IT Infrastructure Architect

Baird; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Baird is seeking an Infrastructure Architect to connect and integrate IT Operations technologies, ensuring platforms operate as a cohesive, business-aligned ecosystem in a hybrid Madison, WI environment.

You will lead cross-team architecture discussions, translate complex architectures into actionable roadmaps for leaders, and align cloud, SaaS, and on-prem infrastructure to deliver a unified strategy. Collaboration with PMs and analysts is essential.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in infrastructure, cloud, or related tech.
• 3+ years leading complex cross-team initiatives.
• Bachelor’s degree in IT/CS/Engineering or related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication across technical and business audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-team architecture discussions to align tradeoffs and dependencies.
• Translate multi-platform architecture into actionable roadmaps and presentations.
• Connect cloud, SaaS, and on-prem infrastructure into a coherent architecture.
• Partner with PMs and Business Analysts early to shape infrastructure options.
• Act as senior technical resource during major incidents and drive faster resolution.

Skills

Leadership by influence

Cross-team facilitation

Clear communication

Architecture thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT/CS/Engineering or related

Tools

Azure

M365

Intune

Entra ID

Teams

SharePoint

Exchange

Networking

Virtualization

Job description

About The Role

The Infrastructure Architect connects and integrates IT Operations technologies and teams, ensuring infrastructure platforms operate as a cohesive, business-aligned ecosystem. The role focuses on connecting strategy across domains, aligning technology decisions, and building a clear, integrated narrative of how infrastructure enables the business.

The Infrastructure Architect connects and integrates IT Operations technologies and teams, ensuring infrastructure platforms operate as a cohesive, business-aligned ecosystem. The role focuses on connecting strategy across domains, aligning technology decisions, and building a clear, integrated narrative of how infrastructure enables the business.

Operates with a team-of-teams mindset that prioritizes enterprise outcomes over siloed success, with a focus on end-user experience, not just technical implementation. Balances innovation with operational stability, drives clarity and shared understanding, and acts with credibility, pragmatism, and transparency.

This is a hybrid position requiring three days of onsite work per week. Baird is not currently hiring individuals for this position who now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status.

The Impact You’ll Make

• Connect infrastructure technologies and teams to ensure platforms operate as a cohesive, business-aligned ecosystem.
• Lead cross-team architecture discussions that keep teams aligned on tradeoffs, dependencies, and direction.
• Turn complex, multi-platform architecture into roadmaps and presentations that leaders can act on.
• Connect cloud, SaaS, and on-premises infrastructure into one coherent architecture. Identify gaps or overlaps between platforms to drive early resolution.
• Align Microsoft Teams, AV/conference room, and endpoint architectures to ensure a smooth experience across meeting spaces and devices.
• Connect identity (Entra ID), endpoint management (Intune), and collaboration tools such as Teams and SharePoint with cloud services. Look for ways to simplify and modernize.
• Partner with Project Managers and Business Analysts early to shape infrastructure solution options, assessing feasibility, weighing trade-offs, and defining network, security, and platform requirements before designs are locked.
• Help integrate AI capabilities into the infrastructure and workplace environment, working within security and governance guidelines. Plan or design the infrastructure needed to support Baird’s AI efforts.
• Help integrate AI capabilities into the infrastructure and workplace environment, working within security and governance guidelines. Plan or design the infrastructure needed to support Baird’s AI efforts.
• Step in as a senior technical resource during major incidents, helping teams see how systems connect; driving faster resolution.
• Build alignment across teams without formal authority and coach engineers and technical leads on architecture thinking and communication.
• Act as an escalation point to help teams work through optimization trade-offs to ensure the best result for Baird.

What You’ll Bring To Baird

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in infrastructure, cloud, systems engineering or related technology disciplines, including a minimum of 3 years leading complex technical or cross-team initiatives in a large IT environment
• Solid grasp of Azure, M365 including Teams, Exchange, SharePoint and Intune, identity including Entra ID, networking, virtualization, and unified communications. Comfortable connecting multiple technology areas rather than specializing in just one.
• Skilled at leading through influence, facilitating discussions, and communicating clearly with both technical and business audiences.
• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience

Compensation And Benefits

• Compensation and bonus are commensurate with experience, performance and/or firm profitability
• You’ll have the opportunity to advance your career while enjoying our comprehensive benefits designed for your life, career and future.