Nelnet is a diversified and innovative company committed to enriching lives through the power of service as a student loan servicer, professional services company, consumer loan originator and servicer, payments processor, renewable energy solutions, and K-12 and higher education expert. For over 40 years, Nelnet has been serving its customers, associates, and communities.

The perks of working at Nelnet go beyond our benefits package. When you join the Nelnet team, you're part of a community invested in the success of each individual. That support comes through in our work, as we are united by our mission of creating opportunities for people where they live, learn, and work.

The IT Cloud Software Architect will drive the enterprise technology vision by designing and scaling modern cloud-native software solutions. This role combines deep expertise in software engineering with cloud architecture to deliver secure, resilient, and cost-efficient applications across the enterprise. Acting as both a technical leader and trusted advisor, the architect will work closely with internal teams, partners, and clients to translate business needs into innovative cloud-based solutions. The architect will provide technical direction, mentorship, and leadership, ensuring best practices in architecture, DevOps, and security are followed. With a strong focus on scalability, client engagement, and continuous learning, the IT Cloud Software Architect will also evaluate and integrate emerging technologies — including AI/ML — to help the organization stay ahead of evolving business and technology demands.

Solution Design & Architecture:
-Lead the design of scalable, secure, and cost-optimized cloud-native applications.
-Define and implement software patterns for microservices, APIs, containers, and serverless.
-Ensure solutions are designed for performance, resilience, and business continuity.

Client & Partner Engagement:
-Work with internal stakeholders and external clients to gather requirements, present design options, and propose best-fit solutions.
-Translate complex technical concepts into business-relevant recommendations.
-Act as a trusted advisor on cloud adoption, modernization, and emerging technologies.

Technical Leadership & Mentorship:
-Provide direction and leadership to engineering teams on cloud development and architecture.
-Mentor developers and junior architects in modern software engineering and AI/ML integration.
-Champion best practices in DevOps, CI/CD, and agile delivery.

Innovation & Emerging Technology Adoption:
-Stay at the forefront of advancements in cloud platforms, AI/ML, and software engineering frameworks.
-Evaluate and pilot new tools, frameworks, and services for enterprise adoption.
-Lead proofs-of-concept to validate emerging technologies for scalability, security, and business value.

Governance, Security, & Compliance:
-Ensure solutions meet enterprise security, compliance, and governance standards.
-Apply Infrastructure as Code (IaC), automation, and DevSecOps practices.
-Partner with security and operations teams to deliver compliant, resilient, and reliable solutions.

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience)

10+ years in software engineering with at least 5+ years in cloud architecture or solution architecture.

Expertise in cloud-native application development on AWS, Azure, or GCP.

Strong proficiency in programming languages (Node, Java, C#, or Python).

Experience designing and scaling microservices, APIs, serverless, and containerized workloads (Kubernetes, ECS, Lambda).

Familiarity with AI/ML services and integration (AWS SageMaker, Azure ML, OpenAI, etc.).

Proven experience engaging with business and client stakeholders at multiple levels.

Nelnet believes in a hybrid work environment that accommodates both in-office and remote work. This model promotes a positive work-life balance and culture, enabling in-person collaboration when possible while also providing benefits associated with remote work. The standard hybrid work schedule includes a 24/16 hour (in-office/work-from-home) split for associates that reside within 30 miles of an office.

Salary for this position starts at $140,000 annually.

Our benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, HSA and FSA, generous earned time off, 401K/student loan repayment, life insurance & AD&D insurance, employee assistance program, employee stock purchase program, tuition reimbursement, performance-based incentive pay, short- and long-term disability, and a robust wellness program. Click here to learn more about our benefits: LINK.

Nelnet is committed to providing a welcoming and respectful workplace where all associates have the opportunity to succeed. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we ensure that all qualified applicants are considered for employment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion/creed, national origin, gender, sex, marital status, age, disability, use of a guide dog or service animal, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. We value the unique contributions of every team member and believe that a positive work environment benefits everyone.

Qualified individuals with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations in order to apply or compete for positions at Nelnet may request such accommodations by contacting Corporate Recruiting at 402-486-5725 or corporaterecruiting@nelnet.net.

Nelnet is a Drug Free and Tobacco Free Workplace.