Principal Cloud Solutions Architect

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Health insurance

Pension plan

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Principal Cloud Solutions Architect to lead cloud strategy and implementation for enterprise clients from Centurion, Gauteng. The role demands a visionary leader with deep expertise in AWS, Azure, and GCP, plus strong communication to advise senior stakeholders.

You will design secure, scalable cloud architectures, define roadmaps, guide migrations, and collaborate across engineering, security, and operations teams to deliver transformative cloud solutions.

Qualifications

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in CS/IT or related field.
• At least 10+ years in IT architecture with 5+ years cloud focus.
• Deep multi-cloud expertise on AWS/Azure/GCP.
• Strong knowledge of cloud-native architectures, containers, and IaC.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and architecture of scalable cloud solutions (AWS/Azure/GCP).
• Develop cloud strategy roadmaps and technical recommendations.
• Translate business needs into detailed designs and plans.
• Oversee implementation with security, performance, and cost control.
• Mentor other architects and engineers on best practices.

Skills

Cloud architecture

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Public speaking

Enterprise IT

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IT

Tools

AWS

Azure

Google Cloud

Terraform

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a premier consultancy firm, is seeking a highly experienced and visionary Principal Cloud Solutions Architect to lead cloud strategy and implementation for enterprise clients from their Centurion, Gauteng hub. This senior role demands a strategic thinker with extensive expertise in designing, developing, and deploying complex, scalable, and secure cloud-native solutions across multi-cloud environments. You will be responsible for advising clients on cloud adoption, optimizing cloud architectures, and driving digital transformation initiatives. This is an exceptional opportunity for a thought leader in cloud technology to influence strategic decisions and shape the future of enterprise IT. The successful candidate will act as a trusted advisor, leveraging their deep technical knowledge and business acumen to deliver transformative cloud solutions that align with client objectives and industry best practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and architecture of scalable, resilient, and secure cloud solutions (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Develop and present comprehensive cloud strategy roadmaps and technical recommendations to senior stakeholders and clients.
• Translate complex business requirements into detailed technical designs and implementation plans.
• Oversee the implementation of cloud solutions, ensuring adherence to best practices in performance, security, and cost optimization.
• Provide expert guidance on cloud migration strategies, modern application architectures, and emerging cloud technologies.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and security teams to ensure successful adoption and operation of cloud services.
• Identify and evaluate new cloud services and technologies that can bring value to our clients.
• Mentor and guide other architects and engineers in cloud best practices and design principles.
• Conduct architectural reviews and ensure compliance with enterprise standards.
• Stay abreast of the latest cloud innovations and trends, sharing knowledge across the organization.

Requirements

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in IT architecture, with at least 5 years focused on cloud solutions.
• Deep expertise in at least two major cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Proven experience designing and architecting large-scale, complex enterprise cloud solutions.
• Strong understanding of cloud-native architectures, microservices, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and serverless computing.
• Excellent knowledge of networking, security, identity management, and data storage in cloud environments.
• Experience with infrastructure as code (IaC) and automation tools.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to articulate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Relevant cloud certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional, Azure Solutions Architect Expert) are highly desirable.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly rewarding compensation package, including a leading base salary, substantial performance bonuses, and executive-level benefits.
• This role is based in Centurion, Gauteng , with a flexible hybrid work model.
• We provide extensive opportunities for professional development, including funding for advanced certifications and participation in international tech conferences.
• Employees benefit from comprehensive health insurance, a generous pension plan, and an employee assistance program.
• Join a prestigious firm known for its innovative projects and supportive culture, where your expertise will be valued and your career will be propelled forward.