{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"6e4c3fa06959d4642a7bfa3f","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/6e4c3fa06959d4642a7bfa3f","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/6e4c3fa06959d4642a7bfa3f","title":"Microsoft Windows Server Solution Architect","description":"Our client is seeking an experienced Microsoft Windows Server Solution Architect to design, assess, and deliver solutions for complex client environments. This role will lead solution ideation, architecture, implementation, lifecycle planning, and technical assessments while clearly communicating recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.This role is on a contractual-basis (C2C or 1099), *On-Demand 0-20 hours per week*, fully remote, 6 months project duration plus chance of extension, and will start immediately.Key Responsibilities & Qualifications:Deep, hands-on experience architecting and administering Windows Server 2012/2012 R2, 2016, 2019, and 2022Strong expertise in Active Directory (AD DS), forests, domains, trusts, FSMO roles, replication, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, File & Print Services, DFS, and identity infrastructureExperience with Microsoft Hyper-V (standalone and clustered) and VMware vSphere, including Windows workload dependenciesUnderstanding of SAN/NAS storage, backup integration, and high-availability architecturesStrong knowledge of Windows Server security hardening, patch management, WSUS, legacy protocols/ciphers (SMBv1, NTLM, older TLS), and privileged access risksExperience assessing End-of-Support (EOS) and Extended Security Update (ESU) exposure and developing risk mitigation/compensating-control strategiesProven ability to conduct current-state assessments of Windows Server environments, identify application/middleware dependencies, upgrade blockers, and operational constraintsAbility to develop lifecycle extension, consolidation, decommissioning, and upgrade-avoidance strategiesUnderstanding of Windows Server dependencies with SQL Server, IIS, and enterprise applications, including OS-level impacts to stability, performance, and supportabilityStrong ability to map technical dependencies to commercial, pricing, risk, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) considerationsKnowledge of Microsoft Unified Support economics and spend-based pricing modelsWorking knowledge of Microsoft licensing, including Windows Server per-core/per-server models, Standard vs. Datacenter editions, and CAL requirementsStrong knowledge of ESU eligibility, cost escalation, functional/security limitations, and lifecycle implicationsAbility to evaluate vendor maintenance vs. third-party support and accurately communicate support and cost trade-offsExcellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder-management skillsComfortable working in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities and communicating complex technical concepts in simple business termsIf this role role aligns with you - or someone who you know is qualified - please attach your most updated resume with a good phone number to reach you at. My colleague, Jordan, can send you a call and discuss the role in-length with you.Best regards,Brian from Pixie","company":"Pixie","rawCompany":"pixie","city":"Denver","state":"CO","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-09-04T08:24:04.877Z","occupations":[{"code":"15-1299.08","title":"Computer Systems Engineers/Architects","slug":"computer-systems-engineers-architects"},{"code":"15-1244.00","title":"Network and Computer Systems Administrators","slug":"network-and-computer-systems-administrators"},{"code":"15-1211.00","title":"Computer Systems Analysts","slug":"computer-systems-analysts"}],"industries":[{"code":"541512","title":"Computer Systems Design Services","slug":"computer-systems-design-services"},{"code":"541519","title":"Other Computer Related Services","slug":"other-computer-related-services"},{"code":"541690","title":"Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services","slug":"other-scientific-and-technical-consulting-services"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Microsoft Windows Server Solution Architect","description":"Our client is seeking an experienced Microsoft Windows Server Solution Architect to design, assess, and deliver solutions for complex client environments. This role will lead solution ideation, architecture, implementation, lifecycle planning, and technical assessments while clearly communicating recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.This role is on a contractual-basis (C2C or 1099), *On-Demand 0-20 hours per week*, fully remote, 6 months project duration plus chance of extension, and will start immediately.Key Responsibilities & Qualifications:Deep, hands-on experience architecting and administering Windows Server 2012/2012 R2, 2016, 2019, and 2022Strong expertise in Active Directory (AD DS), forests, domains, trusts, FSMO roles, replication, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, File & Print Services, DFS, and identity infrastructureExperience with Microsoft Hyper-V (standalone and clustered) and VMware vSphere, including Windows workload dependenciesUnderstanding of SAN/NAS storage, backup integration, and high-availability architecturesStrong knowledge of Windows Server security hardening, patch management, WSUS, legacy protocols/ciphers (SMBv1, NTLM, older TLS), and privileged access risksExperience assessing End-of-Support (EOS) and Extended Security Update (ESU) exposure and developing risk mitigation/compensating-control strategiesProven ability to conduct current-state assessments of Windows Server environments, identify application/middleware dependencies, upgrade blockers, and operational constraintsAbility to develop lifecycle extension, consolidation, decommissioning, and upgrade-avoidance strategiesUnderstanding of Windows Server dependencies with SQL Server, IIS, and enterprise applications, including OS-level impacts to stability, performance, and supportabilityStrong ability to map technical dependencies to commercial, pricing, risk, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) considerationsKnowledge of Microsoft Unified Support economics and spend-based pricing modelsWorking knowledge of Microsoft licensing, including Windows Server per-core/per-server models, Standard vs. Datacenter editions, and CAL requirementsStrong knowledge of ESU eligibility, cost escalation, functional/security limitations, and lifecycle implicationsAbility to evaluate vendor maintenance vs. third-party support and accurately communicate support and cost trade-offsExcellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder-management skillsComfortable working in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities and communicating complex technical concepts in simple business termsIf this role role aligns with you - or someone who you know is qualified - please attach your most updated resume with a good phone number to reach you at. My colleague, Jordan, can send you a call and discuss the role in-length with you.Best regards,Brian from Pixie","datePosted":"2026-09-04T08:24:04.877Z","dateModified":"2026-09-04T08:24:04.877Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Pixie","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Denver","addressRegion":"CO","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"6e4c3fa06959d4642a7bfa3f"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/6e4c3fa06959d4642a7bfa3f"}}