Azure Architect

Location: Milpitas, CA (Onsite)

Experience: 12+ Years (7+ Years in Azure Cloud Architecture)

Travel: As required within the Bay Area

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

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.

Preferred Client Environment Experience: Semiconductor, Manufacturing, High-Tech, SaaS, or Enterprise IT environments, particularly supporting large-scale global operations across hybrid and multi-cloud ecosystems.