Remote Lead Cloud Architect — Aws/Azure Strategy & Delivery

Placements24; South Africa; Remote; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Remote work support

Learning and development opportunities

Conferences and training

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa is seeking a Senior Cloud Architect to lead the design, implementation, and governance of scalable cloud infrastructure in a remote-first setup. You will shape cloud strategy, drive cost efficiency, security, and reliability, while mentoring engineers across time zones.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of senior cloud experience, deep expertise across AWS, Azure, and GCP, and a track record in IaC, automation, and security best practices in production environments.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree is a plus.
• 5+ years of proven experience as a Cloud Architect or in a senior infrastructure role.
• Hands-on knowledge with at least two major cloud providers (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Strong understanding of networking concepts, security principles, and data management in cloud environments.
• Proficiency in scripting and automation tools (Python, Bash, Ansible).
• Experience with containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with remote work experience.
• Relevant cloud certifications are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Design scalable, resilient, and secure cloud architectures on AWS, Azure, and GCP.
• Create and maintain cloud infrastructure documentation and deployment procedures.
• Collaborate with development and operations for seamless cloud deployment.
• Analyze performance and optimize cloud resources for cost efficiency.
• Define cloud security best practices and compliance standards.
• Evaluate and adopt new cloud technologies and services.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior staff.
• Troubleshoot complex cloud issues.
• Develop disaster recovery and business continuity plans for cloud systems.
• Contribute to infrastructure-as-code solutions using Terraform or CloudFormation.

Skills

Python

Bash

Automation

Networking concepts

Security principles

Data management in cloud

Remote collaboration

Cloud certifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science / IT / Engineering

Master’s degree (optional)

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

Docker

Kubernetes

Terraform

CloudFormation

Job description

Senior Cloud Architect

Our client, a dynamic and rapidly growing technology firm, is seeking a highly experienced and innovative Senior Cloud Architect to join their fully remote team in South Africa. This is an exceptional opportunity to play a pivotal role in designing, implementing, and managing cutting‑edge cloud infrastructure that supports our business objectives. You will be instrumental in shaping our cloud strategy, ensuring scalability, security, and cost‑efficiency. Working in a remote‑first environment, you will collaborate with cross‑functional teams across different time zones, contributing to a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement scalable, resilient, and secure cloud architectures on major cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Develop and maintain comprehensive cloud infrastructure documentation, including architecture diagrams, deployment procedures, and operational guidelines.
• Collaborate with development and operations teams to ensure seamless integration and deployment of applications in the cloud.
• Conduct performance analysis and optimization of cloud resources to ensure cost‑effectiveness and efficiency.
• Define and enforce cloud security best practices and compliance standards across all environments.
• Lead the evaluation and adoption of new cloud technologies and services.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior architects and engineers.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex cloud infrastructure issues.
• Develop and implement disaster recovery and business continuity plans for cloud‑based systems.
• Contribute to the development of infrastructure‑as‑code (IaC) solutions using tools like Terraform or CloudFormation.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree is a plus.
• Proven experience (5+ years) as a Cloud Architect or in a similar senior infrastructure role.
• In‑depth knowledge and hands‑on experience with at least two major cloud providers (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Strong understanding of networking concepts, security principles, and data management in cloud environments.
• Proficiency in scripting and automation tools (e.g., Python, Bash, Ansible).
• Experience with containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Excellent problem‑solving and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Experience working in a remote or distributed team environment.
• Relevant cloud certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional, Azure Solutions Architect Expert) are highly desirable.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary package, comprehensive remote work support, and a stimulating work environment.
• Employees benefit from flexible working hours, continuous learning and development opportunities, and the chance to make a significant impact within a forward‑thinking organization.
• We believe in empowering our remote workforce and provide the tools and resources necessary for success.
• This includes a generous professional development budget and opportunities to attend virtual conferences and training sessions.
• You will be part of a collaborative and supportive team dedicated to achieving excellence in cloud architecture.