Job ID: 3179862
Job Overview: Senior Azure Cloud Architect
Nukasani Group Inc. is urgently seeking a highly experienced Senior Azure Cloud Architect for a long-term, onsite contract project in Jackson, MS. This critical role will serve as the lead architect for the Mississippi Department of Finance & Administration’s (DFA) enterprise cloud transformation initiatives. The successful candidate will be instrumental in defining cloud strategy, designing secure and scalable Azure architectures, and leading the migration of critical enterprise workloads from on-premises and mainframe environments to Microsoft Azure.
A significant component of this initiative involves developing and executing the strategy to transition enterprise systems, including the state payroll system (SPAHRS), from zLinux-based mainframe platforms into secure, resilient, and modern Azure cloud environments. This is a demanding yet rewarding strategic and hands-on technical leadership role, requiring deep Azure architecture expertise, robust DevOps capabilities, extensive governance experience, and the ability to mentor internal teams for long-term sustainability.
Key Responsibilities:
- Serve as the primary architect for DFA’s comprehensive Azure cloud adoption strategy.
- Design and implement advanced Azure-based IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service) and PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service) solutions.
- Lead complex migration projects for on-premises and mainframe workloads, specifically including zLinux environments, to Azure.
- Develop, implement, and enforce cloud governance, security, compliance, and cost-control policies and best practices.
- Implement infrastructure automation using cutting-edge DevOps principles and Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) practices.
- Architect sophisticated hybrid cloud integrations between Azure and existing on-premises systems.
- Design and optimize containerized and scalable application environments.
- Provide subject matter expertise across Windows Server, Linux, and legacy system modernization efforts.
- Collaborate effectively with both technical and administrative stakeholders to ensure cloud initiatives are fully aligned with overarching business objectives.
- Deliver comprehensive documentation and structured knowledge transfer sessions to DFA staff, ensuring long-term operational independence.
Required Qualifications:
All candidates must meet the following mandatory requirements:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field from an accredited institution.
- Experience:
- Minimum 5+ years of direct experience building Azure environments and migrating systems from on-premises to cloud platforms.
- Minimum 5+ years of Azure Solutions Architecture experience.
- Minimum 5+ years of DevOps engineering experience.
- Minimum 5+ years of experience driving cloud security, privacy, and compliance initiatives.
- Minimum 5+ years of network administration experience.
- Demonstrated experience with enterprise-scale cloud transformation initiatives.
- Strong documentation and knowledge transfer experience.
- Excellent verbal and written English communication skills.
Required Technical Expertise (Skill Level Definitions: Beginner (1-2 yrs) | Intermediate (3-5 yrs) | Advanced (5-7 yrs) | SME (7+ yrs)):
- Cloud Architecture: Microsoft Azure Architecture (Advanced) – Required
- Methodology: Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure (Advanced) – Required
- DevOps: Azure DevOps (Pipelines, Boards, Test Plans) (Advanced) – Required
- Operating Systems: Windows Server (2019, 2022, 2025) (Advanced) – Required
- Automation: Power (Advanced) – Preferred
- Networking: Enterprise Network Architecture (Advanced) – Required
Preferred Qualifications:
The following experience is highly desirable but not strictly required:
- Mainframe administration experience.
- zLinux experience.
- Proficiency with various Linux distributions (Red Hat, Ubuntu, SUSE).
- Exposure to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) concepts and applications.
- Experience with application performance monitoring and observability tools.
- Prior experience supporting government or large enterprise environments.
Submission Requirements:
Interviews are currently in progress, and an urgent response is highly appreciated. Interested candidates are requested to submit an updated Word resume along with the following details immediately:
- Full Legal Name
- Personal Cell No (not a Google Voice number)
- Email Id
- Skype Id
- Interview Availability
- Availability to start, if selected
- Current Location
- Open to Relocate
- Work Authorization
- Total Relevant Experience
- Education / Year of graduation
- University Name, Location
- Last 5 digits of SSN
- Country of Birth
- Contractor Type
- DOB: mm/dd
- Home Zip Code
- LinkedIn ID
We look forward to your immediate response and the opportunity to collaborate on this critical long-term project.
Special Requirements
Long term contract project. Interviews are in progress, urgent response is appreciated. Candidate submission format required including Full Legal Name, Personal Cell No, Email Id, Skype Id, Interview Availability, Availability to start, Current Location, Open to Relocate, Work Authorization, Total Relevant Experience, Education/Year of graduation, University Name, Location, Last 5 digits of SSN, Country of Birth, Contractor Type, DOB: mm/dd, Home Zip Code, LinkedIn ID.
Compensation & Location
Salary: $140,000 – $180,000 per year (Estimated)
Location: Jackson, MS
Recruiter / Company – Contact Information
Recruiter / Employer: Nukasani Group Inc
Email: bhavani@nukasanigroup.com
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