Solution Architect (Could Experience)

Alexforbes; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Job summary

Alexforbes seeks an experienced Solution Architect with cloud experience to design, develop, and deliver scalable, secure, and resilient cloud-based solutions aligned to business strategy and enterprise architecture objectives.

You will translate business requirements into modern architecture, ensuring governance, security, performance, and sustainability, with expertise in Azure and/or AWS, cloud migration, application modernization, and FinOps.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology or a related field (NQF 7)
• TOGAF Certification
• Nice to have - Postgraduate qualification in Information Technology or related field (NQF 8)
• Minimum 10 years’ overall IT industry experience.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a Solution Architect role. Cloud experience advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide architecture leadership across complex technology initiatives.
• Design end-to-end technical solutions aligned with business objectives and enterprise architecture principles.
• Lead cloud adoption, migration, and modernisation initiatives.
• Ensure governance, security, and operational sustainability of solutions.
• Mentor architects, developers, analysts, and engineering teams.
• Promote innovation and knowledge sharing within the organisation.

Skills

Technical leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Architecture governance

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology or related field

TOGAF Certification

Postgraduate qualification (NQF 8)

Job description

An experienced Solution Architect with cloud experience to plays a pivotal role in designing and delivering innovative, scalable, secure, and resilient cloud-based solutions aligned to business strategy and enterprise architecture objectives. It provides technical leadership across complex initiatives, helping to design, develop, and implement solutions that are viable, sustainable, and aligned with the broader enterprise architecture landscape.

The successful candidate will be responsible for translating business requirements into modern architecture solutions, while ensuring governance, security, performance, and operational sustainability. You will bring deep expertise in Azure and/or AWS cloud environments, cloud migration, application modernisation, cloud governance, FinOps, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), and cost optimisation to ensure technology investments deliver maximum business value.

Key Responsibilities

Solution Architecture & Technical Leadership

• Provide architecture leadership and subject-matter expertise across complex technology initiatives.
• Design end-to-end technical solutions aligned with business objectives and enterprise architecture principles.
• Develop solution plans that balance cost, risk, quality, and business value.
• Ensure solutions are scalable, secure, resilient, and maintainable.
• Define and implement reusable architecture assets, patterns, and standards.

Cloud Strategy & Modernisation

• Lead cloud adoption, migration, and modernisation initiatives.
• Design secure cloud-native solutions across Azure and/or AWS platforms.
• Develop cloud strategies that support long-term business growth and digital transformation.
• Align cloud solutions with governance, security, compliance, and operational requirements.
• Drive adoption of emerging cloud technologies and industry best practices.

Architecture Governance & Standards

• Ensure architectural standards, policies, and practices are applied consistently.
• Contribute to enterprise architecture governance structures, methodologies, and compliance activities.
• Review and validate architecture deliverables across programmes and projects.
• Promote adherence to enterprise architecture frameworks and design principles.

Analytical & Solution Design

• Convert business and technical requirements into effective technology solutions.
• Evaluate multiple architecture options and recommend the most appropriate solution.
• Assess technical risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Support product planning and roadmap development through architecture guidance.
• Balance strategic objectives with practical implementation realities.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with business stakeholders, architects, engineers, project managers, and delivery teams.
• Build consensus and provide technical leadership during solution planning and delivery.
• Present architecture concepts, recommendations, and solution approaches to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Manage relationships with vendors and technology partners.
• Facilitate alignment between business needs and technology capabilities.
• Mentor architects, developers, analysts, and engineering teams.
• Promote innovation, technical quality, and knowledge sharing across the organisation.
• Drive continuous improvement in architecture practices and technology adoption.
• Stay informed on industry trends and emerging technologies and evaluate their applicability to the organisation.

Qualifications: Essential

• National Senior Certificate (Matric / Grade 12)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology or a related field (NQF 7)
• TOGAF Certification
• Nice to have - Postgraduate qualification in Information Technology or related field (NQF 8)
• Minimum 10 years’ overall IT industry experience.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a Solution Architect. Advantage Cloud Experience.
• Extensive experience designing and delivering cloud solutions using Azure and/or AWS.
• Experience with private and public cloud platforms including IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.
• Experience managing end-to-end project lifecycles in an architecture capacity.
• Experience with mission-critical systems and disaster recovery capabilities.
• Experience with multi-tier, multi-geography solution design and management.
• Strong financial management, cost estimation, and solution planning experience.
• Experience coaching and mentoring technical teams.
• Proven ability to manage complex stakeholder environments.

Technical Experience

• Cloud architecture and migration
• Application modernisation
• Cloud governance and security
• FinOps and cloud cost optimisation
• Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) modelling
• Infrastructure and platform architecture
• Security architecture and compliance controls
• Architecture governance and enterprise standards