Location: St. Louis
Type: Contract or Full-Time, Flexible Based On Fit
Reports To: CTO
Overview
We are seeking a hands-on AWS Architect to iteratively design, document, model and implement cost-effective, secure, monitored, robust, performant, optimized and highly-scalable cloud infrastructure that powers our avatar-driven product ecosystem as we scale from hundreds to thousands to millions of users. This role focuses on building a resilient, high‑performance environment capable of supporting real-time interactions, rapid growth, and continuous iteration, with AWS Architecture best practices and more general Architecture best practices reported & reflected on along the way, along with prioritized tradeoffs, risks, limitations and recommendations.
This position is well suited for someone who enjoys early-stage growth environments, values trust-building over transactional selling, and works comfortably alongside product and leadership teams.
Key Responsibilities
Scalable Cloud Architecture
- Design and evolve AWS architectures that support real-time avatar interactions and high‑volume traffic
- Build systems that scale horizontally and vertically across global regions
- Ensure high availability, fault tolerance, and disaster recovery readiness
Performance & Cost Optimization
- Continuously tune compute, storage, and networking for speed and efficiency
- Implement autoscaling, caching, and load balancing strategies
- Optimize cost structures across environments without compromising performance
Infrastructure as Code & Automation
- Build and maintain IaC using Terraform, CloudFormation, and/or CDK
- Automate deployments, environment provisioning, and configuration management
- Establish CI/CD pipelines that support rapid iteration and safe releases
Security & Compliance
- Implement best‑practice security patterns across identity, data, and network layers
- Ensure compliance with industry standards, certification requirements and internal governance
- Monitor and remediate vulnerabilities across environments
Observability & Reliability
- Build robust monitoring, logging, and alerting frameworks
- Diagnose and resolve performance bottlenecks in real time
- Clear, empathetic communicator with a bias toward action
- Ensure predictable uptime and smooth user experiences
- Implement cost-effective disaster recovery processes and schedule
Collaboration & Product Alignment
- Partner with engineering, product, and avatar platform teams to align infrastructure with roadmap needs
- Model current and future state based upon requirements, efficiently to achieve weekly required deliverables
- Support pilots, demos, and client environments with reliable cloud foundations
- Translate product requirements into scalable technical solutions
Ideal Candidate
- Deep experience designing and operating scalable, distributed systems on AWS
- Certified as AWS Architect Professional
- 5+ years serving as AWS Architect on large-scale, large-user, high compute-demand system
- Skilled at tuning performance, reducing latency, and optimizing cost across environments
- Strong with IaC, CI/CD, and automated workflows that support rapid iteration
- Applies best practices for secure, compliant, and resilient cloud environments
- Works seamlessly with engineering, product, and design teams to support evolving needs
- Excited to push the boundaries of cloud infrastructure for interactive, real‑time products
Benefits
- Full Healthcare Coverage – Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Paid Holidays & Rollover PTO – Recharge with designated holidays and the flexibility to carry unused time forward.
- 401(k) Plan – Plan for your future with a retirement plan designed to grow with you.
Enjoy thoughtful perks that help you stay focused, supported, and motivated every day.
