Principal Cloud and Data Engineering Architect

Title: Principal Cloud and Data Engineering Architect Location: Columbia, SC (Hybrid) Position type: W2 contract Job Description We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Cloud and Data Engineering Architect Consultant to provide enterprise-level architecture leadership for cloud modernization initiatives. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in Microsoft Azure cloud architecture, enterprise integration, data platforms, API management, DevOps, and cloud governance. This role will lead the design and implementation of a cloud-native integration platform supporting enterprise applications while ensuring solutions are scalable, secure, reliable, and aligned with organizational technology strategies. Key Responsibilities Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of enterprise-scale Azure cloud solutions supporting modernization initiatives.Design and implement a cloud-native integration platform using modern integration patterns, including REST APIs, event-driven architecture, asynchronous messaging, and distributed systems.Establish scalable integration architectures supporting enterprise applications, statewide systems, and business platforms.Provide principal-level technical leadership and architecture guidance to development teams, infrastructure teams, cybersecurity teams, vendors, and business stakeholders.Design and guide implementation of enterprise cloud data platforms, including data lake and data engineering capabilities.Develop and maintain enterprise architecture standards, technical patterns, governance practices, and solution documentation.Support API management, enterprise integration, and cloud-native application development initiatives.Provide technical leadership for DevOps, GitOps, CI/CD pipelines, security, observability, and operational readiness.Collaborate with enterprise architects and technical teams to define secure, scalable, and maintainable technology solutions.Mentor developers, engineers, and architects while promoting cloud engineering best practices and knowledge transfer.Evaluate emerging cloud technologies and recommend solutions that improve scalability, performance, and operational efficiency.Support continuous improvement initiatives related to cloud architecture, automation, governance, and enterprise integration. Required Qualifications Bachelor s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Data Science, or a related technical field.Minimum 10 years of experience designing, developing, and implementing enterprise technology solutions.Minimum 7 years of experience designing and implementing cloud solutions and cloud-native architectures using Microsoft Azure, AWS, GCP, or comparable enterprise cloud platforms.Extensive experience designing enterprise integration solutions utilizing:REST APIsEvent-driven architectureAsynchronous messagingDistributed systemsExperience designing and implementing enterprise data platforms using:Cloud-based data lakesAnalytics platformsData engineering technologiesExperience with Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC), CI/CD pipelines, DevOps practices, and automation tools such as:TerraformBicepARM TemplatesEquivalent cloud automation technologiesStrong understanding of cloud security, identity and access management, scalability, performance optimization, monitoring, and operational support.Strong experience establishing cloud architecture standards, technical design patterns, governance practices, and solution documentation. Preferred Qualifications: Experience integrating:SAPSAP S/4HANAERP platformsHR systemsEnterprise financial applicationsExperience supporting large-scale government, public-sector, or highly regulated technology environments.Experience with:Azure API ManagementAzure FunctionsAzure Logic AppsAzure Event GridEnterprise ERP systemsExperience establishing enterprise architecture frameworks, cloud governance practices, and technical design standards.Experience with Microsoft Azure architecture certifications or enterprise architecture certifications.Knowledge of TOGAF or equivalent enterprise architecture methodologies. ADMIN 13087.docxDOCX Preferred Certifications Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect ExpertMicrosoft Azure Developer AssociateMicrosoft Azure Data Engineer AssociateTOGAF or equivalent Enterprise Architecture certification