Cloud Architect Jobs

Design and optimise cloud infrastructure to support scalable, secure, and efficient applications. A critical role in driving digital transformation and innovation.

Open roles
8
Salary range
£62k – £120k
Hiring companies
7

Cloud Architects are the visionaries behind the design and implementation of cloud infrastructure. They work closely with development teams, stakeholders, and clients to create robust, scalable, and secure cloud solutions. In the UK, Cloud Architects are in high demand, particularly in tech hubs like London, Manchester, and Cambridge, where they are hired by scaleups, research-heavy startups, and the larger consultancies. Their work involves a deep understanding of cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP, and they play a crucial role in driving digital transformation and innovation.

What the role does

Inside the role of a Cloud Architect

A typical week for a Cloud Architect is a mix of strategic planning, technical design, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

  1. 01
    Design and optimise cloud infrastructure for scalability and security.
  2. 02
    Collaborate with development teams to integrate cloud services.
  3. 03
    Conduct architecture reviews and provide technical guidance.
  4. 04
    Monitor and improve cloud performance and cost efficiency.
  5. 05
    Stay updated with the latest cloud technologies and best practices.
Salary on the board

£62k – £120k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 34 UK listings priced in pounds in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

Salary visibility
18% of listings advertise a salary — up from 0% the year before.
By seniority
£k base
Senior
60
120
22 jobs
Lead
74
118
5 jobs
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 41 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

AWS
68%
Cloud Architecture
49%
Infrastructure as Code
41%
Azure
41%
CI/CD
39%
Terraform
39%
DevOps
22%
IAM
20%
Networking
20%
Kubernetes
17%
Zero Trust
17%
Security
17%
Career ladder

From Junior to Principal

A typical UK progression for cloud architects. Years are guidance — strong people move faster, and many senior folks sidestep into research, product or management.

  1. Level 1

    Junior Cloud Architect

    0–2 yrs

    Assist in the design and implementation of cloud solutions, working under the guidance of senior architects.

  2. Level 2

    Cloud Architect

    3–5 yrs

    Lead the design and implementation of cloud infrastructure, ensuring scalability, security, and performance.

  3. Level 3

    Senior Cloud Architect

    6–8 yrs

    Oversee multiple cloud projects, provide strategic direction, and mentor junior architects.

  4. Level 4

    Principal Cloud Architect

    9+ yrs

    Drive the overall cloud strategy, influence organisational direction, and lead a team of cloud architects.

Pathway

How to become a Cloud Architect

There's no single route, but most people follow some version of these steps.

  1. 1

    Learn cloud fundamentals

    Start with foundational courses and certifications in cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP.

  2. 2

    Gain practical experience

    Work on cloud projects, either in a junior role or through personal projects, to build hands-on skills.

  3. 3

    Specialise in cloud architecture

    Focus on advanced cloud architecture concepts, such as design patterns, security, and cost optimisation.

  4. 4

    Lead cloud projects

    Take on leadership roles in cloud projects, guiding teams and ensuring successful delivery.

  5. 5

    Influence cloud strategy

    Shape the cloud strategy for your organisation, providing strategic direction and thought leadership.

  6. 6

    Mentor and train others

    Share your expertise by mentoring junior architects and contributing to the broader cloud community.

Live jobs

8 live roles

Experis · 501–1000 people · Late stage

Cloud Architect

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  • London
  • Remote
  • £795 pw
  • Senior
  • Contract

Designs and maintains secure, scalable AWS cloud architectures with a strong Zero Trust focus, covering multi-account governance, landing zones and networking. Automates provisioning with Terraform and IaC, integrating with CI/CD, and takes an active hands-on role in delivery rather than advisory-only work. Requires active SC clearance or eligibility.

