Azure Enterprise Architect - Full Stack & AI Solutions

1026 Avanade Inc. Company; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision

401(k) plan

Paid holidays & paid time off

Job summary

Avanade is seeking an Azure Enterprise Architect to lead the design and delivery of complex cloud-native solutions on Microsoft Azure. You will guide architectural choices across front-end and back-end layers, champion IaC practices, and ensure governance, security, and cost optimization across multi-project initiatives.

The role requires deep Azure expertise, leadership of distributed teams, and a track record of successful large-scale digital transformations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or related field.
• Minimum 15 years of professional software engineering and solution architecture experience with at least 8 years architecting enterprise solutions on Microsoft Azure.
• Proven experience as Lead/Enterprise/Chief/Principal Architect for large-scale programs.
• Deep expertise in Microsoft Azure services including Azure App Services, Azure Functions, OpenAI, Azure SQL and Cosmos DB.
• Strong hands-on experience with .NET/C#, Python, Node.js, REST APIs, GraphQL, and microservices.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and oversee enterprise-scale cloud-native solutions on Microsoft Azure.
• Lead architecture and delivery for full stack applications using React, Angular, TypeScript.
• Provide technical leadership across backend platforms (.NET, C#, Python, Node.js).
• Own end-to-end Azure architecture including security, governance, and cost optimization.
• Define IaC standards using Terraform, Bicep, ARM templates, and Azure DevOps pipelines.
• Lead architecture reviews, design sessions, and governance across projects.
• Drive application modernization, cloud migrations, and hybrid cloud strategies.
• Guide teams in AI/Generative AI solutions leveraging Azure AI services and RAG.
• Establish architecture standards, security requirements, and cloud governance.

Skills

Executive communication

Stakeholder management

Agile delivery

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Computer Science/Engineering

