Designs cloud architectures, landing zones and the hybrid cloud operating model.
Entry
Expert
Coding
High
Key skills
Common progression
Career overview
The Cloud Architect defines how the organisation uses cloud at scale: target architectures, landing zones, governance, cost model and the migration roadmap. The role shapes the cloud strategy end to end.
Main responsibilities
- Architect cloud solutions and landing zones
- Build cloud landing zones and guardrails
- Align stakeholders and report progress
- Own the technical roadmap of the perimeter
- Keep technical documentation up to date
- Coordinate with software vendors and third parties
- Prepare and execute change requests in production
- Mentor junior team members and review their work
- Track and optimise cloud spending
- Plan and execute cloud migration projects
Technical skills
Technologies
Education level
Education requirements vary depending on the company, country and experience. Professional experience, certifications and technical skills can sometimes compensate for formal education.
High School / Bac
Less common
Bac+2 (2-year degree)
Less common
Bac+3 (Bachelor)
Less common
Bac+5 (Master / Engineering)
Common entry point
Experience & coding level
Experience level
Coding level
Useful certifications
Certifications are never mandatory. They are one way among others to prove a skill.
- AWS Solutions Architect Professional
- Azure AZ-305
- Google Professional Cloud Architect
Where can this career take you?
Multiple paths are possible. Click a role to open its profile.
Direct progression
Possible branches
Common trajectories
Where can you go next?
Realistic next career moves, with compatibility and a transition roadmap for each.
Overlap: 61% · Difficulty: Medium
Skills to learn: AWS / Azure / GCP, Portability (Kubernetes), Sovereignty
View roadmapOverlap: 50% · Difficulty: Medium
Skills to learn: Networking, Storage & compute, DR & HA
View roadmapOverlap: 72% · Difficulty: Medium
Skills to learn: Workshop facilitation, AWS / Azure / GCP
View roadmapOverlap: 24% · Difficulty: Hard
Skills to learn: DevOps transformation, CI/CD & IaC, Workshop facilitation
View roadmapOverlap: 38% · Difficulty: Medium
Skills to learn: CI/CD at scale, Kubernetes platforms, IaC strategy
View roadmapWhere can you go from here?
A typical progression built from real career relationships. Click any role to open its profile.
Soft skills
- Strategic thinking
- Big-picture thinking
- Clear communication
- Leadership
- Negotiation
- Documentation writing
Common previous careers
Roles that frequently lead into this career.
Overlap: 0% · Difficulty: Hard
Skills to learn: Cloud architecture, Landing zones, Hybrid cloud
View roadmapOverlap: 34% · Difficulty: Hard
Skills to learn: Landing zones, Cost & FinOps, Migration
View roadmapOverlap: 35% · Difficulty: Hard
Skills to learn: Landing zones, Cost & FinOps, Migration
View roadmapOverlap: 47% · Difficulty: Medium
Skills to learn: Landing zones, Migration, Governance
View roadmapContinue your career exploration
Keep moving: compare roles, follow a roadmap, read a guide or prepare for an interview.
Ready to explore your next step?
A documented transition from this role to the next.
Cloud ArchitectMulti-Cloud Architect
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