Cloud Architect (Applications & Infrastructure)

The Cloud Architect - Applications & Infrastructure is responsible for designing, building, managing, and delivering cloud platform capabilities across application and infrastructure domains. This role will lead architecture and delivery of secure, scalable, resilient, and cost-optimized cloud solutions, with Microsoft Azure as the primary cloud platform and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) as a secondary cloud.

The architect will work closely with business stakeholders, engineering teams, and delivery leads to enable cloud-native, hybrid, and multi-cloud solutions, with a strong focus on integration, modernization, and platform enablement, particularly for Retail and Utilities industry clients.

Key Responsibilities

1. Cloud Architecture & Design

• Design end-to-end cloud architecture covering applications, infrastructure, networking, security, identity, and integrations across Azure and GCP.
• Define cloud reference architectures, landing zones, and platform blueprints aligned with enterprise standards and industry best practices.
• Architect hybrid and multi-cloud solutions, including connectivity, identity federation, and workload portability.
• Ensure solutions meet non-functional requirements such as scalability, resiliency, availability, security, and performance.

2. Build & Delivery Leadership

• Lead the build and delivery of cloud platforms and workloads, working hands-on with engineering teams when required.
• Guide application modernization initiatives including rehost, replatform, refactor, and cloud-native development.
• Experience with Visual Studio, .NET Framework, .NET Core and C# programming
• Experience with building RESTful APIs, Microservices, integrations and working with XML, JSON, etc.
• Drive adoption of PaaS, containerization, Kubernetes, and serverless architectures.
• Provide technical leadership during delivery execution, ensuring architecture integrity from design through deployment.

3. Cloud Infrastructure & Platform Engineering

• Architect and govern cloud infrastructure services including compute, storage, networking, IAM, security, and observability.
• Design and implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using tools such as Terraform, ARM/Bicep, or equivalent.
• Define and implement DevSecOps and CI/CD pipelines for applications and infrastructure.
• Establish operational readiness, including monitoring, logging, backup, DR, and cost optimization.

4. Integration & API Strategy

• Define enterprise integration and API strategies, including event-driven and message-based architectures.
• Architect integrations using Azure Integration Services (API Management, Logic Apps, Service Bus, Event Grid) and GCP equivalents.
• Ensure secure, scalable integration patterns across SaaS, PaaS, legacy, and on-prem systems.

5. Governance, Security & Compliance

• Ensure architectures comply with security, privacy, regulatory, and industry standards, especially relevant to Retail and Utilities.
• Collaborate with security teams to implement Zero Trust, IAM, network security, encryption, and compliance controls.
• Contribute to architecture governance, standards, and design reviews.

Required Skills & Experience

1. Professional Experience

• 8+ years of experience in solution or cloud architecture, with multiple large-scale cloud delivery engagements.
• Experience in client-facing or consulting roles is strongly preferred.

2. Cloud Platforms

• Strong expertise in Microsoft Azure (primary) across IaaS, PaaS, and integration services.
• Working knowledge of Google Cloud Platform (GCP) for application and infrastructure workloads.
• Experience with hybrid and multi-cloud architectures.

3. Applications & Infrastructure

• Deep understanding of cloud-native application architectures, microservices, containers, and serverless.
• Strong experience in cloud infrastructure design: networking, security, identity, storage, compute.
• Hands-on experience with IaC, CI/CD, and DevSecOps practices.

4. Integration & Modernization

• Proven experience designing enterprise integrations and API-led architectures.
• Experience with application modernization and cloud migration programs.

5. Industry Experience

• Preferred experience in Retail and/or Utilities industries, including domain-specific scalability, resiliency, and regulatory considerations.

Certifications (Preferred)

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect
• TOGAF or equivalent architecture certification (nice to have)

Soft Skills

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence technical and business decisions.
• Leadership mindset with a balance of strategic thinking and hands-on execution.
• Comfortable operating in complex, multi-team, multi-vendor environments.

Work Environment

• Location: GTA

• Work Environment: Hybrid, Client site - 3 days min. in Toronto, Travel - upto 10%