Azure Cloud Architect

Role: Cloud Architect / Cloud Solution Architect

Location: Alpharetta, GA

Long Term

Job Title: Certified Hands-on Azure Architect Mandatory

About the Role: We are seeking an experienced, certified Azure Architect with extensive hands-on experience in designing, deploying, and managing cloud-based solutions on Microsoft Azure. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in Kubernetes, as well as a proven track record of successfully migrating 100+ applications to Azure. The candidate will play a pivotal role in architecting scalable, high-performance solutions while working closely with cross-functional teams to deliver top-tier infrastructure and cloud-native applications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Cloud Architecture & Design: Lead the design, implementation, and optimization of scalable, secure, and cost-effective Azure-based architectures for both new and existing systems.
• Migration Leadership: Drive end-to-end migration of large-scale enterprise applications (100+ apps) from on-premises or other cloud platforms to Microsoft Azure, ensuring minimal downtime and maximum performance.
• Kubernetes & Istio Management: Design and implement Kubernetes clusters (AKS, openshift) for microservices architectures, ensuring high availability, security, and performance across environments.
• Automation & CI/CD: Develop and automate deployment pipelines using Github actions or Gitlab, and other cloud-native tools to streamline infrastructure and application delivery.
• Collaboration & Mentorship: Work closely with DevOps, development, and operations teams to ensure the best practices are followed for cloud architecture, containerization, and orchestration. Mentor junior architects and engineers in cloud-native technologies. Mentor Operations in managing production environments in Azure.
• Performance Optimization: Continuously evaluate and optimize the performance, security, and scalability of the Azure cloud infrastructure, Kubernetes clusters, and Istio service meshes.
• Technical Leadership: Provide architectural guidance, conduct code and architecture reviews, and help to establish best practices across the organization.

Required Qualifications:

• Azure Certifications: Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert or equivalent certification.
• Hands-on Experience: 5+ years of experience architecting, deploying, and managing Azure-based cloud infrastructures and applications using Terraform scripting and infrastructure as code ( IaC )
• Azure Services: Expertise in azure networking, security, storage and compute services.
• Kubernetes Expertise: Proven experience managing production-level Kubernetes clusters in Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) or other cloud environments.
• Migration Experience: Demonstrated experience successfully migrating 100+ applications to the cloud, with a focus on application re-platforming, refactoring, and lift-and-shift strategies.
• Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC): Expertise in using Terraform templates, for automating infrastructure provisioning.
• CI/CD Tools: Proficiency with Github Actions, Gitlab, Harness, Helm, and other relevant tools for building, testing, and deploying cloud-native applications.
• Scripting & Automation: Strong scripting skills (Terraform, Bash, PowerShell, Python, etc.) to automate cloud operations and processes.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills to identify and resolve complex cloud architecture and migration issues.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Azure cloud platform (AWS / Google Cloud Platform will be a Plus )
• Familiarity with container orchestration beyond Kubernetes, including Docker Swarm or OpenShift.
• Knowledge of cloud security best practices and tools for securing cloud-native applications.
• Experience developing distributed enterprise applications on the cloud using Java or Python
• Knowledge of Istio or any service mesh