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Lead Cloud Operations Database Architect
full-time•South Africa
About this role
Lead Cloud Operations Database Architect
Location: Remote - Johannesburg, South Africa
Shift Requirement: Evening/Night Shift (3:00 PM – 12:00 AM (midnight))
Signant Health is a global evidence generation company helping our customers digitally enable their clinical trial programs—meeting patients where they are, driving change through technology and innovation, and reimagining the path to proof.
Working at Signant Health puts you at the heart of one of the world’s most exciting sectors: a high-growth, dynamic company operating in an extraordinary industry.
Where do you fit in?
We are seeking a highly experienced Lead Cloud Operations Database Architect to design, implement, and govern enterprise data architecture supporting regulated clinical research systems. This role owns all database-related aspects across Microsoft Azure and AWS cloud environments, ensuring performance, security, scalability, and compliance with GxP, FDA 21 CFR Part 11, and ICH-GCP regulations.
The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise across MS SQL, Azure SQL, AWS RDS, and Cloud SQL in high-volume production environments, paired with strong leadership in data governance, architecture design, and lifecycle management for mission-critical clinical trial platforms.
Key Responsibilities
Architecture & Design
- Design and maintain enterprise-scale data architectures supporting clinical trial systems
- Ensure high availability, scalability, resilience, and security across Azure and AWS environments
Database Administration & Operations
- Own database setup, configuration, backup/recovery, replication, and performance tuning
- Support MS SQL Server, Azure SQL, AWS RDS, and Cloud SQL in production environments
Regulatory Compliance
- Establish and enforce database procedures aligned with GxP and FDA regulations
- Partner with QA/Compliance teams to support audits, validation, and inspections
Security & Data Integrity
- Implement access controls, encryption, monitoring, and logging to protect sensitive clinical and patient data
Automation & DevOps Integration
- Automate provisioning, patching, and schema deployments using CI/CD and IaC
- Work with tools such as Terraform, OpenTofu, ARM templates, and AWS CloudFormation
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Collaborate with Engineering, Project Management, and Compliance teams to align enterprise data strategies
Monitoring & Optimization
- Implement proactive alerting, capacity planning, and performance optimization
Documentation & Standards
- Maintain architecture diagrams, SOPs, and technical documentation to support audits and validation
You’ll need to bring
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field (Master’s preferred)
- 10+ years of experience in database architecture/administration
- 5+ years of cloud experience across Azure and AWS
- Deep expertise in MS SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, and AWS RDS
- Proven experience supporting regulated (GxP / FDA) environments
- Strong understanding of data security, governance, and compliance in life sciences or healthcare
- Hands-on experience with IaC, monitoring platforms (CloudWatch, Azure Monitor), and automation scripting (PowerShell, Python, or Bash)
- Strong communication skills and the ability to partner with cross-functional technical and clinical teams
Nice to have
- Experience integrating with clinical data systems (CDMS, EDC, LIMS)
- Familiarity with Snowflake, data lakes, and ETL/ELT pipelines
- Cloud certifications such as Azure Database Administrator or AWS Database Specialty
Key Competencies
- Strategic, system-level thinking
- Strong data integrity and compliance mindset
- Technical leadership and mentoring capability
- Analytical problem-solving
- Effective cross-team communication
At Signant Health, accepting difference isn’t enough—we celebrate it, we support it, and we nurture it for the benefit of our team members, our clients and our community. Signant Health is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or veteran status.
What you'll do
- The Lead Cloud Operations Database Architect is responsible for designing and maintaining enterprise-scale data architectures for clinical trial systems, ensuring high availability and compliance with regulations. This role also involves database administration, security implementation, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
About Careers Signant Health
For 25+ years, Signant Health has been pioneering solutions and methodologies that propel clinical research programs toward regulatory success. Our approach combines deep scientific expertise with comprehensive eClinical solutions, enabling study teams capture reliable evidence while making trials more manageable for sites and more meaningful for patients.
From the smallest biotech running their first trial to global pharma sponsors and CROs launching pivotal, multinational studies, we're the partner who's been there before - supporting over 6,000 studies across 90+ countries, and contributing to 25% of recent FDA and EMA drug approvals.
Visit www.signanthealth.com to discover how we deliver Proof at the Speed of Life™.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Lead Cloud Operations Database Architect do at Careers Signant Health?
As a Lead Cloud Operations Database Architect at Careers Signant Health, you will: the Lead Cloud Operations Database Architect is responsible for designing and maintaining enterprise-scale data architectures for clinical trial systems, ensuring high availability and compliance with regulations. This role also involves database administration, security implementation, and collaboration with cross-functional teams..
Is the Lead Cloud Operations Database Architect position at Careers Signant Health remote?
The Lead Cloud Operations Database Architect position at Careers Signant Health is based in South Africa, South Africa. Contact the company through Clera for specific work arrangement details.
How do I apply for the Lead Cloud Operations Database Architect position at Careers Signant Health?
You can apply for the Lead Cloud Operations Database Architect position at Careers Signant Healthdirectly through Clera. Click the "Apply Now" button above to start your application. Clera's AI-powered platform will help match your profile with this opportunity and guide you through the application process.