Principal Software Architect Azure & .NET

Principal Software Architect Azure & .NET (Strategic Assessment Engagement)

Contract Extension

Detroit, MI

Job Description:

About the Role

• We are seeking a Senior / Principal Software Architect to lead a high-impact existing Microsoft Azure environment and .NET / C# application ecosystem (Web and Mobile) leveraging Azure Functions.
• This is a senior-level advisory and hands-on architecture role requiring deep technical expertise, executive presence, and the ability to translate complex technology landscapes into clear strategic direction.
• The engagement will evaluate the current state, define a scalable future-state architecture, and deliver a cost benefit and modernization strategy aligned with long-term business goals.
• The ideal candidate combines hands-on technical depth, enterprise architecture thinking, and consultative leadership, with the ability to guide both engineering teams and executive stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead a comprehensive, hands-on assessment of the Microsoft Azure environment, including architecture, governance, security, cost structure, and operational maturity
• Evaluate implementation and usage of Azure services (App Services, Azure Functions, Storage, Azure SQL, networking, identity, monitoring, etc.)
• Perform deep architectural and hands-on review of .NET / C# web and mobile backend systems, APIs, and integration architecture
• Assess Azure Functions design for scalability, resilience, performance, and cost efficiency
• Identify architectural risks, technical debt, platform constraints, and modernization opportunities
• Evaluate DevOps maturity including CI/CD, infrastructure-as-code, release management, and operational practices
• Analyze Azure cost model and provide strategic cost optimization recommendations with measurable ROI
• Understand the broader enterprise and business context to evaluate long-term scalability, platform evolution, and investment strategy
• Define and document future-state architecture aligned with business growth, scalability, and technology strategy
• Provide executive-level architecture guidance and modernization strategy (refactor, replatform, re-architect, or cloud optimization)
• Develop a phased transformation roadmap with prioritization, dependencies, and risk considerations
• Present architecture findings and strategic recommendations to engineering leadership and executive stakeholders
• Act as a trusted advisor, identifying strategic follow-on initiatives and opportunities to expand the engagement

Required Qualifications

• 12 15+ years of experience in software engineering and architecture, including enterprise-scale systems
• Proven experience operating at Senior or Principal Architect level
• Deep expertise in Microsoft Azure architecture and cloud-native design
• Strong hands-on experience with .NET / C#, ASP.NET Core, and distributed application architecture
• Extensive experience with Azure Functions and serverless design patterns
• Experience assessing and modernizing complex web and mobile backend platforms
• Strong understanding of Azure governance, security, networking, reliability, and cost optimization
• Experience defining enterprise or platform architecture and long-term technology strategy
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business and executive-level insights
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, workshop facilitation, and executive communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification
• Experience with containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes, AKS)
• Experience with Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, and modern DevOps practices
• Familiarity with enterprise architecture frameworks (TOGAF or similar)
• Experience leading architecture assessments, transformation programs, or cloud modernization initiatives
• Consulting, advisory, or client-facing leadership experience