Cloud Architect - Generalist

At Innovative, an AWS Premier Partner, we help customers transform their businesses through strategic cloud adoption. We're seeking a Cloud Architect to guide clients through their AWS cloud journey—designing and implementing solutions across multiple cloud domains including infrastructure, data, applications, security, and more. As a Cloud Architect, you'll work directly with customers to architect scalable AWS solutions that drive business growth and operational efficiency. You'll leverage your expertise to solve complex technical challenges and help organizations successfully modernize their cloud environments.

*This role has quarterly travel to our Rochester, NY Headquarters

Key Responsibilities:
· Engage directly with clients to gather technical and business requirements for AWS cloud initiatives
· Architect scalable cloud solutions using AWS services across your area(s) of expertise
· Lead technical discovery sessions and architecture review workshops with clients
· Create architecture documentation, design patterns, and solution proposals aligned with business objectives
· Provide technical direction and architectural oversight to engineering teams
· Drive adoption of cloud-native patterns and modern architectures based on customer needs
· Deliver presentations to client stakeholders articulating value, architecture, and ROI of proposed solutions
· Stay current with AWS innovations and industry best practices
· Mentor other engineers and architects on cloud architecture and emerging technologies

What Experience You’ll Bring to the Table:
· 3-7 years of hands-on cloud architecture and implementation experience with AWS in one or more of the following areas:
· Infrastructure & Networking: Multi-account architectures, VPC design, hybrid cloud, landing zones, compute services
· Data & Analytics: Data lakes, warehouses, ETL/ELT pipelines, databases, business intelligence
· Application Development: Serverless, containerization, microservices, API development, modernization
· Security & Compliance: IAM, security architectures, compliance frameworks, governance
· AI/ML: Machine learning pipelines, model deployment, AI service integration
· DevOps & Automation: CI/CD, Infrastructure-as-Code, deployment automation
· Migration & Modernization: Cloud migration strategies, legacy system transformation
· Cost Optimization & FinOps: Cost management, resource optimization, financial operation
· Ability to translate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences
· Experience working in agile environments and managing technical workstreams
· Client-facing experience or strong desire to work directly with customers
· Passion for continuous learning and staying current with emerging cloud technologies
· Experience architecting solutions using core AWS services relevant to your area of expertise
· Familiarity with Infrastructure-as-Code tools such as CloudFormation, CDK, or Terraform
· Understanding of cloud security, IAM, cost optimization, and well-architected principles
· Experience with at least one of the following:
Container technologies (EKS, ECS, Docker, Kubernetes)
Serverless technologies (Lambda, Step Functions, API Gateway)
Data technologies (S3, Glue, Athena, Redshift, EMR, data pipelines)
Application development (Python, Java, Node.js, Go, or similar)
Knowledge of CI/CD practices and DevOps methodologies

Success Metrics:
· Customer Satisfaction & Stakeholder Alignment
· Timely and On-Budget Delivery of Infrastructure Projects
· Revenue Growth through Scalable and Reusable Cloud Solutions
· Continuous Learning: AWS Specialty Certifications & Thought Leadership Contributions

Preferred Qualifications:
· AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate or Professional
· Additional AWS certifications in areas of specialty (Developer, SysOps, Data Analytics, Machine Learning, Security, etc.)
· Experience with enterprise tools such as Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, monitoring/observability tools
· Prior work in cloud consulting, professional services, or managed services environments
· Experience with AI/ML services on AWS or interest in learning these technologies
· Full-stack development experience or strong programming skills

Why Join Innovative?
· Work on diverse projects across multiple industries and cloud domains
· Opportunity to grow your expertise across infrastructure, data, and application architecture
· Collaborative culture that values learning and innovation
· AWS Premier Partner with access to the latest training and certifications
· Small company feel (~115 employees) with big opportunities for impact