Principal Cloud Migration Architect

• Principal Cloud Migration Architect (AWS) (AWS | Kubernetes | Application Modernisation)
• Contract

Rate: £650 per day, INSIDE IR35 Banking / Financial Services We are seeking an experienced Principal Cloud Migration Architect to lead the architecture and technical design of a large-scale application migration programme.

This is a senior, hands-on architecture role requiring extensive experience of cloud transformation, application modernisation and container-based platforms within complex enterprise environments.

You will be responsible for defining the target architecture, producing high- and low-level solution designs, guiding engineering teams through implementation and ensuring solutions are secure, scalable, commercially viable and aligned to business objectives.

This role is suited to an experienced architect who combines deep technical expertise with strong commercial awareness, particularly around AWS cloud services and cost optimisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural design of a large-scale application migration programme.
• Develop migration strategies for complex enterprise applications, including the transformation of legacy applications into modern microservice-based architectures.
• Produce High-Level Designs (HLDs) and Low-Level Designs (LLDs) to support implementation.
• Define target-state cloud architectures using AWS-native services and container platforms.
• Provide technical leadership throughout the migration lifecycle, from discovery and assessment through to implementation and transition.
• Work closely with engineering, Dev Ops, infrastructure, security and platform teams to ensure successful delivery.
• Ensure architecture aligns with enterprise standards, governance, security and operational requirements.
• Evaluate application dependencies, integration patterns and migration approaches.
• Support solution assurance, design reviews and technical governance activities.
• Contribute to cloud cost modelling, optimisation and commercial decision-making throughout the programme.
• Engage with senior business and technical stakeholders, translating complex technical concepts into clear business outcomes.

Essential Experience

• Proven experience leading large-scale enterprise application migration programmes.
• Demonstrable experience migrating monolithic applications to modern microservice-based architectures.
• Strong AWS architecture and cloud migration expertise.
• Extensive experience designing and implementing containerised solutions using:
• Amazon EKS
• Amazon ECS
• Kubernetes
• Red Hat Open Shift
• Strong understanding of cloud-native architecture principles and modern application design.
• Experience producing comprehensive High-Level and Low-Level Solution Design documentation.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and technical leadership skills.
• Experience working within Agile and Dev Sec Ops delivery environments.
• Technical Skills
• AWS Cloud Services
• Amazon EKS
• Amazon ECS
• Kubernetes
• Open Shift
• Microservices Architecture
• Containerisation
• CI/CD Pipelines
• Infrastructure as Code (Terraform or Cloud Formation desirable)
• API and Integration Architecture
• Cloud Networking
• Identity and Access Management
• Security by Design
• Commercial Experience The successful candidate will demonstrate experience in:
• AWS cloud cost modelling
• Cloud commercial analysis
• Fin Ops principles and cost optimisation
• Balancing technical design with commercial considerations
• Supporting investment and migration business cases
• Desirable Experience
• Experience with AWS Kiro or other AI-assisted software engineering and cloud development tooling.
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional (or equivalent).
• Experience within regulated industries such as Government, Defence, Financial Services or Critical National Infrastructure.
• Knowledge of enterprise architecture frameworks such as TOGAF.
• Experience working within multi-supplier delivery environments.
• Personal Attributes
• Strategic thinker with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communicator, capable of engaging both technical and executive stakeholders.
• Collaborative leader who can influence cross-functional teams.
• Commercially aware with a pragmatic approach to solution design.
• Comfortable working in complex, fast-paced transformation programmes.

Ideal Background Candidates are likely to have held positions such as

• Principal Cloud Migration Architect
• Principal AWS Solutions Architect
• Lead Cloud Architect
• Cloud Transformation Architect
• Enterprise Cloud Architect
• Principal Platform Architect
• Senior Solution Architect (Cloud