Azure Infrastructure Architect (Part-time Consulting Opportunity)

Overview • **Please Note: This is a part-time consulting opportunity on a contract basis. Contract-to-hire option available for the right candidate. We are open to considering candidates who are working full-time but can commit to 3-4 hours/ day for part-time consulting. Only US citizens and permanent residents (green card holders) are eligible to apply for this position. No visa sponsorships available.**** The Azure Infrastructure Architect is a key position responsible for the setup and ongoing management of the cloud data infrastructure on Azure for clients. This role provides strategic direction, operational oversight and in-depth technical expertise to the infrastructure and data engineers for both internal staff and client organizations. Key Responsibilities Azure Architecture & Solution Design • Design cloud architectures covering compute, networking, storage, security, and application layers. • Build scalable and resilient solutions using Azure App Services, Azure Functions, AKS, APIM, Azure SQL, Cosmos DB, and Storage Accounts. • Prepare HLD/LLD documentation, reference architectures, and solution design diagrams. • Support hybrid cloud and on-prem integration scenarios using VPN gateways, VNET peering, and ExpressRoute. Infrastructure as Code (IaC) – Core Responsibility • Develop and maintain Azure infrastructure using Terraform, Bicep, and ARM templates. • Create reusable IaC modules and automated environment provisioning workflows. • Implement GitOps-driven CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions. • Enforce policy-as-code frameworks (Azure Policy, OPA) for governance and compliance. • Ensure reliable environment promotion, rollback strategies, and consistent multi-environment deployments. Cloud Implementation & Delivery • Lead and support deployment of Azure-based solutions across Dev, UAT, and Production environments. • Migrate workloads to Azure, including rehost, replatform, and re-architect approaches. • Troubleshoot performance, networking, and security issues across cloud components. • Collaborate with development teams to enable application modernization and cloud-native builds. Security, Governance & Compliance • Implement RBAC, NSGs, firewalls, encryption, and identity best practices. • Use Azure Security Center, Defender, Sentinel, and Key Vault for enterprise security. • Embed security and governance rules within IaC templates and deployment pipelines. Data & Analytics Architecture • Work with data engineering teams to build modern data platforms using Azure Data Lake, Synapse, Databricks, and Data Factory. • Architect ingestion pipelines (streaming + batch) integrating Event Hub, Storage Queues, and other services. • Support cost management, performance optimization, and data governance. Collaboration, Documentation & Support • Work with business and engineering teams to translate requirements into cloud solutions. • Prepare architecture documents, deployment guides, and best practices playbooks. • Mentor junior engineers in Azure fundamentals, IaC, DevOps, and cloud security. Required Skills & Qualifications • 4–6 years of hands-on experience in Azure cloud engineering, architecture, or DevOps. • Strong expertise in IaC (Terraform, Bicep, ARM templates). • Solid understanding of Azure Networking, Compute, Storage, Identity & Access Management. • Experience with CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions. • Knowledge of containerization (Docker), Kubernetes/AKS, microservices, and API architectures. • Good understanding of cloud governance frameworks (Landing Zones, Azure CAF). • Strong analytical, documentation, and troubleshooting skills. • Preferred certifications: • AZ-305 or AZ-305 (working towards Architect Expert) • AZ-104 • Terraform Associate Certification (added advantage) Key Capabilities • Strong problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making abilities. • Creativity, clear thinking, and excellent communication skills. • Ability to motivate others to solve challenging technology problems, using a combination of engineering expertise, innovation and leadership. • Ability to quickly grasp new concepts and to formulate an action plan in a new situation. • Ability to spearhead and oversee complex projects. • Excellent leadership and people management skills, with the ability to build and motivate high-performing teams. • Excellent collaboration, and stakeholder management skills. • Excellent time management skills to prioritize tasks effectively. Compensation: Based on experience and skill set; not a limitation for the right candidate. Job Type: Full-time Pay: $65.00 - $100.00 per hour Benefits: • Flexible schedule Application Question(s): • Do you have hands-on experience setting up and optimizing Databricks on Azure ? Experience: • Cloud infrastructure: 5 years (Required) Work Location: Remote Apply tot his job