Job Description
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Solution Architect to join our team. Operating within a fully cloud-native environment, the successful candidate will be responsible for designing, building, and overseeing the implementation of complex, scalable cloud-based solutions that align with organisational goals. This is a hands-on technical leadership role that combines software development expertise with cloud architecture, requiring a seasoned professional who can bridge the gap between business strategy and technical execution, with the ability to engage confidently at C-suite level. Hybrid Working Arrangement: This role operates on a hybrid working model, requiring a minimum of 3 days per week on-site, with flexibility to work remotely for the remaining days. On-site presence may be required for key stakeholder engagements, project milestones, and executive meetings. Reports To: Chief Technology Officer / Chief Information Officer Design and develop end-to-end cloud-native solutions across AWS and Azure environments Write, review, and contribute to production-quality code across relevant technology stacks Serve as the primary technical advisor to executive leadership, translating business needs into actionable cloud and technology roadmaps Lead technical discovery workshops and stakeholder engagements across business units Evaluate and recommend cloud services, platforms, frameworks, and vendors aligned to strategic objectives Ensure all solution designs and developed software adhere to cloud security, compliance, and governance standards Oversee the full software development lifecycle (SDLC) from design through to cloud deployment and maintenance Champion cloud best practices including scalability, high availability, cost optimisation, and security Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior architects, developers, and engineering staff Stay abreast of emerging trends in software development, cloud computing, and AI/ML innovation Collaborate effectively across remote and on-site teams within the hybrid working environment Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field Postgraduate qualification or relevant professional certifications advantageous AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Associate or Professional level) strongly preferred Microsoft Azure certification (Azure Solutions Architect Expert or equivalent) strongly preferred Minimum of 5 years experience in a solution architecture or senior technical leadership role Demonstrated experience engaging with C-suite and executive stakeholders Software Development Proficiency in one or more programming languages, including: Python, Java, C#, Node.js, or Go for backend development JavaScript / TypeScript for frontend or full-stack development SQL and NoSQL database development (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, DynamoDB, Cosmos DB) Strong experience with software architecture patterns including microservices, event-driven architecture, RESTful APIs, and GraphQL Experience with full software development lifecycle (SDLC) including requirements, design, development, testing, cloud deployment, and maintenance Proficiency with version control systems (Git), code review practices, and collaborative development workflows Experience with automated testing frameworks and quality assurance practices Familiarity with DevOps practices, containerisation (Docker/Kubernetes), and CI/CD pipelines within AWS and Azure environments Amazon Web Services (AWS) Proven, hands-on experience with Amazon Web Services (AWS), including: Cloud architecture design, deployment, and optimisation Core services: EC2, S3, RDS, Lambda, VPC, IAM, and CloudFormation AWS Well-Architected Framework principles AI/ML services: SageMaker, Rekognition, Comprehend, Bedrock, and Lex Microsoft Azure Proven, hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure, including: Azure cloud architecture design, deployment, and governance Core services: Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Blob Storage, Azure SQL, Azure Functions, Azure Virtual Network, and Azure Active Directory Azure Well-Architected Framework principles AI/ML services: Azure Machine Learning, Azure OpenAI Service, Azure Cognitive Services, and Azure Bot Services Experience designing and managing multi-cloud environments spanning AWS and Azure Strong understanding of cloud security, identity and access management, cost governance, and compliance Knowledge of cloud architecture frameworks such as TOGAF, Zachman, or the Cloud Adoption Framework (CAF) Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively within a hybrid working model Cloud Certifications (preferred) Amazon Web Services (AWS) AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional Microsoft Azure Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate Competencies Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills Ability to articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical and executive audiences Strong analytical and problem-solving ability Hands-on development mindset combined with strategic cloud architecture thinking Leadership and the capacity to drive consensus across diverse and distributed teams Commercial mindset with the ability to align cloud strategy and software delivery to business outcomes Self-motivated and disciplined, with the ability to manage deliverables effectively in a hybrid environment Advantageous Experience working within government or public sector cloud environments Exposure to African market technology landscapes AWS Advanced Partner and/or Microsoft Azure Partner ecosystem experience Contributions to open-source software projects or published technical work Knowledge of B-BBEE compliance considerations in technology procurement
