Senior Solutions Architect

Alibaba Cloud; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Alibaba Cloud is seeking a Solution Architect in Sunnyvale, California. This role requires extensive experience in cloud computing and AI, focusing on technical advisory to CTOs and engineering executives.

You will build trusted relationships with global enterprises, design end-to-end solutions, and lead cloud transformation initiatives. The ideal candidate should possess excellent communication skills and have a strong background in cloud-native architectures.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of hands-on technical experience in cloud computing, AI/ML, or enterprise software.
• Proven track record of leading cloud transformation projects.
• Deep expertise in cloud-native architectures.

Responsibilities

• Build deep technical trust with C-level and senior engineering leaders.
• Design and drive complex, multi-year solutions spanning IaaS, PaaS, AI/ML.
• Translate customer pain points into actionable product requirements.

Skills

Cloud computing

AI/ML

Kubernetes

Microservices

CI/CD pipelines

Excellent communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field

Tools

NVIDIA GPUs

MLOps tooling

Job description

As a Solution Architect on Alibaba Cloud’s North America team, you will be at the forefront of driving cloud transformation for the world’s most influential enterprises. You will serve as the trusted technical advisor to CTOs and engineering executives, architecting end-to-end cloud, AI, and digital transformation strategies that align business outcomes with cutting‑edge Alibaba Cloud capabilities.

You will have the opportunity to shape market direction, influence product evolution, and establish Alibaba Cloud as the preferred partner for large‑scale, AI‑first cloud adoption globally.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Customer Engagement: Build deep technical trust with C‑level and senior engineering leaders at global strategic accounts; uncover unmet needs and co‑create long‑term cloud and AI roadmaps.

End‑to‑End Solution Leadership: Design and drive complex, multi‑year solutions spanning IaaS, PaaS, AI/ML (including LLM training/inference), data platforms, security, and compliance—ensuring technical feasibility, cost efficiency, and differentiation.

Market & Competitive Strategy: Analyze industry trends and generate insights, map competitive landscapes, and develop winning strategies—including differentiated architectures, POC plans, and bid responses—to secure and expand strategic deals.

AI & Cloud Innovation: Lead the design of full‑stack generative AI systems (from model selection to inference optimization) using Alibaba Cloud’s AI infrastructure (e.g., Platform of AI, GPU clusters), with hands‑on experience in performance tuning, confidential computing, and observability.

Solution Scalability & Enablement: Package repeatable architectures into vertical‑specific blueprints, and evangelize them through internal training, partner enablement, and external speaking engagements.

Product Influence: Translate customer pain points into actionable product requirements; collaborate with R&D to accelerate feature delivery and enhance competitiveness in key markets.

Cross‑Functional Orchestration: Mobilize virtual teams across Product, Engineering, GTM, and Delivery to ensure seamless solution execution—from proposal to revenue realization.

Required Qualifications

Professional Experience: 8+ years of hands‑on technical experience in cloud computing, AI/ML, or enterprise software, with at least 5 years dedicated to client‑facing technical roles (e.g., Solutions Architect, Technical Account Manager).

Transformation Leadership: Proven track record of leading cloud transformation projects for global enterprises, including full‑stack migrations, application modernization, and AI adoption.

Cloud‑Native Expertise: Deep expertise in cloud‑native architectures, including Kubernetes (EKS/GKE/ACK), serverless computing, microservices, CI/CD pipelines, and observability stacks.

AI/ML Infrastructure: Strong foundation in AI/ML infrastructure with practical experience in LLMs, vector databases, RAG, agent frameworks, NVIDIA GPUs, and MLOps tooling.

Architecture & Security: Demonstrated ability to architect compliant, secure, and scalable cloud environments.

Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills with the ability to tailor technical narratives for diverse audiences, from non‑technical stakeholders and developers to C‑suite executives.

Language Proficiency: Fluency in written and spoken English; Mandarin proficiency is a strong plus.

Education: Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.

Preferred Qualifications

Cloud Provider Experience: Experience at AWS, Azure, GCP, or a major cloud provider in a Strategic Account SA or TAM role.

Industry Exposure: Direct exposure to Gaming, Media verticals, and AI startups.

Platform Knowledge: Familiarity with Alibaba Cloud products or comparable hyperscaler services.

Public Speaking: Public speaking experience at industry conferences or customer executive briefings.