Job Description

We are seeking an Azure Solutions Architect to support a complex, evolving roadmap with multiple initiatives planned through 2026, including several AI-driven programs. This role is ideal for a highly experienced, hands-on cloud architect who can operate as a utility player—someone who can quickly assess ambiguous problem spaces, jump in where needed, and help define scope, architecture, and execution in real time. This architect will play a critical role in shaping and supporting a private-cloud–first Azure strategy, with a strong emphasis on security, networking, compliance, and regulated environments. The ideal candidate brings deep experience migrating onpremises environments to Azure, designing secure landing zones, and supporting enterprise-scale platforms. Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and evolve secure, scalable Azure architectures across compute, storage, networking, identity, and security.
• Act as a senior technical utility resource, stepping into a wide range of cloud initiatives and accelerating progress even when requirements are not fully defined.
• Lead and support onpremises to Azure migration efforts, including hybrid and private-cloud–aligned architectures.
• Design and contribute to Azure Cloud Landing Zones, governance models, and enterprise guardrails.
• Partner closely with infrastructure, security, and application teams to ensure architectures meet strict compliance and regulatory requirements (including US Steel–aligned constraints).
• Provide deep expertise in Azure networking and security, identifying risks, resolving issues, and strengthening platform resilience.
• Support and influence AI-driven initiatives, ensuring cloud foundations are capable of supporting AI workloads securely and responsibly.
• Produce architecture diagrams, technical documentation, and phased roadmaps aligned to near- and long-term (2026+) initiatives.
• Serve as a technical advisor to stakeholders, offering recommendations grounded in best practices and real-world execution experience.
• Stay current on Azure platform advancements while balancing innovation with compliance and risk tolerance.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of IT architecture experience, with deep, hands-on Azure expertise in enterprise environments.
• Demonstrated experience migrating onpremises infrastructure to Azure, including hybrid and private-cloud–oriented designs.
• Broad Azure skill set spanning: o Networking (VNets, routing, firewalls, private endpoints) o Security & identity (Azure AD, RBAC, policies, security posture management) o Compute and storage platforms
• Strong understanding of regulated or compliance-driven environments where public cloud usage may be limited.
• Experience designing and supporting Cloud Landing Zones and governance frameworks.
• Ability to operate independently, move quickly, and add value in high-ambiguity, fast-moving projects.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate technical decisions to non-technical stakeholders. Preferred Qualifications
• Azure certifications (e.g., Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert).
• Experience supporting or enabling AI/ML workloads in Azure.
• Infrastructure as Code experience (ARM, Bicep, Terraform).
• Background in large, enterprise-scale platforms with complex security and networking requirements.
• Prior experience working alongside cloud-forward teams while supporting more conservative or compliance-heavy cloud strategies.

Affirma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not make employment decisions or otherwise discriminates based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, military status, sexual orientation, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, genetic information, or any other category protected by law.