Architect jobs in South Africa

The Cloud Infrastructure Architect provides enterprise-level leadership in the design, integration, and governance of cloud infrastructure. The Cloud Infrastructure Architect ensures that cloud environments support business continuity and transformation, align with Enterprise Architecture, and adhere to security and compliance requirements. The role drives innovation, cloud modernisation, and the adoption of emerging technologies while ensuring seamless integration with on-premises and hybrid platforms.

The Cloud Specialist defines and governs the enterprise cloud architecture, ensuring that cloud platforms are secure, scalable, cost-efficient, and aligned with business strategy. Operates across RUN (governance, stability), GROW (optimisation, integration), and TRANSFORM (cloud adoption, modernisation, innovation).

Cloud Strategy and Roadmap

• Define the organisation’s cloud infrastructure strategy and ensure alignment with the IT Operating Model (ITOM)
• Develop a multi-year roadmap for cloud adoption, optimisation, and transformation
• Balance innovation with cost efficiency, resilience, and compliance
• Act as the technical authority for cloud services and platforms
• Define best practices for cloud usage, security, and governance
• Provide specialist input to enterprise cloud strategy and architecture forums.

Enterprise Cloud Architecture Design

• Design secure, scalable, and resilient enterprise cloud solutions
• Ensure alignment with Enterprise Architecture, Cybersecurity, and Infrastructure standards
• Govern technical standards, frameworks, and patterns for cloud services.

Advanced Cloud Operations and Optimisation

• Oversee performance, scalability, and resilience of cloud workloads
• Drive cloud cost optimisation through monitoring, rightsizing, and automation
• Provide advanced troubleshooting and root cause analysis for cloud issues.

Integration and Hybrid IT Enablement

• Ensure seamless integration of cloud with on-premises infrastructure and applications
• Lead hybrid and multi-cloud strategies, enabling workload portability and resilience
• Support connectivity and interoperability with networks, data, and security platforms
• Lead automation initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce manual workloads
• Develop and maintain Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) solutions
• Promote DevOps practices across infrastructure and application delivery.

Security, Compliance, and Governance

• Partner with Cybersecurity to embed security controls, identity management, and access governance
• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards (POPIA, GDPR, ISO27001)
• Provide architectural input into audits, risk assessments, and change governance
• Implement secure configurations and access controls
• Support audit readiness and remediation activities
• Ensure enterprise cloud security and regulatory adherence
• Ensure disaster recovery and resilience plans.

Transformation and Innovation Leadership

• Lead cloud adoption and migration programmes, including application modernisation
• Evaluate and recommend emerging technologies (containers, serverless, AI-ops, automation)
• Provide technical leadership in cross-functional transformation initiatives
• Evaluate and test emerging cloud technologies for adoption
• Act as the technical lead for major cloud-related projects
• Lead cloud components of TRANSFORM initiatives
• Build and scale cloud engineering capability.

Cross-Functional and Vendor Collaboration

• Collaborate with Enterprise Architecture, Infrastructure, Application Development, and other IT teams
• Act as a trusted advisor to the CIO, GM, and senior leadership on cloud matters
• Manage strategic vendor relationships with cloud service providers and partners
• Act as cloud lead in Enterprise Architecture and IT governance forums, if needed
• Provide technical sign-off on designs
• Track deliverables and risks for assigned workstreams.

Knowledge Sharing and Mentorship

• Mentor Engineers and Technicians, sharing specialist knowledge
• Develop and maintain advanced technical documentation and standards
• Build knowledge base content to support operational teams
• Identify recurring issues and suggest service improvements for best practices
• Actively engage in training programmes, mentorships, and peer learning activities.

Internal and External Stakeholders

The role requires close engagement and collaboration with key internal and external stakeholders.

Internal Stakeholders

GM: Digital Platform Operations, Senior Manager: Infrastructure, Cloud and Network, Enterprise Architecture

Cybersecurity, Application Development, Forums (CAB, EA, etc.)

External Stakeholders

Cloud service providers Third-party vendors Managed service partners External auditors.

Academic Qualifications

Essential:

• NQF Level 7 Qualification in Information Technology, Computer Science, or Software Engineering
• Professional cloud certification (AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect)
• ITIL Foundation certification
• Infrastructure-as-Code training (Terraform, Ansible, Jenkins)
• Valid Driver’s License.

Advantageous:

• NQF Level 8 Qualification in IT Management or Business Administration
• TOGAF or other recognised Enterprise Architecture certification
• Advanced certifications in DevOps, Security, or Multi-Cloud Architecture.

Note:

• Expected to act as a design authority for cloud in enterprise forums
• Must hold and maintain expert-level certifications across one or more major cloud platforms (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, Azure Expert, GCP Professional Cloud Architect) as well as enterprise architecture frameworks (TOGAF desirable)
• Must be available to brief on cloud architecture roadmaps, risks, and opportunities
• Must maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Required to travel regionally or internationally
• May be required to provide after-hours or weekend support during high-priority projects, patching windows, or service outages.

Work Experience

Essential:

• 8–10 Years in IT infrastructure and cloud roles
• At least 3+ years in senior/specialist or architecture positions
• Proven track record in designing and deploying enterprise-scale cloud solutions
• Experience with hybrid and multi-cloud operating models
• Proven track record in managing cloud environments across AWS or Azure
• Experience with automation, scripting, and cost management in cloud services
• Experience with automation, scripting, and cost management (FinOps) in cloud services
• Experience designing high-availability, secure, scalable environments
• Proven leadership in incident resolution and cost optimisation
• Expertise in networking and security concepts
• Demonstrated resource provisioning and management in production environments
• Proficiency in scripting languages (PowerShell,Python, Bash)
• Exposure to containerisation (Kubernetes, Docker, etc.)

Advantageous:

• 2-3 Years’ Prior experience within the automotive or leasing industry
• Experience leading large-scale transformation programmes (cloud migration, data centre exit, modern workplace)
• Vendor and contract negotiation at the enterprise level
• Cross-functional collaboration with Enterprise Architecture, Security, Infrastructure, and Business units.

This job requires that the employee maintains the highest level of Honesty and Integrity as he /she will have access to company assets, cash handling and confidential record storage areas. This requires that a formal personal background check is undertaken.

If you have not heard anything from us after 2 weeks of applying, please consider your application unsuccessful. Applications closing date 11 February 2026