Cloud Architect

Franklin Fitch; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Franklin Fitch in Chicago is seeking an experienced Infrastructure Cloud Architect to lead a large-scale hybrid cloud transformation. The role combines strategy with hands-on engineering, troubleshooting, and operations across Azure and on-premise environments.

Key initiatives include establishing architecture standards, improving resiliency, governance and security, and expanding the Azure footprint within a hybrid model.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in infrastructure engineering or architecture.
• Experience in complex hybrid cloud environments.
• Ability to craft architecture standards and communicate with executives.
• Hands-on design, build, and operational support experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, configure, and support infrastructure environments.
• Develop hybrid cloud standards and governance.
• Lead implementation across Azure and on-premise integration.
• Troubleshoot and optimize cloud architectures.

Skills

Hybrid cloud

Hands-on delivery

Architectural standards

Senior stakeholder comms

Troubleshooting

Networking & security

Tools

Azure

VMware

Networking tools

Job description

Chicago, IL | Hybrid (3 Days Onsite, 2 Days Remote) | $160,000 - $200,000

A leading professional services organisation is seeking an experienced Infrastructure Cloud Architect to play a key role in a large-scale hybrid cloud transformation. This is a rare opportunity for a technically strong infrastructure professional who enjoys both shaping strategy and remaining hands-on with engineering, implementation, troubleshooting, and operational support.

The Opportunity

The organisation is currently modernising its infrastructure estate, reducing reliance on legacy data centres and VMware while expanding its Microsoft Azure footprint. You will help establish the standards, patterns, and architecture that support this transition, working across cloud and traditional infrastructure technologies.

Key initiatives include:

• Transitioning workloads into modern colocation facilities
• Developing long-term hybrid cloud architecture standards
• Improving resiliency, governance, security, and operational maturity

What We're Looking For

• 10+ years of infrastructure engineering, architecture, or enterprise technology experience
• Experience operating within complex hybrid cloud environments
• Deep understanding of enterprise networking, including routing, DNS, private connectivity, segmentation, and load balancing
• Strong knowledge of compute, virtualization, storage, identity, governance, and security controls
• Ability to create architecture standards and communicate technical decisions to senior stakeholders
• Proven hands-on implementation and troubleshooting experience

This position requires someone who has personally designed, built, configured, implemented, and supported infrastructure environments. Candidates whose experience is primarily focused on project coordination, vendor management, application architecture, or high-level advisory work without hands-on technical delivery may not be the right fit.

What's on Offer

• High-impact architecture role within a major transformation programme
• Opportunity to influence long-term cloud strategy and infrastructure standards
• Hybrid working model with strong flexibility
• Exposure to enterprise-scale Azure and hybrid cloud technologies