Principal Cloud Technical Architect (Google)

NTT DATA, Inc.; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

NTT DATA, Inc. in Johannesburg seeks a Principal Cloud Architect (Google Cloud) to lead enterprise cloud initiatives across SA and MEA. You will translate business goals into scalable, secure architectures, guide migrations, and support pre-sales with compelling strategies.

As a senior technical leader, you will mentor teams, drive Terraform-based IaC, and ensure governance, cost optimization, and robust cloud operations while staying current with Google Cloud innovations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS/IT/Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years in IT infrastructure or cloud architecture, with ≥4 years on Google Cloud.
• Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect cert (required or strongly preferred).
• Deep expertise in Google Cloud services: VPC, GKE, Cloud Run/Functions, Cloud Storage, IAM, Monitoring, DNS, DR.
• Strong experience designing enterprise networking, identity, security, and governance in GCP.
• Hands-on IaC with Terraform and Google Cloud automation.
• Experience with DevOps, Git, CI/CD, Docker, Kubernetes, and automation frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture, design, and governance of enterprise-scale Google Cloud solutions.
• Partner with sales and clients to craft cloud strategies and transformation roadmaps.
• Design highly available, secure, and scalable cloud platforms using GCP best practices.
• Define target architectures covering networking, security, identity, observability, and DR.
• Drive cloud security, governance, and FinOps best practices.
• Mentor architects and engineers while contributing to cloud capability development.

Skills

Google Cloud architecture

Terraform

Kubernetes / GKE

CI/CD / DevOps

Security & Governance

Solution architecture leadership

Pre-sales / client engagement

FinOps / cost optimization

Python scripting

Observability tooling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/IT/Engineering

Tools

Terraform

Google Cloud Deployment Manager

Git

Docker

Kubernetes

Datadog/Prometheus/Grafana

Job description

Make an impact with NTT DATA

Join a company that is pushing the boundaries of what is possible. We are renowned for our technical excellence and leading innovations, and for making a difference to our clients and society. Our workplace embraces diversity and inclusion – it’s a place where you can grow, belong and thrive.

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.