{"id":3661312,"url":"https://alion.io/job/datafin-azure-solutions-architect-cpt","title":"Azure Solutions Architect - CPT","company":{"id":4497034,"name":"Datafin","domain":null,"url":"https://alion.io/company/datafin","size_band":null,"is_staffing_agency":true,"employer_type":"agency","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":null,"truth_index":null},"role":"Solutions","role_family":"Solutions","seniority":"staff","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Cape Town, South Africa"],"countries":["ZA"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":5,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Azure","optional":false},{"name":"Bicep","optional":false},{"name":"DNS","optional":false},{"name":"Hyper-V","optional":false},{"name":"Microsoft Defender","optional":false},{"name":"Microsoft Defender for Cloud","optional":false},{"name":"Microsoft Entra ID","optional":false},{"name":"Microsoft Fabric","optional":false},{"name":"Terraform","optional":false},{"name":"VMWare","optional":false},{"name":"VPN","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-30T08:56:39Z","employer_posted_date":null,"last_verified_at":"2026-10-30T08:56:39Z","board_verified":false,"closed_at":null,"days_open":6,"trust":{"level":"not_scored","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":6},"description":"ENVIRONMENT:\n\nAn established and growing Managed IT Services Provider, specialising in Microsoft technologies, cloud solutions, cybersecurity and IT infrastructure client is seeking an experienced Azure Solutions Architect to lead and develop its Azure infrastructure practice. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing cloud solutions, overseeing technical delivery, establishing engineering standards and developing the capabilities of the Azure engineering team.\n\nThe role combines solution architecture, pre-sales technical scoping, cost estimation, delivery oversight, team leadership and client advisory. Working closely with sales, management, engineers and key clients, the successful candidate will translate business requirements into practical, scalable and cost-effective Azure infrastructure solutions.\n\nThe position requires strong expertise in Microsoft Azure architecture, networking, identity and security, cloud migrations and infrastructure automation. The successful candidate will also take ownership of technical quality, operational procedures, Microsoft partner certifications and the ongoing development of the Azure practice.\n\nThe scope is focused exclusively on the Azure platform infrastructure layer. Application development, software code and business data fall outside the department's responsibility and must be managed through separate change requests or statements of work.\n\nDUTIES:\n\nSolution Design and Architecture\n\nDesign Azure landing zones, hub-and-spoke networks, identity and security baselines, migration strategies and modernisation roadmaps.\nEnsure solution designs align with the Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework and Well-Architected Framework.\nEvaluate resilience, business continuity and disaster recovery requirements, including Recovery Time Objectives (RTO) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPO).\nEstablish appropriate architectural standards and ensure solutions are scalable, secure and cost-effective.\n\nPre-Sales Scoping and Estimation\n\nManage the technical scoping process by translating qualified opportunities into detailed scopes of work, engineering effort estimates and Azure cost estimates.\nComplete technical scoping and estimation within three business days.\nPresent proposed architectures, technical solutions and business cases to client technical teams and financial decision-makers.\nPrepare realistic engineering estimates and clearly define project deliverables, assumptions and requirements.\nWork alongside sales and management during the commercial process, with pricing responsibilities remaining with sales and the Managing Director.\n\nDelivery Oversight and Technical Quality\n\nVerify engineering capacity and resource availability before projects are committed.\nReview solution designs and technical builds to ensure adherence to established architectural and engineering standards.\nProvide technical sign-off before project closure.\nMonitor delivery quality and ensure projects remain within the agreed scope.\nIdentify out-of-scope requirements and ensure these are managed through formal change requests rather than absorbed into existing project commitments.\n\nTeam Leadership and Development\n\nLead, mentor and develop the Azure engineering team.\nFacilitate weekly technical sessions, monthly one-on-one meetings and quarterly skills assessments.\nEstablish individual development plans and support engineers in achieving relevant technical certifications.\nParticipate in recruitment and selection of engineering talent.\nDelegate responsibilities, encourage ownership and develop engineers' technical and client-facing capabilities.\nBuild a capable, independent team through knowledge sharing, coaching and effective succession of responsibilities.