Cloud Architect - Managed IT Services (5119)

Overview Columbia, SC We are seeking an experienced Cloud Architect to join our State and Local Platforms and Data Managed Services team. In this key role, you will design, implement, and manage cloud solutions across a diverse portfolio of client environments. You will be responsible for architecting secure, scalable, and resilient cloud infrastructures, while ensuring ongoing optimization, compliance, and client satisfaction. This is not a single-client or in-house environment: you will juggle multiple projects and maintenance responsibilities for various organizations under strict SLAs. This is a hybrid position that may require periodic travel to customer facilities. Candidate must be within commuting distance of Columbia, SC. Responsibilities Design, deploy, and optimize cloud architectures (AWS, Azure, GCP, and/or hybrid environments) for multiple clients in line with industry best practices and compliance standards. Collaborate with client stakeholders and internal service delivery teams to translate business requirements into scalable, cost-effective, repeatable cloud solutions. Serve as a subject matter expert on cloud technologies, infrastructure automation, and cloud-native application design for multiple client accounts. Lead client onboarding and cloud migration projects, ensuring minimal disruption and adherence to security and compliance requirements. Monitor and proactively manage cloud environments, leveraging monitoring tools to identify and remediate issues under contractual SLAs. Partner with our Network Operations Center (NOC) and Service Desk to respond to incidents, troubleshoot cloud-related issues, and manage escalations. Develop and maintain standardized Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) templates, deployment pipelines, and automation scripts for repetitive client needs. Stay updated on the latest cloud service offerings, cost-saving opportunities, and security best practices; advise clients on strategic improvements and modernization. Maintain accurate and detailed documentation for client environments, architecture diagrams, and standard operating procedures. Assist with pre-sales activities including technical scoping, effort estimation, and proposal development for potential clients. Implement and manage multi-tenant cloud environments ensuring secure resource separation, cost tracking, and compliance for each client. Contribute to continuous improvement of managed services processes and cloud management frameworks. Required Skills & Experience Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, or related field; or equivalent work experience. 5+ years hands-on experience designing, implementing, and supporting cloud infrastructure in a managed services, MSP, or consulting environment. Deep expertise with at least one cloud platform (AWS, Azure, or GCP); multi-cloud or hybrid experience highly preferred. Proficient in IaC tools such as Terraform, ARM, CloudFormation, or Ansible. Strong understanding of networking, identity and access management, security best practices, and monitoring in the cloud. Experience with automation, CI/CD pipelines, and containerization (Kubernetes, Docker, etc.). Demonstrated experience with ITIL, service management frameworks, and MSP-specific toolsets (ServiceNow, etc.). Excellent interpersonal, client communication, and project management skills. Able to work efficiently in a fast-paced, multi-client, SLA-driven environment. Desired Skills & Experience Strategic thinker with the ability to align technical solutions with business goals. Industry certifications (e.g., AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Google Professional Cloud Architect, CISSP, etc.) are a strong plus. Familiarity with Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), TIC 3.0, and security controls. Exposure to AI/ML tooling within AWS or Azure (e.g., Bedrock, SageMaker, Comprehend, Lex, Azure OpenAI). Ability to mentor and guide technical teams. Application & Benefits Application Deadline: 5-2-2026 Salary: $94,700 - $157,800 USD SMX is an Equal Opportunity employer including disabilities and veterans. Selected applicants may be subject to a background investigation and/or education verification. SMX does not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization or immigration related support for this position. We are an equal opportunity employer. We encourage all qualified individuals to apply for employment and provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act and applicable state and local law. If you require assistance or a reasonable accommodation to complete the application, please contact the Talent Acquisition team. Voluntary Self-Identification For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is voluntary and will not affect hiring decisions unless required by law. This information is confidential and will be maintained separately from your application. As set forth in SMX's Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of protected group status. Disability self-identification: Collection and reporting of disability status is intended to measure compliance with OFCCP requirements. Providing information is voluntary. Form CC-305 / OMB Control Number 1250-0005 / Expires 04/30/2026 J-18808-Ljbffr