Principal Cloud Infrastructure Architect

job summary:
Randstad is seeking a Lead Enterprise Architect on behalf of a premier client in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area to backfill a critical strategic leadership role supporting mission-critical transportation technology modernization. In this high-visibility, individual-contributor position, you will define and advance target-state enterprise architecture, intelligent automation, Zero Trust security baselines, and PCI-DSS compliance across hybrid cloud, networking, applications, and regulated payment environments. Working through cross-functional influence rather than direct management, you will serve as the senior architectural liaison between Digital Technology and executive stakeholders, evaluating Generative AI/ML use cases, driving Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and DevSecOps pipelines, and maintaining clear integration boundaries with peer platform architects. Additionally, you will leverage modern AI-assisted architecture workflows to accelerate technical designs, deliver reference implementations, and mentor engineering teams to build secure, scalable, and resilient transportation systems that directly advance enterprise priorities.

 
location: Washington, Washington, D.C.
job type: Contract
salary: $75 - 85 per hour
work hours: 9am to 5pm
education: Bachelors

responsibilities:



Enterprise Modernization & AI Enablement: Define and govern target-state enterprise architectures, technical standards, and multi-year roadmaps across hybrid cloud, infrastructure automation, analytics, asset management, and AI-enabled decision support systems.

AI & Intelligent Automation Architecture: Evaluate Generative AI, machine learning, and process automation use cases; translate complex business requirements into secure deployment architectures with robust data governance, access controls, auditability, and operational ownership.

Zero Trust & Security Architecture: Lead architectural direction for Zero Trust models, cloud networking, identity-aware access, and microsegmentation across on-premises and cloud environments, incorporating software-defined controls and automated policy enforcement.

Regulatory Governance & PCI Transformation: Conduct technical risk assessments and establish compliant architecture patterns aligned with PCI-DSS, NIST, ISO/IEC 27001, and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations.

Architecture Acceleration & AI Workflows: Apply AI-assisted prompt engineering and architecture workflows to accelerate technical documentation, risk analyses, business cases, and executive communications; establish reusable patterns for complex security and cloud concepts.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Coaching: Partner closely with peer architects (including Cloud Platform leads), engineering, and compliance teams to provide hands-on coaching, design walkthroughs, and reference implementations that scale internal technical capabilities.

qualifications:
Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data/Intelligence, or a related field with 13+ years of relevant experience (or equivalent work experience).

Enterprise Scale: Proven track record of delivering significant business value realization for large-scale enterprise environments valued at $500M+.

Architecture Practice Leadership: 9+ years of technical/business experience, including 2 to 3 years embedded within a formal Enterprise Architecture Practice area.

AI & Security Architecture Mastery: Demonstrated experience designing architectures for AI/ML integration, Zero Trust, microsegmentation, and regulated payment (PCI-DSS) environments.

Stakeholder Influence & Communication: Outstanding ability to communicate complex concepts to C-suite leaders, senior engineers, and matrixed stakeholders without direct authority.

Transformation & Portfolio Execution: Experience managing multiple concurrent architecture engagements, scaling architecture practices, and driving complex portfolio transformations.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced Degree: Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), Computer Science, or a related field.

Transportation Sector Experience: Previous technology domain experience within Travel, Transportation, or Passenger Rail sectors.

Multi-Domain Architectural Breadth: Deep knowledge spanning Business Architecture, Solution Architecture, Infrastructure/Technical Architecture, and Information/Data Architecture.

Modern Tooling Mastery: Hands-on experience with DevSecOps pipelines, automated policy enforcement, software-defined networking, and AI-driven architecture workflows.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected group status.

At Randstad Digital, we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please contact View email address on us.fitly.work.




Pay offered to a successful candidate will be based on several factors including the candidate's education, work experience, work location, specific job duties, certifications, etc. In addition, Randstad Digital offers a comprehensive benefits package, including: medical, prescription, dental, vision, AD&D, and life insurance offerings, short-term disability, and a 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility).

This posting is open for thirty (30) days.