Principal Cloud Architect - VMware VCF

The Stafford Gray Group; Michigan; Hybrid; USD 90,921 - 129,494; Full time

Job summary

The Stafford Gray Group is looking for a Principal Cloud Architect to lead the design phase of a significant enterprise cloud transformation in Michigan. You’ll work closely with the client’s engineering team to design a complete VMware Cloud Foundation solution.

The ideal candidate has over 7 years of experience in cloud infrastructure, hands-on knowledge of VMware technologies, and strong client-facing skills. This role requires a hybrid engagement, providing flexibility and collaboration on-site.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of enterprise cloud infrastructure architecture experience.
• Hands-on experience with VMware Cloud Foundation, VCF 4.x/5.x required, VCF 9.x preferred.
• Deep expertise across VCF pillars: vSphere, NSX‑T, vSAN, VKS/Tanzu.

Responsibilities

• Lead design workshops to define the full VCF solution architecture.
• Design a VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1 environment covering essential services.
• Define integration architecture between VCF and client’s existing cloud services.

Skills

Enterprise cloud infrastructure architecture experience

VMware Cloud Foundation (4.x/5.x, 9.x preferred)

Expertise in vSphere, NSX‑T, vSAN, VKS/Tanzu

vROPS, vRNI, and/or vRLI monitoring platforms

Technical workshop leadership

Strong communication and client-facing skills

Tools

Terraform

Ansible

Job description

Initial 30 day contract with likely extension

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Principal Cloud Architect to lead the design phase of a complex enterprise cloud transformation for a key client. In this role, you will work directly with the client's engineering team to define and document a complete VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF 9.1) solution — spanning virtualization, networking, storage, containers, and monitoring — and serve as the primary technical authority throughout the engagement.

What You'll Do

• Lead multiple design workshops with the client's engineering team over several weeks to define the full VCF solution architecture
• Design an end-to-end VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1 environment covering vSphere (virtualization), NSX (networking), vSAN (storage), VKS (containers), and the full Aria/vRealize monitoring stack (vROPS, vRNI, vRLI)
• Define the integration architecture between VCF and the client’s existing cloud services — including compliance, authentication, and security systems
• Adapt and design provisioning systems to enable automation aligned with VCF standards, covering VM and container creation workflows
• Produce detailed engineering and architecture documents to serve as deployment references for the implementation team
• Interface with client stakeholders to ensure the solution meets both technical and business requirements

What You Bring

• 7+ years of enterprise cloud infrastructure architecture experience
• Hands‑on VMware Cloud Foundation experience (VCF 4.x/5.x required; VCF 9.x strongly preferred)
• Deep expertise across two or more VCF pillars: vSphere, NSX‑T, vSAN, VKS/Tanzu
• Experience with vROPS, vRNI, and/or vRLI monitoring platforms
• Proven ability to lead technical workshops and produce architecture/engineering documentation
• Strong communication and client‑facing skills
• Must be local to Michigan (hybrid engagement)

Nice to Have

• VMware certifications: VCDX, VCAP‑DCV, VCP‑VCF, or NSX specialist
• Experience with infrastructure automation (Terraform, Ansible, or similar)
• Broadcom partner network background

$80/hr on a 1099 basis