Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) Architect

ZipStaff Inc.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

ZipStaff Inc. seeks a senior Azure Virtual Desktop Architect in Houston to lead design, deployment, and optimization of enterprise VDI environments using AVD and Windows 365.

You will guide DR planning, image management, Intune integration, and Citrix replacement initiatives, with hands-on architecture and production readiness responsibilities.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of IT infra / end-user computing experience.
• 4+ years hands-on architecture with Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD).
• Experience designing and optimizing AVD host pools, FSLogix, image management, and performance monitoring.
• Experience developing enterprise architecture, solution designs, and docs for VDI platforms.
• Experience leading production readiness, HA, and DR for VDI environments.
• Strong troubleshooting across AVD infrastructure, auth, connectivity, and UX issues.
• Experience with Windows 365, Intune, and app packaging in enterprise environments.
• Ability to work on-site in Houston, TX for 5 days a week.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain AVD environments across dev to prod with DR readiness.
• Develop enterprise architecture, deployment standards, and support docs.
• Design scalable and secure VDI environments and published apps.
• Lead production readiness reviews, DR planning, and DR testing.
• Optimize host pools, scaling, FSLogix, image management, and monitoring.
• Create standards and reference architectures for enterprise AVD deployments.
• Troubleshoot complex AVD issues including auth and connectivity.
• Support Windows 365, Intune, and app packaging in enterprise settings.
• Provide escalation leadership for critical apps delivered via VDI.

Skills

Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)

Windows 365

Intune policy management

FSLogix

VDI design & architecture

Disaster recovery planning

Troubleshooting AVD

Production readiness

Citrix replacement projects

Tools

Citrix

Azure

Job description

Job Title: Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) Architect

Location: Houston, TX (On-site – 5 days/week)

Employment Type: Contract (W2 through ZipStaff — No C2C or 1099)

About the Opportunity:

ZipStaff is seeking a senior Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) Architect to lead the design, implementation, optimization, and escalation support of enterprise virtual desktop and application delivery platforms for a major technology services client.

This role is critical to the modernization of end-user computing services, including Azure Virtual Desktop deployments, Windows 365 solutions, Citrix replacement initiatives, Intune policy management, application packaging, and support for critical business applications.

What You’ll Do:

• Design, implement, and maintain Azure Virtual Desktop environments across development, test, pre-production, production, high-availability, and disaster recovery environments.
• Develop enterprise architecture, solution designs, deployment standards, and operational support documentation.
• Design scalable, secure, and resilient virtual desktop and published application environments.
• Lead production readiness reviews, DR planning, and DR testing activities.
• Optimize AVD host pools, scaling plans, FSLogix profiles, image management, and performance monitoring.
• Create infrastructure standards and reference architectures for enterprise AVD deployments.
• Troubleshoot complex AVD infrastructure, performance, authentication, connectivity, and user experience issues.
• Support Windows 365 solutions, Citrix replacement initiatives, Intune policy management, and application packaging.
• Provide escalation support and technical leadership for critical business applications delivered through virtual desktop platforms.
  

Required Qualifications:

• 8+ years of overall IT infrastructure / end-user computing experience.
• 4+ years of hands‑on architecture and implementation experience with Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD).
• Strong experience designing and optimizing AVD host pools, scaling plans, FSLogix, image management, and performance monitoring.
• Proven experience developing enterprise architecture, solution designs, and operational documentation for virtual desktop platforms.
• Experience leading production readiness, high availability, and disaster recovery planning/testing for VDI environments.
• Strong troubleshooting skills across AVD infrastructure, authentication, connectivity, and user experience issues.
• Experience with Windows 365, Intune, and application packaging in enterprise environments.
• Ability to work 5 days on-site in Houston, TX.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Citrix to AVD / Windows 365 migration or replacement initiatives.
• Strong background in enterprise end‑user computing modernization programs.
• Relevant Microsoft Azure or Windows Virtual Desktop certifications.