Principal Cloud Architect Full Time

About the job
Job Description:

As a Principal Cloud Architect, you will be responsible for planning, designing, and implementing enterprise cloud infrastructure for our clients at scale.

Job Responsibilities:

The Principal Cloud Architect will be responsible for understanding complex business IT needs and managing research, design, and solution development for ePlus customers.

Directs architectural aspects of cloud brokering and governance across all aspects of IT and the business
Continuously collaborates with engineers, the business, security, legal, and finance regarding cloud decisions and direction
Designs, builds, facilitates, and directs multiple cloud initiatives, including leading the CCOE
Drives spend accountability towards cloud consumers; create forecasts, monitor costs and pursue optimization opportunities.
Establish a trusted advisor relationship with clients. Gain an appropriate understanding of the client needs while also uncovering additional opportunities.
Design the ideal technical architecture solutions for the client. When appropriate, create bill of materials, supporting business case materials, designs, and supporting documentation as needed for any services to be delivered. Proven ability to mitigate both design and implementation risks.
Participate in the planning, designing, and building of new service offerings including on-premises infrastructure, network security, business continuity, disaster recovery, and public/private/hybrid cloud solutions.
Strive to maintain expert level knowledge in all technology offerings while specializing and maintaining certifications in those areas identified as critical for the role’s specialization (GCP). The role will also be responsible to maintain an expert level of knowledge on competitor offerings to best communicate technical differentiation. Demonstrate a proactive nature to maintain technical competence. Complete training, education and certification as assigned.
Perform exceptionally and to completion when delivering on billable engagements including on-premises infrastructure implementations, cloud migrations and expansions, managed services, ticket resolutions, disaster recovery implementations, security implementations, assessments, solution designs and other services as required.
Be a thought leader by staying abreast of technology and business trends through interactions and professional networking with other top thought leaders. Strategically advance offerings and provide insights to clients to assist them progress the growth of their business via the identification of their ideal IT solution stack.
Assist in the creation and delivery of professional presentation materials.
Exceptional oral and written communication skills and experience required. Must be able to adjust style to match the audience whether internal, client technical or client executive. Proven experience articulating technical viewpoints to diverse audiences, including technical and business decision makers. High EQ sought.
Maximize billable time.
Highly motivated and self-managed individual that can balance multiple projects, support meetings, achieve superior results.
Travel – to/from clients, corporate events and training as needed.
Continuing education of relevant certifications that would benefit the Lead Technical Architect role
Be available to meet customer IT needs and serve the Customer to ePlus’ standards

Your Corporate Responsibilities:

Internal Control responsibilities vary by role and are subject to change. Please discuss your individual internal control responsibilities with your immediate supervisor on a regular basis.

Handle confidential matters and information professionally
Conduct business in a professional, competent and ethical manner
Adhere to corporate policies and procedures

Job Knowledge/Skills:
Excellent customer service skills, both in-person and over the phone
Excellent presentation, communication, and documentation skills
Strong business understanding including costing, P&L, and pricing strategies
Ability to think on your feet and come up with solutions quickly
Must be fully knowledgeable and able to design and plan, implement, and support IT solutions using three or more of the following technologies:
Public Cloud (AWS/Azure/GCP)
Containers and Container Management Platforms
Security – Micro Segmentation, IAM, Firewalls
Cloud Connectivity
Cloud Continuity and DR
Application Migration
Application Modernization

Education and Experience:

15+ years of hands-on experience in IT
At least 10 years of experience working as a cloud engineer
In-depth knowledge of GCP, AWS, or Azure
Knowledge of Datacenter Connectivity and Hybrid Cloud
Troubleshooting skills
Deep understanding of IP networks in datacenters and across wide area networks
Experience working with Security Devices (FW,VPN), Load Balancers (F5)
Experience building HLD & LLD documents in your area of expertise
Experience specific to GCP, AWS or Microsoft Azure Platform a must
High level of comfort performing white boarding sessions and PowerPoint presentations
Deep understanding of data center infrastructure including servers, SAN, switching
Familiarity with Business-Critical Applications including SQL, Oracle, and Exchange
Expert level experience with scripting languages (Bash/Shell/Python/PowerShell)
Expert level experience with containers including Docker/Kubernetes
Familiarity DR/Replication technology (storage replication, VMware SRM, RecoverPoint, Zerto, etc)
Administrator-level familiarity with common enterprise operating systems such as Microsoft Windows Server, IBM AIX, Linux, Solaris, etc.
Consulting experience preferred
Familiarity with security solutions and products (Palo Alto, Sophos, Check Point, Cisco, etc)
Experience with Big Data technologies a plus
Multiple industry-recognized Certifications. i.e.: CCIE, VCP, NACP, CISSP, Amazon AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Professional, Microsoft MCSE Cloud Platform Infrastructure, Cisco Certified CCNP or higher certification, Cisco NSX training/experience, VMware Certified Professional (VCP) or higher certification

Physical Requirements of Position:

Ability of finger dexterity to be used primarily to make small movements such as typing, picking up small objects or pinching fingers together. Movements frequently and regularly required using the wrists, hands and / or fingers. Speech ability must be at a level where one must convey detailed or important instructions or ideas accurately, loudly or quickly. Hearing ability must be at a level to hear average or normal conversations and receive ordinary information. Visual ability must be average with ordinary visual acuity necessary to prepare or inspect documents or products, or operate machinery. Physical strength for sedentary work with sitting most of the time. May have to exert or lift up to 10 – 20 pounds of force occasionally.

ePlus is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. ePlus promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, disabled persons, and veterans.