Director - Principal Cloud Engineer GCP

We're hiring Principal Cloud Engineers to lead our new COE- driving GCP transformation and guiding talented teams across Cloud, QA & AI. It's your chance to shape strategy, deliver secure multi-cloud solutions, and make a real impact at SMBC.

About the job:

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Cloud Engineer to lead the Architecture and Engineering function within our new Centre of Excellence. This is a pivotal role that combines deep technical expertise in Google Cloud Platform (GCP) with leadership responsibilities across three sub-teams: Cloud Engineering, QA Testing, and AI Development. The successful candidate will work closely with the Architecture and Engineering team in London to deliver scalable, secure, and high-performing cloud solutions that support SMBC's business objectives across EMEA.

What you'll do:

• Lead the design, implementation, and optimization of cloud-native solutions on GCP.
• Ensure best practices in cloud architecture, security, automation, and DevOps.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement in cloud engineering practices.
• Manage and mentor a multi-disciplinary team of Cloud Engineers, QA Testers, and AI Developers.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture within the Centre of Excellence.
• Oversee resource planning, performance management, and career development.
• Partner with the Architecture and Engineering team in London to align on solution design and delivery.
• Translate business requirements into technical solutions that meet regulatory and operational standards.
• Ensure timely and quality delivery of cloud-based projects and services.

What you'll bring:

• Proven experience in designing and delivering complex solutions on Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Strong understanding of cloud infrastructure, networking, security, and automation (Terraform, CI/CD).
• Experience leading technical teams and managing cross-functional collaboration.
• GCP Professional certifications (e.g., Cloud Architect, DevOps Engineer).
• Experience in financial services or other regulated industries are strongly preferred
• Knowledge of other cloud platforms (especially Azure and AWS) is highly beneficial in our multicloud environment
• Familiarity with QA methodologies and AI/ML development practices are strong advantages
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates