Cloud Platform Architect

Role : Cloud/Platform Architect

Location : Cambridge, MA (Hybrid)

Job Type: -Contract

Required Experience: 15 20 years

Role Summary

Lead end-to-end architecture and delivery governance for a regulated AWS platform supporting CDAP (pharmacometrics) and BEE (biostats).

Own multi-environment architecture (DEV/TEST/PROD/DR) using Terraform modularization and GitOps practices.

Define platform blueprint for compute, storage, networking, identity, CI/CD, observability, DR, and operational readiness.

Key Responsibilities

Define target AWS architecture for VPC design with department isolation (subnets, NACLs, security groups).

Architect Amazon EKS with namespace isolation (cdap/sas/gitlab) and Helm-based deployments.

Architect AWS PCS (Slurm HPC) for NONMEM workloads including scaling and integration patterns.

Architect storage layers using FSx NetApp ONTAP (NFS/SMB, multi-AZ) and FSx Lustre scratch for HPC.

Define end-user access architecture using AWS WorkSpaces (Windows desktops) and integration touchpoints.

Define data services architecture using RDS PostgreSQL and ElastiCache Redis for platform components.

Design Identity & Access integration: Okta SSO + Duo MFA, AWS Managed AD, and RBAC/group strategy.

Establish Infrastructure-as-Code standards: Terraform module strategy, remote state, environment variable files, and governance.

Define GitOps standards: all Kubernetes manifests/Helm values in Git, CI/CD-driven promotion across environments.

Define GitLab platform and pipeline strategy (runners, approvals, artifact management, reusable templates).

Drive security-by-design: least privilege IAM, logging, encryption, secrets management patterns.

Ensure regulated operations readiness: change control, audit readiness, validation documentation alignment (GxP/21 CFR Part 11).

Define operational model: monitoring/alerting, patching cadence, backup/restore, DR runbooks, and service reporting.

Create architecture deliverables: HLD/LLD, standards, reference patterns, runbooks, and handover package.

Know R&D and FDA process - what we are building is tool for R&D team (to run simulation/analysis) who face FDA Audit, understanding of business and work closely with the business

Work with stakeholders (client, engineering, ops) to manage risks, dependencies, and design decisions.

Must-Have Skills

Expert level AWS architecture experience: networking, compute, storage, IAM/security, multi-AZ design.

Expert level Terraform experience: module design, remote state (S3 + locking), multi-environment patterns.

GitLab CI/CD pipelines: design, governance, reusable templates, runner strategy.

Kubernetes/EKS architecture with Helm and GitOps workflows.

Strong Experience integrating /connecting On-premises Active Directory to AWS.

Experience with AWS HPC workloads.

Strong experience operating platforms in regulated / compliance-driven environments.

Strong documentation and architecture governance skills.

Good-to-Have Skills

Have Healthcare/Pharma domain experience, with knowledge on FDA processes

Experience working with business teams and R&D team with good understanding of business processes

Experience with AWS PCS / Slurm.

Experience with FSx NetApp ONTAP and FSx Lustre performance patterns.

Experience with AWS WorkSpaces at scale.

Experience designing/operating self-hosted GitLab in highly available setups.

Experience with OKTA integration.

Experience with Pharma domain an added advantage.

Education / Certifications

Bachelor s degree in Computer Science / IT or equivalent.

Preferred AWS Solutions Architect Associate/Professional Certification.