Cloud Architect

Summary

Join Rackspace as a Cloud Architect and become a key player in our support infrastructure. You will provide expert guidance on solutions, advise on potential infrastructure pitfalls, and address specific customer needs. Responsibilities include evaluating and documenting solutions, training staff, serving as the final escalation point for complex technical issues, and partnering with vendors. You will also contribute to product selection, lead RCA exercises, and collaborate with teams to share knowledge and improve processes. This role requires expert-level knowledge of cloud platforms and various technologies, along with strong problem-solving and communication skills. The ideal candidate will possess relevant certifications and a bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience).

Requirements

• Expert-level knowledge of Cloud Platform Products such as AWS, Azure, GCP, or Openstack
• Expert-level understanding of OS specific webhosts and database technologies, such as MSSQL/IIS for Windows or MYSQL/APACHE for Linux
• Agile/Lean Development Skills
• Artifact Manager/Repository Tools
• CI/CD Tools
• Cloud Automation Tools
• Cloud Computing
• Computer Networking
• Container Platform Tools
• Data Analysis
• Data Management
• Identity and Access Management (IAM)
• Linux/Unix OS
• Network Compliance/Security
• Process Improvement
• Product/Technical Project Management
• Software Development Tools
• Stakeholder Management (external/internal)
• Technical Troubleshooting
• Virtual Machine Tools
• High School Diploma or regional equivalent required
• Bachelor's Degree required, preferably in field related to role
• At the manager’s discretion, additional relevant experience may substitute degree requirement
• Requires AWS Master Status and AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional level certification OR AWS DevOps certification for AWS Specialists
• Requires 3 Microsoft Certifications for Hyper-V Specialists: Azure Fundamentals, Software Defined Storage, Software Defined Networking
• Requires VCP-DCV Certification for VMware Specialists

Responsibilities

• Provide department, company and industry management and implementation into solutions
• Take initiative and advise on potential pitfalls that may encounter on large scale multi-platform infrastructure across all customers
• Address specific customer needs through leveraging new and existing feature sets, products, and technologies
• Evaluate, documents solutions and trains Cloud Engineering and support staff to ensure supportability of customer environments
• Serves as the last stop in the Rackspace support group for technical escalation and issue resolution of the most complex problems
• Architects own escalations to ensure resolution and are leveraged as a Subject Matter Expert for input on new product selection and implementation into the support structure
• Partner with vendors to analyze escalated requests for assistance, using this data to identify training opportunities that elevate the level of technical expertise and drive positive customer outcomes
• Adhering to company security policies and procedures and any other relevant policies and standards as directed
• Other Incidental tasks related to the job, as necessary
• Technical point of escalation to the Cloud Support and Engineering teams; resolving customer issues, working in collaboration with partners across the business, as required
• Create and deliver customer solutions that maintain, deploy, upgrade, and troubleshoot infrastructure solutions
• Participate in and define future state end-to-end architectures, platforms, products, tools, and solutions to advance security capabilities
• Work closely with customers in the pre-implementation process to design and architect desired customer solutions which require products which may not currently be in the supported product portfolio
• Research, plan and coordinate complex maintenance activities
• Lead analysis effort to support and drive Root Cause Analysis (RCA) exercises to drive process & technology improvements related to systems support products
• Review vendor support escalations to identify training opportunities
• Collaborate and share knowledge with other administrators and engineers via wiki articles and training presentations
• Contribute to the development of technical best practices for administrative responsibilities
• Prepare and review defined policy and process standards
• Own assigned account specific complex projects and act as an informal project lead to work with stakeholders
• Actively engage partners and vendors to understand vendor products, proof of concept implementations, and guide successful onboarding and integration of new Cloud technologies
• Coach, mentor and assists Rackers across the business
• Collaborate with Account Managers and Business Development Consultants to build strong customer relationships
• Collaborate and share knowledge with the OS support floor

Preferred Qualifications

Relevant technical certifications around Red Hat, MySQL, CCIA, CCEE, CCEA, CCA, MCSE/MCITP, MCSA, VCP-DCV, vRealize Operations, NXS and/or vSAN badge certifications