Sr. Principal Google Cloud Platform / AI Architect

**PLEASE NO C2C SUBMISSIONS OR AGENCIES - ONLY DIRECT APPLICANTS ONLY**

Our client, a mid-sized and forward-thinking consulting firm (named to Forbes Best Management Consulting Firms for 15 consecutive years), is expanding its 160-person Data Analytics & AI practice. They combine deep industry expertise with modern technology to drive meaningful, long-term transformation for their clients. They're currently seeking a seasoned Google Cloud Platform Architect to lead cloud architecture, data platform modernization, and migration initiatives using Google Cloud Platform.

Please note: Although the preference is contract to hire, the team is open to full-time direct hire for someone with direct alignment. 

Contract-to-Hire Details

• Start: As early as December 2025, goes through all of 2026
• Duration: 6-8 months before FTE conversion or contract extension
• Type: Full-time contract (40 hrs/week)
• Location: Onsite 2 3 days/week in downtown Manhattan
• Rate: $125 175/hr (depending on experience alignment)
• Salary: $220-270k + 15% bonus 
• Industry: Ideal candidate comes from the IT Consulting industry or Energy & Utilities (E&U)

Client Delivery

• Act as SME and solution architect for Google Cloud Platform, advising on design, migration, and platform decisions.
• Compare Azure vs. Google Cloud Platform capabilities to guide client choices.
• Lead architecture and migration of workloads into Google Cloud Platform, including hybrid/multi-cloud.
• Build modern data platforms supporting analytics, AI, and agentic solutions on Google Cloud Platform.
• Advise on how Databricks aligns or overlaps with Google Cloud Platform services.
• Lead cost modeling, O&M budgeting, and optimization efforts.
• Ensure architectures meet business, technical, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide hands-on guidance across core Google Cloud Platform services (BigQuery, Dataflow, Pub/Sub, Vertex AI, etc.).
• Connect data engineering, governance, analytics, and AI into a cohesive platform strategy.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to client leadership.

Practice Development

• Develop methodologies, accelerators, and best practices for Google Cloud Platform adoption in regulated environments.
• Support cloud modernization and AI/ML thought leadership efforts.
• Mentor team members and support a collaborative culture.

Business Development

• Translate business needs into technical roadmaps, proposals, and architecture options.
• Support pursuits as a Google Cloud Platform SME with estimates and risk assessments.
• Build a network in the cloud and utilities ecosystems.

Requirements

• Bachelor s degree (advanced preferred).
• 8+ years experience, including 3+ on Google Cloud Platform.
• Strong cloud data architecture skills (batch/streaming pipelines, BigQuery, Vertex AI, Agentspace).
• Experience with Azure and Databricks; ability to evaluate tradeoffs.
• Proven leadership of large cloud migrations or platform builds.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements (e.g., NERC CIP).
• At least one Google Cloud Professional certification.
• Strong communication, documentation, and stakeholder influence skills.
• Leadership and mentoring experience.
• Willingness to travel (up to 30% at times, but closer to 10%)

Nice to Have

• Experience with regulated utilities and compliance frameworks.
• Databricks certifications.