Cloud / Azure Architect - Dallas, TX

Job Title: Cloud / Azure Architect
Location: Dallas, TX
Can do Only W2, No C2C

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced Cloud / Azure Architect with extensive expertise in Microsoft Azure technologies and a proven track record of designing and delivering enterprise-scale cloud solutions. The ideal candidate will lead cloud transformation initiatives, architect cloud-native and hybrid solutions, establish governance frameworks, and drive Azure adoption across the organization. This role requires strong hands-on experience with Azure infrastructure, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), cloud security, and technical leadership capabilities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and implement highly available, scalable, secure, and high-performing Azure cloud platforms.
• Develop and execute cloud migration strategies and cloud adoption roadmaps.
• Architect cloud-native and hybrid cloud solutions for medium-to-large enterprise environments.
• Mentor engineering and development teams on Azure best practices and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) methodologies.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders, development teams, operations teams, security teams, and enterprise architects.
• Define and manage technical milestones, project deliverables, and CAPEX/OPEX cost models.
• Design and implement cloud governance frameworks and operational standards.
• Partner with Information Security teams to enforce cloud security best practices.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives for cloud infrastructure and operational excellence.
• Establish cloud architecture standards, frameworks, and enterprise best practices.
• Lead infrastructure modernization and application migration initiatives.
• Provide architectural leadership and technical oversight throughout the project lifecycle.

Required Skills:

• 10+ years of overall IT experience in a Senior/Lead Engineering role.
• 7+ years of Azure Engineering and Architecture experience.
• 5+ years of experience designing and implementing cloud-native and cloud-based solutions.
• Microsoft Azure Expertise
• Strong hands-on experience with:
• Azure Architecture
• Azure Governance
• Cloud Security
• Multi-Tenant Solutions
• Cloud-Native Deployments
• Azure migration strategies and cloud transformation initiatives
• Cloud Technologies

Strong understanding of:

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
• Platform as a Service (PaaS)
• Software as a Service (SaaS)
• Virtualization technologies
• Cloud networking principles
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

Strong expertise with:

• Terraform
• Ansible
• Chef
• Infrastructure & Networking

Experience with:

• DNS
• NTP
• Active Directory (AD)
• ADFS
• Group Policy
• Web Application Firewalls (WAF)
• Logging Services
• Web Proxies
• Cloud Operations & Security

Strong knowledge of:

• Cloud cost optimization
• Cloud operations
• Enterprise application support
• On premises to cloud migrations
• Regulatory Compliance

Experience with:

• PCI
• SOX
• ISO
• HIPAA
• PII
• Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in:

• Computer Science
• Management Information Systems
• Information Technology
• Related Technical Discipline

Experience within:

• Financial Services
• Lending Industry
• E-Commerce Platforms
• Experience supporting .NET development environments.
• Experience with Serverless Computing architectures.
• Azure Certifications are highly preferred.
• Experience building large-scale enterprise cloud platforms.
• Experience leading cloud modernization and transformation programs.

Soft Skills:

• Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to lead distributed and cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Self-motivated and capable of working independently.
• Ownership mindset with accountability for outcomes.
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced and rapidly changing environments.
• Innovative thinker who challenges the status quo.
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills.
• Passion for continuous learning and emerging technologies.

Mandatory Skills:

• Microsoft Azure Architecture
• Azure Governance
• Cloud Security
• Cloud-Native Deployments
• Cloud Migration
• Hybrid Cloud Solutions
• Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Ansible, Chef)
• IaaS, PaaS, SaaS
• Virtualization Technologies
• Cloud Networking
• Active Directory (AD), ADFS, Group Policy
• WAF, Logging Services, Web Proxies
• Cloud Cost Optimization
• Regulatory Compliance (PCI, SOX, ISO, HIPAA, PII)
• Infrastructure Modernization
• Technical Leadership
• Enterprise Cloud Platforms