Azure Application Modernization Architect

eNcloud Services Immediate Requirement
Title: Azure Application Modernization Architect
Location: Houston, TX (Onsite)
C2C/W2

*Job Summary:* 
This individual will own the modernization process end to end: establishing a repeatable assessment-to-execution framework, developing a deep technical understanding of each application, and defining how individual workloads should be modernized. The role is the bridge between our cloud infrastructure team and the application layer — the person responsible for turning “what the application does” into a clear, cloud-native target architecture and roadmap.
Success requires the ability to bridge business needs, application architecture, application assessment, application migration, cloud-native capabilities, and to uplift the existing team’s application-level expertise along the way.

*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.

*Required Skills:*
* 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.