Principal Cloud Solutions Architect

Placements24; Southampton; On-site; GBP 82,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Executive-level benefits

Global travel opportunities

Strong retirement plan

Job summary

Unknown Client, a global leader in digital transformation, seeks a Principal Cloud Solutions Architect to design and implement complex cloud-native solutions in Randburg, Gauteng. You will guide cloud adoption, architecture strategy, and client collaboration to deliver scalable, secure platforms.

The role requires 10+ years in IT with hands-on cloud experience across AWS, Azure and GCP, plus strong IAM/security and governance expertise.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of IT experience with a focus on cloud architecture and design (minimum 5 years hands-on cloud experience).
• In-depth knowledge of AWS, Azure and GCP.
• Experience architecting and implementing large-scale cloud migrations (lift-and-shift, re-platforming, re-architecting).
• Strong understanding of cloud networking, security IAM and governance.
• Experience with Docker and Kubernetes and serverless computing.
• IaC tools such as Terraform or CloudFormation.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and strategic thinking skills.
• Exceptional communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills.
• Relevant cloud certifications (AWS Solutions Architect Pro, Azure Solutions Architect Expert) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Architect and design enterprise cloud solutions across AWS, Azure and GCP.
• Lead the technical vision for cloud adoption, migration and modernization.
• Provide guidance on cloud security, cost optimization and performance.
• Collaborate with client IT, development and business stakeholders to translate needs into designs.
• Develop proofs-of-concept and implementation roadmaps.
• Create detailed architectural documentation and roadmaps.
• Mentor junior architects and engineers.
• Stay current with cloud tech and evaluate new services.
• Troubleshoot complex technical challenges during implementation.
• Ensure scalable, reliable, high-availability, disaster recovery ready architectures.

Skills

Cloud architecture

Cloud platforms (AWS)

Cloud platforms (Azure)

Cloud platforms (GCP)

Docker

Kubernetes

IaC (Terraform)

IaC (CloudFormation)

Security and IAM

DevOps practices

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/IT/Engineering

Tools

Terraform

CloudFormation

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in digital transformation services, is looking for a highly experienced Principal Cloud Solutions Architect to join their esteemed technical practice in Randburg, Gauteng . This is a senior-level position where you will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing complex cloud-native solutions for enterprise clients. You will act as a trusted advisor, guiding clients through their cloud adoption journey, from strategy and planning to execution and optimization. The ideal candidate possesses deep technical expertise across multiple cloud platforms, a strategic mindset, and exceptional communication skills to articulate intricate technical concepts to both technical teams and executive leadership. This role demands a passion for innovation and a commitment to delivering robust, scalable, and secure cloud architectures. Your expertise will be critical in enabling our clients to harness the full potential of cloud technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect and design enterprise-level cloud solutions on platforms such as AWS , Azure, and GCP, ensuring alignment with client business objectives and technical requirements.
• Lead the technical vision and strategy for cloud adoption, migration, and modernization projects.
• Provide expert guidance on cloud best practices, security, cost optimization, and performance tuning.
• Collaborate with client IT teams, development teams, and business stakeholders to understand their needs and translate them into actionable architectural designs.
• Develop proof-of-concepts and prototypes to validate architectural approaches and demonstrate the feasibility of solutions.
• Create detailed architectural documentation, including diagrams, specifications, and implementation roadmaps.
• Mentor and guide junior architects and engineers, fostering technical growth within the team.
• Stay at the forefront of cloud technologies, evaluating new services and solutions to enhance our offerings.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical challenges encountered during solution implementation.
• Ensure solutions are designed for scalability, reliability, high availability, and disaster recovery.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in IT, with a significant focus on cloud architecture and design (minimum 5 years hands-on cloud experience).
• In-depth knowledge and practical experience with major cloud providers, including AWS , Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Proven experience architecting and implementing complex, large-scale cloud solutions, including migration strategies (lift-and-shift, re-platforming, re-architecting).
• Strong understanding of cloud networking, security principles, identity and access management (IAM), and governance.
• Experience with containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes) and serverless computing.
• Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform or CloudFormation.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Relevant cloud certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional, Azure Solutions Architect Expert) are highly preferred.
• Experience in defining and implementing DevOps practices.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, executive-level benefits, opportunities for global travel, and significant professional growth. This is a No remote position, requiring your presence in our client's state-of-the-art facility in Randburg, Gauteng , fostering strong team collaboration. You will work on challenging projects with leading enterprises, have access to continuous learning resources, and be part of a company that values expertise and innovation. We provide a strong retirement plan and performance bonuses. This role provides unparalleled exposure to cutting-edge cloud technologies and strategic business initiatives.