Consulting Principal - Solution Architect

Cognizant; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognizant Consulting in the UK is seeking a Cloud Architect - AWS Kubernetes (EKS) to design secure, scalable container platforms for a government cloud programme. You will join a dedicated EKS architecture team, collaborating with the client Head of Architecture, engineering teams and stakeholders.

The role focuses on highly available container solutions on AWS, Kubernetes management, IaC with Terraform and CloudFormation, secure CI/CD pipelines, and monitoring with CloudWatch, Prometheus and

Qualifications

• Five or more years in AWS cloud architecture with Kubernetes/EKS experience.
• Advanced knowledge of AWS services, networking, and security controls.
• Experience with ECS/Fargate and container networking.
• Proficient in infrastructure-as-code and automation tools.
• Active SC and NPPV3 clearance, or willingness to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Architect highly available, scalable container solutions on AWS using EKS/ECS/Fargate.
• Lead Kubernetes deployment, security, resilience and multi-tenancy practices.
• Build reusable infrastructure with Terraform and CloudFormation.
• Design secure CI/CD approaches for containerized workloads and artefact management.
• Establish monitoring, logging and incident-management using CloudWatch, Prometheus, Grafana and ELK.

Skills

AWS cloud architecture

Kubernetes & EKS

CI/CD pipelines

Terraform & CloudFormation

Security clearance

Tools

Terraform

AWS CloudFormation

Jenkins

GitLab

Job description

Cognizant Consulting is more than Cognizant's consulting practice; we're a global community of 5,000+ experts dedicated to helping clients reimagine their business. Blending our deep industry and technology advisory capability, we create innovative business solutions for Fortune 500 clients. And now, we're looking for our next colleague who'll join us in shaping the future of business. Could it be you?

About Cognizant Consulting

Cognizant Consulting is more than Cognizant's consulting practice; we're a global community of 5,000+ experts dedicated to helping clients reimagine their business. Blending our deep industry and technology advisory capability, we create innovative business solutions for Fortune 500 clients. And now, we're looking for our next colleague who'll join us in shaping the future of business. Could it be you?

About The Role

As a Cloud Architect - AWS Kubernetes (EKS), you will make an impact by designing secure, resilient and scalable container platforms for a UK government law enforcement cloud programme. You will be a valued member of a dedicated EKS architecture team, working collaboratively with the client Head of Architecture, engineering teams and multidisciplinary stakeholders.

In This Role, You Will

• Architect highly available, scalable and secure container solutions on AWS using Amazon EKS, ECS and Fargate, aligned with client architecture and security standards.
• Lead the configuration, deployment and ongoing evolution of Kubernetes and container environments, with a strong focus on operational security, resilience, multi-tenancy and high availability.
• Build reusable infrastructure using Terraform and AWS CloudFormation, embedding security, compliance and repeatable deployment practices into the platform.
• Design secure CI/CD approaches for containerized workloads, including traceability, rollback and controlled artefact management using tools such as Jenkins, GitLab and AWS CodePipeline.
• Establish effective monitoring, logging and incident-management capabilities using CloudWatch, Prometheus, Grafana and the ELK stack, while advising stakeholders on AWS container best practices.

Work model

We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role's business requirements, this is a hybrid position requiring attendance at client or Cognizant locations in London and Croydon as required. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programmes.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you're engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured, we will always be clear about role expectations.

What You Must Have To Be Considered

• Five or more years of experience in AWS cloud architecture, including substantial hands-on delivery with Kubernetes and Amazon EKS.
• Advanced knowledge of AWS services and networking, including EC2, VPC, IAM and Route 53, with experience designing secure VPCs, subnetting models and least-privilege access controls.
• Practical experience with Amazon ECS and Fargate, including container networking, load balancing and microservices-based architectures.
• Strong infrastructure-as-code and automation capability using Terraform, AWS CloudFormation or comparable tools, together with experience building CI/CD pipelines for containerized applications.
• Active SC and NPPV3 clearance, or the willingness and ability to obtain both, plus the ability to work effectively in a regulated UK public-sector environment.

These will help you succeed

• Knowledge of UK public-sector cloud security and compliance expectations, including the NCSC Cloud Security Principles, GDPR and ISO 27001.
• Experience implementing secure secrets management, Kubernetes security policies, network policies and controls for multi-tenant platforms.
• Knowledge of observability and centralized logging using CloudWatch, Prometheus, Grafana and ELK in high-security environments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to create resilient solutions and manage technical ambiguity with accountability.
• Clear communication and collaborative stakeholder-management skills, including the ability to explain complex architecture decisions to technical and non-technical audiences.

Security clearance: Active SC and NPPV3 clearance, or the willingness and ability to obtain both, is essential.