Applications Solutions Architect

DVT is one of the top software engineering companies on the African continent. Our consultants work alongside some of the most established architects and engineers in South Africa - embedded within leading organisations across mining, financial services, and industrial sectors - applying the latest cloud and AI technologies to deliver measurable business value.

We are seeking a senior Applications Solutions Architect to join our cloud practice, embedded within a large Gauteng-based mining group. This is a strategic technical consulting role - not a cloud engineering or DevOps position. The successful candidate will serve as the design authority for application and cloud architecture across the client's IM Mining Applications portfolio.

Critically, this individual will deploy and operate DVT's Cloud Contour framework as a managed client-facing service - an AI-powered cloud advisory platform that provides continuous cost optimisation, architecture governance, and cloud health insights. The ability to translate Cloud Contour outputs into executive-ready recommendations and client-facing roadmaps is a core deliverable of this role.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned architect with strong technical depth, excellent stakeholder communication skills, and the ability to lead design activities across complex integration landscapes - including mining operational technology (OT) and enterprise application ecosystems.

• Lead solution design activities for business demands, translating requirements into scalable, governed technical architectures aligned to client IM standards

• Act as Design Authority during execution and delivery phases - reviewing, approving, and guiding technical decisions across delivery teams and vendors

• Design and maintain reference architectures for application and cloud-based infrastructure across the client's mining applications portfolio

• Identify and address architectural risks, technical debt, and integration gaps across Source Systems and data reporting layers

• Produce high-quality technical artefacts including High-Level Designs (HLDs), Low-Level Designs (LLDs), Architecture Decision Records (ADRs), and Solution Design Documents (SDDs)

• Deploy, configure, and operate the DVT Cloud Contour framework within the client's Azure and/or AWS environment as a managed advisory service

• Produce regular Cloud Contour reports covering cloud cost optimisation opportunities, architecture compliance, security posture, and infrastructure health

• Translate Cloud Contour AI-generated insights into prioritised client recommendations, executive summaries, and governance-ready roadmaps

• Drive adoption of Cloud Contour outputs by facilitating monthly architecture review sessions with client IM leadership

• Act as the primary DVT point of contact for Cloud Contour service queries and enhancements at the client site

• Design integration patterns between source systems (mining operational technology, ERP, SCADA) and data reporting and analytics layers

• Define and govern API standards, data contracts, and system integration specifications across the application landscape

• Collaborate with infrastructure, data, and application delivery teams to ensure end-to-end architectural coherence

• Support the evaluation and selection of integration tooling, middleware, and cloud-native services appropriate to the mining environment

• Work with cross-functional teams across the business.

• Own and facilitate the creation of all technical documentation required for Service Introduction and operational handover

• Maintain an up-to-date architecture repository and ensure artefacts are version-controlled and peer-reviewed

• Provide technical governance oversight - ensuring deliverables conform to IM architectural principles and DVT quality standards

• Support project planning and resourcing activities from a technical architecture perspective

• Serve as the primary technical interface between DVT, client business stakeholders, vendor partners, and infrastructure delivery teams

• Lead or support vendor-led sprints and delivery phases, providing architecture oversight and decision-making authority

• Present architecture proposals, findings, and Cloud Contour insights to senior client stakeholders including CTO, CIO, and IM leadership

• Mentor and guide client technical staff on architecture best practices, cloud adoption patterns, and Cloud Contour tooling

Technical

• 7-12 years of experience in Solution Architecture, Enterprise Architecture, or Cloud Architecture roles with a strong focus on application integration and cloud-native design

• Demonstrated experience acting as a Design Authority or Architecture Lead on complex multi-vendor, multi-system programmes

• Strong technical background in cloud-based infrastructure architecture across Azure and/or AWS

• Solid experience with system integration patterns - REST APIs, event-driven architecture, ETL pipelines, and middleware platforms

• Proficiency in producing architecture artefacts to professional standards: HLD, LLD, ADR, SDD, and operational handover documentation

• Experience deploying, managing, or consuming AI-powered advisory or FinOps tooling (e.g. CloudHealth, Apptio Cloudability, or equivalent - DVT Cloud Contour training will be provided)

• Ability to translate technical architecture findings into commercial recommendations and executive presentations

• Understanding of mining operational technology (OT) environments, SCADA systems, or industrial data platforms is highly advantageous

• Strong stakeholder management skills - comfortable engaging CTO, CIO, and business leadership audiences

• Excellent written and verbal communication with strong technical documentation capability

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a structured, methodical approach to architectural design

• Understanding of Agile delivery methodologies and the architecture's role within iterative delivery programmes

• Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305) - Strongly preferred

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional (SAP-C02) - Strongly preferred

• TOGAF 9 or 10 Certification - Beneficial

• Experience in mining, resources, or heavy industry sector environments

• Exposure to FinOps practices, cloud cost governance, and cloud advisory platforms

• Experience with data architecture, data lakehouse patterns, or BI reporting layers

• Familiarity with enterprise integration platforms (Azure Integration Services, MuleSoft, TIBCO, or equivalent)

• Matric (Grade 12) certificate

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent proven experience in Solution Architecture)

• At least one cloud architecture certification (Azure AZ-305, AWS SAA-C03, or TOGAF) - Required

• Minimum 7 years' experience in a Solution Architecture, Enterprise Architecture, or Cloud Architecture role

• Ability to work on-site in hybrid model at client offices in Rosebank, Johannesburg

Opportunity to be trained on DVT Cloud Contour is an AI-powered cloud advisory platform built by DVT Cloud Solutions. It provides continuous, automated analysis of a client's cloud environment - delivering real-time insights across cost optimisation, architecture compliance, security posture, and infrastructure health.

Cloud Contour enables organisations to move from reactive cloud management to proactive governance - surfacing optimisation opportunities, compliance gaps, and architectural risks before they become operational issues.

The Applications Solutions Architect in this role will be trained on and certified in Cloud Contour, and will be responsible for operating it as a live client service - producing monthly advisory outputs and facilitating governance reviews with the client's IM leadership team.