Lead Cloud Engineer - NC

Job#: 3028350

Job Description:

Client: Financial Services

Team: TBA

Job Title: Lead Cloud Engineer - Apache Spark / Google Cloud Platform / Python / Microservices (Software Engineer 4 - Contingent)

Location: Charlotte, NC -(Hybrid, 3 days onsite)

Contract Length: 12 months (extensions + conversion possible)

Pay Rate: $68 - $ 74
Top Requirements:

5-7+ years Apache Spark experience (large-scale, distributed data processing).

3-5+ years Google Cloud Platform (Google Cloud Platform) or equivalent cloud experience.

3+ years Python/Django development, microservices, backend tools.

3+ years OpenShift/Kubernetes, containerized workload management.

Experience building platforms or services for high-volume data users (statisticians, data scientists).

Plusses:

Experience in financial services, risk modeling, or regulated industries.

Experience developing AI/ML or GenAI-based tools.

Strong debugging skills across distributed systems.

Experience with Kafka, GCS/S3, HDFS, and data lake integrations.

Experience leading cloud modernization or platform migration initiatives.

Job Summary:

This Software Engineer 4 role serves as a Lead Cloud Engineer supporting the Model Risk Management (MRM) platform used to execute statistical risk models and large-scale analytical workloads. The engineer will architect, modernize, and manage a high-volume distributed data platform built on Google Cloud Platform, Apache Spark, Kubernetes/OpenShift, and Python-based microservices.

This platform supports statisticians and model developers who process extremely large datasets (millions of accounts), making performance optimization, automation, and cloud-native engineering essential.

The engineer will provide technical leadership across distributed data processing, platform engineering, microservices development, CI/CD automation, and cloud infrastructure. This position combines advanced software engineering with platform ownership in a fast-moving, enterprise-scale environment.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities:

• Platform & Architecture Leadership
  • Lead design, deployment, configuration, and tuning of OpenShift clusters or Google Cloud Platform projects.
  • Architect enhancements to the model execution platform supporting statistical risk models.
  • Drive platform modernization and cloud-native transformations.
• Distributed Data Processing
  • Architect and optimize large-scale Spark data processing workflows.
  • Tune Spark workloads on Kubernetes for cost, performance, and scalability.
  • Integrate Spark with Kafka, GCS/S3, databases, and enterprise data lakes.
• Application & Tooling Development
  • Lead backend and microservice development using Python/Django.
  • Build tools and automation enabling statisticians to run large analytical workloads.
  • Improve scalability, usability, and reliability across platform services.
• Automation, DevOps & CI/CD
  • Architect CI/CD pipelines using GitHub Actions, Helm, Harness, Sonar, etc.
  • Automate cluster management, deployments, environment provisioning, and testing.
• Monitoring, Performance & Reliability
  • Use Prometheus, Grafana, and Google Cloud Platform monitoring to track system health and cluster performance.
  • Troubleshoot distributed data pipelines and cloud-native applications.
• Security & Compliance
  • Implement RBAC, encryption, and secure coding practices.
  • Ensure all solutions align with enterprise cloud security policies.
• Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Collaborate with platform engineering, DevOps, model developers, and architects.
  • Provide mentorship and technical leadership to junior and senior engineers.
  • Lead production releases, RCA efforts, and platform improvements.

EEO Employer

Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law. If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation in using our website for a search or application, please contact our Employee Services Department at or .

Apex Systems is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico. Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click for more details.

Apex Benefits Overview: Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our 'Welcome Packet' as well, which an Apex team member can provide.