Preferred Qualifications
Experience or exposure to any of the following is a plus:
- Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
- Kubernetes
- Docker or container technologies
- Terraform or Infrastructure as Code
- Git and CI/CD pipelines
- Cloud networking
- Python, Bash, or PowerShell scripting
- AI or machine learning concepts
- Legacy-to-cloud migration projects
Required Certifications
- Google Cloud Certified – Associate Cloud Engineer (ACE) (Required at hire or within the first 90 days of employment)
- Google Cloud Certified – Professional Cloud Architect (PCA) (Preferred or active pursuit encouraged)
Security Clearance
- Active TS/SCI clearance or eligibility to obtain a TS/SCI clearance is required.
Benefits
Our comprehensive benefits package for full-time salaried employees is effective immediately upon the start date. Benefits include comprehensive PPO medical coverage with access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) option, a vision plan, and dental insurance with the base dental plan option paid for by PGTEK. Life Insurance, Short and Long-Term disability, and Critical Illness insurance have premiums covered. Additionally, PGTEK offers a matching 401(k) plan and a discount on pet insurance through ASPCA Pet Insurance. An Employee Assistance Program is available at no cost to all employees. PGTEK offers a generous amount of PTO and Holidays, and an Education Assistance Program is available after 12 months of employment.
ABOUT PGTEK
PGTEK is a true consulting organization dedicated to helping clients achieve their business and technology objectives utilizing our decades of experience and business relationships. PGTEK invests in the educational advancements of our staff by providing the necessary resources to complete Professional and Business Certifications. Our company is our people, and we treat them like family.
EOE, including disability/veterans