Azure Application Modernization Architect - Onsite (Houston TX)

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth assessments of existing applications to understand architecture, dependencies, business criticality, and technical debt.
• Define modernization strategies (re-host, re-platform, re-factor, replace, retire) for each application.
• Establish and document a repeatable modernization framework, patterns library, and decision playbook for the broader cloud team to follow.
• Develop modernization roadmaps that align with enterprise architecture principles and the cloud adoption strategy.
• Recommend target-state architectures (e.g., microservices, containerization, APIs, serverless, PaaS adoption).
• Recommend adoption of Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure App Service, Azure Functions, API Management, Logic Apps, Service Bus, and Event Grid.
• Guide adoption of DevOps & DevSecOps practices: CI/CD pipelines (Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions), IaC (Terraform).
• Define data modernization strategies (Azure SQL MI, Cosmos DB, Synapse, Data Factory).
• Engage application and business owners to capture requirements, validate target designs, and secure stakeholder sign-off.
• Create business cases showing the value of modernization (cost savings, agility, performance, compliance).
• Collaborate with the cloud engineering team to hand over modernization blueprints for execution.
• Mentor and upskill the existing cloud architecture team on application-level analysis and modern engineering practices.
• Monitor modernization outcomes and refine strategies for continuous improvement.

Skills

No. of Years of Experience

Detailed Writeup

Total No. of Years of Experience

12+ years of overall IT experience, with 6+ years in application assessment, architecture, and modernization in Azure

Strong experience analyzing legacy enterprise applications such as Java, .NET, Oracle, SQL Server, mainframe, and packaged applications.

Hands-on experience with application portfolio rationalization and modernization strategies such as re-host, re-platform, refactor, replace, and retire.

Ability to define target-state architectures using Azure-native services such as AKS, Azure App Service, Azure Functions, API Management, Logic Apps, Service Bus, and Event Grid.

Solid understanding of modern application architectures: APIs, microservices, containers, serverless, and DevOps practices

Experience with DevOps/DevSecOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions, and IaC tools such as Terraform.

Knowledge of data modernization options such as Azure SQL MI, Cosmos DB, Synapse, Data Factory, and Data Migration Service.

Familiarity with containerization & orchestration: Docker, Kubernetes, Helm.

Strong knowledge of migration & modernization tools: Azure Migrate, App Service Migration Assistant, Data Migration Service, CAST Highlight.

Prefer: Certifications such as Azure Solutions Architect, Azure DevOps Engineer, or TOGAF

Strong communication skills to work with application owners, business stakeholders, and cloud engineering teams.