Principal Cloud Technical Architect (Google)

NTT DATA, Inc.; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 1,300,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

NTT DATA, Inc. is seeking a Principal Cloud Architect (Google Cloud) to design scalable and cost-optimized cloud solutions for clients across South Africa and the Middle East & Africa. This role involves leading architecture and technical governance, providing strategic guidance, and serving as a trusted advisor to clients.

The successful candidate will collaborate with engineering and DevOps teams, mentor others, and stay current with emerging cloud technologies. The position promotes hybrid working and offers an inclusive work environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in IT infrastructure or cloud architecture.
• At least 4 years focused on Google Cloud.
• Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture and design of Google Cloud solutions.
• Develop cloud strategies and transformation roadmaps.
• Mentor architects and engineers in cloud capability development.

Skills

Google Cloud services expertise

Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

DevOps practices

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline

Tools

Terraform

Git

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Cloud Architect (Google Cloud) to partner with enterprise sales, consulting, and delivery teams in designing and positioning scalable, secure, resilient, and cost‑optimized cloud solutions for clients across South Africa and the Middle East & Africa. This role serves as the senior technical leader for Google Cloud architecture engagements, providing strategic guidance, solution leadership, and architectural governance across the full cloud lifecycle. The successful candidate will be a trusted advisor to clients and internal stakeholders, translating business objectives into enterprise‑grade cloud architectures while supporting pre‑sales activities, solution design, migration strategies, modernization initiatives, and cloud transformation programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, design, and technical governance of enterprise‑scale Google Cloud solutions.
• Partner with sales and client stakeholders to develop compelling cloud strategies, solution architectures, and transformation roadmaps.
• Design highly available, resilient, secure, and scalable cloud platforms using Google Cloud best practices and Google Cloud Architecture Framework principles.
• Define target‑state architectures covering networking, security, identity, observability, automation, disaster recovery, and operational excellence.
• Develop and promote Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Terraform, Google Cloud Deployment Manager (or Infrastructure Manager) and Google Cloud configuration automation tools.
• Provide architectural leadership for cloud migration, application modernization, containerization, and serverless initiatives.
• Collaborate with engineering, DevOps, security, and application teams to implement CI/CD and platform automation strategies.
• Drive cloud security, compliance, governance, and FinOps best practices.
• Perform architecture reviews and provide technical oversight throughout solution delivery.
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients, presenting technical solutions to executive, business, and technical audiences.
• Mentor architects and engineers while contributing to cloud capability development and thought leadership.
• Stay current with emerging Google Cloud services, industry trends, and cloud‑native technologies.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in IT infrastructure, cloud architecture, or platform engineering, with at least 4 years focused on Google Cloud.
• Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect certification (required or strongly preferred). Additional Google Cloud certifications are advantageous.
• Deep expertise across Google Cloud services including VPC, Cloud Router, Compute Engine, Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), Cloud Run, Cloud Functions, Cloud Storage, Cloud SQL, Bigtable/Firestore, Cloud IAM, Resource Manager, Cloud Monitoring, Cloud DNS, and Backup and DR.
• Strong experience designing enterprise networking, identity, security, and governance architectures within Google Cloud.
• Hands‑on expertise with Infrastructure as Code using Terraform and Google Cloud infrastructure automation frameworks.
• Strong understanding of DevOps and platform engineering practices, including Git, CI/CD pipelines, Docker, Kubernetes, and automation frameworks.
• Experience implementing cloud security controls, compliance frameworks, and operational monitoring solutions.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, solution presentation, and documentation skills.

Preferred Experience

• Experience leading large‑scale cloud migration and modernization programs.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Azure in hybrid or multi‑cloud environments.
• Experience with serverless architectures, event‑driven systems, and cloud‑native application patterns.
• Experience with observability and monitoring platforms such as Datadog, Prometheus, Grafana, ELK/OpenSearch, or Splunk.
• Background in software development or scripting using Python, Bash, PowerShell, or similar languages.
• Experience with cloud financial management (FinOps), cost optimization, and cloud governance frameworks.
• Experience supporting pre‑sales, solution consulting, RFP responses, and executive‑level client engagements.
• Experience supporting complex sales pursuits, RFP/RFI responses, solution workshops, and executive‑level client presentations.

Workplace type

Hybrid Working

Equal Opportunity Employer

NTT DATA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer with a global culture that embraces diversity. We are committed to providing an environment free of unfair discrimination and harassment. We do not discriminate based on age, race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, disability, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected category.