Azure Cloud Architect

Job Title: Azure Architect Location: Dallas, Texas Duration: 6 Months Work Mode: On-site Job Description: Position Overview We are seeking a hands-on Enterprise Azure Architect to lead the assessment, design, governance, and modernization of our Azure cloud environment. This role will be responsible for establishing architectural standards, implementing governance frameworks, maturing SDLC practices, advancing Infrastructure-as-Code adoption, and creating a scalable cloud foundation capable of supporting future business growth. The ideal candidate brings experience assessing existing enterprise environments, developing strategic roadmaps, and implementing cloud architecture, governance, security, and automation initiatives without disrupting ongoing operations. This individual will serve as a trusted advisor to technology leadership while partnering closely with infrastructure, security, development, and operations teams. Key Responsibilities Architecture & Cloud Strategy Conduct comprehensive assessments of existing Azure environments, applications, infrastructure, and operational processes.Develop current-state and target-state architecture roadmaps.Define enterprise cloud strategy aligned with business objectives.Establish Azure architecture standards, design principles, and best practices.Lead architecture reviews and technical governance processes.Evaluate modernization opportunities and recommend phased implementation plans.Azure Governance & Landing Zones Design and implement Azure Landing Zones and enterprise-scale cloud foundations.Establish Management Groups, Subscription Strategy, RBAC, Azure Policy, and governance controls.Define resource organization, naming standards, tagging strategies, and operational guardrails.Develop cloud operating models supporting scalability, security, and compliance requirements.Implement cost governance and FinOps best practices.Infrastructure as Code & Automation Establish enterprise Infrastructure-as-Code standards and governance.Develop reusable Terraform modules and deployment patterns.Drive automation initiatives utilizing Terraform, Bicep, ARM Templates, PowerShell, and Azure CLI.Reduce manual deployment processes and improve infrastructure consistency.Manage configuration drift and improve change control processes.GitHub Enterprise & SDLC Modernization Lead GitHub Enterprise implementation and governance initiatives.Establish branching strategies, repository standards, and code management practices.Design and implement CI/CD pipelines and deployment automation frameworks.Improve SDLC maturity through automation, security integration, and operational best practices.Partner with development teams to streamline software delivery processes.Infrastructure & Platform Engineering Assess and optimize Azure networking, security, identity, and platform services.Evaluate resiliency, disaster recovery, backup, and business continuity capabilities.Design scalable and secure platform architectures utilizing Azure-native services.Support application modernization and cloud migration initiatives.Establish monitoring, logging, and operational excellence standards.Strategic Planning & Leadership Present findings, recommendations, and roadmaps to executive leadership.Create business cases for technology investments and resource planning.Identify staffing, tooling, and consulting requirements needed to execute the modernization roadmap.Develop phased implementation plans with clearly defined priorities and business outcomes.Mentor technical teams and promote architectural best practices across the organization.Required Qualifications 10+ years of experience in Cloud Architecture, Infrastructure Architecture, or Enterprise Architecture.5+ years of hands-on Azure architecture experience.Deep understanding of Azure Landing Zones, Governance, RBAC, Azure Policy, and Management Groups.Strong Infrastructure-as-Code experience utilizing Terraform and/or Bicep.Experience implementing GitHub Enterprise and CI/CD frameworks.Expertise in cloud security, identity, networking, and infrastructure design.Experience modernizing existing enterprise environments and cloud platforms.Experience conducting architecture assessments and developing strategic roadmaps.Strong communication skills with the ability to engage technical teams and executive stakeholders. Preferred Qualifications Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification.Experience with Azure DevOps and GitHub Actions.Experience leading post-acquisition modernization initiatives.Experience implementing FinOps and cost optimization programs.Knowledge of Kubernetes, AKS, container platforms, and modern application architectures.Experience with enterprise governance and architecture review boards.Exposure to multi-cloud environments including AWS and/or GCP.First 90-Day Expectations First 30 Days Assess current-state Azure environment, governance model, SDLC processes, architecture, and operational maturity.Identify risks, technical debt, security concerns, and optimization opportunities.Develop current-state architecture documentation and gap analysis.Days 31-60 Deliver target-state architecture and modernization roadmap.Define Azure Landing Zone strategy, governance standards, GitHub Enterprise roadmap, and IaC adoption plan.Identify staffing, budget, and tooling requirements needed to execute the roadmap.Days 61-90 Begin foundational implementation of governance controls, policies, architecture standards, and automation frameworks.Establish architecture review processes and cloud operating standards.Prioritize quick-win initiatives that reduce risk and improve operational efficiency.Success Metrics Azure governance framework established and adopted.Infrastructure-as-Code standards implemented.GitHub Enterprise governance and CI/CD practices matured.Cost optimization opportunities identified and executed.Current-state and target-state architecture roadmaps delivered.Executive-approved modernization strategy and investment plan established.Improved operational consistency, security posture, and deployment reliability.