Infrastructure Architect

This role is responsible for the strategic design, roadmap definition, and engineering governance of global IT infrastructure and cloud landscape.

The Senior Manager - Infra / Cloud Architect acts as a bridge between business needs and technical delivery, translating enterprise goals into scalable, secure, and cost-optimized solutions across geographies.

• Architecture Strategy & Blueprinting:
  • Define and maintain the global infrastructure and cloud architecture blueprint.
  • Align designs with business continuity, scalability, cybersecurity, and performance goals.
  • Champion platform rationalization and simplification initiatives.
• Solution Design & Project Enablement:
  • Architect infrastructure solutions for large programs (e.g., DC transformation, AD consolidation, hybrid cloud migration).
  • Review and approve HLDs, LLDs, and BoM submitted by partners or internal teams.
  • Validate architecture compliance in global IT programs.
• Technology Evaluation & Adoption:
  • Evaluate emerging technologies such as Zero Trust, SD-WAN, SASE, Edge Computing, and Infra-as-Code.
  • Define proof-of-concept initiatives and guide technology onboarding.
• Architecture Governance & Standards:
  • Own and enforce architecture principles, standards, and reference models.
  • Conduct architecture reviews and design approval boards.
  • Ensure compliance with InfoSec, GxP, and SOX frameworks.
• Collaboration & Knowledge Enablement:
  • Partner with delivery, cybersecurity, and service teams to translate designs into build/run.
  • Coach engineering teams and upskill delivery units on architectural best practices.
  Specialized Knowledge Requirements:
  • Deep expertise in enterprise architecture across compute, storage, network, identity, and cloud.
  • Advanced knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and hybrid models.
    • Strong grasp of cybersecurity principles and compliance mapping to infrastructure design.
    • Familiarity with automation and orchestration (Terraform, Ansible, CI/CD).
    • Understanding of ITIL, TOGAF, and regulatory requirements in pharma/life sciences.
    Internal Stakeholders and Nature of Interaction:
    • CIO / Head of Infrastructure: Strategy alignment, architecture reviews, funding justification.
    • Infra Ops, Cybersecurity, Cloud & Service Delivery Leads: Design handovers, implementation validations, issue resolution.
    • Project Managers & PMO: Milestone alignment, design dependencies, delivery feasibility.
    • IT Business Partners: Requirement shaping, infrastructure impact assessment, business case support.
    External Stakeholders and Nature of Interaction:
    • OEMs / Technology Partners: Technology roadmap alignment, reference design validation, POC planning.
    • System Integrators / Consultants: Review of partner-delivered HLD/LLDs, infra BoMs, and implementation playbooks.
    • Cloud Providers: Architecture sessions, security compliance mapping, usage optimization.
    Role Played in Negotiations:
    • Key contributor during technology vendor evaluations, TCO/ROI assessments.
    • Leads design-centric discussions in OEM/MSP contract finalizations.
    • Influences technology lock-ins and long-term infra strategy partnerships.
    Key Decision-Making Expected:
    • Selection of infra/cloud technologies and tools for global rollout.
    • Finalization of infra architecture standards, designs, and integration approaches.
    • Review and approval of vendor-delivered infrastructure designs.
    • Build vs. buy vs. hybrid infrastructure decisions.
    Key Challenges for the Role:
    • Balancing global standardization with local infrastructure constraints.
    • Integrating legacy platforms with modern cloud-native environments.
    • Ensuring performance, cost, and security trade-offs are managed holistically.
    • Driving architectural discipline across distributed delivery ecosystems.
    Extent and Nature of Innovation Required:
    • High: Required to lead innovation in hybrid cloud, infra-automation, and cost-efficient architecture.
    • Design of modular, scalable, and reusable infra blueprints.
    • Champion infrastructure observability, Zero Trust, and software-defined everything (SDx).
    Job Requirements:
    • Educational Qualification: Bachelor's or Masters in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
    • Certifications: Cloud Certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Architect, Azure Solutions Architect, GCP Architect), TOGAF, ITIL Foundation preferred, Network/Security certifications (e.g., Cisco, Palo Alto, Fortinet) beneficial.
    • Experience: 12+ years of infrastructure experience, with 5+ years in an architecture role across global delivery models. Proven track record of designing and governing large-scale infra/cloud deployments.
    • Skills: Architecture modeling and documentation (e.g., Visio, Lucidchart, ArchiMate), Infra stack knowledge across OS, Virtualization, Network, Storage, and Cloud, Vendor engagement and technical negotiation, Cross-cultural communication and stakeholder influence.