GCP Architect - Contract Outside IR35 - London, UK

We are seeking an experienced Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Architect to join a leading telecommunications organisation, Colt Technology Services, on an Outside IR35 contract. This role will be responsible for designing and delivering enterprise-scale cloud solutions, defining cloud architecture standards, and leading cloud transformation initiatives across mission-critical telecom platforms.

The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in Google Cloud Platform, cloud-native architecture, networking, security, automation, and modern data platforms within large enterprise environments. Previous experience in the Telecommunications industry is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement scalable, secure, and highly available cloud architectures on Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Define cloud strategy, architecture principles, governance, and best practices.
• Lead cloud migration initiatives from on-premise infrastructure to GCP.
• Design cloud-native solutions using microservices, containers, and Kubernetes.
• Build resilient networking solutions across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Infrastructure, Security, DevOps, and Application teams.
• Develop Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Terraform.
• Architect CI/CD pipelines and cloud automation strategies.
• Ensure cloud solutions comply with security, governance, and regulatory standards.
• Design disaster recovery, backup, and high-availability solutions.
• Optimise cloud infrastructure for performance, scalability, and cost efficiency.
• Provide technical leadership and architectural guidance throughout project delivery.
• Produce high-quality architecture documentation, HLDs, LLDs, and design decisions.
• Support production environments and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Required Skills & ExperienceGoogle Cloud Platform

• 8+ years of Cloud Architecture experience.
• Extensive hands-on experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Google Compute Engine
  • Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE)
  • Cloud Run
  • Cloud Functions
  • Cloud Storage
  • BigQuery
  • Pub/Sub
  • Cloud SQL
  • Cloud Spanner
  • Cloud Monitoring
  • Cloud Logging
  • Cloud IAM
  • VPC Networking
  • Load Balancing

Cloud Architecture

• Enterprise Cloud Architecture
• Hybrid Cloud
• Multi-Cloud Architecture
• Cloud Migration
• Landing Zone Design
• Cloud Governance
• Security Architecture
• Identity & Access Management
• High Availability
• Disaster Recovery

DevOps & Automation

• Terraform
• GitHub/GitLab
• CI/CD Pipelines
• Docker
• Kubernetes
• Helm
• Jenkins
• Cloud Build

Programming/Scripting

• Python
• Bash
• PowerShell (desirable)

Networking

• TCP/IP
• DNS
• VPN
• Cloud Interconnect
• Load Balancing
• Firewalls
• Zero Trust Networking

Security

• IAM
• Secrets Management
• Encryption
• Security Best Practices
• Vulnerability Management
• Compliance Frameworks

Telecom Experience

Candidates should ideally have experience working within Telecommunications environments, including exposure to:

• Telecom OSS/BSS platforms
• Network Transformation
• SD-WAN
• MPLS
• IP Networks
• Optical Networks
• Carrier Services
• Network Automation
• Large-scale Infrastructure Programmes