Role Title: Senior Solution Architect - GCP / GKE
Practice: Cloud & Digital Engineering
Level: Senior Architect / Senior Solution Architect
Location: Chicago, Nashville or any location ready to relocate
Role Overview
The Senior Solution Architect - GCP / GKE is responsible for end‑to‑end architecture ownership of cloud‑native application solutions on Google Cloud Platform, with a strong emphasis on application modernization, microservices architecture, and Kubernetes (GKE).
This role goes beyond technical delivery to include architecture governance, client advisory, technology strategy, and team enablement, while remaining sufficiently hands-on to validate designs and guide implementation.
Focus Mix
Application Architecture & Design: ~65-70%
GKE / Cloud Platform Architecture: ~30-35%
Key Responsibilities
Solution Architecture & Ownership
Own
end‑to‑end solution architecture for GCP-based engagements, from discovery through delivery Define
target architecture, reference patterns, and non-functional requirements (scalability, security, resilience, observability) Lead architecture decisions across
application, data, integration, and platform layers Act as the
final technical authority on solution choices and trade-offs
Application Architecture & Modernization (Primary Focus)
Architect
cloud-native, microservices-based applications using
Java / Node.js / Python Define service decomposition, API contracts, and event-driven integration patterns Lead
application modernization and cloud migration initiatives (re-platform, refactor, re-architect) Design and review
RESTful APIs, API governance models, and versioning strategies Guide application data design leveraging
BigQuery and Cloud SQL
Cloud & GKE Architecture
Define
GKE-based workload architecture, including multi-cluster design, scaling, HA/DR, and security Establish
containerization standards, Kubernetes deployment patterns, and platform guardrails Architect
CI/CD and IaC strategies aligned to enterprise DevSecOps practices Provide architectural oversight for integrations using
Pub/Sub, messaging, and workflow orchestration
Client Advisory & Stakeholder Engagement
Act as
trusted cloud architect for clients and internal account teams Translate business requirements into
architecture roadmaps and implementation blueprints Lead architecture forums, design reviews, and solution walkthroughs with senior stakeholders Support
RFPs, proposals, and estimations with architecture input
Technical Governance & Enablement
Establish
architecture standards, best practices, and reusable assets Mentor architects, technical leads, and senior engineers across projects Drive architectural consistency across programs while enabling innovation Contribute to
GCP practice growth, accelerators, and thought leadership
This role is expected to:
Own
architecture outcomes, not just implementation Influence
multiple teams or workstreams Engage directly with
clients, leadership, and pre-sales Define
standards and patterns, not just follow them Mentor Tech Leads and senior engineers
Required Skills & Experience
Cloud & Architecture
Strong hands-on experience with
Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Deep expertise in
application and solution architecture Working architect-level knowledge of
Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) Proven experience defining
enterprise-grade cloud-native architectures
Application & Integration
Strong development background in
Java / Node.js / Python Extensive experience with
RESTful API design and implementation Experience with
event-driven architectures, Pub/Sub, and messaging systems Hands-on experience with
BigQuery and Cloud SQL in application contexts
Delivery & Leadership
Proven experience leading
application modernization and cloud migration programs Experience functioning as
Solution Architect or Senior Technical Lead Ability to guide multiple teams and influence technical outcomes across programs Strong communication skills for executive and client-level interactions
DevOps, Containerization & Certifications
Strong experience with
Docker and Kubernetes Experience architecting
CI/CD pipelines and
Infrastructure as Code (Terraform preferred) Exposure to
DevSecOps and compliance-by-design GCP Certifications (Professional Cloud Architect / Associate Developer) strongly preferred
