Architect - Azure Solutions Architect and Administrator - MS - DFA

We are looking fort  Azure Cloud Solutions Architect will serve as the primary architect for the agency''s Microsoft Azure cloud initiatives. This role is responsible for designing, implementing, and governing enterprise cloud solutions, including the migration of legacy and on-premises systems to secure, scalable Azure platforms.

A key component of this role includes leading the transition of enterprise systems—such as the state payroll system (SPAHRS) currently operating on zLinux mainframes—into modern Azure-based environments. This position requires both strategic leadership and hands-on technical expertise to ensure successful cloud adoption and long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and oversee Azure-based IaaS and PaaS architectures.
• Develop and implement cloud strategy, governance frameworks, and policy standards.
• Lead workload migrations from on-premises and mainframe environments to Azure.
• Implement DevOps automation for provisioning, configuration management, CI/CD pipelines, and lifecycle management.
• Ensure cloud security, compliance, privacy, and risk management best practices.
• Integrate hybrid cloud environments and containerized workloads.
• Provide technical leadership in Windows Server, Linux, and legacy system modernization.
• Collaborate with technical and administrative teams to ensure seamless adoption.
• Produce comprehensive documentation and conduct knowledge transfer sessions to enable DFA staff to manage and sustain cloud services independently.
  Required Qualifications
• Bachelor''s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field from an accredited institution.
• 5+ years of direct experience designing Azure environments and migrating systems/services from on-premises to cloud.
• 5+ years of Azure Solutions Architect experience.
• 5+ years of DevOps engineering experience.
• 5+ years of experience leading cloud security, privacy, and compliance initiatives.
• 5+ years of network administration experience.
• Proven experience in documentation and knowledge transfer.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
  Preferred Qualifications
• Mainframe administration experience.
• Experience with zLinux.
• Experience with Red Hat, Ubuntu, and SUSE Linux distributions.
• Experience with AI and Machine Learning solutions in cloud environments.
• Experience with application performance monitoring and observability tools