Peraton, a major U.S. defense and national security technology company, is actively hiring for an AWS Cloud Engineer role supporting a government multi-cloud environment. The posted salary range runs from $112,000 to $179,000 per year. That is a wide band, and understanding where you might land within it matters.
This post breaks down the full compensation picture at Peraton for this role. That includes base pay, benefits, equity considerations, and how the numbers stack up against the broader market.
Peraton AWS Cloud Engineer Salary Range
The official posted range is $112,000 to $179,000 annually. That spread of roughly $67,000 reflects the reality that government contracting roles often have wide pay bands. Experience level, security clearance status, and technical depth all influence where an offer lands.
Most candidates with mid-level experience will likely see offers in the $130,000 to $155,000 range. Senior engineers with deep AWS GovCloud expertise and active clearances tend to attract offers closer to the top of the band.
Entry-Level vs. Senior-Level Expectations
Peraton does not publish tiered salary data publicly. However, based on the job description, this is not an entry-level position. The role requires extensive AWS and security knowledge, incident response experience, and familiarity with NIST SP 800-53 and DHS 4300A compliance frameworks.
Engineers with fewer than five years of relevant experience may find offers landing between $112,000 and $130,000. Those with seven or more years and active government clearance credentials are positioned for the upper half of the band.
What Drives Pay Variation at Peraton
Several factors push compensation up or down within Peraton's pay bands. Security clearance is one of the biggest variables in defense contracting work. Candidates who already hold a Secret or Top Secret clearance are significantly more valuable to Peraton because the company avoids the cost and time of sponsoring a new clearance.
Technical specialization is another major driver. This role specifically involves AWS GovCloud environments, STIG hardening, CloudWatch, CloudTrail, Dynatrace, and Splunk. Engineers who bring hands-on production experience across those tools, not just theoretical knowledge, tend to negotiate stronger offers.
Geographic location plays a smaller role here because the position is fully remote. However, Peraton does note that all work must be performed within the United States, and standard Eastern hours apply from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST.
Compensation Structure Beyond Base Salary
Base salary is only part of the picture at Peraton. The company structures total compensation to include several additional components that can meaningfully increase your annual take-home value.
Annual Bonuses
Peraton offers performance-based annual bonuses for eligible employees. Bonus percentages are not published publicly, but defense contractors in this space typically offer bonuses ranging from 5% to 15% of base salary. At a $150,000 base, that puts potential bonus value between $7,500 and $22,500 annually.
Bonus eligibility generally depends on individual performance reviews and company-wide financial results. Government contract renewals and program performance also influence bonus pools at companies like Peraton.
Equity and Stock Compensation
Peraton is a privately held company, backed by Veritas Capital. As a result, it does not offer publicly traded stock options or RSUs in the same way that AWS, Microsoft, or other public tech companies do.
Some senior and executive-level roles at private equity-backed firms do receive equity participation through phantom equity, profit-sharing, or long-term incentive plans. For most individual contributor AWS Cloud Engineer roles at Peraton, however, equity is unlikely to be part of the standard package. Candidates should ask directly during the offer negotiation stage if this is a priority.
Benefits Package at Peraton
Peraton's benefits package is considered competitive within the defense contracting sector. The company serves employees across a range of clearance levels and operational environments, so benefits tend to be robust and well-structured.
Health and Medical Benefits
Peraton provides comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage. Multiple plan tiers are available to accommodate different needs and family sizes. Premiums and coverage details can vary based on enrollment choices, but the baseline offerings are consistent with large defense contractor standards.
- Medical insurance with multiple plan options
- Dental and vision coverage
- Health Savings Account (HSA) options for eligible plans
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for medical and dependent care
Retirement and Financial Benefits
Peraton offers a 401(k) retirement plan with company matching. The match structure encourages long-term employee retention. Financial wellness programs are also available, which is increasingly common among larger government contractors competing for technical talent.
- 401(k) with employer match
- Life insurance and accidental death coverage
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance
- Employee assistance programs
Paid Time Off and Leave
Peraton provides paid time off, federal holidays, and parental leave as part of its standard benefits. The exact PTO accrual schedule can depend on tenure and role classification. Defense contractors often align holiday schedules with federal government calendars, which typically includes 11 federal holidays per year.
How Peraton's Pay Compares to Industry Standards
The $112,000 to $179,000 range for an AWS Cloud Engineer at Peraton is competitive when measured against the broader defense contracting market. It is somewhat conservative when compared to pure-play tech companies in the private sector.
According to data from Levels.fyi and Glassdoor, AWS Cloud Engineers at major tech companies like Amazon, Google, or Microsoft often see total compensation packages ranging from $180,000 to well over $300,000. The difference is largely driven by equity compensation, which is substantial at public tech firms.
Within the government contracting space, Peraton's range aligns closely with peers like Leidos, SAIC, Booz Allen Hamilton, and GDIT. Those companies typically post AWS and cloud security engineer roles in the $110,000 to $180,000 base salary range, depending on clearance requirements and program complexity.
Trade-Offs to Consider
Choosing a defense contractor role over a commercial tech role involves clear trade-offs. Government contracting positions often offer greater job stability, particularly on long-term programs. Contract duration and funding cycles provide more predictability than startup environments or volatile tech layoffs.
The equity gap is real, though. Engineers who prioritize long-term wealth building through stock compensation may find the commercial tech sector more rewarding financially. Engineers who value mission-driven work, stability, and a structured environment often find government contracting roles deeply satisfying in different ways.
Negotiating Your Offer at Peraton
Peraton's salary band for this role offers genuine room to negotiate. Arriving at the table with documented AWS certifications, particularly AWS Certified Security Specialty or AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional, strengthens your position significantly.
Active security clearances are among the strongest negotiating chips in defense contracting. If you hold a current TS/SCI clearance, you should factor that into your ask. Clearance sponsorship costs companies tens of thousands of dollars and months of waiting time.
Asking about signing bonuses is also reasonable at this salary level. Many defense contractors use one-time signing bonuses to close salary gaps without permanently adjusting base pay grades. A $10,000 to $20,000 signing bonus is not unusual for cleared technical talent in competitive specializations like AWS GovCloud security.
Is the Peraton AWS Cloud Engineer Role Worth Applying For
The Peraton AWS Cloud Engineer position offers a solid compensation range for professionals with government cloud security experience. The fully remote setup adds lifestyle value that is worth factoring into total compensation. For cleared engineers with deep AWS GovCloud and STIG experience, this role sits in a competitive spot within the defense contracting market.
If this role aligns with your background, you can review the full job description and apply directly at https://himalayas.app/companies/peraton/jobs/aws-cloud-engineer.
