Cloud Architect (Systems Analyst)

Company Description

The mission of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is to lead the state's efforts in ensuring a secure water future for Texas and its citizens. Our mission is a vital part of Texas' overall vision and the state's mission and goals that relate to maintaining the viability of the state's natural resources, health, and economic development.

To accomplish our goals of planning for the state's water resources and providing affordable water and wastewater services, the TWDB provides water planning, data collection and dissemination, financial assistance, and technical assistance services to the citizens of Texas. The tremendous population growth that the state continues to experience and the recurrent threat of severe drought only intensify the need for the TWDB to accomplish its goals in an effective and efficient manner.

Only applicants who apply with a State of Texas application via the CAPPS online application system will be considered for this position. First time applicants will need to create an account in the CAPPS online application system at . Please visit our job opportunities page at for more information about the Texas Water Development Board and answers to frequently asked questions. To view this position in greater detail, visit the CAPPS online application system .

Texas Water Development Board’s Mission - Leading the state’s efforts in ensuring a secure water future for Texas.

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) offers competitive compensation and benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), flexible spending, and flexible work alternatives so you can have a work/life balance! For more information about these benefits and more visit .

The Texas Water Development Board does not discriminate on basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, sexual orientation, age, or disability in employment or provision of services, programs, or activities.

Must meet agency in-office requirements

*Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications*

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Performs highly advanced (senior-level) computer systems analysis work. Work involves serving as the subject matter expert on the Texas Water Development Board’s (TWDB) Information Technology (IT) cloud architecture. Plays a key role in advancing the agency's IT modernization initiative. Designs, manages, and implements the TWDB cloud computing strategy, including cloud adoption plans, application design, and monitoring. Works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. May train others. Reports to the Manager of the Security & Networking Department.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Roadmaps, designs, implements, tests, and maintains secure, scalable, and resilient cloud architectures across public, private, and hybrid environments.
• Defines cloud standards, reference architectures, access controls, and best practices aligned with TWDB’s enterprise architecture and strategic IT roadmap.
• Leads cloud migration and modernization efforts, including application refactoring, infrastructure transformation, maintenance, and decommissioning of legacy systems.
• Evaluates cloud services and emerging technologies and recommends solutions that improve performance, reliability, and cost efficiency.
• Collaborates with multiple TWDB and state agency groups to roadmap, design, and secure solutions that best fit application requirements.
• Leads complex migrations from on-premises legacy systems to cloud-native or hybrid architectures.
• Ensures cloud solutions align with IT policies, DIR standards, and TWDB governance requirements.
• Designs and implements CI/CD pipelines to automate build, test, security scanning, and deployment processes.
• Develops and maintains Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions to ensure consistency, repeatability, and traceability of cloud environments.
• Implements automated monitoring, logging, and alerting to improve system reliability and incident response.
• Leads continuous improvement through automation, standardization, and reduction of manual operational tasks.
• Collaborates with the Chief Information Security Officer to ensure compliance with state cybersecurity standards, risk management requirements, and audit controls.
• Supports disaster recovery, backup, and high‑availability strategies to ensure mission‑critical system continuity.
• Monitors cloud usage and costs, recommending optimization strategies and governance controls.
• Develops and maintains clear technical documentation and architecture diagrams.
• Maintains confidential and sensitive information.
• Ensures individual and team files (electronic and hard versions) are appropriately maintained and timely disposed of in accordance with the agency’s records retention procedures and schedule.
• Maintains required certifications and licenses and meets the continuing education needs and requirements of the position to include, attending mandatory training courses.
• May be required to operate a state or personal vehicle for business purposes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field.
• Seven years of experience in cloud architecture or related work, including designing, implementing, and managing enterprise cloud computing architectures or strategies.
• Seven years of relevant work experience in producing cloud adoption plans, application design, and monitoring.
• Seven years of relevant work experience in translating business goals into secure, scalable, and cost-effective cloud infrastructure.
• Seven years of relevant work experience of architecting technology solutions using Amazon Web Services (AWS) and/or Azure Well-Architected Frameworks.
• Relevant education and experience can be substituted for each other on a year-for-year basis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Two years of experience successfully delivering information technology (IT) related projects with a State or other government organization.
• Four years of experience with change management based on information technology infrastructure library (ITIL) principles and practices.
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate certification or higher.
• Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert.
• Familiar with Microsoft Azure platform and services.
• Familiar with the State of Texas Shared Technology Services (STS) program.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to the Security Networking Department.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.
• Knowledge of cloud architecture best practices.
• Knowledge of multi-tiered solutions and diverse technical configurations across multiple platforms.
• Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines for automated build, test, release and environment promotion strategies.
• Knowledge of DevSecOps tools and best practices methodology.
• Knowledge of cloud networking concepts (VPC/VNet, routing, gateways, load balancers, and cloud native services).
• Knowledge of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions.
• Knowledge of identify and access management (IAM).
• Knowledge of Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI).
• Knowledge of Relational Databases and Data Lakes.
• Knowledge of IaaS, SaaS, and PaaS products and services.
• Knowledge of Cloud Security principles.
• Knowledge and experience in project planning and management, including the Project Management Lifecycle (PMLC).
• Skills in using Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, and Access.
• Skills in use of internet, email, word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database software.
• Skills in Automation of deployments, patching, and operational workflows.
• Ability to maintain the security or integrity of critical infrastructure within Texas.
• Ability to meet agency in-office requirements.
• Ability to design scalable, resilient, highly available architectures.
• Ability to adhere to work schedules, follow procedures with respect to leave and submit accurate timesheets by prescribed deadlines.
• Ability to make mature, objective decisions and identify areas of potential problems.
• Ability to perform effectively and willingly when changes occur in scope and nature of the work and work environment.
• Ability to perform routine and non-routine work assignments accurately and on time with little or no supervision.
• Ability to perform assigned duties and improve work habits and/or output.
• Ability to complete assigned work, on time, neatly and with infrequent errors.
• Ability to interpret policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Ability to provide prompt, courteous and accurate assistance and clear and concise communication to all stakeholders both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work and cooperate with others in a team environment.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to stand/sit/move to perform activities such as retrieve/replace files in a large file system for boxes up to 30 lbs.
• Ability to operate a vehicle (state or personal) for state business and maintain a driver’s license and driving record that complies with state and agency requirements.
• Ability to work shifts that may exceed 8 hours, including early mornings, nights, and weekends.
• Ability to train others.

Additional Information

All interested candidates should apply with a State of Texas application via the CAPPS online application system. First time applicants will need to create an account in the CAPPS online application system Please visit our job opportunities page for more information about the Texas Water Development Board and answers to frequently asked questions. To view this position in greater detail, visit the CAPPS online application system.

Texas Water Development Board, Stephen F. Austin Building

1700 North Congress Ave., Room 670, Austin, Texas 78701

Please contact Human Resources for accommodation requests.

Phone: (512) 475-2142

Email: HR(AT)twdb.texas.gov