Principal Architect

Search Services; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Our Client, a Houston-based consulting and IT outsourcing leader, seeks a Principal Architect to drive Azure/M365 architecture, security governance, and migration initiatives. You will own discovery, design, and client-facing deliverables, guiding multi-tenant environments and M&A data integration.

You will lead senior client conversations, mentor engineers, and ensure delivery quality across projects in a fast-paced, high-energy setting. Must be based in Houston.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience in CS/IT.
• 12+ years of progressive IT experience.
• 5+ years in a senior/principal architect role.
• Deep hands-on expertise across Microsoft cloud stack: Azure IaaS/PaaS, networking, Entra ID, M365, Intune, Defender, Sentinel, Purview.
• Proven experience leading Azure migrations and M365 tenant migrations from discovery to completion.

Responsibilities

• Act as lead architect on engagements across Azure, M365, identity, networking, endpoint, and security.
• Own discovery, current-state assessments, and target-state design for clients including oil & gas.
• Create client-facing architecture deliverables: SOW sections, high/low level designs, runbooks, roadmaps.
• Serve as senior technical escalation point for the delivery team.
• Lead technical due diligence for M&A activities, including data migrations and identity consolidation.
• Oversee Azure migrations and tenant-to-tenant migrations; design integration plans for Acquired entities.

Skills

Azure IaaS/PaaS

IAM / Zero Trust

Microsoft 365 / Entra ID

Defender / Sentinel / Purview

Azure migrations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science / IT or related field

Tools

ConnectWise Manage PSA

NinjaOne RMM

PowerShell

KQL

SQL

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

Our Client is a dynamic and growing consulting, IT outsourcing, and back-office outsourcing organization focused on driving customer success. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Our Client serves organizations across the upstream and midstream energy markets, delivering cost-effective business solutions while creating a challenging and fulfilling environment for employees. Team members have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the oil and gas industry and related technologies while collaborating on complex client engagements. Our Client values teamwork, continuous learning, professional service, and delivering meaningful value to customers.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• CLIENT ARCHITECTURE AND ADVISORY Serve as lead architect on client engagements across Azure, Microsoft 365, identity, networking, endpoint, and security environments supporting both enterprise and small-to-medium business clients


• Own technical discovery, current-state assessments, and target-state design for upstream oil and gas clients and organizations in other industries


• Author and own client-facing architecture deliverables, including technical SOW sections, high-level designs, low-level designs, runbooks, and technology roadmaps


• Serve as the senior technical escalation point for the IT Outsourcing delivery team on client issues


• Represent Our Client during client QBRs, technical design sessions, and director- and executive-level technical conversations


• Lead client security architecture initiatives involving Conditional Access, Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Sentinel, Intune compliance, Privileged Identity Management, and identity governance


• M&A AND MIGRATION TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP Lead technical due diligence for client acquisitions and divestitures, including carve-outs, tenant splits, data migrations, and identity consolidation


• Architect and personally execute or oversee Azure migrations and Microsoft 365 tenant-to-tenant migrations


• Design integration plans for acquired entities covering Active Directory and Entra consolidation, mail flow, file and data migration, endpoint management, and licensing rationalization


• Own the technical risk register for major client projects


• PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND QUALITY ASSURANCE Provide project management and quality assurance oversight for projects led by other Architects


• Review architecture documents, technical designs, and implementation plans before client delivery


• Lead technical gate reviews at key project milestones, including discovery, design, cutover, and closeout


• Drive consistency in deliverable quality, methodology, and client communication across the architecture team


• Identify technical risk, scope creep, and technical debt early and escape situations requiring commercial or staffing intervention to appropriate leadership


• Coach Architects through complex technical decisions and challenging client situations


• PRACTICE STANDARDS AND MENTORSHIP Establish and maintain reference architectures, technical patterns, and reusable design assets


• Mentor Architects and senior engineers and help develop the next generation of senior technical talent


• Drive the technical evaluation of new tools and vendor solutions for client delivery


• SALES ENGINEERING SUPPORT Partner with sales teams on technical pre-sales activities, including scoping and solution design


• Serve as the senior technical voice on competitive pursuits when needed

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

A successful Principal Architect will demonstrate measurable impact across client delivery, architecture quality, and team development. Reduce senior IT leadership involvement in client technical escalations by 70 percent or more. Establish documented reference architectures for the most common client engagement patterns. Lead at least two major client projects from beginning to end. Implement an effective project management and quality assurance cadence across the architecture team, resulting in measurable improvements such as reduced rework, stronger client deliverables, and improved on-time milestone completion.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience


• 12 or more years of progressive IT experience


• 5 or more years of experience in a senior or principal architect role


• Deep hands-on expertise across the Microsoft cloud stack, including Azure IaaS, PaaS, networking and governance, Entra ID, Microsoft 365, Intune, Defender, Sentinel, and Purview


• Proven experience leading Azure migrations and Microsoft 365 tenant migrations from discovery through completion


• Strong identity and access management expertise, including Conditional Access design and Zero Trust architecture


• Previous MSP, CSP, or IT consulting experience involving multi-tenant client environments


• Demonstrated ability to lead, review, and quality-assure the work of other Architects


• Strong executive presence with the ability to lead technical conversations with client CIOs, CFOs, and external stakeholders


• Strong written communication skills with experience developing SOWs, architecture documents, and executive summaries


• Ability to succeed in a fast-paced, high-energy technical environment


• Advanced analytical and problem-solving capabilities


• Strong work ethic and excellent organizational skills


• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and deadlines effectively


• Comfort working with shifting priorities in a rapidly evolving environment


• Ability to quickly learn new technologies, products, and concepts

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in oil and gas, energy, or regulated or operational technology environments


• M&A technical integration and carve-out experience


• Familiarity with ConnectWise Manage PSA and NinjaOne RMM Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect Expert certification Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator certification


• Scripting and automation proficiency using PowerShell, KQL, SQL, AI agents, and foundational large language models


• Experience with OT or SCADA environments, production accounting systems, or upstream E&P application stacks


• Oil and gas industry experience is preferred but not required

EMPLOYMENT TYPE

Full time

WORK SITE

Hybrid Onsite three days per week Must be based in Houston, Texas

TRAVEL

Ability to travel to client locations throughout Texas and nationally as needed

WORK AUTHORIZATION

Must be eligible to work for any employer in the United States H1B sponsorship is not available at this time