Senior Cloud Architect

Position: Senior Cloud Architect
Location: Anywhere in USA (Fully Remote)
Employment Type: 6-Month Contract-to-Hire (No Exceptions)

Overview

The Cloud Architect is responsible for driving the cloud-centric architecture approach for the managed services offering while maintaining security best practices and improving operational efficiencies. This role works closely with Solution Architects, Software Architects, Security, Product Management, and Operations teams to design, secure, automate, and optimize cloud services delivered on Azure and AWS platforms.

This is a Cloud Architecture role and not a DevOps-focused position.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage multi-tenant cloud strategies.
• Design and maintain cloud reference architectures for different deployment models.
• Establish architectural standards, guiding principles, and best practices.
• Assess, design, implement, automate, and document cloud security solutions.
• Partner with Security Operations teams to define and implement cloud security standards.
• Develop cloud, container, and application security baselines.
• Create cloud cost management, tracking, and utilization processes.
• Maintain documentation for cloud security systems and procedures.
• Lead proof-of-concept initiatives and evaluate emerging technologies.
• Produce architecture documentation, design documents, diagrams, and operational handover materials.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on cloud architecture and security.
• Lead executive and client-facing architecture presentations and discussions.
• Provide multi-cloud thought leadership and strategic guidance.
• Collaborate with Operations teams to improve efficiency and remove technical roadblocks.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience as a Cloud Architect or Solutions Architect.
• Minimum 5 years of experience securing cloud-based solutions.
• Experience designing and securing IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS environments.
• Bachelor''''s degree in Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong experience with Azure(70%) and AWS(30%) cloud platforms.
• Experience with cloud migration, modernization, and application refactoring.
• Deep understanding of cloud architecture best practices and governance.

Security Expertise

• Cloud Security Architecture
• Threat Modeling
• Identity and Access Management
• Compliance Frameworks including HIPAA, ISO, and HITRUST
• Web Application Firewalls (WAF)
• IDS/IPS
• Network Security Groups (NSG)
• Application Firewalls
• ExpressRoute

Infrastructure and Networking

Strong experience with:

• Enterprise Networking
• BGP
• OSPF
• MPLS
• Routing and Switching Technologies
• Firewalls and Security Appliances
• Data Center Architecture

Containerization and Automation

• Terraform
• Kubernetes
• Infrastructure as Code
• Containers and Container Security

Database Technologies

Experience with:

• Microsoft SQL Server
• MySQL
• PostgreSQL
• MongoDB
• DynamoDB
• Elasticsearch

Identity and Security Protocols

• OAuth
• OpenID Connect
• Privileged Identity Management (PIM)

Virtualization and Storage

• VMware
• KVM
• Fibre Channel
• iSCSI
• NFS

Preferred Certifications

Highly preferred certifications include:

• Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• Azure Security Engineer
• AWS Solutions Architect Professional
• AWS Security Specialty
• HashiCorp Terraform Associate
• Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
• Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)