Cloud Architect

Guidehouse is seeking a Senior Cloud Architect to lead the modernization and migration of large, mission-critical applications from AWS to Google Cloud. This role provides architectural leadership across cloud platforms, data modernization, security, DevSecOps, and enterprise systems engineering. The Architect will support a high-visibility federal system, ensuring secure, reliable, and scalable cloud operations aligned with federal SDLC/SELC methodologies., Cloud Architecture & Modernization

• Lead the end-to-end strategy, design, and implementation of cloud modernization initiatives for a complex federal enterprise system.
• Architect secure, scalable environments in Google Cloud and drive migration from AWS using industry-standard patterns (rehost, re-platform, refactor).
• Establish cloud governance, resource hierarchy, network architecture, IAM policies, and resiliency strategies.
• Support teams in deploying managed Google Cloud AI products (e.g., Vertex AI endpoints, Gemini-based developer tools, Dialogflow agents) as part of broader cloud modernization efforts

Migration Leadership (AWS * Google Cloud)

• Assess existing architectures and develop migration roadmaps, sequencing, and cutover plans.
• Map AWS services to Google Cloud equivalents and ensure platform readiness for production workloads.
• Oversee containerization, orchestration (e.g., Kubernetes/GKE), data migration, and modernization of legacy components.

DevSecOps, CI/CD, and Infrastructure Automation

• Define and implement Terraform-based IaC, GitOps workflows, automated deployments, security gates, and policy-as-code.
• Mature CI/CD pipelines to support release-on-demand, automated testing, and compliance validation.

SDLC / SELC Compliance (Federal Environment)

• Ensure all architecture deliverables, design artifacts, security documentation, readiness reviews, and testing approaches comply with federal SDLC/SELC standards, including traceability, documentation, verification/validation, and audit readiness.
• Partner with program management, engineering teams, and federal stakeholders to meet lifecycle governance requirements.

Operational Excellence & Reliability

• Implement observability across logging, monitoring, tracing, performance tuning, and resilience testing.
• Maintain high availability and continuity-of-operations (COOP) expectations required for critical federal systems.

Technical Leadership & Collaboration

• Advise senior leadership and technical teams; guide architectural decisions and modernization direction.
• Mentor engineering teams across multiple Agile squads and support PI planning, backlog refinement, and architectural reviews.
• Represent the cloud architecture discipline in stakeholder engagements, technical forums, and enterprise planning sessions.

AI-Enablement

• Demonstrates expertise in designing, implementing, and governing AI-enabled cloud solutions.
• Applies knowledge of generative AI, machine learning, and large language model (LLM) technologies to architect scalable, secure, and cost-effective enterprise solutions.
• Develops Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) architectures, vector search solutions, and AI-driven automation workflows that integrate enterprise data sources while adhering to security, privacy, and regulatory requirements.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• TEN (10+) years of progressive experience in cloud architecture and enterprise modernization.
• Demonstrated experience migrating complex systems from AWS to Google Cloud at scale.
• Deep expertise across GCP services: Compute, GKE, VPC networking, IAM, Cloud SQL/AlloyDB, BigQuery, KMS, logging/monitoring.
• Strong understanding of federal SDLC/SELC or similar structured lifecycle methodologies.
• Expert-level proficiency with Terraform, CI/CD pipelines, DevSecOps, and security engineering principles.
• Experience leading large cloud engineering teams in Agile environments.
• Google Professional Cloud Architect certification ( or obtained within first 6 months ).

What Would Be Nice To Have :

• Experience modernizing large federal systems or other regulated enterprise environments.
• Hands-on experience with data modernization, analytics platforms, and cloud-native data pipelines.
• Experience developing cloud governance frameworks, COE structures, FinOps practices, and cost-optimization strategies.
• Experience deploying or integrating cloud-based AI/ML services-such as Google Cloud Vertex AI, Gemini, or Dialogflow-into enterprise applications.

The annual salary range for this position is $130,000.00-$216,000.00. Compensation decisions depend on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, security clearances, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

What We Offer:

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

Benefits include:

• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
• Parental Leave
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Group Term Life and Travel Assistance
• Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance
• Health Savings Account, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Transit and Parking Commuter Benefits
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development, Certifications & Learning Opportunities
• Employee Referral Program
• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
• Care.com annual membership
• Employee Assistance Program
• Supplemental Benefits via Corestream (Critical Care, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Legal Assistance and ID theft protection, etc.)
• Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer-Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.