Senior Enterprise Cloud Architect - Azure & AI

Paylocity; Merrifield (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Paylocity is seeking a Principal Software Engineer/Developer to lead enterprise-wide architecture strategies across cloud, modernization, and secure distributed systems. This senior role shapes technology direction, advises executives, and aligns enterprise architecture with business objectives and regulatory requirements.

The candidate will drive cloud transformation, Azure-based solutions, and secure development while mentoring teams and setting architectural standards across the organization.

Qualifications

• Define and lead enterprise architecture strategy across cloud, applications, and infrastructure.
• Develop multi-year technology roadmaps aligned with organizational and client objectives.
• Establish architecture standards, reference models, and governance frameworks.
• Advise executive leadership on emerging technologies, risks, and investment priorities.
• Architect and oversee complex Microsoft Azure solutions, including hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
• Lead enterprise cloud adoption, migration, and modernization strategies.
• Design and deploy cloud solutions on Microsoft Azure leveraging AKS, App Services, Functions, networking, security, and AI capabilities.
• Serve as hands-on technical leader contributing to design and development using .NET.
• Perform hands-on coding, reviews, prototyping, and implementation to ensure quality.
• Develop and maintain IaC using Terraform and Azure Bicep.

Responsibilities

• Lead large-scale application modernization initiatives.
• Establish best practices for microservices, API-first, and event-driven architectures.
• Guide development teams in full-stack and cloud-native development.
• Ensure security-by-design principles.
• Oversee alignment with federal frameworks (e.g., NIST, Zero Trust).
• Partner with cybersecurity teams and drive DevSecOps and automation.
• Serve as trusted advisor and primary tech interface to customers.
• Translate complex architectures into concise business language.
• Present options with pros/cons, risks, and trade-offs for decision-making.
• Develop reasonable level-of-effort estimates and timelines.

Skills

Enterprise architecture

Azure cloud

DevSecOps

IaC (Terraform)

Security by design

API-first

Full-stack development

Cloud-native

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering/IT

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Terraform

Azure Bicep

AKS

Azure App Services

Azure Functions

Job description

Paylocity is seeking a Principal Software Engineer/Developer to lead enterprise-wide architecture strategies across cloud, modernization, and secure distributed systems. This senior role shapes technology direction, advises executives, and aligns enterprise architecture with business objectives and regulatory requirements.

The candidate will drive cloud transformation, Azure-based solutions, and secure development while mentoring teams and setting architectural standards across the organization.