Azure Architect

Job Title: Azure ArchitectLocation: Chicago, ILDomain: Banking / Financial Services (Preferred)ContractJob SummaryWe are looking for an experienced Azure Architect to design and lead cloud architecture initiatives for enterprise banking applications.The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in Microsoft Azure, cloud migration, security, and financial services technology environments. This role involves defining scalable, secure, and compliant cloud solutions aligned with banking industry standards.Key ResponsibilitiesDesign and implement end-to-end Azure cloud architectures for enterprise banking systemsLead cloud migration strategies from on-prem to AzureArchitect solutions using Azure services such as Azure AD, VMs, AKS, App Services, Functions, Storage, and NetworkingDefine cloud security architecture, including IAM, encryption, network security, and compliance controlsEnsure solutions align with banking regulatory and compliance requirementsDevelop high-availability, disaster recovery, and business continuity strategiesOptimize cloud cost, performance, and scalabilityCollaborate with application, security, and infrastructure teamsProvide technical leadership and mentor engineering teamsCreate architecture documentation, standards, and best practicesRequired Skills & Experience10+ years of IT experience with 5+ years in cloud architectureStrong hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure architectureExpertise in Azure Networking, Security, Identity, and GovernanceExperience with Azure DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure automationKnowledge of containers (Docker, Kubernetes/AKS)Experience with hybrid cloud and on-prem integrationStrong understanding of cloud security frameworks and complianceExperience with scripting (PowerShell, ARM templates, Terraform)