At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead cloud architecture design and evolution for innovative AWS solutions.
- Company: Join Standard Life, a leader in retirement savings and income.
- Benefits: Up to £105,000 salary, 38 days leave, private medical cover, and more.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to inclusivity.
- Why this job: Shape the future of cloud technology while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in AWS architecture and technical leadership.
Job Type: Permanent
Location: London, with a preference for 3 days in the office.
Flexible working: All roles are open to part‑time, job‑share and other types of flexibility. We will discuss what is important to you and balancing this with business requirements during the recruitment process.
Closing Date: 3rd July
Salary and benefits: Up to £105,000, discretionary bonus, private medical cover, 38 days annual leave, excellent pension, 12x salary life assurance, career breaks, income protection, 3x volunteering days and more.
The role: We’re looking for a Principal Cloud Architect to be the senior technical authority for cloud architecture across RS&AM Engineering, shaping the design and evolution of cloud‑native platforms and services on AWS. Combining deep hands‑on expertise with technical leadership, the role defines architecture patterns, builds reference implementations, and sets engineering‑led standards that enable scalable, secure, and high‑performing solutions. You’ll report to the Head of Cloud Platform, translating platform strategy into practical, implementable architectures and leading through working solutions rather than governance alone.
Responsibilities:
- Define and own cloud architecture direction across RS&AM, setting principles, patterns and target‑state architectures aligned to platform strategy.
- Act as senior authority for AWS architecture, leading complex design decisions, resolving high‑impact technical challenges and driving simplification, standardisation, and alignment across the estate.
- Design, build and deploy reference architectures and proofs of concept, establishing reusable blueprints and implementation patterns to enable consistent, scalable delivery across teams.
- Define and evolve cloud standards and guardrails through modern engineering approaches to ensure secure, resilient and consistent AWS solutions.
- Embed security, resilience and control requirements into architecture, aligning engineering‑led solutions with enterprise standards, balancing delivery pace with risk and control expectations.
- Strong experience with serverless and distributed architecture patterns with deep hands‑on AWS expertise, including designing and deploying cloud‑native solutions.
- Track record of setting technical direction across multiple teams or domains with proven experience as a Principal Engineer, Architect or equivalent senior technical leader.
Qualifications: We want to hire the whole version of you. We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels accepted and welcome. If your experience looks different from what we’ve advertised and you believe that you can bring value to the role, we’d love to hear from you. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know so we can help you to be at your best. We’re reviewing applications as they come in and may close this role before the closing date, so apply early to avoid missing out.
Principal Cloud Architect employer: Standard Life plc
At Standard Life, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values flexibility and personal growth. With competitive benefits including up to £105,000 salary, generous annual leave, and opportunities for career development, our London-based team thrives in an environment that encourages innovation and collaboration. Join us as a Principal Cloud Architect and be part of a company dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the retirement sector while enjoying a balanced work-life approach.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Cloud Architect
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Standard Life plc values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Standard Life plc might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Standard Life plc!
✨Direct Apply to Standard Life plc
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Standard Life plc website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Cloud Architect
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Standard Life plc.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Standard Life plc. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Standard Life plc
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
