Cloud Architect

Job Title: Cloud Architect

Job Location: Sunbury-on-Thames or Remote (UK)

Contract Length: 12 Months Contract

Industry: Oil and Energy

Working Hours: 8 hours per day/ 40 per week

Job Overview

The Cloud Architect is a key role reporting to the CIO, responsible for designing and governing the Azure-based digital infrastructure platform underpinning KPOD’s cloud-first strategy. This role requires a deep understanding of cloud-native architecture, hybrid edge deployments, and enterprise IT and OT integration. The Cloud Architect will ensure that all systems are scalable, secure, and aligned with strategic objectives for digital transformation, operational resilience, and performance.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the design and implementation of the cloud-first digital platform, ensuring alignment with business and technical goals.
• Develop, maintain, and govern KPOD’s cloud architecture standards and reference models across infrastructure, applications, data, and security.
• Architect hybrid cloud solutions incorporating on-site edge compute, IoT integration, and resilient site-to-cloud connectivity.
• Drive the deployment of core Azure services, including Landing Zones, Azure AD, Virtual Networks, Kubernetes, App Services, and PaaS platforms.
• Ensure robust integration of OT and IT systems with appropriate segmentation, security, and operational controls.
• Establish the architecture for the unified data platform, enabling real-time analytics, machine learning, and enterprise insights.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors to ensure cloud solutions follow best practices, including zero trust, defence-in-depth, and cost optimisation.
• Oversee Azure governance, automation (IaC), and CI/CD practices to ensure consistent, compliant, and scalable deployments.
• Provide architectural leadership across project teams, reviews, and change advisory boards.
• Maintain architectural documentation, diagrams, and decisions (ADRs) to support transparent governance and knowledge transfer.
• Act as the principal technical advisor to the CIO, Infrastructure and Operations Manager and Programme Manager on digital infrastructure matters.

Key requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field.
• Professional certifications such as Azure Solutions Architect Expert, TOGAF, or Certified Kubernetes Administrator are preferred.
• Extensive experience architecting cloud platforms on Microsoft Azure, including hybrid and edge deployments.
• Strong background in networking, cloud security, infrastructure-as-code (Terraform/Bicep), and DevOps automation.
• Proven ability to design scalable, resilient systems incorporating real-time data, IoT, and machine learning components.
• Experience in industries with complex operational requirements such as oil & gas, utilities, or critical infrastructure.
• Familiarity with industrial protocols (e.g. OPC UA, MQTT) and edge compute technologies (e.g. Azure Stack Edge, IoT Edge).
• Demonstrated capability in cloud governance, including RBAC, policy enforcement, and cost control.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to a broad range of stakeholders including OT, IT, and executive teams.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills to work across multidisciplinary teams and external vendors.
• Commitment to high standards of security, compliance, and operational excellence.

Skills:

• Cloud architecture and solution design (Azure)
• Hybrid infrastructure and edge computing
• Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Bicep, ARM)
• DevOps, CI/CD, and automation frameworks
• Data architecture, analytics, and integration
• OT/IT convergence and industrial IoT
• Security architecture and zero trust principles
• Cost optimisation and cloud governance
• Network architecture and connectivity (VPN, ExpressRoute)
• Enterprise architecture standards and documentation
• Technical leadership and stakeholder engagement
• Creative thinking and architectural innovation
• Ethical decision-making and accountability

Essential:

Fluency in English, both written and spoken

Desirable:

Proficiency in Arabic and/or Kurdish

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.