\n\nPractice Standards, Intellectual Property and Partner Designations\n\nOwn and maintain departmental operating procedures, technical runbooks and infrastructure-as-code libraries.\nEstablish and maintain consistent engineering standards, technical documentation and delivery processes.\nManage the department's certification roadmap to support Microsoft Partner Capability Scores and specialisations.\nEnsure technical standards, procedures and supporting documentation remain current.\nIdentify opportunities to improve engineering processes, technical capabilities and service delivery.\n\nL3 Escalation and Client Advisory\n\nAct as the Level 3 technical escalation point for complex Azure infrastructure incidents and architectural challenges.\nProvide technical support during severe incidents, including occasional after-hours availability.\nLead architecture reviews and provide technical guidance to key clients.\nAdvise clients on Azure infrastructure strategies, cloud roadmaps and modernisation opportunities.\nRecommend improvements to cloud environments, infrastructure resilience, security and performance.\n\nREQUIREMENTS:\n\nEssential Requirements\n\nMicrosoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305).\nMinimum of 5 years' hands-on Microsoft Azure experience, including at least 2 years in a solution design role where solutions were designed for implementation by other engineers.\nExperience designing Azure landing zones using the Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework, including:\nManagement groups and Azure Policy.\nSubscription design and governance.\nHub-and-spoke networking or Virtual WAN.\n\nStrong Azure networking expertise, including:\nRouting and User Defined Routes (UDRs).\nSite-to-site VPN and ExpressRoute.\nAzure Firewall.\nPrivate endpoints and DNS.\n\nStrong identity and security architecture experience, including:\nMicrosoft Entra ID.\nRole-Based Access Control (RBAC).\nPrivileged Identity Management (PIM).\nConditional Access.\nMicrosoft Defender for Cloud.\n\nExperience migrating on-premises environments, including VMware or Hyper-V, to Azure.\nWorking knowledge of Azure Migrate and Azure Site Recovery.\nDemonstrated experience preparing scopes of work and engineering effort estimates.\nExperience with Azure cost modelling and the ability to present technical solutions and associated costs to financial decision-makers.\nExperience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC), using Bicep or Terraform, including reviewing implementations and establishing development standards.\nPrevious experience mentoring, coaching or leading engineers, either formally or informally.\n\nAdvantageous Requirements\n\nExperience working within a Managed Service Provider (MSP) or Microsoft Partner environment.\nUnderstanding of Microsoft Partner Capability Scores, partner designations and partner incentives.\nAdditional Microsoft certifications such as AZ-700, AZ-500 or SC-100.\nData and AI-related certifications such as DP-600 or AI-102.\nExperience with Azure Arc and hybrid cloud management.\nExposure to Microsoft Fabric or Azure AI services.\nExperience using professional services automation tools such as HaloPSA.\nFamiliarity with time-based delivery reporting, resource utilisation and project tracking.\n\nATTRIBUTES:\n\nStrategic and analytical: Able to evaluate business and technical requirements and translate them into effective cloud architecture solutions.\nStrong technical leadership: Confident in providing architectural direction, establishing standards and guiding engineering teams.\nCommercial awareness: Understands project estimation, resource allocation, cost modelling and the commercial implications of technical decisions.\nClient-focused: Able to engage with clients, understand their requirements and present technical solutions to both technical and financial stakeholders.\nStrong communication: Excellent presentation, interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.\nMentoring and coaching: Passionate about developing engineering talent, sharing knowledge and building an independent, capable team.\nAccountability and ownership: Takes responsibility for architectural decisions, technical quality and successful delivery outcomes.\nAttention to detail: Ensures accuracy in solution designs, technical documentation, estimates and project reviews.\nProblem-solving: Demonstrates strong troubleshooting, decision-making and technical investigation capabilities.\nOrganised and disciplined: Able to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and maintain consistent delivery standards.\nProactive and innovative: Identifies opportunities to improve cloud infrastructure, engineering practices and service offerings.\nAdaptable: Keeps up to date with Microsoft Azure technologies, cloud architecture developments and industry best practices.\nCollaborative: Works effectively with engineers, management, sales teams and clients to achieve business and technical objectives.\nResilient: Remains composed when handling complex technical escalations, delivery challenges and critical incidents.\n\n Desired Skills: \n Azure\n Solutions\n 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