Cloud Architect

Simplify Alpha™; United States; On-site; USD 180,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

Simplify Alpha seeks an Architect to own the technical vision for large-scale, cloud-native platforms on AWS (EKS) and OpenShift, guiding technology choices and ensuring scalable, secure systems.

Focus areas include AI-assisted development, security/compliance, and mentoring engineers across onshore/offshore teams while partnering with clients and delivery leaders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 15+ years in software engineering, including 7+ years in an architecture-level role.
• Deep expertise in distributed systems design and cloud-native architecture on AWS.
• Strong hands-on background in Go, Python, and Node.js, with ability to guide adjacent languages.
• Proven experience architecting and operating container platforms on AWS EKS and OpenShift.
• Knowledge of Docker, Kafka or similar event-streaming platforms, service mesh, Terraform.
• Experience leading architecture across multi-team, multi-region engagements.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end architecture for large-scale, distributed, cloud-native systems on AWS (EKS) and OpenShift.
• Set platform strategy for container orchestration across cloud environments.
• Define enterprise architecture standards, design patterns, and guardrails across teams.
• Lead architecture reviews, produce system blueprints, and maintain roadmaps.
• Drive automation-first culture: IaC, CI/CD, observability.
• Mentor engineers and architects across onshore/offshore teams.
• Partner with pre-sales and delivery on technical solutions.

Skills

Distributed systems design

Cloud-native architecture

Architecture leadership

Mentoring

Stakeholder management

Education

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

Tools

AWS EKS

OpenShift

Terraform

Docker

Kafka

API gateways

Job description

Location: Onshore (United States)

Experience: 15+ years, including 7+ years in an architecture-level role

Tech Stack: Distributed Systems, AWS (incl. EKS), OpenShift, Automation (CI/CD & IaC), Go, Python, Node.js, AI-Assisted Software Development, and adjacent technologies (Kafka/event streaming, Terraform, service mesh, API gateways, and data platforms as engagements require)

Role Overview

We are looking for an Architect to own the technical vision for large-scale, distributed, cloud-native platforms built primarily on AWS (including EKS) and Red Hat OpenShift, with Go, Python, and Node.js, extending into adjacent technologies as engagements require. This role works closely with client stakeholders, engineering leadership, and onshore/offshore delivery teams to define architecture standards, guide technology choices, and ensure platforms are scalable, secure, and cost-effective. The scope is intentionally broader than a single language or service stack: while Go, Python, Node.js, AWS/EKS, OpenShift, and automation form the core, the architect is expected to evaluate and guide adjacent technologies (containers and orchestration, event streaming, infrastructure-as-code, data platforms, and API management) as the right tool for a given problem.

Key Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end architecture for large-scale, distributed, cloud-native systems on AWS (including EKS) and Red Hat OpenShift, extending into adjacent technologies such as Kafka, Terraform, and service mesh as needed
• Set platform strategy for container orchestration across cloud (AWS EKS) and enterprise Kubernetes (OpenShift) environments, including decisions on workload placement, portability, and multi-platform standards
• Define enterprise architecture standards, design patterns, and engineering guardrails across teams
• Lead architecture reviews, produce system blueprints, and maintain technology roadmaps
• Drive an automation-first engineering culture: infrastructure-as-code, CI/CD, self-healing systems, and observability
• Guide technology selection and evaluate emerging tools and frameworks across the core stack and adjacent technologies
• Act as the primary technical advisor to client stakeholders on platform strategy, with particular depth in US health insurance and payer environments
• Ensure architecture decisions account for relevant compliance and security requirements (e.g., HIPAA, SOC 2); any compliance-related documentation produced is draft guidance for review against approved source policies, not an attestation of record
• Mentor senior engineers and emerging architects, building technical capability across onshore and offshore teams
• Partner with pre-sales and delivery leadership on technical solutioning for prospective and existing clients
• Own non-functional requirements across engagements: scalability, performance, security, cost efficiency, and resilience

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field
• 15+ years in software engineering, including at least 7 years in an architecture-level role
• Deep expertise in distributed systems design and cloud-native architecture on AWS
• Strong hands-on background in Go, Python, and Node.js, with the ability to evaluate and guide adjacent languages and frameworks as needed
• Proven, hands-on experience architecting and operating container platforms on both AWS EKS and Red Hat OpenShift, including workload portability and platform selection trade-offs
• Strong working knowledge of adjacent technologies: Docker, Kafka or similar event-streaming platforms, service mesh, API gateways, and Terraform
• Experience leading architecture across multi-team, multi-region engagements, including onshore/offshore delivery models
• Excellent stakeholder management and client-facing communication skills
• Track record of mentoring engineering teams and setting technical direction at scale

AI Knowledge & AI-Assisted Development (Required)

• Deep understanding of AI-assisted and agentic software development practices, with the ability to define organization- or program-wide standards, tooling choices, and governance for AI-assisted engineering
• Strong working knowledge of applied AI/LLM architecture patterns: LLM APIs, prompt engineering, RAG, vector stores/embeddings, agent frameworks, and Model Context Protocol (MCP), and how these integrate with distributed, cloud-native systems on AWS
• Able to evaluate build-vs-buy decisions for AI capabilities and architect AI-enabled features responsibly within compliance-sensitive environments, including data privacy and security guardrails for AI usage around PHI and other sensitive health plan data
• Experience shaping an organization's AI adoption strategy for the software development lifecycle: tooling selection, cost management, security review, and change management across onshore/offshore teams
• Able to advise clients and engineering leadership on where and how AI can responsibly accelerate delivery without compromising compliance or quality

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong background in the US health insurance or payer domain: claims platforms, core administration systems, provider and member data, enrollment, benefits, and HIPAA
• Experience with healthcare interoperability standards (HL7, FHIR, X12 EDI) and payer core administration platforms
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, or equivalent, is a plus
• Experience in a consulting or professional services environment serving health plan clients