Solution Architect (Azure Cloud)

Define, design, and govern the end-to-end technical architecture across cloud and on-premise systems, ensuring scalability, security, maintainability, and alignment with business and enterprise architecture objectives. The role is responsible for establishing Azure-based solution architectures, guiding delivery teams, and ensuring that technology decisions drive long-term value, resilience, and performance across the organisation.

Solution Architecture & Design
Design end-to-end solution architectures across applications, data, integrations, and infrastructure within Microsoft Azure environments
Define architectural patterns for cloud-native, hybrid, and distributed systems
Develop high-level and low-level designs (HLD/LLD), ensuring clarity for delivery teams
Ensure solutions are scalable, resilient, secure, and cost-optimised
Azure Cloud Architecture
Define and implement architecture using Azure services, including:
Compute: Azure App Services, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure Functions
Data: Azure SQL, Cosmos DB, Data Lake, Synapse Analytics
Integration: Azure API Management, Logic Apps, Service Bus, Event Grid
Security: Azure Active Directory (Entra ID), Key Vault, Managed Identities
Design for high availability, disaster recovery, and business continuity using Azure-native capabilities
Ensure effective use of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Bicep, ARM templates, or Terraform
Integration & System Design
Define integration patterns and system interactions across microservices and enterprise systems
Design APIs and event-driven architectures using REST, messaging, and asynchronous patterns
Ensure interoperability between legacy systems and modern cloud-based platforms
Technical Leadership & Governance
Provide technical leadership and architectural guidance to development and engineering teams
Review and approve solution designs and key technical decisions
Ensure alignment with enterprise architecture standards, governance frameworks, and design principles
Define and enforce architecture governance processes, design reviews, and checkpoints
Technology Evaluation & Innovation
Evaluate new technologies, frameworks, and tools within the Azure ecosystem
Conduct proofs of concept (PoCs) and recommend solutions based on business and technical fit
Drive adoption of cloud best practices, DevSecOps, and modern engineering approaches
Security, Compliance & Risk Management
Ensure compliance with security best practices, regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR), and organisational policies
Embed zero-trust architecture principles and secure design practices
Identify and mitigate technical risks, vulnerabilities, and architectural gaps
Stakeholder Engagement
Engage with business stakeholders, product owners, and leadership teams to understand requirements
Translate business needs into scalable and pragmatic technical architecture solutions
Communicate architecture decisions, trade-offs, and risks clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
Delivery Support & Collaboration
Collaborate with Agile delivery teams, DevOps engineers, QA teams, and architects
Support programme delivery, roadmap planning, and release strategies
Provide guidance during implementation, integration, and deployment phases

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related discipline
Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
TOGAF or equivalent architecture certification
Azure DevOps / Security certifications (advantageous)