Azure Infrastructure Architect

Skills

• Relevant Professional Qualifications (particularly relevant Azure certifications) • TOGAF or equivalent • Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert • ITIL Foundation • IT Security • Pro-active Energetic inquisitive and positive • Ability to operate and deliver within a highly pressurized and fast paced environment • Proven track record of Azure cloud design and delivery • Experience of designing to the Microsoft Enterprise Scale Model advantageous

Description

You will join our Tech Architectural Practice, and have primary responsibility for cloud elements of our IT roadmap, with a focus on Microsoft Azure Services and connected solutions; helping to shape Pike's IT strategy in conjunction with our Platform, EUC and Network architects

This key strategic role will complement our existing Platform Architects in providing architectural governance and design ownership for the development and implementation of Pike's Technology Strategy.

The Tech Architects are the key point of contact for all projects requiring engagement around cloud, platform and virtualization designs or changes. You will work closely with security teams, solution, and domain architects, to provide expertise and input into business projects and high-level designs from concept to delivery. You will design, review, and provide architectural governance to ensure solutions are fit for purpose for Pike.

Responsibilities

• ▪ Azure experience to include at least some of the following: o Azure IaaS including storage; Azure SQL; Azure Serverless computing; Azure ACR; Azure Security (NSG, ASG Sentinel, Security Centre, Defender, ACL, Azure Firewall, Policy); Azure AD including on premises
• Active Directory o Have experience in the design and delivery of systems based on Azure IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS offerings.
• o Azure PaaS solutions, such as Azure Storage accounts, Key Vaults and Private Endpoints o Deploying infrastructure via CI/CD using Azure DevOps o Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
• ▪ Experience of Traditional IT infrastructures.
• ▪ Exposure to different architecture models such as all-in and hybrid cloud.
• ▪ You will need proven experience of designing and building Azure Cloud infrastructures in support of IT programmes
• ▪ A solid understanding of architectural models and solution delivery
• ▪ Excellent understanding of governance
• ▪ Act as a project engagement lead for the Infrastructure Department, triaging new project requests, developing infrastructure solutions, contributing general technical knowledge and experience.
• ▪ Set and manage stakeholder expectations
• ▪ Assess current and emergent technology (most notably Microsoft Azure) giving advice on price and performance.
• ▪ Experience of Cloud (Azure) based solutioning, including cost analysis and budgeting considerations.
• ▪ Defining and implementing technical standards in a large organization.
• ▪ Delivering infrastructure that can support applications using modern, automated approaches, including automated infrastructure provisioning and software deployment onto Cloud services including Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
• ▪ Working knowledge of the supported Cloud Providers Security and Architecture Principles is essential. Accountable for simplifying complex technical issues into impact statements often at short notice and applying innovative approaches to complex issues.
• ▪ Maintenance of up-to-date knowledge of new technologies and techniques as well as industry standard patterns and best practice, all of which are constantly changing is essential.
• ▪ Develop Cloud Architectural Standards to complement existing tech standards in support of the Technology Strategy
• ▪ Experienced in the design/architecture of infrastructure solutions in a large-scale enterprise environment, e.g., IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, Middleware, Storage, Network and Databases.
• ▪ Skilled at producing quality concise design documentation, with an emphasis on decisions and diagrams necessary to mobilise delivery
• ▪ Hands-On experience of end-to-end project delivery, working with Agile (Scrum) and Waterfall delivery models including modern software development and deployment practices
• ▪ Understanding of building applications through containerised microservices-based architectures, with a working understanding of cloud methodologies
• ▪ Architectural guidance to multi-functional project teams overseeing build, test and implementation in line with architectural standards
• ▪ Demonstrate value to Pike at both cost and functional levels of design decisions
• ▪ Provide technical design assurance for new projects, operational change and enhancements
• ▪ Create high and low-level technical documentation to support project delivery, ensuring close adherence to both Architectural best practice and Pike Security standards
• ▪ Systems reviews to assess existing systems and produce as Is architectural documentation
• ▪ Provide direction and take design ownership for elements of the tech architecture, including but not limited to: o Cloud Infrastructure Elements including: ▪ Access, Identity and Security controls ▪ Solution DR Design.
• ▪ High Availability
• ▪ Azure Virtual Machine deployment and hardening
• ▪ VNET Design, Storage, NSGs, Azure Firewall, API Management, Routing, Express Route
• ▪ Azure Policy definition and assignment, Microsoft Defender for Cloud, Sentinel
• ▪ Azure Management Structure design, Cost and Billing Management
• ▪ Experience of Azure VMware Services, Terraform, and AKS also beneficial
• ▪ Proven track record of Azure cloud design and delivery
• ▪ Experience of designing to the Microsoft Enterprise Scale Model advantageous
• ▪ Monitoring and maintaining Azure billing processes for budgeting purposes
• ▪ Working with diverse, cross-functional teams located locally and globally, and the ability to quickly develop and nurture strong working relationships
• ▪ Strong decision-making, problem-solving, analytical, interpersonal skills and ability to communicate technical concepts to all stakeholders
• ▪ Excellent written and verbal communication skills