Western Governors University
Principal Cloud Architect - Craft Education
Western Governors University, Jacksonville, Florida, United States, 32290
Overview
The Principal Cloud Architect - Craft Education at Western Governors University is a position of technical expertise, influence, and leadership in the realm of technology. The role applies expert knowledge to ensure best practices and well‑engineered architecture across the Craft Education department. The Principal Cloud Architect will be a key stakeholder and initiator of major changes to processes, engineering practices, and system administration. This role addresses critical issues and initiatives across Craft Education with a deep understanding of cutting‑edge practices and innovative approaches. The Principal Cloud Architect is tasked with establishing and maintaining a positive and productive culture based on the WGU Leadership Principles. Compensation: Grade: Technical 411; Pay Range: $157,000.00 - $243,400.00 Responsibilities
Utilizes AI (LLMs, Agentic, MCP, etc) to gain efficiency in execution of infrastructure modification for greater rates of delivery. Big picture thinker that can not only design but also implement. Strategically approaching issues, understanding different business and technical requirements and challenges with implementations. Participate in architectural reviews from a governance perspective and provide analysis feedback. Plan and manage hardware platform design such as identifying components, standardized infrastructure components, serviceability and creating system solutions and frameworks. Performing analysis of systems to identify problem areas, identify ways of enhancing existing systems, and develop viable solutions. Develop, mentor, monitor progress towards goals and train Engineers on DevOps and CI/CD methodologies and tools for automated infrastructure code test, integration, deployment, and assurance. Provide technical support to product teams for various activities such as testing, validation, sustaining, value engineering, and DevOps required for the products we support. Ensure our systems are built on HA Architecture and provide native Backup/DR support within our defined RTO/RPO requirements. Performs other related duties as assigned. Knowledge, Skill and Abilities
Ability to travel to client locations when needed. Expertise implementing AWS services in a variety of distributed computing environments. Experience with highly available and fault-tolerant enterprise and web-scale software deployments desired. Expertise in Infrastructure automation through IaC scripting (E.g. Terraform, shell, Powershell). Strong practical Linux and Windows-based systems administration skills in a Cloud (AWS, Azure, Google) or Virtualized environment. Experience leading cloud operations, including data assurance, monitoring, alerting and notifications. Competencies
Organizational Impact: Works proactively to anticipate and prevent highly complex problems crossing disciplines. Develops and establishes technical processes. Provides solutions for extremely specialized, complex technical issues. Fully understands and quantifies program risks with broad, significant impact. Problem Solving & Decision Making: Develops and accomplishes goals and objectives independently. Builds, leads, and integrates multiple project teams and broad assignments, driving decisions and results. Provides strategy and guidance to leadership and to develop technical talent. Sets and models high standards for effective interactions across groups. Communication & Influence: Communicates with experts within and outside the organization related to significant advancements in technology. Works to influence others to accept and understand technical direction, new concepts, practices, and approaches. Requires ability to communicate and influence senior executive leadership regarding matters of strategic importance to the organization. Often conducts briefings to senior leaders both within and outside of the technical function. Leadership: Provides guidance, coaching, and training to other employees across the Craft Technology Organization within an area of expertise. Manages large, complex project initiatives or strategic solutions involving cross-functional teams. Demonstrates ability to perform Work Breakdown Structure for project plans. Job Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
Typically requires a University Degree or equivalent experience. Department Specific Minimum Qualifications
6+ Years of IT Production Workload Experience 3+ Years of combined experience in the primary AWS services VPC, DNS, IAM, EC2, ECS, EKS, ELB, RDS, Route53 & S3 3+ Years of experience in Configuration Management using CloudFormation, Terraform 3+ years of extensive experience using automation tools, such as: Terraform, Ansible, and Cloud Formation 3+ years of extensive experience in governance tools like: AWS Config, Inspector AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional or Solutions Architect Professional (Strong candidates that don’t have these certifications can be hired but must obtain their required certifications within 6 months of hiring date). Preferred Qualifications
Experience creating cloud infrastructure solutions, leading conversations with technology leaders, reviewing pros and cons, risks, and best practices. Expertise in cloud spend optimizations Expertise leading the design, development and deployment of software at scale, infrastructure, network, compute, storage, and virtualization Understanding of the standard software development life cycle (SDLC) and Agile/iterative methodologies required Expertise with compliance & risk management requirements (eg. security, PCI, privacy, SOX, HIPAA etc.) JSON and YAML Expertise Physical Requirements
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. Disclaimer
This Job Description has been designed to indicate the general nature, essential duties, and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this classification. It does not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications that are required of the employee to do this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. This Job Description does not constitute a contract of employment and the University may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time. Position & Application Details
Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave. How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday. Additional Information
Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive. Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu. Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.
