Azure AppDev Architect

Purpose 

The Azure Application Development Architect is responsible for leading the design, modernization, and delivery of enterprise-grade .NET and Azure-based application platforms supporting cloud transformation initiatives. Expertise in Windows platform and services required.  

This role blends software architecture, Azure modernization, and direct engineering leadership, ensuring legacy applications transition successfully into scalable, cloud-native, and secure application ecosystems. This role will serve as the Agile Product Owner role on an agile team, responsible for development of the program roadmap, program and sprint backlogs and user stories. They will be the defacto leader of a full agile team ensuring the agile process is being executed in accordance with program standards. 

Leveraging deep experience across full-stack .NET development, SQL modernization, and cloud migration, the Azure AppDev Architect guides development teams, defines modernization patterns, and ensures alignment with organizational technology objectives. 

Key Responsibilities 

Application Architecture & Modernization 

• Architect end-to-end Azure-native application solutions running on Azure resources, including App Services, Azure SQL, Azure Functions, API Management, and related integration services. 
• Translate modernization blueprints into actionable engineering designs for development teams. 
• Lead refactoring of legacy applications into .NET 8+, incorporating EF Core, Azure DevOps pipelines, and automated deployment practices. 
• Partner with database teams to modernize stored procedures, optimize SQL performance, and transition workloads to ORM-based access such as EF Core.  

Technical Leadership & Delivery Excellence 

• Act as the senior technical leader for all application modernization efforts, ensuring code quality, system scalability, and adherence to secure design principles. 
• Mentor development teams working across UI modernization, API development, and SQL transformation. 
• Implement JavaScript UI frameworks across e-commerce sites 
• Oversee code reviews, branching strategies, and DevOps best practices to support consistent, high-quality delivery. 
• Collaborate with QA and DevOps to establish automated testing strategies and CI/CD deployment readiness. 
• Direct Agile ceremonies, refinement processes, and architecture planning sessions. 

Cloud Migration & Implementation 

• Lead application migration strategies, transitioning on-premises or legacy workloads to Azure SaaS/PaaS environments. 
• Provide hands-on guidance in modernizing monolithic or legacy systems, integrating existing data systems, and ensuring backward compatibility. 
• Conduct cloud readiness assessments, performance tuning, and optimization activities across application and data layers. 
• Utilize experience working with systems such as manufacturing, warehouse management, healthcare, or compliance applications to guide integration with existing enterprise processes.  

Governance, Security & Operational Architecture 

• Ensure all application modernization initiatives follow organizational standards for governance, security, and lifecycle management. 
• Define observability strategies including monitoring, telemetry, and alerting using Azure Application Insights and Log Analytics. 
• Establish operational standards for reliability, maintainability, and security (OAuth, Azure AD, API security). 

Stakeholder Collaboration 

• Collaborate with product owners, business stakeholders, and cross-functional technology teams to align modernization outcomes with business goals. 
• Maintain architectural documentation, solution diagrams, and modernization guidelines. 
• Serve as the liaison between enterprise architecture, development teams, and operational engineering groups. 

Product Ownership & Delivery Leadership 

• Serve as the Agile Product Owner for Azure infrastructure initiatives—owning the product backlog, defining user stories, and prioritizing features based on value and risk. 
• Daily interface with senior client representatives to coordinate design strategies, implementation plans, resiliency and disaster recovery plans 
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including security, networking, DevOps, and application owners to deliver enterprise-grade Azure services. 
• Develop and maintain an Azure service roadmap aligned with digital transformation goals and cloud strategy. 
• Partner with business and IT stakeholders to define minimum viable products (MVPs), track milestones, and ensure the delivery of high-quality solutions. 

Minimum Skills, Education, and Experience 

Technical Expertise 

• 10+ years of full-stack application development experience using C#, ASP.NET, MVC, JavaScript, Entity Framework, SQL Server, and t-SQL.  
• Experience modernizing and migrating enterprise applications into Azure PaaS environments, including App Services, Azure SQL, and Azure DevOps. 
• Strong background designing and building MVC applications, APIs, middleware services, and data integrations. 
• Proven ability to integrate modern applications with legacy systems, manufacturing systems, warehouse operations, or mainframe data sources.  
• Competency in CI/CD pipeline automation, DevOps practices, and testing frameworks. 
• Strong understanding of secure coding practices, authentication/authorization, and cloud governance frameworks. 

Leadership & Architecture Experience 

• Prior experience leading or mentoring software engineering teams. 
• Ability to translate modernization strategies into structured engineering tasks and roadmaps. 
• Experience conducting architectural design reviews, code reviews, and technical risk assessments. 
• Experience working in Agile development environments (Scrum, Kanban). 

Preferred Skills and Certifications 

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert or DevOps Engineer Expert. 
• Familiarity with Azure App Insights, Key Vault, App Configuration, and distributed logging. 
• Microsoft Azure certifications (Developer Associate, Solutions Architect Expert, DevOps Engineer). 
• Experience with automation frameworks or scripting languages such as PowerShell or Python. 
• Knowledge of MSFT Zero Trust security models, governance policies, and practices. 
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. 

CORE VALUES  

We are seeking highly motivated individuals who have the willingness and ability to demonstrate Ascend core values:    

• Committed to Client Success: Our actions and our words always align with the best interest of the client.  

• One Team: We work collaboratively to overcome challenges with humility and respect and do what it takes to find innovative solutions.  

• Integrity: We are unquestionably committed to doing the right thing even when it is hard.  

• Accountability: We hold ourselves and each other accountable for keeping our commitments to our clients, our communities, and one another.  

• Transparency: We create open lines of communication with each other and our clients, fostering relationships founded on candor and trust.  

  Starting Compensation: $160,000/year