Azure Cloud Architect

We are seeking a highly skilled Azure Cloud Architect with strong expertise in containerization, orchestration, and infrastructure automation. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in designing, deploying, and managing scalable cloud-native data solutions from scratch using Azure services, Kubernetes (EKS/AKS), Docker, and Terraform. Key Responsibilities: Design and implement end-to-end Azure cloud architecture for large-scale, high-performance applications. Architect and deploy containerized solutions using Docker, Kubernetes, and EKS/AKS. Build and manage Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Terraform for automated provisioning and deployment. Define and implement CI/CD pipelines, monitoring, and scaling strategies for containerized workloads. Collaborate with data engineering and DevOps teams to ensure secure, scalable, and cost-efficient architecture. Drive solution architecture and cloud deployment from scratch, ensuring alignment with best practices and organizational standards. Evaluate and recommend tools, technologies, and design patterns for optimal performance and maintainability. Required Skills and Experience: 8–12 years of overall IT experience with 5+ years in cloud architecture (Azure preferred). Strong hands-on experience with Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) or Amazon EKS. Deep understanding of containerization concepts using Docker and Kubernetes. Expertise in Terraform for infrastructure automation and environment management. Experience designing and deploying data pipelines, microservices, and cloud-native architectures. Proficiency in CI/CD tools such as Azure DevOps, Jenkins, or GitLab CI. Solid understanding of networking, security, and scalability best practices in Azure. Strong problem-solving and solution-design mindset — ability to build from ground up. Preferred Qualifications: Azure certifications (e.g., Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Azure DevOps Engineer Expert) Experience with Helm, Prometheus, Grafana, or other monitoring tools. Background in data engineering or cloud data platforms (Databricks, Synapse, etc.) Job Type: Contract Pay: $20.00 - $40.00 per hour Expected hours: 40 – 60 per week Work Location: Hybrid remote in Dayton, OH 45417