Lead Solution Architect/Sr. Solution Architect - Java with Microservices, Any cloud, Kubernetes & Kafka

We are seeking a highly experienced, hands-on coding person and a technically versatile Lead/Senior Cloud Architect to drive the design and implementation of scalable, secure, and resilient cloud-native solutions. This role is pivotal in shaping the architecture of a major enterprise commerce platform, with a strong preference for Microsoft Azure but open to candidates with production-grade experience in AWS or GCP. Responsibilities - Architect and lead the development of cloud-native systems using microservices and event-driven paradigms - Design and implement solutions that leverage Kubernetes (preferably AKS) and service mesh technologies like Istio - Define and enforce architectural standards, patterns, and best practices across engineering teams - Drive performance optimization initiatives through end-to-end performance testing to ensure system scalability, responsiveness, and reliability across complex, distributed architectures - Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment between business goals and technical solutions - Communicate complex technical concepts clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders - Create and maintain architectural diagrams and documentation with industry-standard tools (e.g., Miro, Gliffy, Draw.io) - Guide teams through cloud adoption, modernization, and optimization initiatives - Stay current with emerging technologies and evaluate their applicability to business needs Requirements - 15+ years of experience in cloud architecture, with a strong preference for the Banking domain - Proven experience with at least one major cloud provider (Azure, AWS, or GCP) in production environments - Deep expertise in Kubernetes and container orchestration; Istio or other service mesh experience is a strong plus - Hands-on experience with NFR, architecture governance, documentation, system design and architectural design. Trade-off - Databases: CosmosDB, PostgreSQL, Redis, Oracle - Messaging/Eventing: Kafka, EventHub - Strong understanding of cloud networking, IAM, security, and infrastructure as code (Terraform, ARM, Bicep) - Experience with DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines. GitHub Actions a plus - Experience that delivers operational communications (and/or Customer Communication Management (CCM)) in complex, regulated financial services environments - Ability to produce clear comms “architecture”: define audience segmentation, message intent, channel selection, timing/trigger logic and handoffs between operations, contact center, digital and product teams - Demonstrated ability to lead architectural discussions and influence technical direction - Excellent verbal and written communication skills - Proficiency in diagramming tools to convey architectural concepts effectively Nice to have - Experience with hybrid or multi-cloud environments - Familiarity with FinOps, observability, and cloud governance - Background in support of production workloads with high availability and disaster recovery considerations - Hybris e-commerce We offer - Opportunity to work on technical challenges that may impact across geographies - Vast opportunities for self-development: online university, knowledge sharing opportunities globally, learning opportunities through external certifications - Opportunity to share your ideas on international platforms - Sponsored Tech Talks & Hackathons - Unlimited access to LinkedIn learning solutions - Possibility to relocate to any EPAM office for short and long-term projects - Focused individual development - Benefit package: - Health benefits - Retirement benefits - Paid time off - Flexible benefits Forums to explore beyond work passion (CSR, photography, painting, sports, etc.) EPAM is a leading global provider of digital platform engineering and development services. We are committed to having a positive impact on our customers, our employees, and our communities. We embrace a dynamic and inclusive culture. Here you will collaborate with multi-national teams, contribute to a myriad of innovative projects that deliver the most creative and cutting-edge solutions, and have an opportunity to continuously learn and grow. No matter where you are located, you will join a dedicated, creative, and diverse community that will help you discover your fullest potential.