Lead Solutions Architect

EXL; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading service provider in Minneapolis seeks a Lead Solution Cloud Architect with 12–15 years of experience in cloud and data architectures. The ideal candidate excels in AWS and Databricks, driving cloud strategy and technical leadership. Responsibilities include designing scalable solutions, guiding engineering teams, and communicating complex concepts to stakeholders. A strong background in Python, SQL, and CI/CD automation is essential for this senior role that emphasizes expertise in cloud security and networking.

Qualifications

• 12-15 years of experience in IT with a focus on cloud and data engineering.
• 5+ years of experience architecting solutions on AWS.
• Strong experience with Databricks technologies.
• Proficient in Python, SQL, and distributed data processing.
• Experience with cloud networking and security practices.

Responsibilities

• Architect and design enterprise cloud solutions using AWS services.
• Lead requirement discovery and create architecture designs.
• Oversee delivery and guide engineering teams.
• Provide thought leadership to cross-functional teams.

Skills

AWS

Databricks

Python

SQL

PySpark

Tools

Terraform

CloudFormation

CI/CD

Job description

EXL Service is seeking an accomplished Lead Solution Cloud Architect with 12–15 years of progressive experience in designing, implementing, and governing enterprise cloud and data architectures. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in AWS and Databricks, with strong architectural leadership capabilities. Exposure to Azure cloud services is a significant advantage.

This is a senior/lead role responsible for shaping cloud strategy, guiding engineering teams, and ensuring that solutions meet enterprise standards for scalability, security, performance, and cost-efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect and design enterprise-grade cloud solutions leveraging AWS services (EC2, S3, Glue, Lambda, Kinesis, IAM, Redshift, EMR).
• Design Databricks Lakehouse solutions including Delta Lake, Unity Catalog, Spark optimization, governance, and MLOps patterns.
• Build scalable ETL/ELT pipelines, real-time streaming architectures, and reusable data integration frameworks.
• Develop high-level and low-level architecture blueprints ensuring security, compliance, cost efficiency, reliability, and performance.

Solution Design & Delivery

• Lead requirement discovery, translate business needs into robust architectural designs and roadmaps.
• Create HLDs, LLDs, data flow diagrams, integration patterns, deployment models, and security reference architectures.
• Oversee end-to-end delivery, guiding engineering and DevOps teams through implementation and optimization.
• Perform architecture assessments and recommend improvements for scalability, resilience, and cost savings.

Technical Leadership

• Provide thought leadership and hands-on direction to data engineering, analytics, DevOps, and platform teams.
• Establish best practices for coding, data governance, CI/CD, infrastructure automation, and environment management.
• Introduce and evaluate emerging cloud technologies, tools, and frameworks relevant to analytics and modern data platforms.

Stakeholder & Client Management

• Act as technical SME for client conversations, workshops, and executive presentations.
• Communicate complex architectural concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Partner closely with business stakeholders to define solution vision, roadmap, and success metrics.

Required Skills & Experience

Technical Expertise

• 12–15 years of overall IT experience with strong focus on cloud, data engineering, and enterprise architecture.
• 5+ years of hands‑on experience architecting production solutions on AWS.
• 3+ years’ strong experience in Databricks (Spark, Delta Lake, MLflow, Unity Catalog).
• Proficiency in Python, SQL, PySpark, and distributed data processing frameworks.
• Deep understanding of data modeling, data governance, metadata management, and modern security practices.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, Terraform / CloudFormation, GitOps, and end‑to‑end automation.
• Strong knowledge of cloud networking, VPCs, IAM, encryption, identity governance, and security frameworks (NIST, CIS benchmarks).
• (Preferred) Experience with Azure cloud architecture, including Azure Databricks, ADF, ADLS, Synapse, and Azure DevOps.