Azure Systems Architect

Azure Systems Architect Location :

• Remote within the US - some travel is required                   Purpose  The Azure Systems Architect serves as both a Solution Architect and Agile Product Owner, combining strategic vision, technical depth, and delivery excellence to design and lead enterprise Azure cloud initiatives.  This position is responsible for architecting, implementing, and evolving Azure-based infrastructure solutions across hybrid environments.
• The architect leads migration and modernization efforts from legacy systems to cloud-native platforms, ensuring scalability, automation, and security.

Acting as the product owner for Azure infrastructure services, this role aligns technology outcomes with business objectives while guiding Agile delivery teams in iterative, value-driven execution.  Key Responsibilities  Solution Architecture & Design  Lead the end-to-end design of Azure infrastructure solutions across computer, networking, identity, storage, and automation domains.  Translate business and technical requirements into architectural blueprints following Azure best practices and client standards.  Architect and manage Infrastructure as Code (IaC) solutions using Azure Resource Manager (ARM), Bicep, or Terraform.  Design and maintain CI / CD pipelines to automate infrastructure deployment, testing, and maintenance.  Product Ownership & Delivery Leadership  Serve as the Agile Product Owner for Azure infrastructure initiatives—owning the product backlog, defining user stories, and prioritizing features based on value and risk.  Collaborate with cross-functional teams including security, networking, DevOps, and application owners to deliver enterprise-grade Azure services.  Develop and maintain an Azure service roadmap aligned with the client’s digital transformation goals and cloud strategy.  Partner with business and IT stakeholders to define minimum viable products (MVPs), track milestones, and ensure the delivery of high-quality solutions.  Migration & Implementation  Develop detailed migration roadmaps and execution plans to transition workloads from on-premises or other environments to Azure.  Lead complex migration and modernization projects leveraging automation and DevOps frameworks.  Provide technical mentorship to implementation teams throughout the solution lifecycle.  Conduct environment readiness assessments, security evaluations, and performance optimizations to ensure smooth deployment.  Governance, Security, and Operations  Ensure compliance with security, governance, and cost management frameworks in all Azure solutions.  Define monitoring, alerting, and operational policies to maintain high system reliability and performance.  Partner with infrastructure and operations teams to ensure seamless handoffs and operational excellence post-deployment.  Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance architecture performance and reduce operational complexity.  Stakeholder Engagement & Continuous Improvement  Act as the primary liaison between business stakeholders, project teams, and executive sponsors.  Facilitate Agile ceremonies, sprint reviews, and roadmap sessions to maintain transparency and alignment.  Gather feedback from end-users and system metrics to drive continuous improvement in Azure infrastructure services.  Maintain detailed documentation for architectural designs, standards, and deployment processes.  Minimum Skills, Education, and Experience  Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field (Master’s preferred).  8+ years of hands-on experience designing, deploying, and managing Azure infrastructure in enterprise environments.  Proven experience as a Solution Architect or Agile Product Owner with Azure or multi-cloud implementations.  Experience or familiarization with Microsoft IoT and its integration within Azure-based architectures.  Experience or familiarization with Azure DevOps tools (Boards, Repos, Pipelines, Test Plans, Artifacts).  Experience or familiarization with Terraform, ARM / Bicep templates, and PowerShell / Python scripting.  Deep understanding of Azure networking, identity (AAD), security, and monitoring.  Experience working within Agile frameworks (Scrum, Kanban) using tools such as Azure Boards or ServiceNow.  Demonstrated success in client-facing and cross-functional leadership roles with strong communication and presentation skills.  Preferred Skills and Certifications  Microsoft Certified :