> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/1982876-lead-application-architect-gcp](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1982876-lead-application-architect-gcp). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Lead Application Architect/GCP - **Company:** TEKSYSTEMS INC. - **Location:** Dallas, TX, United States (Remote available) - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $160,000.0 - $225,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Agile Methodology, Artificial Intelligence, Applications Architecture, Architectural Patterns, Automation of Tests, Microsoft Azure, BigQuery, Cloud Computing, Cloud Database, Cloud Engineering, Cloud Storage, Code Review, Databases, Continuous Integration, Data Governance, DevOps, Programming Tools, Distributed Systems, Github, Identity and Access Management, Spring Framework, Python (Programming Language), NoSQL, Performance Tuning, Cloud Services, Azure Machine Learning, Software Engineering, Data Streaming, Management of Software Versions, Google Cloud, Spring-boot, Multi-Cloud, Technical Debt, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), Backend, Data Layers, Containerization, Kubernetes, Information Technology, Google Cloud Functions, Front End Software Development, Api Design, Software Coding, Restful APIs, Code Restructuring, Docker, Vmware, Microservices - **Published:** August 8, 2026 - **Apply:** https://dejobs.org/x/x/CC8B9CFE43D14402A4CFA967D136FABF/job/ ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree /4-year college degree in Computer Science, or equivalent work experience * 15+ years of software development experience. * 12+ years of strong hands-on experience in Java. * 5+ years of hands-on experience designing, migrating, and operating production workloads on Google Cloud Platform (GCP). * 5+ years of experience in a consultative, client-facing Lead Architect or Practice Architect role, with a proven track record of influencing executive stakeholders. * Technical Profile Software Engineering * Expert level software engineering with proven experience designing and governing architectures for distributed systems, including clear boundaries, contracts, versioning, and data ownership * Strong hands on experience with Java frameworks such as Spring / Spring Boot, RESTful APIs, and microservices architectures or their Python equivalent * Experience designing and delivering distributed, highly available systems * Experience with relational and NoSQL databases, messaging, and integration patterns * Deep expertise in Java (or) Python including refactoring mature codebases, performance tuning, and pragmatic framework evaluation * Ability to define and enforce quality strategies across teams, including test automation, testability standards, and measurable quality outcomes * Hands on contributor through prototyping, reference implementations, deep code reviews, and critical path development * Relevant technical certifications (Cloud, Architecture, or Development) are a plus. Engineering & Tooling * Experience with CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, or similar tools * Advanced DevOps practices including CI/CD strategy, IaC, release safety, environment strategy, and scalable automation * Experience with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) * Strong understanding of security, identity, compliance, and secure by default practices * Full stack solution design capability across frontend, backend, integration, and data layers, with depth in at least one area * Ability to establish architectural patterns that improve maintainability, reduce coupling, and enable independent team delivery. Cloud Platform Experience * Deep expertise in cloud-native design patterns, GCP security/identity (IAM, VPC Service Controls), hybrid/multi-cloud networking, and cost optimization (FinOps). * Hands-on knowledge of core GCP services: Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), Cloud Run, Compute Engine, Cloud Functions, Pub/Sub, and Cloud Storage. * Experience with managed database options on GCP, including Cloud SQL, Cloud Spanner, and BigQuery, as well as legacy-to-cloud data migration strategies. * Familiarity with Google Cloud VMware Engine (GCVE) or Anthos / Google Distributed Cloud for hybrid modernization use cases is highly desirable. * Preferred Certification: GCP Professional Cloud Architect or GCP Professional Applications Developer. ## Description The Lead Architect is a hands on technical leader responsible for defining and delivering end to end solution architecture for complex client and internal initiatives. The role drives technical direction across teams, ensures solutions are scalable, secure, and maintainable, and guides delivery teams to build high quality solutions aligned with enterprise modernization goals. Lead Architects stay close to the code and runtime by validating key architectural decisions, contributing where needed on critical paths, establishing engineering guardrails, and leading design reviews. Success is measured by both architectural quality and production outcomes, with the role remaining primarily focused on hands on solution engineering and minimal delivery