Tools

Azure

Terraform

Bicep/ARM Templates

Azure DevOps

GitHub Actions

.NET/C#

Python/Node.js

Job description

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and oversee enterprise-scale cloud-native solutions on Microsoft Azure aligned with business and technology strategies.
• Lead architecture and delivery for complex full stack applications using modern frontend technologies including React, Angular, TypeScript, and mobile frameworks when required.
• Provide technical leadership across backend platforms utilizing .NET, C#, Python, Node.js, microservices, APIs, event-driven architectures, and distributed systems.
• Own end-to-end Azure architecture including networking, security, governance, identity management, observability, resilience, performance, and cost optimization.
• Define and implement enterprise Infrastructure as Code (IaC) standards using Terraform, Bicep, ARM Templates, and Azure DevOps pipelines.
• Lead architecture reviews, technical design sessions, and solution governance processes across multiple concurrent projects.
• Drive application modernization initiatives, cloud migrations, and hybrid cloud integration strategies.
• Guide engineering teams in designing and implementing AI and Generative AI solutions leveraging Azure OpenAI, Azure AI Services, Agentic AI frameworks, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), vector databases, and enterprise AI architectures.
• Establish architecture standards, engineering best practices, coding standards, security requirements, and cloud governance frameworks.
• Collaborate closely with client executives, business stakeholders, product owners, program managers, and engineering leadership to ensure successful delivery outcomes.
• Lead globally distributed teams including architects, developers, DevOps engineers, data engineers, and QA resources across onshore and offshore delivery models.
• Drive Agile and Scrum practices while providing delivery oversight, risk management, estimation, roadmap planning, and technical project leadership.
• Mentor architects and senior engineers while establishing a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and develop strategic recommendations aligned with organizational objectives.
• Ensure solutions comply with enterprise security, compliance, privacy, governance, and regulatory requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or related field.
• Minimum 15 years of professional software engineering and solution architecture experience with at least 8 years architecting enterprise solutions on Microsoft Azure.
• Proven experience serving as a Lead Architect, Enterprise Architect, Chief Architect, or Principal Architect for large-scale enterprise programs.
• Deep expertise in Microsoft Azure services including: Azure App Services and Azure Functions Azure API Management Azure OpenAI, Azure Generative AI Services Azure Storage, KeyVault and Containers Azure SQL, Cosmos DB Service Bus, Event Hub Azure Landing Zones Azure Virtual WAN and Azure Networking Services Azure Monitor AKS is a plus
• Strong hands-on experience developing and architecting solutions using: .NET / C#, Python, Node.js REST APIs GraphQL Microservices architectures
• Strong frontend architecture experience with: React, Angular, TypeScript Modern UI/UX frameworks
• Demonstrated expertise designing enterprise Infrastructure as Code solutions using: Terraform, Bicep or ARM Templates
• Deep understanding of Azure networking including: Virtual Networks, VPN Private Endpoints ExpressRoute DNS Load Balancers Application Gateway Azure Firewall Network Security Architecture
• Strong experience implementing DevOps and platform engineering practices using: Azure DevOps GitHub Actions CI/CD Infrastructure Automation Release Management
• Extensive experience with cloud security, identity, and governance including: Microsoft Entra ID, RBAC, Managed Identities Azure Policy Defender for Cloud
• Proven success leading geographically distributed engineering teams and coordinating complex delivery efforts across multiple workstreams.
• Outstanding executive communication, presentation, stakeholder management, and client-facing skills.
• Experience managing architecture roadmaps, project risks, technical dependencies, budgets, and delivery timelines.
• Strong Agile delivery background with experience operating within Scrum and enterprise-scale Agile frameworks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Azure Solutions Architect Expert Certification (AZ-305).
• Azure Developer Associate Certification (AZ-204).
• Azure DevOps Engineer Expert Certification (AZ-400).
• Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Professional Scrum Master (PSM), SAFe Agilist, or equivalent Agile certification.
• Experience designing and implementing Agentic AI solutions and multi-agent architectures.
• Hands-on experience with: Azure OpenAI, Microsoft Agent Framework (Semantic Kernel, LangChain, AutoGen) Microsoft Copilot Studio AI Foundry Experience developing Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) solutions and enterprise AI platforms.
• Experience with enterprise integration platforms including SAP, Salesforce, ServiceNow, SharePoint, and other business-critical systems.
• Experience supporting Fortune 500 organizations and large digital transformation programs.
• Background in financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, government, or other highly regulated industries.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate is a true Azure Enterprise Architect, not merely a senior technical lead or development manager. This individual combines deep hands-on expertise across Azure, software engineering, infrastructure, networking, AI, and DevOps with the ability to lead enterprise-scale initiatives, influence executive stakeholders, and guide large engineering teams toward successful business outcomes.

Target Titles

• Azure Enterprise Architect
• Principal Azure Architect
• Cloud Solution Architect
• Chief Architect
• Director of Architecture (Hands-On)
• Lead Enterprise Architect
• Azure AI Architect
• Principal Cloud Architect

We anticipate this job posting will be posted on 9/9/2026 and open for at least 21 days.

Avanade offers a market competitive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability coverage, a 401(k) plan, bonus opportunities, paid holidays, and paid time off.

See more information on our benefits here: U.S. Employee Benefits | Avanade California $155,000-190,000 Cleveland $140,000-170,000 Colorado $140,000-170,000 District of Columbia $155,000-190,000 Illinois $150,000-180,000 Maryland $140,000-170,000 Massachusetts $140,000-170,000 Minnesota $150,000-180,000 New York $155,000-190,000 New Jersey $155,000-190,000 Washington $155,000-190,000

At Avanade, we are committed to ensure our people feel appreciated and empowered to succeed both personally and professionally.

At Avanade, we advance the world through the power of people and Microsoft. Join us to shape your skills and the future with bold ideas and innovative solutions. Our partnership with Microsoft and Accenture empowers you to unlock your full potential. Working at Avanade offers the chance to build a career path that suits your skills and interests and the freedom to be your authentic self. We are committed to your growth, well-being, and success. This is where passion meets opportunity, technology meets humanity, and every challenge is a chance to make a genuine impact on colleagues, clients, and communities. Together, we do what matters.