Job Title: Azure Architect
Location: Milpitas, CA (Onsite) Travel: As required within the Bay Area
Experience: 12+ Years (7+ Years in Azure Cloud Architecture)
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Azure Architect to lead the design, implementation, optimization, and governance of enterprise-scale Azure cloud environments. The ideal candidate will work closely with client stakeholders, application teams, infrastructure teams, cybersecurity teams, and operations groups to architect scalable, secure, resilient, and cost-effective cloud solutions.
This role requires strong expertise in Azure IaaS, PaaS, networking, security, automation, DevOps, cloud migration, and modernization initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Cloud Architecture & Strategy
- Design end-to-end Azure cloud architecture aligned with business and technology objectives.
- Establish cloud adoption roadmaps, landing zones, governance models, and migration strategies.
- Develop reference architecture, standards, and best practices for Azure services.
- Provide technical leadership for cloud transformation initiatives.
Azure Infrastructure Design
- Architect and deploy Azure services including:
- Virtual Machines
- Virtual Networks (VNet)
- Azure Load Balancer
- Application Gateway
- Azure Firewall
- VPN Gateway
- Azure DNS
- Azure Storage
- Azure Backup
- Site Recovery
- Design highly available disaster recovery solutions.
Cloud Migration & Modernization
- Lead migration of on-premises workloads to Azure.
- Conduct workload assessments and application modernization planning.
- Design hybrid cloud connectivity and integration architectures.
- Support datacenter consolidation and cloud transformation programs.
Security & Governance
- Implement Azure security best practices and enterprise governance standards.
- Design solutions utilizing:
- Azure Entra ID (Azure AD)
- RBAC
- Conditional Access
- MFA
- Key Vault
- Defender for Cloud
- Azure Policies
- Ensure compliance with organizational and regulatory requirements. This aligns with enterprise Azure IAM and RBAC governance practices documented internally. [Work Instr...blic Cloud | PDF]
DevOps & Automation
- Architect Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions using:
- Terraform
- ARM/Bicep
- Azure DevOps
- GitHub Actions
- Drive CI/CD automation and cloud operational efficiency.
- Establish automated monitoring, alerting, and operational workflows.
Monitoring & Operations
- Design observability and monitoring solutions leveraging:
- Azure Monitor
- Log Analytics
- Application Insights
- Sentinel
- Support incident management, root cause analysis, and operational excellence initiatives.
Stakeholder Management
- Engage with executive leadership, business stakeholders, and technical teams.
- Present cloud strategies, architecture decisions, and transformation of roadmaps.
- Act as trusted advisor to customers on Azure adoption and optimization.
Required Technical Skills
Azure Services
- Azure IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS solutions
- Azure Landing Zone Architecture
- Azure Networking
- Azure Storage Services
- Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
- Azure App Services
- Azure SQL & Managed Services
- Azure Functions
- Azure API Management
Security
- Azure Entra ID
- RBAC
- Key Vault
- Defender for Cloud
- Sentinel
- Identity & Access Management
- Security Compliance Frameworks
Automation & DevOps
- Terraform
- ARM Templates / Bicep
- Azure DevOps
- GitHub Actions
- PowerShell
- Python
Containers & Modern Platforms
- Docker
- Kubernetes
- AKS
- Container Registry
Monitoring
- Azure Monitor
- Log Analytics
- Application Insights
- ITSM Integration (ServiceNow preferred)
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, Information Technology, or related field.
- 12+ years of IT infrastructure/cloud experience.
- 7+ years of hands-on Azure architecture experience.
- Proven experience designing enterprise-scale cloud deployments.
- Strong understanding of networking, virtualization, storage, and security architectures.
- Experience leading customer-facing architecture discussions and workshops.
- Strong documentation and presentation skills.
Preferred Certifications
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate
- TOGAF Certification (Preferred)
- ITIL Foundation Certification (Preferred)
Soft Skills
- Executive-level communication skills.
- Strong customer-facing consulting experience.
- Leadership and mentoring capability.
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Ability to manage multiple workstreams and collaborate across global teams.
Success Metrics
- Successful cloud migration and modernization outcomes.
- Azure platform availability and resilience.
- Security and compliance adherence.
- Cloud cost optimization and governance maturity.
- Customer satisfaction and stakeholder engagement.
- Automation adoption and operational efficiency improvements.