Senior Cloud Architect

Torchlight is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Cloud Architect to significantly contribute to our technology team. As a key technical leader, you will be responsible for end-to-end design, implementation, and management of robust, scalable, and secure cloud-based solutions primarily on Google Cloud Platform (GCP). You will leverage extensive expertise in cloud architecture, big data, and security to strategically drive our platform's evolution and ensure its success in meeting the unique and critical needs of our government sector clients. The ideal candidate will possess a strong technical background, exceptional communication and collaboration skills, and a passion for solving complex, mission-critical challenges. ***100% telecommute with some travel to Tampa, FL***

Responsibilities

• Strategically develop and continuously refine a comprehensive cloud strategy that seamlessly aligns with Torchlight's business objectives and robust GCP-first approach.

• Architect, design, and implement highly scalable, high-performance, and fault-tolerant cloud solutions on Google Cloud Platform, specifically including innovative solutions with edge-computing capabilities optimized for containerized deployment (e.g., GKE).

• Design, build, and optimize robust solutions for large-scale data ingestion, real-time processing, secure storage, and advanced analysis, primarily leveraging the full suite of GCP's big data services.

• Define, enforce, and audit comprehensive IAM strategies and stringent security policies to proactively protect cloud infrastructure and sensitive data, ensuring strict compliance with industry standards, government regulations (e.g., FedRAMP, NIST), and internal security postures.

• Collaborate intensely with cross-functional software engineering, product management, and other key stakeholders to deeply understand technical and business requirements, effectively translating them into cutting-edge cloud solutions that meticulously align with the overall enterprise systems architecture, including seamless integrations with on-premises environments.

• Lead the deployment and lifecycle management of critical cloud resources (e.g., compute, storage, networking, security services) ensuring optimal performance and cost efficiency.

• Rigorously evaluate and strategically recommend cutting-edge cloud technologies and services, continuously optimizing solutions for maximum cost-effectiveness, reliability, security, and performance.

• Serve as a principal subject matter expert, providing authoritative guidance and pioneering best practices on cloud architecture design, advanced security protocols, significant cost optimization, deep performance tuning, and overall operational excellence.

• Commandingly lead technical discussions and deliver compelling presentations to both highly technical and executive-level non-technical audiences.

• Create and meticulously maintain comprehensive, detailed architecture diagrams and documentation for all cloud solutions.

• Proactively stay current with the latest advancements in cloud technologies and industry trends, particularly within the dynamic GCP ecosystem, and expertly apply systems design thinking to integrated, holistic solutions.

• Diagnose and rapidly resolve complex technical issues related to cloud infrastructure, applications, and services.

• Provide strong technical leadership and strategic mentorship to cloud engineering and operations teams, cultivating a high-performance, collaborative, and innovative culture.

• Define, plan, execute, and monitor cloud-related projects with precision, utilizing project management tools like Jira, to ensure timely delivery, adherence to budget, and exceptional quality standards.

Qualifications Required

• Must be a U.S. citizen (as required to obtain a DOD SECRET CLEARANCE)

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

• Proven experience designing and implementing large-scale cloud solutions on Google Cloud Platform.

• Valid Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect certification is mandatory.

• Extensive experience with big data technologies and services (e.g., BigQuery, Bigtable, Dataflow, Pub/Sub, Workflows, GKE).

• Solid understanding and hands-on experience with GCP IAM, security policies, network security (VPCs, firewalls), and data protection.

• Demonstrated ability to design for security, resilience, and scalability.

• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Proven ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment with engineers, product managers, and other stakeholders.

Qualifications Desired

• Master's degree in a relevant technical field.

• Experience working with government sector clients and understanding their specific security and compliance requirements.

• Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes (GKE).

• Knowledge of infrastructure-as-code tools (e.g., Terraform, Deployment Manager).

• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices.

• Experience designing solutions for deployment in a multi-cloud environment, while maintaining a primary focus on GCP.

• Additional GCP certifications (e.g., Professional Data Engineer, Professional Cloud Security Engineer).

About Torchlight

Torchlight Analytics LLC provides Behavior Based Insights to decision-makers in government and corporate organizations to uncover emerging threats and new opportunities.

Torchlight is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other protected class. U.S. Citizenship is required for positions requiring government security clearance and for certain other restricted positions.