support. Occasional travel may be required, such as for engagement kickoffs., * Serve as a Client CTO Partner: Advise client executive leadership (CTOs, VPs of Engineering, Enterprise Architects and Technology Architects) on technical strategy, cloud economics, and long-term modernization roadmaps aligned with business goals. * Drive Legacy Modernization Strategy: Assess legacy application portfolios (monoliths, traditional tiered applications) and define pragmatic migration and re-architecting strategies (Refactor, Replatform, Rearchitect) for GCP. * Own End-to-End GCP Architecture: Define and govern scalable, secure, and highly available distributed system architectures, including integrations, API strategies, data flows, and non-functional requirements. * Lead Technical Governance: Conduct architecture and design reviews; document key decisions, trade-offs, technical debt mitigation strategies, and engineering guardrails. * Stay Hands-On: Mitigate delivery risk by writing code for prototypes, proof-of-concepts (PoCs), and reference implementations of modern cloud patterns. Continuously evaluate and adopt new technologies and patterns * Establish Engineering Standards: Define and enforce practices across API design (e.g., gRPC, REST), automated testing, CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and secure-by-default blueprints. * Embed Operability by Design: Ensure cloud workloads are built with production-readiness in mind, including deep observability, resilience, automated recovery, and incident response readiness. * Support Practice Growth: Partner with pre-sales and account teams to shape modernization proposals, define solution boundaries, and provide accurate effort estimations. * Mentor and Scale Talent: Mentor senior engineers, emerging architects, and client technical teams to foster a culture of engineering excellence., AI Skills & Tool Usage * Sets expectations for responsible AI tool usage across teams, including validation, security, and IP/privacy considerations * Evaluates and enables the adoption of generative AI developer tools (e.g., Gemini Code Assist) to safely accelerate modernization velocity, code translation, and documentation. * Establishes architectural patterns for integrating enterprise data with cloud-based AI/ML services (e.g., Vertex AI) while maintaining strict data privacy, governance, and security boundaries. Professional Expectations * Comfortably navigates ambiguous environments, driving technical clarity and building consensus among conflicting client business and IT stakeholders. * Strategic Communication: Translates highly complex technical architectures into clear, value-driven language for non-technical executives. * Accountability: Takes ownership of production outcomes, ensuring systems are engineered for long-term security, reliability, and cost-efficiency. * Force Multiplier: Acts as a technical mentor, accelerating team delivery through reusable reference architectures, code patterns, and shared tooling. * Agile Advocacy: Deeply understands Agile methodologies and iterative delivery, ensuring large modernization programs are broken down into manageable, value-generating increments. ## Related Videos - [WebAssembly: The Next Frontier of Cloud Computing](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/972-webassembly-the-next-frontier-of-cloud-computing) - [Docker Compose: Rediscovered](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1978-docker-compose-rediscovered) - [Leveraging Real time data in FSIs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/806-leveraging-real-time-data-in-fsis) - [The Cloud is Calling: Answer with In-Demand Skills](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/945-the-cloud-is-calling-answer-with-in-demand-skills) - [Docker build without Docker](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100114-docker-build-without-docker) - [Generating code with Angular schematics](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/129-generating-code-with-angular-schematics) ## Related Articles - [Got AI ideas but no money? Here are 10 free ways to level up your AI skills with Google Cloud](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/600-got-ai-ideas-but-no-money-here-are-10-free-ways-to-level-up-your-ai-skills-with-google-cloud) - [What Are The Top Skills Required For Azure Developers?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/77-what-are-the-top-skills-required-for-azure-developers) - [7 Cloud Computing Trends Coming in 2025 for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/412-7-cloud-computing-trends-coming-in-2025-for-developers) - [Best US AI Conferences for CTOs in 2026: Build vs. Buy, Vendor Evaluation, and Peer Intelligence](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/736-best-us-ai-conferences-for-ctos-in-2026-build-vs-buy-vendor-evaluation-and-peer-intelligence) - [What’s the Difference between a Junior, Mid, and Senior Developer?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/238-what-s-the-difference-between-a-junior-mid-and-senior-developer) - [Why Attend a Developer Event in 2026?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/688-why-attend-a-developer-event-in-2026)