Cloud Platform Architect

Cloud Platform ArchitectJob#: 3054622Job Description:Platform Architect (Cloud & Kubernetes)Position OverviewWe are seeking an experienced Platform Architect to design, build, and evolve the platforms and reference architectures that support modern application deployments across cloud and Kubernetes environments.This role will be responsible for defining deployment patterns, platform standards, and infrastructure architecture across public cloud environments, with a preference for Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and Amazon Web Services (AWS), as well as internally managed Kubernetes platforms. The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in cloud infrastructure, platform engineering, Kubernetes, service mesh technologies, and observability with a strong understanding of cloud-native architecture principles.This is a highly collaborative role that partners with application development teams, platform engineering, DevOps, security, and operations teams to ensure applications are deployed securely, reliably, and at enterprise scale.Key ResponsibilitiesPlatform Architecture & StrategyDefine and maintain target-state architecture for application deployment platforms across cloud and Kubernetes environments.Establish scalable, repeatable deployment patterns and reference architectures.Drive adoption of cloud-native architecture principles and platform engineering best practices.Create standards, guidelines, and governance frameworks that ensure consistency across teams.Evaluate emerging technologies and make architectural recommendations aligned with business and technical objectives.Cloud ArchitectureDesign and implement platform solutions across AWS and GCP environments.Develop secure, scalable, and resilient cloud infrastructure patterns.Establish standards for networking, identity, access management, security, and workload deployment.Partner with infrastructure and security teams to ensure compliance with enterprise requirements.Support cloud modernization and application transformation initiatives.Kubernetes Platform EngineeringArchitect and evolve enterprise Kubernetes platforms supporting containerized workloads.Define operational standards for multi-cluster environments.Design deployment, scaling, resiliency, and disaster recovery strategies for Kubernetes-based applications.Drive platform automation and operational excellence across development, test, and production environments.Collaborate with engineering teams to improve developer experience and platform usability.Service Mesh & Traffic ManagementDefine architecture standards for service-to-service communication.Design and implement service mesh strategies to support security, traffic management, resiliency, and observability.Establish patterns for service discovery, routing, load balancing, and policy enforcement.Guide teams on implementing secure and scalable microservices communication frameworks.Observability & Platform ReliabilityDefine enterprise observability strategies for cloud and Kubernetes platforms.Establish standards for metrics, logging, tracing, telemetry collection, and alerting.Implement monitoring and operational visibility practices that improve platform reliability and performance.Partner with engineering and operations teams to establish SLAs, SLOs, and reliability objectives.Drive proactive performance management and troubleshooting capabilities.DevOps & AutomationPromote Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and platform automation best practices.Define CI/CD architecture and deployment automation standards.Partner with development teams to improve release velocity while maintaining security and stability.Support GitOps and automated environment management practices.Identify opportunities to reduce operational overhead through automation.Technical LeadershipServe as a subject matter expert for cloud platform architecture and Kubernetes ecosystems.Mentor engineers and architects on cloud-native technologies and platform design patterns.Conduct architecture reviews and provide guidance on complex technical initiatives.Communicate architectural vision and technical recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.Required Qualifications8+ years of experience in cloud infrastructure, platform engineering, systems architecture, or related disciplines.3+ years of experience designing and supporting enterprise Kubernetes platforms.Strong experience with public cloud platforms, including AWS and/or Google Cloud Platform.Deep understanding of cloud-native architecture, distributed systems, and microservices patterns.Experience designing and implementing platform architectures that support large-scale application deployments.Strong understanding of service mesh technologies and service-to-service communication patterns.Hands-on experience with observability platforms, including monitoring, logging, tracing, and alerting solutions.Experience with Infrastructure as Code and automation tools such as Terraform or similar technologies.Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, GitOps practices, and modern software delivery methodologies.Strong understanding of networking, identity management, security architecture, and cloud governance.Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.Preferred QualificationsExtensive experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP).Extensive experience with Amazon Web Services (AWS).Experience with Kubernetes distributions such as GKE, EKS, OpenShift, Rancher, or similar platforms.Experience with service mesh technologies such as Istio, Linkerd, Consul, or equivalent.Experience implementing enterprise observability solutions such as Datadog, Grafana, Prometheus, OpenTelemetry, Splunk, or similar platforms.Experience supporting platform engineering or internal developer platform initiatives.Experience in highly regulated or large-scale enterprise environments.Cloud and Kubernetes certifications are highly desirable.Success in the First 90 DaysGain a thorough understanding of the current cloud and Kubernetes ecosystem.Assess existing deployment patterns, platform architecture, and operational practices.Establish architectural standards and deployment reference patterns.Identify opportunities to improve platform scalability, reliability, security, and developer experience.Contribute to roadmap development for cloud-native platform evolution.Build strong relationships with engineering, infrastructure, DevOps, and security teams.Everforth Apex is a world-class IT services company that serves thousands of clients across the globe. When you join Everforth Apex, you become part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning. We offer quality career resources, training, certifications, development opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in many awards, including ClearlyRateds Best of Staffing in Talent Satisfaction in the United States and Great Place to Work in the United Kingdom and Mexico.Everforth Apex uses a virtual recruiter as part of the application process. Click here for more details. By applying for this job, you agree to receive calls, AI-generated calls, text messages, or emails from Everforth Apex and its affiliates, and contracted partners. Frequency varies for text messages. Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You can reply STOP to cancel and HELP for help. You can access our privacy policy at Everforth Apex Benefits Overview: Everforth Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Everforth Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Everforth Apex hosts an on-demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Everforth Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our ‘Welcome Packet’ as well, which an Everforth Apex team member can provide.Everforth Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Everforth Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law.If you require an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in an interview with a virtual recruiter or to use our website for a search or application, please contact our Benefits Department at [email protected] or View phone number on click.appcast.io. Please note that this contact information is strictly to be used for medical ADA accommodations and that no other inquiries will be answered.UnitedHealthcare creates and publishes the Transparency in Coverage Machine-Readable Files on behalf of Everforth Apex Systems.