Cloud Solutions Architect

Address: Information Services Division (ISD)
150 N. 18th Ave., Phoenix, Az 85007

Must Reside in Arizona.

Salary: $110,000 - $120,000

Grade: 31

FLSA Status: Exempt

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the agency’s business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The Information Services Division (ISD) is looking for a highly motivated individual to join our team as a Cloud Solutions Architect. The Cloud Solutions Architect is responsible for leading the architecture, governance, implementation, modernization, and support of enterprise cloud solutions and cloud platforms. This position develops and implements enterprise cloud strategy, establishes cloud architecture standards, policies, and governance frameworks, and provides expert guidance on cloud adoption, migration, and optimization initiatives.
The incumbent serves as the agency's lead advisor on cloud technologies, infrastructure modernization, security, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and emerging technology solutions. The position collaborates with business and technology stakeholders, evaluates vendor-delivered solutions, and ensures cloud services align with enterprise architecture, security requirements, operational objectives, and long-term technology roadmaps. In addition, the position supervises professional and technical staff, providing leadership, direction, mentoring, training, and performance management while fostering innovation and continuous improvement.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Manage and direct subordinate staff, including assigning work, establishing priorities, coaching and mentoring employees, conducting performance evaluations, approving leave, developing staff capabilities, participating in hiring and disciplinary actions, and ensuring successful completion of team objectives.
• Lead the design, development, implementation, and modernization of enterprise cloud architectures, platforms, and services that support agency business goals and technology roadmaps. Develop cloud reference architectures, technology standards, architectural principles, and best practices that promote scalability, resiliency, security, and cost efficiency.
• Provide enterprise architectural leadership and technical governance for internally developed and vendor-delivered cloud solutions. Conduct architecture reviews, evaluate solution designs, review technical deliverables, establish cloud development standards, and ensure compliance with enterprise architecture, security, regulatory, and operational requirements.
• Develop and organize cloud systems with a focus on enabling artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation, and advanced analytics capabilities. Evaluate emerging cloud technologies, applications, platforms, hardware, and software solutions to identify opportunities for innovation and operational improvement. Provide technical guidance to cloud developers and implementation teams regarding cloud solution design and deployment best practices.
• Develop and implement enterprise cloud strategy and cloud adoption initiatives. Lead efforts to migrate applications and infrastructure to cloud environments, identify optimal cloud architecture solutions, and balance business functionality requirements with platform performance, maintainability, and engineering health. Participate in cloud provider evaluations, procurement activities, and vendor selection processes.
• Perform cloud capacity planning and forecasting activities. Develop cloud policies, operating standards, and governance frameworks for the operation and management of cloud services. Create and maintain architecture documentation, including cloud roadmaps, design diagrams, infrastructure diagrams, deployment diagrams, and data flow diagrams. Develop and present technical, strategic, and budgetary recommendations to executive leadership regarding cloud technologies, investments, and modernization initiatives.

Knowledge of:
• Enterprise cloud architecture principles, methodologies, and industry best practices
• Public cloud platforms, services, and technologies (Azure, AWS, and/or Google Cloud Platform)
• Cloud migration strategies, modernization approaches, and cloud adoption frameworks
• Enterprise application, infrastructure, integration, and data architecture
• Cloud governance, policy development, and operational management frameworks.
• Information security principles, identity management, regulatory compliance requirements, and risk management practices related to cloud environments
• Artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation, and emerging cloud technologies
• Capacity planning, performance optimization, business continuity, and disaster recovery principles
• IT Service Management (ITSM), IT Operations Management (ITOM), and technology lifecycle management practices
• Vendor management, cloud service procurement processes, and contract administration principles
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, performance management, training, coaching, and staff development
Skill in:
• Designing, implementing, and governing complex enterprise cloud solutions and architectures
• Leading cross-functional cloud modernization, migration, and technology transformation initiatives
• Developing cloud strategies, standards, roadmaps, and governance models
• Evaluating cloud technologies and recommending solutions that align with business and technical objectives
• Providing technical leadership, architectural guidance, and mentorship to technical teams
• Reviewing solution designs and technical deliverables to ensure compliance with architectural and security standards
• Preparing and delivering technical, operational, and budgetary presentations to executive leadership
• Creating and maintaining architectural documentation, diagrams, standards, and technical artifacts
• Building collaborative relationships with executives, stakeholders, vendors, and technical teams
• Supervising professional staff, assigning work, establishing priorities, conducting performance evaluations, and developing employee capabilities. Communicating complex technical concepts effectively through written, verbal, and presentation formats.
Ability to:
• Develop and implement enterprise cloud strategies that support organizational goals and business needs
• Lead the adoption of cloud technologies and drive organizational change associated with cloud transformation initiatives
• Balance business requirements, security requirements, operational considerations, and architectural integrity when making technology decisions
• Analyze complex technical problems and develop effective, scalable, and resilient cloud solutions
• Establish and enforce cloud governance standards, policies, and best practices
• Evaluate emerging technologies and determine their applicability to business and operational objectives
• Collaborate effectively with executives, business stakeholders, architects, engineers, vendors, and external partners
• Lead, motivate, mentor, and develop a high-performing technical team
• Manage multiple priorities, projects, and strategic initiatives in a dynamic environment
• Influence decision-making and provide trusted technical advice to executive leadership regarding cloud investments and modernization efforts.

Minimum Qualification:
• 5+ years of experience in Cloud Solutions including Architecture, developing and deploying Applications and Platforms to the Public Cloud.
• Experience with cloud computing technologies and current computing trends.
• Demonstrated experience communicating complex cloud architecture, infrastructure, security, and technology concepts to technical and non-technical audiences, including management, executives, and IT stakeholders.
Preferred Qualification: Current certification in one of the following Public Cloud Architectures:
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect
• Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect
• Azure Solutions Architect

• Successfully pass fingerprint background check, prior employment verifications and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• Travel may be required for State business. Employees who drive on state business must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.)

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Among the many benefits of a career with the State of Arizona, there are:
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Vacation and Sick time off (13 and 12 days per year respectively) - start earning it your 1st day (prorated for part-time employees)
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child. Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here.
• Other Leaves - Bereavement, civic duty, and military.
• A top-ranked retirement program with lifetime pension benefits
• A robust and affordable insurance plan, including medical, dental, life, and disability insurance
• Participation eligibility in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (must meet qualifications)
• RideShare and Public Transit Subsidy
• A variety of learning and career development opportunities

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Lifetime Pension Benefit Program
• Administered through the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
• Defined benefit plan that provides for life-long income upon retirement.
• Required participation for Long-Term Disability (LTD) and ASRS Retirement plan.
• Pre-taxed payroll contributions begin after a 27-week waiting period (prior contributions may waive the waiting period).
Deferred Retirement Compensation Program
• Voluntary participation.
• Program administered through Nationwide.
• Tax-deferred retirement investments through payroll deductions.