Azure Architect- Hybrid position in California

About the position The Principal Architect, Cloud Operations is a strategic technology leader responsible for a team that designs, implements, and manages complex cloud infrastructure and solutions on the Microsoft Azure platform. This is a leadership role that requires a deep understanding of cloud computing and enterprise networking principles, Azure services, and possesses the ability to provide strategic and operational direction across both cloud infrastructure and network architecture functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design of scalable, secure, and high-performing Azure cloud infrastructure and enterprise network architectures.
• Collaborate closely with senior engineers across network, server and security domains to ensure alignment between infrastructure and security strategies.
• Oversee the deployment of Azure infrastructure solutions/services, including virtual networks, compute, storage, identity management, and security.
• Design and implement business continuity strategies to ensure high availability and data integrity in the event of service interruptions.
• Continuously assess and optimize cloud infrastructure for performance, scalability, cost-efficiency, and security.
• Review/improve monitoring, logging, and automation practices to enhance operational efficiency.
• Facilitate team response to high severity production issues including communication/coordination with other impacted teams and vendors.
• Conduct vendor management activities including selection, contracting, engagement/escalation and performance monitoring.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to cloud engineering teams.
• Build strong relationships with internal teams, understand their needs, provide technical guidance and ensure seamless integration of cloud infrastructure with application and service development.
• Participate in the Architecture Review Board that ensures adherence to architectural standards.
• Perform personnel administrative functions for the purpose of planning, maintaining adequate staffing, enhancing personnel productivity and achieving objectives within budget.
• Identify potential risks and vulnerabilities in the architecture and design of our cloud solutions and develop mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate with cyber-security and data privacy teams to adhere to security best practices and industry regulations within the Azure environment.
• Incorporate cloud governance principles and best practices within IT policies and procedures.
• Define a continuous learning regimen involving courses, conferences, certifications and other methods for members to stay current with ever evolving cloud and networking services and capabilities.
• Advocate/instill a culture by which teams are motivated to continually learn relevant skills/knowledge.

Requirements

• 10+ years of specific technology domain areas experience (e.g. software development, cloud computing, systems engineering, infrastructure, security, networking)
• 5+ years' experience in an IT organization and/or consulting firm leading technical teams
• 3+ years of experience in project management/ lead architect positions in Azure architecture development, implementation and maintenance including demonstrated experience collaborating with or leading enterprise network and server engineering teams
• Strong proficiency in Azure services such as Virtual Machines, Azure AD, Networking, Storage, App Services, and Security Center
• Experience with Azure Active Directory/Entra ID, Azure identity management, and role-based access control (RBAC)
• Experience with Azure logging consolidation and monitoring capabilities/tools (Analytics Log Workspace, Application Insights, Azure Monitor)
• Experience with Azure DevOps and developing CI/CD pipelines
• Experience in IT budget planning and vendor contract negotiation
• Deep understanding of networking concepts, including routing, switching, VPNs, VNETs, subnets, firewalls, and load balancers
• Solid knowledge of security best practices and tools within the Azure ecosystem
• Experience with disaster recovery, high availability, and backup solutions in a cloud environment

Nice-to-haves

• Ability to lead in a resource-constrained environment, balancing operational reliability with innovation initiatives
• Strong technical leadership skills and ability to mentor and guide cloud engineering teams
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with stakeholders
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills to address complex technical challenges
• Capable of translating networking requirements into infrastructure and security designs across hybrid cloud environments

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with an employer contribution
• Flexible spending or health savings account
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Short and long term disability coverage
• Paid time off
• Employee assistance
• Participation in a 401k program with company match
• Additional voluntary or legally-required benefits

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