Cloud Architect

Job Description

How will this role impact First Command?

The Cloud Architect role leads design and analysis for the implementation of cloud architecture across product lines and technologies using cloud strategies and architecture standards. The role is expected to partner with other architects, senior leaders, and product teams to create scalable, flexible, and resilient cloud architectures that address customer business problems and enable rapid development.

First Command is looking to hire experienced and motivated technologists who possess a unique balance of technical depth and strong interpersonal skills to launch cloud governance initiatives and build our library of reference architectures, patterns, and policies to ensure an enabled, empowered, but scalable and secure cloud environment. To be effective, this candidate must have experience in designing cloud deployments across application, data, infrastructure, and cloud architectures, and be comfortable with complex systems design. The Cloud Architect must be a senior technologist who has been in design and implementation leadership roles on multiple projects throughout the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). This person must be able to provide guidance and policies on our cloud implementation on the topics of; CI/CD, Monitoring, Infrastructure as Code, Cost Management, Technology Selection, and Reference Architectures. Furthermore, this person will drive cloud governance initiatives in partnership with key stakeholders, making recommendations & influencing the Architecture roadmap as needed.

The Cloud Architect role reports to the Director of Integration Architecture in the Business Information Services (BIS) organization.

What will you be doing?

• Assists in the design and management of an organization's cloud systems, applications, policies, and strategy. Develops and modifies scalable architecture to support applications and infrastructure on IaaS and PaaS platforms.
• Assess the cloud architecture currently deployed, working with the business and technical staff to recommend and enhance solutions
• Own and facilitate governance regarding cost, security and other miscellaneous aspects of Azure Tenant
• Build and recommend reference cloud architecture patterns & policies
• Guide implementation and use of Infrastructure as Code toolsets such as Terraform and Ansible
• Continually research current and emerging cloud technologies and propose changes where needed
• Partner and inform various technical and business stakeholders about any problems with the current technical solutions being implemented
• Assess the business impact of technical choices and directions
• Define, in conjunction with cloud operations, enablers toward operational excellence of solutions
• Provide updates to stakeholders on product development processes, costs, and budgets
• Enable adoption of architecture standards, DevOps practices, and technology standards

Skills & Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's in Computer Science or other related engineering field

Work Experience

• 5-7 years of progressive experience in technology, including cloud development and operations
• 3-5 years of experience with business analysis and systems design
• 3+ years API development using API Gateways (Mulesoft preferred)
• 1-3 years of experience in a leadership role (manager, team lead, etc.)

Certifications

• Azure Solutions Architect Expert or acquired within first 6 months of the role
• Azure Security Fundamentals or acquired within first 6 months of the role
• Azure DevOps Engineer Expert or acquired within first 6 months of the role
• SAFe Architect preferred or acquired within first 12 months of the role

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Deep knowledge of cloud architecture and cloud cost management
• Experience designing, developing, securing and managing cloud deployments
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code Toolsets such as Terraform, ARM, Packer, Ansible, etc.
• Willingness and desire to learn
• Ability to move things forward in an ambiguous environment
• Strong team player with outstanding communication, organization, and collaboration skills
• Excellent listener with a positive and collaborative attitude with skills in conflict-resolution, behavior influencing, and leadership
• Experienced and comfortable working with senior leaders
• Use experience, knowledge, and expertise to influence decision making
• Proven professional with strong change management and communications acumen
• Able to challenge norms to improve the process and create efficiencies
• Able to hold team members accountable and provide relevant and timely feedback
• Critical Thinking and problem solving
• Able to facilitate group discussions in an effective and efficient way
• Able to resolve interpersonal conflicts among team members
• Coach people with powerful questions rather than use authority
• Can think beyond day-to-day activities; thinks big picture
• Be a servant leader

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