Azure Application Modernization Architect

eNcloud Services Immediate Requirement Title: Azure Application Modernization Architect Location: Houston, TX (Onsite) C2C/W2 Job Summary: This individual will own the modernization process end to end: establishing a repeatable assessment-to-execution framework, developing a deep technical understanding of each application, and defining how individual workloads should be modernized. The role is the bridge between our cloud infrastructure team and the application layer — the person responsible for turning “what the application does” into a clear, cloud-native target architecture and roadmap. Success requires the ability to bridge business needs, application architecture, application assessment, application migration, cloud-native capabilities, and to uplift the existing team’s application-level expertise along the way. Responsibilities: • Conduct in-depth assessments of existing applications to understand architecture, dependencies, business criticality, and technical debt. • Define modernization strategies (re-host, re-platform, re-factor, replace, retire) for each application. • Establish and document a repeatable modernization framework, patterns library, and decision playbook for the broader cloud team to follow. • Develop modernization roadmaps that align with enterprise architecture principles and the cloud adoption strategy. • Recommend target-state architectures (e.g., microservices, containerization, APIs, serverless, PaaS adoption). • Recommend adoption of Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure App Service, Azure Functions, API Management, Logic Apps, Service Bus, and Event Grid. • Guide adoption of DevOps & DevSecOps practices: CI/CD pipelines (Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions), IaC (Terraform). • Define data modernization strategies (Azure SQL MI, Cosmos DB, Synapse, Data Factory). • Engage application and business owners to capture requirements, validate target designs, and secure stakeholder sign-off. • Create business cases showing the value of modernization (cost savings, agility, performance, compliance). • Collaborate with the cloud engineering team to hand over modernization blueprints for execution. • Mentor and upskill the existing cloud architecture team on application-level analysis and modern engineering practices. • Monitor modernization outcomes and refine strategies for continuous improvement. Required Skills: • 12+ years of overall IT experience, with 6+ years in application assessment, architecture, and modernization in Azure • Strong experience analyzing legacy enterprise applications such as Java, .NET, Oracle, SQL Server, mainframe, and packaged applications. • Hands-on experience with application portfolio rationalization and modernization strategies such as re-host, re-platform, refactor, replace, and retire. • Ability to define target-state architectures using Azure-native services such as AKS, Azure App Service, Azure Functions, API Management, Logic Apps, Service Bus, and Event Grid. • Solid understanding of modern application architectures: APIs, microservices, containers, serverless, and DevOps practices • Experience with DevOps/DevSecOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions, and IaC tools such as Terraform. • Knowledge of data modernization options such as Azure SQL MI, Cosmos DB, Synapse, Data Factory, and Data Migration Service. • Familiarity with containerization & orchestration: Docker, Kubernetes, Helm. • Strong knowledge of migration & modernization tools: Azure Migrate, App Service Migration Assistant, Data Migration Service, CAST Highlight. • Prefer: Certifications such as Azure Solutions Architect, Azure DevOps Engineer, or TOGAF • Strong communication skills to work with application owners, business stakeholders, and cloud engineering teams.