Solutions Architect IV

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Kforce's client in Maryland Heightsm MO is seeking an experienced Platform Architect to design, build, and evolve the architecture that supports our application deployments. This role is responsible for defining deployment patterns for public cloud platforms (preferably Google Cloud Platform and Amazon Web Services) as well as our internally managed Kubernetes platform. The ideal candidate combines deep infrastructure and platform expertise with a strong understanding of service mesh, observability, and cloud-native design principles, helping ensure our applications are deployed reliably, securely, and at scale.

Responsibilities:
* Design and implement application deployment architectures for public cloud platforms, with a preference for Google Cloud Platform and AWS
* Architect, configure, and maintain deployments on the organization's internal Kubernetes platform, leveraging native Kubernetes constructs (e.g., Deployments, StatefulSets, CRDs, operators, and controllers) rather than relying on abstraction layers, and configuring Istio service mesh for traffic management, security, and observability
* Define and enforce best practices for containerization, orchestration, and cloud-native application design
* Partner with development teams to design scalable, resilient deployment pipelines and infrastructure patterns
* Implement and maintain observability and monitoring solutions using Datadog, including dashboards, alerting, and APM instrumentation
* Evaluate and recommend cloud services, tools, and technologies to improve platform reliability, scalability, and cost efficiency
* Collaborate with security, networking, and operations teams to ensure deployments meet compliance, security, and performance standards
* Troubleshoot complex platform and infrastructure issues spanning public cloud and on-premises Kubernetes environments
* Create and maintain technical documentation, architecture diagrams, and operational runbooks

REQUIREMENTS:
* Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
* Proven experience designing and implementing application deployments on public cloud platforms, preferably Google Cloud Platform and/or AWS
* Strong, hands-on expertise leveraging Kubernetes natively - deep fluency with core Kubernetes APIs and objects, cluster architecture, workload management, networking, custom resource definitions (CRDs), operators/controllers, and troubleshooting, without dependence on managed abstraction layers
* Strong working knowledge of Istio (or a comparable service mesh), including traffic routing, mTLS, resiliency patterns, and observability
* Hands-on experience with Datadog or a comparable observability and monitoring platform
* Solid understanding of containerization technologies (e.g., Docker) and CI/CD pipelines
* Experience architecting for scalability, high availability, and disaster recovery
* Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills across distributed systems
* Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally across engineering, security, and operations teams

Preferred Qualifications:
* Experience with Java and Spring Boot application development
* Experience designing and implementing RESTful APIs
* Relevant cloud certifications (e.g., Google Cloud Platform Professional Cloud Architect, AWS Certified Solutions Architect)
* Experience with infrastructure-as-code tools such as Terraform or Helm
* Experience with GitOps practices and tools (e.g., ArgoCD, Flux)

The pay range is the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably in good faith believe we would pay at posting for this role. We may ultimately pay more or less than this range. Employee pay is based on factors like relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, union contract and business needs. This range may be modified in the future.

We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), and life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees. Salaried personnel receive paid time off. Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law. Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave.

Note: Pay is not considered compensation until it is earned, vested and determinable. The amount and availability of any compensation remains in Kforce's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified in its discretion consistent with the law.

This job is not eligible for bonuses, incentives or commissions.

Kforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

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