Technology

Lead Azure Architect SME

Arena Technical ResourcesWashington, DC🇺🇸United StatesPosted Sep 24, 2026

Quick Overview

Salary

$200k - $230k/yr

Seniority

Mid Senior

Work mode

Hybrid

Location

Washington, DC, United States

Posted

21 hours ago

Load BalancingScrumAgileAnsibleAzureGitHub ActionsPowerShellTerraform

Job Description

Job Title: Lead Azure Architect SME
Job Location: Washington D.C. - Hybrid Remote
Compensation: $200,000 - $230,000
Eligibility/Clearance: Candidate must possess an active Secret clearance
Job Description:
The Azure Architecture SME – Lead is responsible for architecting,
designing, and guiding the implementation of secure, scalable, and high
performing Azure cloud solutions. This role provides technical
leadership, problem‑solving expertise, and hands‑on support across
networking, identity, infrastructure automation, and cloud‑to‑on‑prem
integrations. The SME will develop architect diagrams, lead complex
migrations using Azure Site Recovery, deliver technical presentations to
government customers, and design and drive implementation of Entra
architecture for enterprise environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design of end‑to‑end Azure architecture, producing detailed
architect diagrams utilizing VISIO and technical documentation.
- Lead technical presentations, architectural discussions, and
solution deep dives with government customers and stakeholders.
- Lead and conduct the migration planning and execution using Azure
Site Recovery, overseeing dependency mapping, failover testing, and
cutover operations.
- Manage and optimize replication traffic over ExpressRoute/VPN;
design and isolate VNETs for test and validation to support
migration readiness.
- Serve as the point of contact for all Azure networking issues,
leading problem‑solving efforts, guiding architecture decisions, and
advising leadership on technical direction.
- Ensure secure and reliable connectivity between cloud and on‑prem
environments while maintaining optimal performance, resiliency, and
availability.
- Lead, design, implement, and manage Azure networking components
including virtual networks, subnets, NSGs, Azure Firewall,
VPN/ExpressRoute, load balancers, and routing topologies.
- Lead security hardening and protection of infrastructure across
cloud and on‑prem environments while supporting system and workload
migrations.
- Design and lead implementation of Microsoft Entra architecture,
including identity governance, conditional access, role management,
and cross‑tenant integrations.
- Build and manage Azure infrastructure using DevOps practices and
Infrastructure‑as‑Code (IaC) tools such as Terraform, Bicep, ARM
templates, Azure DevOps, and GitHub Actions.
- Mentor and collaborate with System Administrators on account
administration, VM configuration, monitoring implementation, patch
management, and operational support.
- Oversee all system changes and ensure compliance with DISA STIGs,
hardening guidelines, and relevant organizational controls for each
VM or server.
Skills/Qualifications:
Required:
Experience:
- 10+ years of related experience required, with at least 5+ years of
preferred experience in database and data management.
- 5+ years Azure Il5/IL6 environments
Required Certification(s):
• CompTia Security+ is required to satisfy DoD 8570.01M requirements for
IAT Level II
• Other work-dependent certifications a plus
Required Skills:
- Experience design and development of network solutions in an Azure
Il5 and Il6 environment
- Experience using Microsoft Entra ID and Microsoft Entra Monitor
- Extensive knowledge of Azure Network Design, Establishing Entra
architecture
- Strong Azure networking skills: VNets, NSGs, routing, Azure
Firewall, load balancing, ExpressRoute/VPN
- Understanding of CI/CD concepts and secure pipeline development in
controlled cloud environments
- Advanced knowledge using Ansible or PowerShell scripts
Desired:
- Experience with two or more of the areas outlined below is preferred
but not required:
- Experience with Azure Migration solutions
- Experience with Cloud based Database systems
- Experience using MS Visio for updating diagrams
- Experience working in Agile/Scrum environments
- Experience working in Federal or State government environments
-
Education:
Bachelors Degree in Computer Science or a related field
ATR is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) who will provide equal
employment opportunity to employees and applicants for employment
without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, color, sex, pregnancy,
national origin, age, veteran status, ancestry, sexual orientation,
gender identity or expression, marital status, family structure, genetic
information, or mental or physical disability