Senior Associate Cloud Architect – Azure, Security & AI

Role Overview

In this customer-facing Azure architecture role, you will help organisations assess their technology environments and shape practical cloud solutions, from initial discovery through migration planning and operational handover. You will work across infrastructure, security, data and AI, translating customer goals into designs that are secure, resilient and commercially sound.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess customer workloads and cloud readiness, then develop Azure architecture recommendations, landing zone designs, technical documentation and migration plans.
• Plan and support the migration and modernization of applications, servers and databases, including hybrid connectivity and use of Azure Migrate or Azure Site Recovery.
• Take part in customer workshops and discovery sessions; contribute technical content to proposals, RFPs, RFIs and Statements of Work; and present recommendations to technical and business audiences.
• Help customers evaluate opportunities for analytics and AI using Azure AI Services, Azure OpenAI, Azure Machine Learning, Microsoft Fabric and Copilot technologies, including relevant data, governance and Responsible AI considerations.
• Review Azure usage and architecture to recommend improvements in cost, performance, availability, security and scalability, applying FinOps practices where appropriate.
• Design and advise on cloud security and governance using services such as Microsoft Entra ID, Defender for Cloud, Sentinel, Purview, Azure Policy and Management Groups.
• Support compliance, resilience and operational planning, including backup, disaster recovery, monitoring, patching, service governance and transition to managed services.
• Work with engineering, security, AI, data and delivery colleagues to create customer solutions, share expertise and maintain reusable architecture guidance.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Typically 1–3 years of experience in cloud architecture or engineering, systems or infrastructure engineering, technical presales, consulting or a related technology role.
• A bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, information systems, engineering or a related field.
• Practical exposure to designing, implementing or supporting Azure environments, with a sound grasp of IaaS, PaaS, Azure networking, identity and cloud operations.
• Familiarity with Azure services such as Virtual Machines, Storage, App Services, Azure SQL and Kubernetes, as well as landing zone concepts and Microsoft’s Cloud Adoption Framework.
• Understanding of network design and hybrid connectivity, including VNets, network security groups, firewalls, load balancing, DNS, VPN Gateway and ExpressRoute.
• Working knowledge of cloud security principles, including Zero Trust, Entra ID, Conditional Access, privileged access, threat protection and compliance practices.
• Awareness of Azure AI and data platforms, governance and responsible AI; experience with these technologies is an advantage.
• Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code tools such as Terraform, Bicep or ARM templates, and with scripting, PowerShell or Azure CLI, is desirable. Knowledge of Azure DevOps or GitHub CI/CD practices is also useful.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain technical options clearly to customers, business leaders and executives; sound problem-solving, collaboration and stakeholder skills are essential.
• Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Azure Administrator Associate, Azure Security Engineer Associate or Azure Network Engineer Associate certifications are preferred. Cybersecurity, AI, Fabric, FinOps, Kubernetes or other cloud certifications are beneficial.