Cloud Architect

Company: Cornerstone Research
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Role Overview: The Cloud Architect will design, implement, and optimize the company’s multi-cloud infrastructure, spanning Azure, AWS, and GCP clouds. The role will help lead the development of firm’s cloud strategy, ensuring scalability, security, resiliency, and cost-effectiveness across the organization’s cloud systems. The role will work closely with cloud engineers within the Cloud Engineering & Operations and Network Operations departments, as well as supporting stakeholders across various departments to lead cloud adoption, enhance cloud maturity, improve performance, implement best practices, and drive cloud-based innovation. The Cloud Architect will ensure that Cornerstone’s cloud capabilities align with business needs and will scale to meet future growth. At Cornerstone Research, you will be part of a thriving, 1,000-strong team that spans nine offices, comprises more than 55 nationalities, and leads the industry in its commitment to develop team members across all levels. Inc. Magazine has recognized Cornerstone Research three times as a Best Workplace for its outstanding employee engagement, collaborative culture, and professional growth opportunities. You’ll Love It Here If You: Embrace learning and continuous improvement Set and strive for a high bar of excellence Believe that teamwork leads to success: ask us what it means to be onefirmfirm! Take pride in always doing your best work, even if it’s harder or takes longer Are passionate about what you do How You'll Help Our Team Succeed: Provides strategic and technical oversight in developing, managing, and optimizing multi-cloud environments (Azure, AWS, GCP). Designs and implements automation tools for efficient cloud service deployment to meet business demands. Leads cloud architecture and governance initiatives, ensuring security, scalability, and compliance across all platforms. Manages and optimizes cloud costs, ensuring efficient use of resources and reducing operational expenses. Implements and maintains secure cloud connectivity solutions (AWS Direct Connect, Azure Express Route, GCP Interconnect). Oversees cloud security frameworks, auditing accounts, permissions, and access rights to mitigate risks and ensure compliance. Collaborates with IT teams to integrate cloud solutions with on-premises infrastructure that drives innovation. Ensures resiliency by managing critical disaster recovery and response plans for cloud outages, security events, and incidents. Provides leadership and mentorship to cloud engineers, ensuring adherence to cloud best practices. Maintains comprehensive documentation, disaster recovery plans, and performs ongoing gap analysis to optimize cloud performance. Creates and maintains cloud architecture diagrams. What You'll Need to Be Successful: 10 years of experience in cloud architecture, infrastructure design with proven expertise in multi-cloud environments (Azure, AWS, GCP). Experience in designing and leading cloud solutions and architecture at scale, including migrations, integrations, and strategic cloud management. Extensive experience with multi-cloud management and architecture strategies, including advanced cloud services (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), hybrid cloud solutions, and cloud-native application development. Expertise in designing and implementing cloud automation and orchestration tools (e.g., Terraform, AWS CloudFormation, Azure Resource Manager). Strong experience in cloud cost optimization and management, including forecasting, budgeting, and cost-saving initiatives across multiple cloud platforms. Deep understanding of cloud security best practices and SOC 2 compliance standards and experience with implementing security frameworks across cloud tenants. Expertise in disaster recovery planning and designing high-availability, fault-tolerant architectures in cloud environments. Advanced knowledge of cloud networking, including secure connectivity solutions (AWS Direct Connect, Azure Express Route, GCP Interconnect). UNIX/Linux experience required, with advanced server administration and automation skills. Leadership experience in mentoring teams and managing cross-functional collaboration across IT, engineering, and security teams. Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field; or equivalent combination of education, skills and experience. Cloud Professional Certification required (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect, Azure Solutions Architect Expert). Other IT certifications (e.g., CISSP, CompTIA Cloud) are a plus. Cornerstone Research is offering a competitive market base salary for this position. The base salary range represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position in all eligible locations. This range may differ based on your geographic location and cost of living considerations. At Cornerstone Research, we believe compensation is more than just a base salary. We offer a competitive total compensation package that includes an annual performance bonus and comprehensive benefits such as flexible options for healthcare, paid time off, and retirement savings. Relocation assistance is not offered for this position. Chicago: $129,200 - $156,500 Boston: $136,300 – $165,200 Washington, DC: $133,800 - $162,100 Los Angeles: $135,400 - $164,000 New York: $138,700 - $168,000 San Francisco: $148,600 - $180,000 We’re looking for passionate individuals who share our firm’s core values and can bring varied perspectives and experiences to our team. Who We Are: Cornerstone Research provides economic and financial analysis and expert testimony in all phases of commercial litigation and regulatory proceedings. We work with a broad network of testifying experts, including leaders from academia and industry, who are recognized for their depth of knowledge, accomplishments, and research. Our staff consultants contribute expertise in economics, finance, accounting, and marketing, as well as business acumen, familiarity with the litigation process, and a commitment to produce outstanding results. We’re looking for passionate individuals who share our firm’s core values and can bring varied perspectives and experiences to our team. The firm’s uniquely collegial, supportive atmosphere makes Cornerstone Research a great place to work. We invest in our people in a host of ways, from providing meaningful learning and development opportunities to organizing memorable social events. To many, our culture and our people are the most exciting, enriching aspects of a Cornerstone Research career. Equal Employment Opportunity: Cornerstone Research provides Equal Employment Opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to legally protected categories, such as age, sex, gender, gender identity, race, color, creed/religious belief, medical condition, predisposing genetic characteristics or genetic information or testing, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, military status, veteran status, arrest or conviction record (except where permitted by law), sexual orientation, ethnic background, citizen status, ancestry, national origin, or any other consideration protected by federal, state or local law.

Keywords: Cornerstone Research, Racine , Cloud Architect, IT / Software / Systems , Chicago, Wisconsin