Kafka Architect

About the Role:

We are seeking a highly experienced Kafka Architect to lead the design, development, and optimization of large-scale, real-time data streaming platforms. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise across the Kafka ecosystem and a strong grasp of Confluent Cloud, along with the ability to architect scalable and secure solutions that align with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and implement Kafka-based data pipelines and streaming applications.

• Architect end-to-end solutions using the Kafka ecosystem (Kafka Connect, Kafka Streams, ksqlDB, Schema Registry, etc.).

• Deploy, configure, and manage Confluent Cloud in a secure and scalable manner.

• Optimize Kafka performance including tuning, partitioning, replication, and security.

• Work with DevOps teams to automate deployment and monitoring.

• Provide thought leadership and best practices in event-driven architecture.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including data engineers, solution architects, and product managers.

Technical Requirements:

• 10+ years of IT experience with a strong focus on data architecture and engineering.

• 5+ years of hands-on experience with Kafka, including Kafka Streams, Kafka Connect, and Schema Registry.

• In-depth experience with Confluent Cloud — deployment, configuration, and integration.

• Strong programming background in Java, Scala, or Python.

• Proficiency with cloud platforms (AWS/GCP/Azure), particularly in deploying Kafka clusters.

• Solid understanding of microservices and event-driven architecture.

• Familiar with security standards and encryption methods (SSL, SASL, RBAC).

Nice to Have:

• Experience working with Kubernetes and Docker for container orchestration.

• Exposure to monitoring tools like Prometheus, Grafana, and Confluent Control Center.

• Confluent Certified Developer/Administrator is a big plus.

Soft Skills:

• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.

• Ability to work independently and lead technical discussions.

• Stakeholder management and documentation skills.