ABOUT THE ALLIANCE
The Digital Research Alliance of Canada (the Alliance) serves Canadian researchers, with the objective of advancing Canada’s position as a leader in the knowledge economy on the international stage. By integrating, championing, and funding the infrastructure and activities required for advanced research computing (ARC), research data management (RDM) and research software (RS), we provide the platform for the research community to access tools and services faster than ever before. We have an ambitious mandate — to transform how research across all academic disciplines is organized, managed, stored, and used. We work with other ecosystem partners and stakeholders across the country to help provide Canadian researchers with the support they need for leading-edge research excellence, research, innovation, and advancement across all disciplines.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Lead Cloud Architect is responsible for providing strategic leadership in the development of the technology architecture that supports Alliance initiatives in cloud computing (private cloud, commercial cloud, hybrid). As a member of the Strategy & Planning team, the Lead Cloud Architect reports to the Director of Architecture providing architectural leadership and best practices for the organization, with a focus on scalable and cost-effective cloud infrastructure. This position will be responsible for ensuring that critical applications are designed and optimized for availability, scalability, resiliency, and disaster recovery. This highly influential role will collaborate with other Architects, Alliance team members, various working groups and ecosystem stakeholders, and Alliance executives.
This is a permanent position, however a secondment from a Canadian higher education institution or other broader public sector entity is an option.
RESPONSIBILITIES
· Work in a fast-moving team environment to analyze cloud architecture requirements and transform those into scalable, flexible, and resilient cloud technology architectures.
· Perform architecture options and feasibility analysis, proactively debate alternatives with subject matter experts, and build consensus on recommended architecture within the cloud SME community.
· Deliver well founded ARC technical architecture recommendations and defend the recommendations to the Architecture Review Board with rigorous analysis.
· Deliver comprehensive cloud architecture models and documentation that describe technical architectures for various stakeholders and at various levels of detail.
· Communicate technical information to both technical and non-technical staff and stakeholders
· Support the architecture governance process and Architecture Review Board (ARB) through detailed architecture review, analysis, and recommendations.
· Develop strong working relationships with community stakeholders and vendors.
· Validate technical architectures with industry experts
· Work with the vendor and stakeholder community to understand the latest cloud infrastructure developments, and how they might be incorporated into the Alliance’s services and offerings.
· Lead working groups and committees for private cloud, commercial cloud, hybrid-cloud, or other virtualized or containerized solutions.
· Lead experimental and proof-of-concept projects to test feasibility and value of initiatives.
· Participate in a range of national and international committees and working groups, and occasional speaking engagements to provide architectural and technical expertise.
· Participate in procurement exercises such as scenario design, requirements definition, and the evaluation of CFP/RFPs.
· Keep up with cloud infrastructure emerging trends and market insights, both in academia and in industry.
· Coach, mentor and guide Alliance staff and community members on matters related to HPC architecture and architecture documentation.
· Supervise project team members, as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
· Masters’ degree in Computer Science, or in related area, with 10+ years of experience; or 15+ years of equivalent experience / training.
· Proven expert in compute, networking, storage, and database services as they pertain to virtualized environments and cloud technologies
· Experience delivering technical architecture design documents.
· 5+ years’ experience working in an academic research environment, or related experience.
· Proficient storytelling and adept use of visual aids and diagrams to effectively communicate designs and strategies
· Demonstrated success in managing geographically dispersed collaborators from diverse disciplines and backgrounds
· Proven leadership skills with a collaborative approach that will facilitate interaction within all levels of the organization, as well as with ecosystem partners to generate high-level stakeholder engagement.
· Ability to develop strong working relationships with stakeholders at all levels
· Ability to be agile and flexible in responding to the changing context and shifting priorities of the research ecosystem.
· Highly advanced skills and demonstrated experience associated with several of the following:
- Hands-on experience using compute, networking, storage, and databases
- Using enterprise architecture frameworks and methodologies
- Hands-on experience with one or more of the public cloud providers deployment and management services
- Experience with shell scripting, PowerShell, or Python
- Experience with datacenter virtualization, orchestration, and containerization tools
- Experience with configuration and monitoring software
- Experience with heterogeneous computing technologies
- Experience with virtualized GPU solutions
- Experience with Linux and Windows server technologies
- Experience with desktop virtualization tools
- Experience with software packaging and deployment
NICE-TO-HAVES
· IT consulting experience in a client facing role.
· Training and Experience with AWS, Azure, GCP or Microsoft Cloud technologies
· TOGAF, ITIL, or other industry certifications.
· Experience with Matlab, R, and other scientific and engineering software and scripting tools.
· Experience working in large Datacenters.
· Exposure to Quantum technology.
· Fluency or working proficiency in both official languages.
Please apply here : Lead Cloud Architect
The Alliance recognizes that challenges remain in achieving the full participation of equity-seeking groups (including women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minority/racialized groups, and members of LGBTQ2+) in research careers and is committed to identifying and eliminating barriers that may exist within its own hiring process, programs, and practices.