Principal Enterprise Solutions Architect – Strategic Pursuits (RapidScale)

Cox Communications; Washington (District of Columbia); Remote; USD 159,000 - 266,000; Full time

Job summary

Cox Communications is seeking a Principal Cloud Architect to drive architectural vision and design innovative solutions for enterprise clients. This role involves collaborating with strategic account executives and guiding C-level stakeholders to achieve transformative outcomes in multi-cloud environments. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in cloud platforms and a proven track record of closing large deals.

Benefits

Flexible vacation policy

Paid wellness hours

Health care insurance

Retirement planning (401(k))

Paid parental leave

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in enterprise IT architecture.
• Advanced knowledge of AWS, Azure, Google Cloud.
• Experience influencing large, complex deals ($10M–$50M+ TCV).

Responsibilities

• Lead the solutioning of complex, multi-tower managed cloud services.
• Guide C-level stakeholders through modernization decisions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to build compelling solutions.

Skills

Cloud Expertise

Solutioning Skills

Executive Presence

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Ph.D.

Job description

Company

Cox Communications, Inc.

Job Family Group

Engineering / Product Development

Job Profile

Principal Cloud Architect

Management Level

Director

Flexible Work Option

Can work remotely but need to live in the specified city, state, or region

Travel %

Yes, 25% of the time

Work Shift

Day

Compensation

Compensation includes a base salary of $159,400.00 - $265,600.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.

Job Description

At RapidScale, exceptional technology is powered by exceptional people. As a growing leader in secure, reliable managed cloud solutions, we help SMBs and enterprises alike simplify IT and unleash innovation. With a broad portfolio spanning AWS, Azure and Google to a full set of Private Cloud and Cybersecurity solutions, RapidScale helps companies turn technology into their biggest competitive advantage. As part of the Cox family of companies, we offer best-in-class benefits, a commitment to work-life balance, and an award-winning workplace experience.

Are you a high-impact cloud architect who thrives on designing complex solutions and guiding executive decision-makers toward transformative outcomes? As a Principal Enterprise Architect – Strategic Pursuits, you’ll be a critical member of our new strategic big deal team, working alongside elite account executives to land RapidScale’s most significant enterprise opportunities. You’ll shape solution strategies for multi-cloud, modernization, and managed services engagements—bringing technical depth, business acumen, and executive presence to every pursuit.

What You’ll Do

As the senior solutioning voice in the pursuit, you’ll drive the architectural vision, design innovative solutions that align to customer outcomes, and serve as a trusted advisor to executive stakeholders throughout the sales cycle.

Key Responsibilities:

• Architect Enterprise-Scale Solutions: Lead the solutioning of complex, multi-tower managed cloud services across AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Private Cloud, and Cybersecurity. Translate customer business objectives into scalable, secure, and cost-effective architectures.
• Pursuit Strategy & Technical Leadership: Partner with strategic account executives to qualify and pursue net-new enterprise logos. Shape deal strategy, participate in executive briefings, and own the solution architecture narrative.
• Executive Advisory & Influence: Guide C-level stakeholders (CIOs, CTOs, CISOs) through modernization decisions, risk tradeoffs, and transformation roadmaps. Establish RapidScale as a long-term strategic partner.
• Collaborative Solution Development: Work cross-functionally with delivery, product, finance, and legal teams to build and position compelling, feasible, and differentiated solutions. Contribute to proposals, pricing strategy, and SOW creation.
• Cloud Partner Collaboration: Engage directly with hyperscalers (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and leverage joint programs, incentives, and technical resources to strengthen solution value and co-sell outcomes.
• Innovation & IP Development: Contribute to reusable solution assets, reference architectures, and pursuit playbooks. Stay ahead of cloud trends and advise internal teams on market shifts and customer priorities.
• Pre-Sales Engineering Leadership: Mentor and guide less senior solution engineers and architects across strategic pursuits, helping to elevate the team’s technical credibility and consulting capability.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience & Education: Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of progressive experience in enterprise IT architecture, solution engineering, or technical pre-sales. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master’s degree and 8 years’ experience; a Ph.D. and 5 years’ experience or 14+ years’ experience.
• Cloud Expertise: Advanced knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud), hybrid environments, security models, and enterprise architectures. Active cloud certifications (e.g., AWS Solutions Architect – Professional, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, GCP Cloud Architect) strongly preferred.
• Multi-Cloud: Experience across Private Cloud and Public Cloud environments, with a strong track record of helping close complex hybrid multi-cloud enterprise deals in large-scale organizations.
• Strategic Deal Experience: Demonstrated success influencing and winning large, complex deals ($10M–$50M+ TCV) as part of a pursuit team. Experience working with global enterprise customers ($500M–$5B+ revenue).
• Executive Presence: Proven ability to engage, present to, and build trust with C-suite stakeholders on both technical and business issues.
• Solutioning Skills: Expertise in designing managed services solutions that span AI/ML, cloud infrastructure, app modernization, networking, storage, DevOps, security, and compliance.
• Travel: Willingness to travel up to 35–40% for executive meetings, workshops, and industry events.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with enterprise AI/ML workloads and how organizations are leveraging generative AI, large language models, and data platforms to transform operations and drive innovation.
• Experience working within or selling through hyperscaler partner ecosystems.
• Familiarity with key verticals such as Healthcare, Financial Services, SaaS, or Retail.
• Experience within a Managed Service Provider (MSP), global systems integrator, or cloud consulting organization.
• Strong written communication skills and experience contributing to RFPs, proposals, and customer-facing presentations.

Benefits

The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company’s needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.

About Us

Cox Communications is all about creating moments of real human connection; and for employees, that’s true both in the workplace and in the problems we solve for customers. From building advertising solutions to unleashing IoT technologies to creating an exceptional experience for customers in our retail locations and online, we’re creating a world that is smarter and more connected. Benefits of working at Cox may include health care insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement planning (401(k)), and paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, flexible vacation/wellness days, and/or PTO). For more details on what benefits you may be offered, visit our benefits page. Cox is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer – All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to that individual’s age, race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law. Cox provides reasonable accommodations when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with disability, unless such accommodations would cause an undue hardship. Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.
Application Deadline: