Cloud - Principal Architect

EXL•Minneapolis, MN

About The Position

EXL Service is seeking an accomplished Lead Solution Cloud Architect with 12–15 years of progressive experience in designing, implementing, and governing enterprise cloud and data architectures. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in AWS and Databricks, with strong architectural leadership capabilities. Exposure to Azure cloud services is a significant advantage. This is a senior/lead role responsible for shaping cloud strategy, guiding engineering teams, and ensuring that solutions meet enterprise standards for scalability, security, performance, and cost-efficiency. Key Responsibilities Cloud & Data Architecture Architect and design enterprise-grade cloud solutions leveraging AWS services (EC2, S3, Glue, Lambda, Kinesis, IAM, Redshift, EMR). Design Databricks Lakehouse solutions including Delta Lake, Unity Catalog, Spark optimization, governance, and MLOps patterns. Build scalable ETL/ELT pipelines, real-time streaming architectures, and reusable data integration frameworks. Develop high-level and low-level architecture blueprints ensuring security, compliance, cost efficiency, reliability, and performance. (Preferred) Architect cloud/on-prem hybrid data platforms using Azure services such as Azure Data Lake, ADF, Azure Databricks, Synapse, etc. Solution Design & Delivery Lead requirement discovery, translate business needs into robust architectural designs and roadmaps. Create HLDs, LLDs, data flow diagrams, integration patterns, deployment models, and security reference architectures. Oversee end-to-end delivery, guiding engineering and DevOps teams through implementation and optimization. Perform architecture assessments and recommend improvements for scalability, resilience, and cost savings. Technical Leadership Provide thought leadership and hands-on direction to data engineering, analytics, DevOps, and platform teams. Establish best practices for coding, data governance, CI/CD, infrastructure automation, and environment management. Introduce and evaluate emerging cloud technologies, tools, and frameworks relevant to analytics and modern data platforms. Stakeholder & Client Management Act as technical SME for client conversations, workshops, and executive presentations. Communicate complex architectural concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. Partner closely with business stakeholders to define solution vision, roadmap, and success metrics.

Requirements

12–15 years of overall IT experience with strong focus on cloud, data engineering, and enterprise architecture.
5+ years of hands-on experience architecting production solutions on AWS.
3+ years’ strong experience in Databricks (Spark, Delta Lake, MLflow, Unity Catalog).
Proficiency in Python, SQL, PySpark, and distributed data processing frameworks.
Deep understanding of data modeling, data governance, metadata management, and modern security practices.
Experience with CI/CD pipelines, Terraform / CloudFormation, GitOps, and end-to-end automation.
Strong knowledge of cloud networking, VPCs, IAM, encryption, identity governance, and security frameworks (NIST, CIS benchmarks).

Nice To Haves

Exposure to Azure cloud services is a significant advantage.
Experience with Azure cloud architecture, including Azure Databricks, ADF, ADLS, Synapse, and Azure DevOps.

Responsibilities

Cloud & Data Architecture Architect and design enterprise-grade cloud solutions leveraging AWS services (EC2, S3, Glue, Lambda, Kinesis, IAM, Redshift, EMR).
Design Databricks Lakehouse solutions including Delta Lake, Unity Catalog, Spark optimization, governance, and MLOps patterns.
Build scalable ETL/ELT pipelines, real-time streaming architectures, and reusable data integration frameworks.
Develop high-level and low-level architecture blueprints ensuring security, compliance, cost efficiency, reliability, and performance.
(Preferred) Architect cloud/on-prem hybrid data platforms using Azure services such as Azure Data Lake, ADF, Azure Databricks, Synapse, etc.
Solution Design & Delivery Lead requirement discovery, translate business needs into robust architectural designs and roadmaps.
Create HLDs, LLDs, data flow diagrams, integration patterns, deployment models, and security reference architectures.
Oversee end-to-end delivery, guiding engineering and DevOps teams through implementation and optimization.
Perform architecture assessments and recommend improvements for scalability, resilience, and cost savings.
Technical Leadership Provide thought leadership and hands-on direction to data engineering, analytics, DevOps, and platform teams.
Establish best practices for coding, data governance, CI/CD, infrastructure automation, and environment management.
Introduce and evaluate emerging cloud technologies, tools, and frameworks relevant to analytics and modern data platforms.
Stakeholder & Client Management Act as technical SME for client conversations, workshops, and executive presentations.
Communicate complex architectural concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Partner closely with business stakeholders to define solution vision, roadmap, and success metrics.
Critical thought leader in overall AWS, Azure and/or Cloud Automation architectures
Applies industry best practices, architecture and design elements to meeting both BU needs and enterprise risk & governance (including security)
Actively represent Global Technology in all BU engagements
Understands all aspects of operational delivery (ITIL, etc.)
Proactively leads direction on areas of improvement, innovation and future roadmap of EXL cloud environments
Effectively communicate initiatives, roadmaps & plans for c-suite leadership
Actively lead UC team and GT teams across the organization in cloud enhancement, process refinement or other strategic area within GT