Google Cloud Architect (remote)

Job Title: Google Cloud Architect Work Location: Remote - must work in CST time zone Duration: 6 Month Contract to Hire Education/Experience Required: Proven expertise with Argo CD or comparable GitOps tools, showcasing hands-on implementation and maintenance in production.

Job Description: s a Senior Principal GCP Cloud Architect, you will lead our cloud transformation journey by driving the end-to-end migration and modernization of on-premise Virtual Machine (VM) based applications to the Google Cloud Platform (GCP). You will architect, design, and implement cloud-native solutions utilizing Kubernetes (GKE) and GitOps methodologies. This role requires a hands-on professional with deep technical expertise, a passion for experimentation, and a commitment to building scalable, secure, and innovative cloud architectures. Our work environment encourages continuous learning, innovation, and practical "tinkering" with emerging technologies.

Responsibilities :

Migration & Modernization:

Lead the containerization and migration of legacy .NET and Java applications to Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE). Implement GitOps practices using tools such as Argo CD, JenkinsX, or Flux to automate deployments and manage versioning. Drive modernization initiatives by upgrading .NET and Java applications to the latest frameworks and adopting cloud-native design patterns.

Platform & Automation:

rchitect and maintain an Internal Developer Platform (IDP) using solutions like Backstage.io to streamline developer workflows. Utilize AI-driven tools (e.g., Kubiya) for optimized cluster orchestration, reducing the need for manual Helm chart configurations. Integrate artifact management solutions (such as JFrog Artifactory) to automate the build, test, and security scanning processes within CI/CD pipelines.

Security, Observability & Governance

Security & Compliance:

Collaborate with security teams to enforce zero-trust principles, including micro-segmentation (e.g., via GuardiCore) and secure ingress/egress (e.g., using Zscaler). Configure and manage GCP services with a focus on identity and access management (IAM), VPC configurations, encryption, and container security.

Monitoring & Observability:

Design and implement observability solutions using NewRelinc Monitoring and Splunk Logging to ensure optimal system performance and rapid issue resolution.

Technical Leadership & Collaboration

Architectural Guidance:

Provide architectural leadership and mentorship to development teams, ensuring the adoption of best practices in cloud-native design and .NET/Java modernization.

Innovation & Experimentation:

Foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation by creating proof-of-concepts, experimenting with emerging technologies, and promoting knowledge sharing across teams.

Stakeholder Engagement:

Engage with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to understand business requirements, align technology solutions with strategic goals, and ensure successful project delivery.

Skills & Qualifications :

Professional Experience:

Minimum of 8 years of experience in cloud architecture, systems engineering, or related roles, with a proven track record in modernizing enterprise-level applications. Extensive hands-on experience in designing and implementing cloud-native architectures.

Cloud Expertise:

Deep expertise in Google Cloud Platform (GCP), including proficiency with core services such as IAM, VPC, security models, and Kubernetes container orchestration. Demonstrated experience in architecting and managing workloads on GCP.

Technical Proficiency:

dvanced proficiency in .NET application development (C#, ASP.NET Core, .NET 6+), with experience in modernizing and containerizing legacy applications. dvanced proficiency in Java application development (Java SE, Spring Boot, and Jakarta EE), with experience in modernizing and containerizing legacy applications. Proven experience with containerization using Kubernetes (GKE) and familiarity with Docker. Expertise with GitOps methodologies and related tools (e.g., Argo CD, Flux, JenkinsX).

Platform Automation:

Hands-on experience with infrastructure automation tools and practices, including the use of AI-driven orchestration tools and automated artifact management.

Observability & Security:

Solid understanding of implementing monitoring, logging, and observability strategies on GCP. In-depth knowledge of secure cloud architecture principles and experience implementing zero-trust security models such as zScaler.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with advanced GCP services (e.g., Dataflow, Pub/Sub, Firestore) for integrated cloud solutions. Familiarity with emerging AI-driven technologies and tools within cloud architecture. Google Cloud Foundations certification (or equivalent) is highly desirable. background in microservices architecture and serverless patterns is a plus. Success Criteria

Seamless Cloud Migration:

Successful containerization and deployment of .NET and/or Java applications to GKE using GitOps practices.

Enhanced Performance & Scalability:

chieve measurable improvements in application performance, scalability, and cost efficiency through modern cloud architectures.

Robust Security & Observability:

Maintain high security standards and operational excellence through effective monitoring, logging, and zero-trust implementations.

Effective Stakeholder Collaboration:

Positive feedback from cross-functional teams and stakeholders, reflecting improved developer experiences, faster deployments, and successful technology modernization.

For more information or to view other opportunities, visit us at

www.paladininc.com.

Paladin Consulting is an EEOC employer.