Job Description
We are looking for an experienced Cloud Architect specialized in application and middleware environments, with deep expertise in PHP and Apache Tomcat.
The position combines strategic architectural vision and hands-on technical expertise, ensuring that standards and solutions can be directly implemented by development and DevOps teams within a hybrid infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and maintain reference architectures for the application and middleware layer, including PHP-FPM, Apache Tomcat, and Apache HTTP Server.
- Design and lead the modernization of application environments toward containerized architectures based on Kubernetes.
- Define consistent multi-application deployment standards across all supported runtimes.
- Write Architectural Decision Records (ADR) and contribute to architecture governance processes.
- Define integration models for application services with platform tooling (API gateways, automation engines, service catalogues).
- Contribute to the design of future private cloud offerings and define requirements related to sovereign cloud environments.
- Define observability requirements for application services, including logging, metrics, and tracing.
- Collaborate with Solution Architecture, DevOps teams, and Product teams to translate business and technical needs into scalable application-layer designs.
- Evaluate emerging middleware technologies and provide technology adoption recommendations.
- Provide guidance and mentorship to architects and DevOps teams adopting application-layer and cloud-native technologies.
Required Technical Skills
- Strong expertise in cloud-native architecture design and containerized application deployment in Kubernetes environments.
- Solid experience with Java application servers, particularly Apache Tomcat (deployment architecture, JVM tuning, multi-application hosting).
- Strong experience with PHP runtime environments and performance optimization.
- Proficiency with web servers and reverse proxies such as Apache HTTP Server and Nginx.
- Programming background with the ability to understand application runtime behavior, troubleshoot performance issues, and review integration patterns.
- Experience with Infrastructure-as-Code and automation tools such as Ansible, Terraform, or Crossplane.
- Familiarity with API gateways and integration platforms (e.g., Tyk, Kong).
- Knowledge of observability and monitoring tools such as Prometheus, Grafana, ELK Stack, and Dynatrace.
- Ability to produce clear architecture documentation, including reference architectures, technical standards, and ADRs.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills across both technical and non-technical audiences.
Profile
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
- Minimum 8 years of experience in Cloud Architecture, Kubernetes architecture, or Application Architecture roles.
- Proven experience designing application-layer architectures in enterprise or large-scale hosting environments.
- Experience working within a formal architecture governance framework.
- Cloud or container technology certifications are considered an advantage.
Nice to Have
- Knowledge of workflow automation tools such as n8n.
- Experience with service catalogue platforms such as Cycloid or Backstage.
- Familiarity with GitOps tools such as ArgoCD or Flux.
- Experience with Oracle WebLogic Server architecture and migration strategies.
Soft Skills
- Customer-oriented mindset with a pragmatic and delivery-focused approach.
- Ability to build strong cross-functional working relationships.
- Strong analytical thinking and ability to solve complex technical challenges.
- Commitment to continuous learning and staying current with cloud and middleware technologies.
- Proactive attitude toward identifying and resolving platform gaps.
Requirements
- EU citizenship is mandatory.
- Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required.
- Proficiency in any additional European language is considered a plus.
Why join us?
Joining this project means contributing to the modernization of a large-scale cloud platform within a highly advanced technical environment. You will be at the center of architectural decisions, with a direct impact on the design, evolution, and standardization of application services across a hybrid infrastructure combining private and public cloud environments. This role offers a strong strategic dimension while remaining hands-on from a technical perspective, working alongside experienced architecture and DevOps teams.
Opportunities are numerous. From bare applications development to of IT infrastructures management including conception, architecture and requirements analysis.
Although open to technologies used by our customers, ABAKUS IT-SOLUTIONS seeks mainly but not only consultants mastering: Windows and Linux Servers, networks, developments (JAVA, SAP, .NET,…) as well as highly specialized experts for example in cybersecurity or in Content Management System (CMS) (SharePoint, Drupal, WebLogic…).
In terms of non-technical competencies, ABAKUS IT-SOLUTIONS hires dynamic persons, open to the world, interested by innovation and having a keen sense of client relationship.
A very good command of English is essential, the capacity to speak French, German or Dutch is an asset.
Even though most of our positions require at least 3 years of experience, some are open to new starters.
