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)