Google Cloud Platform Architect

Job Title: Google Cloud Platform Architect SaaS Product Build

Locations: Kirkland, WA (onsite)

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Google Cloud Platform Architect to join client's engineering team to help drive the architecture, design, and build-out of a new SaaS product on Google Cloud Platform (Google Cloud Platform).

The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in Google Cloud Platform services and architecture, with proven experience translating existing product architectures (currently built on AWS) into Google Cloud Platform-native solutions. You will collaborate closely with engineering leadership based in Munich and Kirkland and play a hands-on role in architecting and guiding the new product initiative.

This is a critical role as client expands its multi-cloud product strategy. The role will initially focus on Google Cloud Platform but offers room to influence broader cloud architecture initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of a new SaaS product on Google Cloud Platform.
• Map the existing AWS-based architecture to corresponding Google Cloud Platform services, considering performance, cost, scalability, and operational excellence.
• Identify Google Cloud Platform services to optimize the build (Cloud Run, GKE, Pub/Sub, BigQuery, Cloud SQL, Dataflow, IAM, networking, etc.).
• Define architecture patterns and best practices for building secure, scalable, and highly available cloud-native services.
• Work hands-on with engineering teams to guide development, support initial implementation, and establish architectural guardrails.
• Conduct technical workshops with key stakeholders and engineering leadership (VP Engineering in Munich, CTO/CPO in Kirkland).
• Participate in architecture reviews and provide guidance on cloud cost optimization, observability, and operational readiness.
• Help upskill internal teams on Google Cloud Platform tools and services where necessary.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years overall experience in cloud architecture, with at least 3-5 years of hands-on experience with Google Cloud Platform.
• Proven experience building or rearchitecting SaaS platforms on Google Cloud Platform end-to-end.
• Strong understanding of core Google Cloud Platform services:
  • Compute (GKE, Cloud Run, App Engine)
  • Storage (Cloud Storage, BigQuery, Cloud SQL, Spanner)
  • Networking (VPC, Cloud Load Balancing, Cloud Armor)
  • Data & Analytics (BigQuery, Pub/Sub, Dataflow, Looker)
  • IAM & Security
• Ability to perform architecture comparisons between AWS and Google Cloud Platform and make recommendations on trade-offs.
• Experience with Kubernetes (GKE) is a plus but not strictly required.
• Understanding of modern DevOps practices (CI/CD, GitOps, Infrastructure as Code - Terraform preferred).
• Previous experience guiding cross-functional product teams in a fast-paced SaaS environment.

Soft Skills & Expectations

• Ability to work directly with senior engineering leadership (VP Engineering, CTO).
• Ability to work autonomously and guide product decisions with minimal supervision.
• Comfortable collaborating across distributed teams.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Focus on quality over quantity, Firebolt leadership expects a senior, trusted expert, not a junior engineer requiring extensive ramp-up.

Engagement Details

• Contract Duration: 6 months to start, with strong potential for long-term extension or contract-to-hire.
• Target Start Date: ASAP (interview process can move quickly).
• Interview Process:
  • Technical rounds with Engineering
  • Leadership/Cultural fit interview
  • Final approval by CTO/CPO (Kirkland-based leadership)