Google Cloud

**PLEASE NO C2C SUBMISSIONS OR AGENCIES - ONLY DIRECT APPLICANTS ONLY**

Our client, a mid-sized and forward-thinking consulting firm (named to Forbes' Best Management Consulting Firms for 15 consecutive years), is expanding its 160-person Data Analytics & AI practice. They combine deep industry expertise with modern technology to drive meaningful, long-term transformation for their clients. They're currently seeking a seasoned
GCP Architect
to lead cloud architecture, data platform modernization, and migration initiatives using Google Cloud Platform.

Contract-to-Hire Details

• Start:
  As early as December 2025, goes through all of 2026
• Duration:
  6–8 months before FTE conversion or contract extension
• Type:
  Full-time contract (40 hrs/week)
• Location:
  Onsite 2–3 days/week in downtown Manhattan
• Rate:
  $110–150/hr (depending on experience alignment)
• Industry:
  Ideal candidate comes from the IT Consulting industry or Energy & Utilities (E&U)

Client Delivery

• Act as SME and solution architect for GCP, advising on design, migration, and platform decisions.
• Compare Azure vs. GCP capabilities to guide client choices.
• Lead architecture and migration of workloads into GCP, including hybrid/multi-cloud.
• Build modern data platforms supporting analytics, AI, and agentic solutions on GCP.
• Advise on how Databricks aligns or overlaps with GCP services.
• Lead cost modeling, O&M budgeting, and optimization efforts.
• Ensure architectures meet business, technical, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide hands-on guidance across core GCP services (BigQuery, Dataflow, Pub/Sub, Vertex AI, etc.).
• Connect data engineering, governance, analytics, and AI into a cohesive platform strategy.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to client leadership.

Practice Development

• Develop methodologies, accelerators, and best practices for GCP adoption in regulated environments.
• Support cloud modernization and AI/ML thought leadership efforts.
• Mentor team members and support a collaborative culture.

Business Development

• Translate business needs into technical roadmaps, proposals, and architecture options.
• Support pursuits as a GCP SME with estimates and risk assessments.
• Build a network in the cloud and utilities ecosystems.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (advanced preferred).
• 8+ years experience, including 3+ on GCP.
• Strong cloud data architecture skills (batch/streaming pipelines, BigQuery, Vertex AI, Agentspace).
• Experience with Azure and Databricks; ability to evaluate tradeoffs.
• Proven leadership of large cloud migrations or platform builds.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements (e.g., NERC CIP).
• At least one Google Cloud Professional certification.
• Strong communication, documentation, and stakeholder influence skills.
• Leadership and mentoring experience.
• Willingness to travel (up to 30% at times, but closer to 10%)

Nice to Have

• Experience with regulated utilities and compliance frameworks.
• Databricks certifications.