Job Title: Azure Architect Location: San Diego, CA
Employment Type: Contract
Rate: DOE
Job Summary We are seeking an experienced
Azure Architect to lead cloud architecture optimization, cost governance, and selective Azure-to-AWS migration initiatives for enterprise-scale environments. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in Microsoft Azure infrastructure, cloud cost optimization, hybrid networking, and cross-cloud migration strategies.
This role requires strong architectural leadership, hands-on cloud engineering experience, and the ability to collaborate across infrastructure, security, DevOps, and AWS teams to drive scalable and cost-efficient cloud solutions.
Key Responsibilities- Lead Azure cloud architecture reviews and cost optimization initiatives across compute, storage, networking, databases, and observability services.
- Analyze current Azure workloads and identify opportunities for cost reduction using:
- Azure Reservations
- Savings Plans
- Azure Hybrid Benefit
- Autoscaling strategies
- B-Series VMs
- Spot Instances
- Plan and govern selective workload migration from Azure to AWS to optimize total cost of ownership (TCO).
- Conduct dependency mapping, application assessments, and migration risk analysis.
- Collaborate with AWS Architects to ensure landing zone consistency, governance, and operational alignment post-migration.
- Provide recommendations for Azure licensing optimization and cloud governance best practices.
- Design and implement scalable, secure, and highly available cloud architectures.
- Support hybrid connectivity and enterprise networking using ExpressRoute, VNet Peering, and related technologies.
- Drive cloud modernization initiatives using Azure-native and multi-cloud solutions.
- Work closely with engineering, operations, and leadership teams to align cloud strategy with business goals.
Required Skills & Experience- 10+ years of overall IT and cloud infrastructure experience.
- 6+ years of hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure.
- Strong expertise in:
- Azure IaaS & PaaS
- Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
- Azure App Services
- Azure SQL
- Azure Synapse Analytics
- Azure Databricks
- Extensive experience with:
- Azure Cost Management & Billing
- Azure Advisor
- Azure Migrate
- Hands-on knowledge of cross-cloud migration tools and strategies:
- AWS Migration Hub
- AWS MGN (Application Migration Service)
- CloudEndure
- Azure Migrate
- Experience with MongoDB Atlas and Databricks cost optimization strategies.
- Strong networking expertise including:
- ExpressRoute
- VNet Peering
- Hybrid Cloud Connectivity
- Excellent understanding of cloud governance, security, scalability, and disaster recovery principles.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
Preferred Qualifications & Certifications Required Certifications- Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate
Preferred Certification- Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
Nice to Have- Experience working in enterprise healthcare or regulated environments.
- Exposure to FinOps practices and cloud financial management.
- Knowledge of Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, ARM Templates, Bicep).
- Experience with CI/CD and DevOps practices in Azure and AWS.