Azure Cloud Architect

We are seeking an Azure Cloud Architect to serve as the senior-most technical authority for cloud strategy and architecture across the enterprise. This is a 6-month contract-to-hire engagement that can sit fully remote on EST core hours. This role will define and drive our cloud vision, target-state architecture, and long-term technology direction across public, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments. You will play a critical role in shaping how cloud platforms, security, networking, identity, data, and applications come together to support key business, regulatory, and operational objectives.

Day to Day Responsibilities:

Enterprise Cloud Strategy & Architecture

• Define and own the enterprise cloud strategy, target-state architecture, and multi-year roadmap
• Establish cloud platform standards, including landing zones, tenancy, networking, and shared services
• Lead hybrid and multi-cloud strategy, including on-prem to cloud transition models
• Define workload placement, cloud readiness, and hosting models
• Evaluate and select cloud platforms and services, balancing technical capabilities, regulatory needs, and cost
• Drive cost optimization and sustainable cloud consumption models

Cross-Domain Leadership

• Act as the primary authority for cloud architecture decisions across application, data, AI, security, and infrastructure domains
• Define how cloud platforms integrate with enterprise systems, analytics, and AI capabilities
• Resolve architectural tradeoffs and align stakeholders across teams
• Ensure consistency, interoperability, and long-term scalability across all cloud initiatives

Governance, Security & Resiliency

• Define enterprise cloud governance, risk, and compliance frameworks in partnership with InfoSec and GRC teams
• Establish security architecture across identity, network, platform, and data layers
• Design resiliency, disaster recovery, and business continuity strategies
• Ensure regulatory, privacy, and risk requirements are embedded into cloud solutions

Technical & Executive Leadership

• Stay hands-on through prototyping, experimentation, and technical deep dives
• Evaluate emerging technologies, platforms, and vendors
• Mentor Principal Engineers and domain architects
• Partner with executive leadership and stakeholders to communicate cloud strategy and investment decisions
• Represent cloud architecture in discussions with vendors and strategic partners

What We’re Looking For

Experience

• 10 years of experience in cloud engineering, architecture, or infrastructure
• Proven ownership of enterprise-scale cloud strategy and platform design

Core Skills

• Expertise in Microsoft Azure and hybrid/multi-cloud environments
• Strong knowledge of enterprise cloud architecture (networking, security, identity, data, applications, automation)
• Experience evaluating and selecting cloud platforms, tools, and vendors
• Deep understanding of cloud governance, security, compliance, and risk management
• Familiarity with infrastructure-as-code, automation, and CI/CD (Terraform or Bicep)
• Strong understanding of scalability, resiliency, performance, cost optimization, observability, and disaster recovery

Leadership & Communication

• Ability to define enterprise technology direction and influence cross-functional stakeholders
• Strong executive communication and stakeholder management skills
• Proven track record of aligning teams around a shared cloud vision
• Ability to balance short-term delivery with long-term architectural sustainability
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Experience mentoring senior engineers and architects

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, IT, or related field OR 15 years of relevant experience
• Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) minimum (other Azure certifications highly preferred)