Cloud Solutions Architect - Azure

Overview Silver Creek Software Ltd. is an Alberta-based consulting firm specializing in data management, analytics, application development, automation, and modern workplace solutions. We partner with public sector and enterprise clients to deliver complex, high-impact technology initiatives. Our team is known for its professionalism, technical depth, and commitment to excellence. We maintain a high standard of hiring and are proud to work alongside driven, capable professionals who consistently go above and beyond for our clients. We are seeking a highly capable Cloud Solution Architect with deep expertise in Microsoft Azure and a strong background designing, implementing, securing, and optimizing enterprise cloud environments. The successful candidate will provide architectural leadership across cloud migration, landing zones, hybrid infrastructure, security, networking, container platforms, DevOps, business continuity, and cloud optimization initiatives. This role requires a combination of hands-on technical capability, architecture experience, client-facing consulting skills, and the ability to translate business and technical requirements into secure, scalable, and practical cloud solutions. This opportunity is suitable for both full-time employment or contract arrangements. Key Responsibilities Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of Microsoft Azure cloud and hybrid-cloud solutions for enterprise and public sector environments. Assess existing infrastructure and application environments and develop cloud migration strategies, architecture designs, and implementation approaches. Design and implement Azure Landing Zones that provide scalable foundations for cloud adoption, workload deployment, security, and ongoing operations. Lead on-premises-to-cloud migration and modernization initiatives, including lift-and-shift and hybrid-cloud scenarios, while minimizing operational disruption. Architect secure Azure environments incorporating networking, identity and access controls, firewalls, application gateways, private connectivity, secrets management, monitoring, and threat protection. Design and implement cloud networking and connectivity solutions using technologies such as Azure Virtual Networks, VPN, ExpressRoute, Application Gateway, load balancing, and related network security controls. Develop and support Infrastructure as Code solutions using technologies such as Terraform, ARM templates, and Azure Bicep. Design and support CI/CD and DevOps practices using Azure DevOps and related automation tooling, including automated deployments, security scanning, and solution hardening. Provide architectural guidance for containerized and cloud-native workloads using Docker, Kubernetes, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), and related technologies. Design cloud solutions incorporating Azure platform and data services such as Azure SQL, Azure Data Factory, Azure Data Lake, Azure Databricks, Logic Apps, and API-based integration services where required. Lead cloud security assessments, architecture reviews, performance optimization, capacity planning, cost optimization, risk assessment, and remediation activities. Design and support business continuity, backup, disaster recovery, resiliency, and recovery-testing strategies for cloud-hosted solutions. Collaborate with developers, data teams, DevOps engineers, security specialists, infrastructure teams, project teams, and client stakeholders throughout solution delivery. Facilitate technical discussions, requirements discovery, architecture workshops, solution reviews, and client presentations. Contribute technical expertise to pre-sales activities, solution development, proposals, demonstrations, estimates, and client consultations. Provide technical leadership, mentoring, troubleshooting support, and architectural guidance to delivery and support teams. Produce and maintain clear architecture, implementation, operational, security, and technical documentation. Qualifications Extensive professional experience designing, implementing, and supporting enterprise infrastructure and cloud solutions, including significant hands-on Microsoft Azure experience. Demonstrated experience working as a Cloud Solution Architect, Cloud Architect, Infrastructure Architect, or equivalent senior cloud technology role. Deep knowledge of Microsoft Azure infrastructure, networking, security, compute, storage, monitoring, and platform services. Proven experience designing and implementing Azure Landing Zones and hybrid-cloud environments. Strong experience planning and leading migrations from on-premises infrastructure to Microsoft Azure. Strong understanding of cloud security architecture and hands-on experience with technologies such as Microsoft Defender for Cloud, Microsoft Sentinel, Azure Key Vault, Azure Firewall, Application Gateway, RBAC, and related Azure security capabilities. Strong knowledge of enterprise networking, including routing, firewalls, VPNs, load balancing, network segmentation, and ExpressRoute. Hands-on experience with Infrastructure as Code using ARM templates, Azure Bicep, Terraform, or equivalent technologies. Experience designing or implementing automated deployment and CI/CD processes using Azure DevOps or comparable tooling. Strong knowledge of Kubernetes, Docker, and Azure Kubernetes Service, including architecture and implementation within enterprise environments. Experience with Azure data and integration technologies such as Azure SQL, Azure Data Factory, Azure Data Lake, Azure Databricks, Logic Apps, and related services. Demonstrated experience with cloud cost optimization, resource utilization, performance optimization, capacity planning, and solution hardening. Strong understanding of business continuity, disaster recovery, backup, resiliency, and recovery testing in cloud and hybrid environments. Experience assessing technical risks, recommending mitigation strategies, and applying security and compliance requirements to enterprise technology solutions. Strong consulting, analytical, troubleshooting, documentation, communication, and stakeholder-management skills. Ability to translate complex technical concepts and architecture decisions into clear recommendations for both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to lead technical initiatives and work effectively across multidisciplinary delivery teams. Desirable Attributes Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert or other advanced Microsoft Azure architecture, administration, networking, security, or DevOps certifications. Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) or comparable Kubernetes certification. AWS architecture experience and relevant AWS certification, including experience supporting multi-cloud environments. Experience designing or supporting AWS cloud infrastructure, Kubernetes/EKS, networking, security, and highly available workloads. Experience working within public sector, municipal, financial services, insurance, or other regulated enterprise environments. Experience with information security standards and compliance frameworks such as ISO 27001. Experience conducting cloud security assessments, technical audits, architecture reviews, or cloud adoption consultations. Previous experience supporting technical pre-sales, proposals, demonstrations, client workshops, or solution consulting. Experience leading or mentoring infrastructure, cloud, DevOps, or support teams. Formal education in computer science, information technology, engineering, cybersecurity, or a related discipline. Join Us Silver Creek offers the opportunity to work with a high-performing team on meaningful projects that deliver real value to our clients. We provide flexibility, autonomy, and trust, while holding ourselves to a high standard of professionalism and accountability.