Senior Solution Architect - GCP / GKE

Overview:

Role Title: Senior Solution Architect - GCP / GKE

Practice: Cloud & Digital Engineering

Level: Senior Architect / Senior Solution Architect

Location: Chicago, Nashville or any location ready to relocate

Role Overview

The Senior Solution Architect - GCP / GKE is responsible for end-to-end architecture ownership of cloud-native application solutions on Google Cloud Platform , with a strong emphasis on application modernization, microservices architecture, and Kubernetes (GKE) .

This role goes beyond technical delivery to include architecture governance, client advisory, technology strategy, and team enablement , while remaining sufficiently hands-on to validate designs and guide implementation.

Focus Mix

• Application Architecture & Design: ~65-70%
• GKE / Cloud Platform Architecture: ~30-35%

Key Responsibilities

Solution Architecture & Ownership

• Own end-to-end solution architecture for GCP-based engagements, from discovery through delivery
• Define target architecture, reference patterns, and non-functional requirements (scalability, security, resilience, observability)
• Lead architecture decisions across application, data, integration, and platform layers
• Act as the final technical authority on solution choices and trade-offs

Application Architecture & Modernization (Primary Focus)

• Architect cloud-native, microservices-based applications using Java / Node.js / Python
• Define service decomposition, API contracts, and event-driven integration patterns
• Lead application modernization and cloud migration initiatives (re-platform, refactor, re-architect)
• Design and review RESTful APIs , API governance models, and versioning strategies
• Guide application data design leveraging BigQuery and Cloud SQL

Cloud & GKE Architecture

• Define GKE-based workload architecture , including multi-cluster design, scaling, HA/DR, and security
• Establish containerization standards , Kubernetes deployment patterns, and platform guardrails
• Architect CI/CD and IaC strategies aligned to enterprise DevSecOps practices
• Provide architectural oversight for integrations using Pub/Sub, messaging, and workflow orchestration

Client Advisory & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as trusted cloud architect for clients and internal account teams
• Translate business requirements into architecture roadmaps and implementation blueprints
• Lead architecture forums, design reviews, and solution walkthroughs with senior stakeholders
• Support RFPs, proposals, and estimations with architecture input

Technical Governance & Enablement

• Establish architecture standards, best practices, and reusable assets
• Mentor architects, technical leads, and senior engineers across projects
• Drive architectural consistency across programs while enabling innovation
• Contribute to GCP practice growth , accelerators, and thought leadership

This role is expected to:

• Own architecture outcomes , not just implementation
• Influence multiple teams or workstreams
• Engage directly with clients, leadership, and pre-sales
• Define standards and patterns , not just follow them
• Mentor Tech Leads and senior engineers

Required Skills & Experience

Cloud & Architecture

• Strong hands-on experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
• Deep expertise in application and solution architecture
• Working architect-level knowledge of Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE)
• Proven experience defining enterprise-grade cloud-native architectures

Application & Integration

• Strong development background in Java / Node.js / Python
• Extensive experience with RESTful API design and implementation
• Experience with event-driven architectures, Pub/Sub, and messaging systems
• Hands-on experience with BigQuery and Cloud SQL in application contexts

Delivery & Leadership

• Proven experience leading application modernization and cloud migration programs
• Experience functioning as Solution Architect or Senior Technical Lead
• Ability to guide multiple teams and influence technical outcomes across programs
• Strong communication skills for executive and client-level interactions

DevOps, Containerization & Certifications

• Strong experience with Docker and Kubernetes
• Experience architecting CI/CD pipelines and Infrastructure as Code (Terraform preferred)
• Exposure to DevSecOps and compliance-by-design
• GCP Certifications (Professional Cloud Architect / Associate Developer) strongly preferred

Skills:

Solution Architect,GCP,GKE