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The Principal Cloud Architect - Craft Education at Western Governors University is a position of technical expertise, influence, and leadership in the realm of technology. The role applies expert knowledge to ensure best practices and well‑engineered architecture across the Craft Education department. The Principal Cloud Architect will be a key stakeholder and initiator of major changes to processes, engineering practices, and system administration. This role addresses critical issues and initiatives across Craft Education with a deep understanding of cutting‑edge practices and innovative approaches. The Principal Cloud Architect is tasked with establishing and maintaining a positive and productive culture based on the WGU Leadership Principles. Compensation: Grade: Technical 411; Pay Range: $157,000.00 - $243,400.00 Responsibilities
Utilizes AI (LLMs, Agentic, MCP, etc) to gain efficiency in execution of infrastructure modification for greater rates of delivery. Big picture thinker that can not only design but also implement. Strategically approaching issues, understanding different business and technical requirements and challenges with implementations. Participate in architectural reviews from a governance perspective and provide analysis feedback. Plan and manage hardware platform design such as identifying components, standardized infrastructure components, serviceability and creating system solutions and frameworks. Performing analysis of systems to identify problem areas, identify ways of enhancing existing systems, and develop viable solutions. Develop, mentor, monitor progress towards goals and train Engineers on DevOps and CI/CD methodologies and tools for automated infrastructure code test, integration, deployment, and assurance. Provide technical support to product teams for various activities such as testing, validation, sustaining, value engineering, and DevOps required for the products we support. Ensure our systems are built on HA Architecture and provide native Backup/DR support within our defined RTO/RPO requirements. Performs other related duties as assigned. Knowledge, Skill and Abilities
Ability to travel to client locations when needed. Expertise implementing AWS services in a variety of distributed computing environments. Experience with highly available and fault-tolerant enterprise and web-scale software deployments desired. Expertise in Infrastructure automation through IaC scripting (E.g. Terraform, shell, Powershell). Strong practical Linux and Windows-based systems administration skills in a Cloud (AWS, Azure, Google) or Virtualized environment. Experience leading cloud operations, including data assurance, monitoring, alerting and notifications. Competencies
Organizational Impact: Works proactively to anticipate and prevent highly complex problems crossing disciplines. Develops and establishes technical processes. Provides solutions for extremely specialized, complex technical issues. Fully understands and quantifies program risks with broad, significant impact. Problem Solving & Decision Making: Develops and accomplishes goals and objectives independently. Builds, leads, and integrates multiple project teams and broad assignments, driving decisions and results. Provides strategy and guidance to leadership and to develop technical talent. Sets and models high standards for effective interactions across groups. Communication & Influence: Communicates with experts within and outside the organization related to significant advancements in technology. Works to influence others to accept and understand technical direction, new concepts, practices, and approaches. Requires ability to communicate and influence senior executive leadership regarding matters of strategic importance to the organization. Often conducts briefings to senior leaders both within and outside of the technical function. Leadership: Provides guidance, coaching, and training to other employees across the Craft Technology Organization within an area of expertise. Manages large, complex project initiatives or strategic solutions involving cross-functional teams. Demonstrates ability to perform Work Breakdown Structure for project plans. Job Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
Typically requires a University Degree or equivalent experience. Department Specific Minimum Qualifications
6+ Years of IT Production Workload Experience 3+ Years of combined experience in the primary AWS services VPC, DNS, IAM, EC2, ECS, EKS, ELB, RDS, Route53 & S3 3+ Years of experience in Configuration Management using CloudFormation, Terraform 3+ years of extensive experience using automation tools, such as: Terraform, Ansible, and Cloud Formation 3+ years of extensive experience in governance tools like: AWS Config, Inspector AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional or Solutions Architect Professional (Strong candidates that don’t have these certifications can be hired but must obtain their required certifications within 6 months of hiring date). Preferred Qualifications
Experience creating cloud infrastructure solutions, leading conversations with technology leaders, reviewing pros and cons, risks, and best practices. Expertise in cloud spend optimizations Expertise leading the design, development and deployment of software at scale, infrastructure, network, compute, storage, and virtualization Understanding of the standard software development life cycle (SDLC) and Agile/iterative methodologies required Expertise with compliance & risk management requirements (eg. security, PCI, privacy, SOX, HIPAA etc.) JSON and YAML Expertise Physical Requirements
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times. Disclaimer
This Job Description has been designed to indicate the general nature, essential duties, and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this classification. It does not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications that are required of the employee to do this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. This Job Description does not constitute a contract of employment and the University may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time. Position & Application Details
Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave. How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday. Additional Information
Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive. Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu. Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.
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