Cloud Architect

Job Title: Cloud Architect
Location: Boise, Idaho (On-site Boise preferred/Remote acceptable.)
Duration: 24 months

Note: Onsite/Hybrid vs Fully Remote: Local candidates able to work onsite will be STRONGLY preferred as the client ideally seeks a candidate who can work in a hybrid capacity, combining in-office and remote work. If they are not able to find a qualified candidate who can work in this hybrid capacity, they will then consider someone only interested in a fully remote arrangement.

Job Description:
The client seeks a highly skilled Cloud Migration and Azure Architecture Consultant with expertise in designing, planning, and executing the migration of on-premise infrastructure to the Microsoft Azure cloud platform.
The ideal candidate will deeply understand Azure services, cloud-native architecture, and best practices for seamless migrations. This consultant will be critical in guiding our organization through the transition, ensuring scalability, security, and optimal performance throughout the migration process.

Key Responsibilities:
Cloud Migration Strategy and Planning: Develop comprehensive migration strategies and roadmaps for transitioning on-premise environments to Azure, including workload assessments, risk management, and phased migration plans.

Azure Architecture Design:
Design scalable, secure, and cost-effective Azure architectures that align with industry best practices, covering IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS solutions.

Migration Execution:
Lead and execute the end-to-end migration process, including data center consolidation, re-platforming, re-hosting, and application modernization to cloud-native solutions. Experience with Lift and Shift in an AVS environment and working with landing zones and multi-tenant environments.

Azure Infrastructure Optimization: Evaluate and optimize cloud infrastructure for performance, cost efficiency, and high availability while maintaining the best Azure security and governance practices.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Management:
Work closely with IT teams, stakeholders, and third-party vendors to ensure smooth migration and adherence to timelines. Provide clear communication and regular updates to leadership. Documentation and Knowledge Transfer: Create detailed technical documentation, including architecture diagrams, migration guides, and operational guides. Conduct training sessions and workshops to transfer knowledge to in-house teams.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in on-premises to cloud migration, with a strong focus on Azure cloud environments.
• Extensive knowledge of Azure services, including computing, storage, networking, security, and identity management.
• Expertise in cloud-native architecture, containerization (Kubernetes, Docker), and microservices.
• Familiarity with Azure Virtual Desktop, hybrid cloud setups, and infrastructure as code (IaC) tools (e.g., Terraform, ARM templates).
• Strong experience with migration methodologies, tools, and automation (e.g., Azure Migrate, ASR, Azure DevOps).
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot complex issues in cloud environments.
• Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to guide cross-functional teams.
• Relevant certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert or Azure Administrator Associate are highly preferred.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with large-scale, multi-phased cloud migrations.
• Background in IT infrastructure, networking, and systems administration. - Familiarity with governance, security, and compliance in regulated industries.
• Experience with Azure DevOps and CI/CD pipelines.
• Knowledge of security best practices for cloud environments.
• Familiarity with hybrid cloud environments

Skills:

• Experience as a cloud architect working specifically with Azure Architecture
• Experience architecting end-toend on-prem to Azure cloud migration including data center consolidation, re-platforming, rehosting & app modernization
• Strong experience with migration methodologies, tools, and automation (e.g., Azure Migrate, ASR, Azure DevOps).
• Expertise in cloud-native architecture, containerization (Kubernetes, Docker), and microservices.
• Experience with "Lift and Shift" in an AVS (Azure VMware Solution) environment.
• Experience with Azure services, including computing, storage, networking, security, and identity management.
• Experience with Azure Virtual Desktop, hybrid cloud setups, and infrastructure as code (IaC) tools (e.g., Terraform, ARM templates).
• Migration of servers on VxRail
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills, as this role requires the ability to guide crossfunctional teams
• Relevant certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert or Azure Administrator Associate are highly preferred.