Hybrid Cloud Architect: AWS & Kubernetes Leader

Colonial Group; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Colonial Group seeks a Staff Cloud Architect to provide architecture leadership for cloud platforms and modernization initiatives in Houston. The role blends long-term platform strategy with hands-on execution across AWS and Kubernetes, guiding teams through design to production.

Expected to mentor engineers, establish cloud reference architectures, and apply Well-Architected principles while balancing cost, security, and performance in a hybrid onsite setting.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in technology, with at least 5 years leading cloud/enterprise architectures in production.
• Hands-on experience designing and operating AWS-based and Kubernetes-based platforms in production.
• Ability to design for security, reliability, performance, and cost efficiency in large-scale cloud environments.

Responsibilities

• Translate business and application requirements into end-to-end cloud solutions across compute, networking, storage, identity, security.
• Lead architecture and design reviews; document decisions, tradeoffs, dependencies, and risks.
• Assess existing systems to identify gaps, debt, and modernization opportunities; drive automation and consolidation.
• Set and govern IaC patterns, including reusable modules, environment isolation, and secure deployment workflows.
• Define milestones, manage dependencies, and support delivery within Kanban and release cadence.
• Mentor engineers and communicate architecture decisions to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Evaluate industry trends and improve platform architecture and developer experience.

Skills

AWS arch

Kubernetes

Terraform

CI/CD

Security IAM

Cost optimization

Governance

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional

Tools

GitHub Actions

Docker

Terraform

CI/CD tooling

Job description

Colonial Group seeks a Staff Cloud Architect to provide architecture leadership for cloud platforms and modernization initiatives in Houston. The role blends long-term platform strategy with hands-on execution across AWS and Kubernetes, guiding teams through design to production.

Expected to mentor engineers, establish cloud reference architectures, and apply Well-Architected principles while balancing cost, security, and performance in a hybrid onsite setting.