Azure Administrator

Job Summary

The Lead Windows Engineer is responsible for leading the design, migration, administration, and optimization of Windows and Active Directory environments with a strong emphasis on Microsoft Azure. This role drives hybrid and cloud transformation initiatives, leads Active Directory and Azure AD migrations, and provides technical leadership across Windows and cloud infrastructure platforms.

Key Responsibilities:

Windows & Active Directory Leadership

• Lead architecture, design, and management of enterprise Windows Server and Active Directory environments.
• Own Active Directory design, health, and lifecycle management:
• Forest/domain design
• Trusts, replication, FSMO roles
• Group Policy design and troubleshooting
• Lead AD modernization initiatives including:
• Domain consolidation
• Legacy AD cleanup
• Hybrid AD integration
• Azure Administration & Engineering
• Act as Azure Administrator for Windows workloads, including:
• Azure IaaS (VMs, storage, networking)
• Azure Active Directory / Entra ID
• RBAC, conditional access, MFA
• Design and maintain hybrid infrastructure:
• Azure AD Connect / Cloud Sync
• On prem AD + Azure AD integration
• Implement and manage Azure monitoring, logging, and security controls.
• Migration & Modernization

Lead and execute migration projects:

• On prem Windows servers to Azure
• Active Directory to Azure AD / Hybrid AD
• File servers and application workloads
• Plan and execute cutover strategies, risk mitigation, and rollback plans.
• Collaborate with application teams to ensure migration readiness and performance.

Automation & Scripting

• Develop automation using PowerShell to manage AD, Windows, and Azure resources.
• Enforce configuration standards and desired state configurations.
• Improve operational efficiency through scripting and automation frameworks.

Security & Compliance

• Implement Windows and AD security hardening best practices.
• Manage identity security including:
• Privileged access (PIM/PAM)
• Role based access control
• Conditional Access policies
• Support audits, vulnerability remediation, and incident response activities.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee patching, backups, DR, and high availability for Windows workloads.
• Lead troubleshooting of complex Windows, AD, and Azure issues.
• Participate in change management, capacity planning, and architecture reviews.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to junior and senior engineers.
• Serve as escalation point for critical Windows and Azure issues.
• Work closely with Network, Security, Cloud, and DevOps teams.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of Windows infrastructure experience.
• 3+ years in a Lead / Senior Engineer role.

Deep expertise in:

• Windows Server (2016/2019/2022)
• Active Directory (design, migration, troubleshooting)
• DNS, DHCP, Group Policy
• Strong Azure Administration experience:
• Azure VMs, networking, storage
• Azure AD / Entra ID
• Azure AD Connect
• Proven experience leading AD and Windows migrations.
• Advanced PowerShell scripting skills.
• Experience with VMware or Hyper V.

Preferred / Nice-to-Have

• Azure migration tools (Azure Migrate, ASR).
• Endpoint management (Intune, MECM).
• Microsoft Defender and security tooling.
• Infrastructure as Code (ARM, Bicep, Terraform).
• ITIL process familiarity.

Microsoft certifications:

• AZ 104 (Azure Administrator)
• AZ 305 (Azure Architect)
• Windows/AD certifications

Soft Skills

• Strong technical leadership and documentation skills.
• Excellent troubleshooting and analytical abilities.
• Clear communication with technical and business stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple migration and operational priorities.