Principal Architect - Data Platforms & Architecture

Role Description

The Principal Architect in Delivery leads architecture for large Azure programs that span applications, platforms, and data. You connect business goals to cloud modernization roadmaps, define architecture frameworks, and guide multi-team execution.

At this level, you act as an organization-wide technical leader. You set technical direction across practices, orchestrate cross-team discovery, keep designs aligned across multiple teams, and turn successful patterns into reusable models. You promote strong engineering, automation, and AI-assisted practices, mentor Senior Architects and Delivery Architects, and help build an inclusive, continuously improving engineering culture while supporting clear investment and modernization decisions for 3Cloud and our clients.

Responsibilities

• Solution Architecture and Technical Leadership
  • Lead architecture and technical strategy for large Azure programs and portfolios.
  • Define modernization blueprints and reference architectures across applications, platforms, and data.
  • Translate business and product strategy into cloud architecture roadmaps and execution plans.
  • Guide major architecture decisions across programs and promote shared design standards.
  • Work across teams to connect solutions into cohesive end-to-end architectures.
  • Provide architectural oversight during delivery through design reviews and governance.
  • Promote modular design, clear boundaries, testability, CI/CD, and observability.
  • Use AI tools to accelerate discovery, design, code, tests, documentation, and analysis.
  • Own architectural standards for lakehouse, streaming, and AI-enabled data platforms.
  • Guide large-scale Databricks implementations, including multi-region deployments.
  • Expert knowledge of Data Management, Business Intelligence, and Analytics concepts.
  • Expert knowledge of Microsoft Azure technologies.
• Delivery and Consulting Excellence
  • Lead or co-lead executive and senior stakeholder conversations on cloud modernization.
  • Use structured problem solving to clarify scope, dependencies, risks, and trade-offs.
  • Set discovery strategy so program objectives flow into a clear, traceable backlog.
  • Explain complex architecture and modernization strategies in clear language.
  • Build trusted relationships with technology and business leaders.
  • Run structured decision-making forums that produce clear decisions and actionable next steps.
  • Define architecture, discovery, and delivery frameworks that support predictable delivery.
  • Align teams on shared outcomes, APIs, integration contracts, and operating models.
  • Support effective use of Agile methods at program scale.
  • Track risks, technical debt, quality trends, and architectural drift across teams.
  • Support cross-practice opportunity qualification and estimating.
• Mentorship and Team Development
  • Mentor Senior Architects, Delivery Architects, and senior engineers.
  • Provide architectural oversight across programs.
  • Help shape career paths and development plans for architects.
  • Create and maintain high-leverage learning assets.
  • Support hiring, calibration, and talent development.
  • Set a high bar for executive-ready communication and storytelling.
  • Help build a culture of psychological safety, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• Growth and Innovation
  • Grow the company by identifying opportunities within your accounts.
  • Intentionally build executive relationships within accounts.
  • Drive sales opportunities by participating in pursuit teams.
  • Partner with sales, account, and practice leaders to shape technical strategy.
  • Lead the creation of solution options, program-level architectures, and estimates.
  • Operate as a senior technical advisor.
  • Identify follow-on and adjacent opportunities.
  • Define and evolve reusable assets.
  • Champion adoption of modern frameworks and AI-assisted tools.
  • Contribute to internal cross-practice initiatives.
  • Shape enablement programs that grow capabilities and reusable assets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Analytics, or related field.
• 12+ years of experience delivering solutions in a primary domain.
• 7+ years of experience in solution architecture and leading development or engineering teams.
• 10+ years of experience in analytics, data platforms, or enterprise architecture.
• Advanced SQL, PySpark and strong understanding of distributed data processing systems.
• Proven experience leading architecture and delivery for Azure-based modernization.
• Experience defining solution and platform architectures.
• Experience leading hybrid and remote teams.
• Deep understanding of core concepts, languages, frameworks, and design patterns.
• Experience designing and integrating quality, automation, and observability practices.
• Experience using AI-augmented development.
• Significant experience working in Agile or Scrum environments at scale.
• Proven success in consulting or professional services.
• Familiarity with key Azure services used in modern solutions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to continuous learning in cloud, data, and AI.
• Ability to foster culture, inclusion, and community participation.
• Relevant cloud architecture certifications are strongly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Generative AI & Agentic Systems.
• MLOps & Model Lifecycle.

Requirements

• Don’t meet every single requirement? At 3Cloud we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.

Benefits

• Flexible work location with a virtual first approach to work!
• 401(K) with match up to 50% of your 6% contributions of eligible pay.
• Generous PTO providing a minimum of 15 days in addition to 9 paid company holidays and 2 floating personal days.
• Two medical plan options to allow you the choice to elect what works best for you!
• Option for vision and dental coverage.
• 100% employer paid coverage for life and disability insurance.
• Paid leave for birth parents and non-birth parents.
• Option for Healthcare FSA, HSA, and Dependent Care FSA.
• $67.00 monthly tech and home office allowance.
• Utilization and/or discretionary bonus eligibility based on role.
• Employee Assistance Program to help with everyday challenges.
• 3Cloud offers competitive compensation.

Company Description

At this time, we cannot sponsor applicants for work visas.