Senior Solutions Architect-Sunnyvale, CA, USA

Alibaba Cloud; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 149,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

Alibaba Cloud Sunnyvale seeks a senior Solutions Architect for global strategic accounts to build deep executive trust, uncover needs, and co-create long-term cloud and AI roadmaps. You will design multi-year solutions spanning IaaS, PaaS, AI/ML, data platforms, security, and compliance—ensuring feasibility, cost efficiency, and differentiation.

Lead end-to-end deployments, influence product direction with R&D, and mobilize teams across Product, Engineering, GTM, and Delivery to win and realize

Qualifications

• 8+ years in cloud computing, AI/ML, or enterprise software with at least 5 years in client-facing technical roles.
• Proven cloud transformation leadership for global enterprises including migrations and AI adoption.
• Deep cloud-native expertise: Kubernetes, serverless, microservices, CI/CD, observability.
• Strong architecture/security skills for compliant, scalable cloud environments.
• Excellent written and spoken English; Mandarin a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Build deep technical trust with C-level and senior leaders at strategic accounts to co-create cloud/AI roadmaps.
• Design and drive large-scale end-to-end solutions across IaaS, PaaS, AI/ML, data, security, and compliance.
• Analyze market trends, map competitive landscapes, and craft winning strategies and POC plans.
• Lead full-stack generative AI system design using Alibaba Cloud infrastructure with performance tuning.
• Package repeatable architectures into blueprints and evangelize through training and speaking engagements.
• Translate customer pain points into product requirements and influence R&D to speed feature delivery.
• Mobilize cross-functional teams across Product, Engineering, GTM, and Delivery from proposal to revenue.

Skills

Cloud-native

Kubernetes

Observability

AI/ML

C-suite comms

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering

Tools

Vector databases

NVIDIA GPUs

Job description

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 large-scale, 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.

Job Requirements

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.

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $148,800/year and $244,800/year. However, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.