AWS · Terraform · AWS Landing Zone Accelerator +7

SC clearance 4 days ago

Copello

Cloud Architect

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  • West Byfleet
  • Senior

Hands-on architecture role shaping AWS cloud strategies, standards and governance for secure, business-critical environments. Involves designing resilient, highly available solutions, leading infrastructure automation and migration projects, and advising customers across Defence, National Security and Public Sector. Combines technical leadership of engineering teams with customer-facing consultancy on security, networking and cost optimisation.

AWS · EC2 · S3 +7

DV clearance 3 weeks ago

Amazon · Public

Senior ProServe Cloud Architect, FSI-UKI-ProServe

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  • London
  • Senior
  • Permanent

Works closely with customers to design and implement scalable, secure AWS cloud solutions, acting as a technical advisor throughout the sales and delivery lifecycle. Bridges ProServe Account Executives and Delivery Teams, ensuring proposals are realistic and achievable while driving customer business outcomes. Also mentors, trains and creates reusable artifacts to share knowledge across the organisation.

AWS · AWS Partner Network

Last month
Databricks logo

Databricks · 1001–5000 people · Late stage

Senior Specialist Solutions Architect (SSA - Cloud Infrastructure)

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  • London
  • Senior

Serve as a trusted technical advisor guiding enterprise customers through the architecture, administration and security of their Databricks deployments on AWS, Azure or GCP. The role spans cloud networking, identity, IaC automation and distributed data systems, with live coding in Python and SQL, and requires orchestrating cross-functional teams and influencing product direction.

Databricks · AWS · GCP +7

3 weeks ago

CBSbutler Holdings Limited trading as CBSbutler

IAM Design SME (Zero Trust & Cloud Architecture)

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  • Sheffield
  • Hybrid · 3 days in office
  • £540 pd
  • Senior
  • Contract

Technical authority role on a major UK bank transformation programme, owning end-to-end IAM architecture from HLDs to LLDs. Covers Zero Trust, authentication, federation, and cloud-native design across GCP, Kubernetes and service mesh, plus Policy-as-Code, PKI and secrets management, with architecture governance across multiple workstreams.

GCP · Kubernetes · Service Mesh +4

3 weeks ago

Amazon · Public

Manager III, Solutions Architecture, EMEA Cloud Sales Center Technology

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  • London
  • Mid-level · manages people
  • Permanent

Leads a team of customer-facing Solutions Architects across EMEA, coaching them on solution design, AI workloads and cloud migration while partnering with Sales, Business Development and Partner teams to drive revenue growth. The role blends people development with customer impact, including hiring, onboarding and defining team goals tracked through operational metrics.

AWS

Last month

VBeyond Corporation

Cloud Infrastructure Architect - VMware to AWS Migration

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  • London
  • Senior

Lead the architecture, planning and execution of large-scale migrations from on-premises VMware data centres to AWS, covering Rehost and Replatform strategies. The role involves workload assessment, dependency mapping, hybrid networking design, and automation with Terraform, CloudFormation and Ansible, plus technical leadership across enterprise stakeholders.

VMware · AWS · vSphere +7

3 days ago

Amazon · Public

Delivery Consultant - Cloud Infrastructure Architect, Professional Services

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  • London
  • Mid-level
  • Permanent

Customer-facing consultant who designs, implements and migrates complex, scalable AWS solutions, running technical workshops, pairing with customer engineers and reviewing architecture decisions with security and platform teams. Owns delivery backlogs, documentation and knowledge transfer so customer teams can operate and extend solutions after engagements, with travel to client sites required.

AWS · AWS Partner Network

3 weeks ago
Hiring locations

Where this role is hiring

The locations with the most live listings for this role today.

FAQs

Common questions

  • A degree in computer science or a related field is beneficial, along with relevant certifications and practical experience.

  • Key skills include cloud platform expertise, system design, security, cost optimisation, and strong communication and leadership abilities.

  • The typical progression is from Junior Cloud Architect to Cloud Architect, Senior Cloud Architect, and finally Principal Cloud Architect.

  • Salaries vary based on experience and location. For more detailed information, refer to the salary section on this page.

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