Senior Microsoft Azure Solution Architect – Data, AI & Integration | Contract | Remote (Indianapolis, IN)
Senior Microsoft Azure Solution Architect – Data, AI & Integration
Location: Remote (Indianapolis, IN)
Employment Type: Contract
Experience: 12+ Years (15+ Years Preferred)
Working Hours: Eastern Time (EST/EDT)
Work Arrangement: Primarily remote with occasional onsite visits to Indianapolis, IN
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced Senior Microsoft Azure Solution Architect – Data, AI & Integration to lead the design and delivery of enterprise-scale cloud, data engineering, and Generative AI solutions using the Microsoft Azure ecosystem.
The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on expertise in Microsoft Fabric, Azure Databricks, Azure OpenAI / Microsoft Foundry, enterprise data architecture, and application integration.
This role will lead end-to-end solution architecture, including cloud infrastructure sizing, data platform modernization, Snowflake-to-Azure migration, AI solution development, and enterprise application integration.
The candidate will serve as a technical architecture lead, working directly with business stakeholders, engineering teams, and delivery leadership to ensure successful implementation of scalable, secure, and cost-effective solutions.
Key Responsibilities
1. Azure Data Engineering & Architecture
Design enterprise data platforms using Microsoft Fabric, Azure Databricks, ADLS Gen2, Azure SQL, and Synapse Analytics.
Architect batch and real-time data pipelines using Azure Data Factory, Fabric Data Factory, Event Hubs, and Stream Analytics.
Establish data modeling, lakehouse, medallion architecture, governance, and data quality standards.
Implement data security and governance using Microsoft Purview and Entra ID.
2. Generative AI & Microsoft Foundry
Architect and deploy enterprise Generative AI and Machine Learning solutions using Microsoft Foundry and Azure OpenAI.
Design RAG-based solutions using Azure AI Search, embeddings, and vector databases.
Develop AI agents, prompt flows, and intelligent enterprise applications.
Establish MLOps / LLMOps practices covering deployment, evaluation, monitoring, and cost optimization.
Implement Responsible AI, security, and governance practices.
3. Snowflake-to-Azure Migration
Assess existing Snowflake environments and develop migration strategies to Microsoft Fabric, Azure Databricks, or Azure SQL.
Lead migration planning, SQL conversion, data validation, reconciliation, and cutover activities.
Evaluate performance, scalability, and cost optimization opportunities.
4. Application Development & Integration
Architect enterprise applications using Azure App Service, Azure Functions, Container Apps, and AKS.
Design REST APIs, microservices, and event-driven integration solutions.
Implement API management and enterprise integrations using Azure API Management, Logic Apps, Service Bus, and Event Grid.
Integrate AI and data capabilities into business applications and enterprise platforms.
5. Cloud Architecture, Infrastructure & DevOps
Apply Azure Well-Architected Framework and Cloud Adoption Framework principles.
Define infrastructure-as-code standards using Terraform and Bicep.
Establish CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps and GitHub Actions.
Lead infrastructure sizing, capacity planning, high availability, disaster recovery, and cloud security.
Develop Azure cost estimates, TCO models, and FinOps strategies.
6. Technical Leadership & Stakeholder Management
Lead technical discovery, architecture workshops, and solution design discussions.
Own end-to-end technical architecture and delivery decisions.
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineering teams.
Communicate architecture decisions and technical recommendations to business and technical stakeholders.
Support technical proposals, solution estimations, and enterprise modernization initiatives.
Required Qualifications
12+ years of overall IT experience, with 5+ years in Microsoft Azure solution or cloud architecture.
Strong enterprise data architecture experience with Microsoft Fabric, Azure Databricks, Synapse, or Azure Data Factory.
Proven experience implementing production Generative AI solutions using Azure OpenAI or Microsoft Foundry.
Strong knowledge of RAG, Azure AI Search, embeddings, vector databases, and AI agents.
Demonstrated experience with Snowflake and enterprise data migration to Azure.
Strong understanding of Azure infrastructure, networking, security, capacity planning, and cost optimization.
Hands-on experience with REST APIs, API Management, microservices, and enterprise integration patterns.
Strong SQL and Python skills, with working knowledge of C#/.NET or Node.js/TypeScript.
Experience with Terraform, Bicep, Azure DevOps, or GitHub Actions.
Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and technical leadership skills.
Preferred Qualifications
15+ years of overall IT experience.
Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305).
Azure AI Engineer Associate (AI-102).
Microsoft Fabric certifications (DP-700 / DP-600).
Previous Microsoft or Microsoft Partner ecosystem experience.
Experience with supply chain analytics, demand forecasting, inventory optimization, or SAP/ERP integration.
Knowledge of Semantic Kernel, AutoGen, Foundry Agent Service, and MCP.
Experience in manufacturing, healthcare, life sciences, or other regulated industries.
Experience managing onshore/offshore delivery teams.
Work Authorization & Location Requirements
Must be authorized to work in the United States or Canada without current or future visa sponsorship.
Must be available to work Eastern Time business hours.
Must be able to attend occasional onsite meetings in Indianapolis, IN.
Candidates residing within commuting distance of Indianapolis are preferred.
Ideal Candidate Profile
An experienced, hands-on Microsoft Azure Enterprise Architect who combines deep expertise in Data Engineering, Generative AI, Snowflake migration, cloud infrastructure, and enterprise application integration with strong client-facing architecture and technical leadership capabilities.
