Cloud Platform Storage Architect

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We engineer, build, and operate a global private cloud infrastructure powered by Open Stack, Kubernetes, and Net App that supports applications used for numerous internal and external Verizon networks. In this role, you will be the subject matter expert leading the requirements, analysis, design, and development efforts for Verizon's Cloud Platform, focusing on a unified storage strategy encompassing Block, File, and Object architectures.

• Architect multi-protocol storage solutions (SAN, NAS, and S3-compatible Object storage) to support diverse workloads ranging from high-performance databases to massive unstructured data lakes.
• Lead the design and lifecycle planning of all storage platforms, ensuring seamless integration with Open Stack (Cinder/Manila) and Kubernetes (CSI) environments.
• Create High-Level (HLD) and Low-Level Designs (LLD) that define how compute nodes consume storage via iSCSI, NVMe/TCP, NFS, and S3 APIs.
• Drive POC testing and supplier management, including RFP development and vendor evaluation, assessing emerging technologies in All-Flash arrays, Software-Defined Storage (SDS), and distributed Object storage.
• Develop Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) automation to provide "Storage-as-a-Service," enabling self-service provisioning, automated tiering, and policy-driven data protection.
• Serve as a technical advisor to production and application teams on storage capacity planning, performance profiling, and workload-specific recommendations to ensure SLA alignment.
• Provide active leadership on key projects designed to simplify storage consumption, reduce TCO (Total Cost of Ownership), and modernize the Network Architecture of the future.
• Partner cross-functionally to present storage strategies, architecture decisions, and investment recommendations to technical and business stakeholders at all levels.

• Bachelor's degree or four or more years of work experience.
• Eight or more years of relevant experience required, demonstrated through work, military experience, or specialized training.
• Experience in infrastructure engineering, with a heavy focus on enterprise storage planning, architecture, and performance tuning.
• In-depth technical knowledge of Block (iSCSI, NVMe/TCP), File (NFS), and Object (S3) storage protocols.
• Experience with Linux operating system (preferably Red Hat, though Ubuntu and SUSE are also acceptable).
• Solid understanding of network protocols and transport layers, coupled with excellent troubleshooting skills.
• Strong knowledge of cloud-native storage, automated provisioning, PVC migration, load balancing across multiple storage backends, and interoperability with Operations and maintenance teams.
• Ability to lead on block storage protocols; help lead storage and array qualification, performance/benchmark testing, running PoCs, and full understanding of storage and data lifecycle management; assist in storage forecasting, budgeting, and purchasing.
• Experience developing RFPs and leading vendor evaluations, with the ability to articulate technical trade-offs and recommendations to both engineering teams and business stakeholders.
• Experience with storage monitoring and observability tooling, supporting Day 2 operations including capacity planning, alerting, and performance analysis in a private cloud environment.

• Experience with enterprise-grade storage such as Net App ONTAP (Fabric Pool/S3), Ceph (RBD/RGW), Dell ECS/Power Scale, Pure Flash Array, or equivalent.
• Proficiency…