Cloud Architect

Houston, TX (Hybrid)

3-Month Contract to Hire

$170,000 – $195,000 per year

ABOUT THE ROLE

Brooksource, supporting a Fortune 500 Oil & Gas client, is seeking a highly motivated Cloud Architect to join their IT Infrastructure Design Team in Houston, TX (hybrid). In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for designing and deploying cloud infrastructure and services that support a global technology environment, with a primary focus on Microsoft Azure and secondary integration with AWS. You will own the cloud infrastructure domain architecture, define reference architectures and design patterns, and establish architecture standards, guardrails, and blueprints aligned with security, compliance, and operational requirements. This position plays a key role in architecting and governing multi-cloud solutions, collaborating with internal engineering, infrastructure, and application teams to ensure solutions align with enterprise standards and cloud best practices. You will also provide architectural guidance for AI-enabled capabilities within the Microsoft ecosystem, promote DevOps and automation practices, and support standardized deployment patterns.

Note: Sponsorship is not available for this position.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Own the cloud infrastructure domain architecture for Azure (primary) and AWS (secondary), including networking, identity, governance, and management services.
• Define reference architectures, design patterns, and decision frameworks for global cloud adoption.
• Establish and maintain architecture standards, guardrails, and blueprints aligned with security, compliance, and operational requirements.
• Provide architectural oversight and design review for major cloud initiatives and platform capabilities.
• Design and govern Azure landing zones, subscriptions, and management group hierarchies.
• Architect and review Azure network infrastructure (hub-and-spoke, vWAN, private endpoints, DNS, hybrid connectivity).
• Apply the Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework (CAF) and Well-Architected Framework in solution designs.
• Design, deploy, and maintain Azure Policy, initiatives, and compliance reporting.
• Define and implement infrastructure-as-code (IaC) standards using Bicep and Terraform.
• Architect enterprise identity solutions using Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD), including identity lifecycle management, RBAC, PIM, Conditional Access, and Zero Trust patterns.
• Design hybrid and multi-cloud identity integration, including AWS IAM federation with Entra ID.
• Partner with Information Security to align identity architectures with Zero Trust and regulatory requirements.
• Define and govern AWS integration patterns aligned to Azure-first identity and security strategy.
• Architect and support AWS Organizations, Control Tower, IAM federation, and infrastructure deployments using CloudFormation and Terraform.
• Ensure consistency of governance, identity, and automation patterns across Azure and AWS.
• Provide architectural guidance for AI-enabled capabilities within the Microsoft ecosystem (e.g., Copilot, Azure OpenAI, Copilot Studio, AI Builder).
• Define enterprise guardrails for AI usage, including identity, data access, security, and compliance considerations.
• Partner with application and data teams to support responsible AI adoption, RAG patterns, and AI platform integration.
• Stay current on Microsoft AI platform capabilities and translate them into practical enterprise architecture guidance.
• Promote and govern DevOps and platform engineering practices across cloud environments.
• Design and review CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps (ADO) and Git-based repositories.
• Leverage Azure CLI and PowerShell for automation and operational enablement.
• Support standardized deployment patterns across infrastructure, identity, and platform services.
• Collaborate with internal engineering, infrastructure, and application teams to ensure solutions align with enterprise standards and cloud best practices.
• Provide decision-ready guidance for architects, engineers, and leadership on complex technical concepts.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Strong experience in cloud infrastructure architecture, with deep expertise in Microsoft Azure.
• Proven background in identity and access management, preferably with Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD).
• Hands-on experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC), including Bicep and/or Terraform.
• Experience designing and governing enterprise-scale cloud environments.
• Solid understanding of DevOps, CI/CD, and automation practices.
• Experience integrating AWS with Azure-based identity and governance models.
• Familiarity with Microsoft AI platforms (Copilot, Azure OpenAI, Copilot Studio, AI Builder).
• Knowledge of Zero Trust architecture and cloud security best practices.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into decision-ready guidance for architects, engineers, and leadership.
• Experience modernizing applications and guiding teams toward cloud-native services is a plus.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU

• Competitive compensation and benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, Health Savings Account, Dependent Care FSA, and supplemental coverage options.
• 401(k) plan with company match, fully vested after eligibility.
• Paid time off, sick time, and paid company holidays.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering virtual counseling, financial services, legal services, life coaching, and more.
• Opportunity to work with a Fortune 500 Oil & Gas leader on cutting-edge cloud and AI initiatives.
• Inclusive and supportive work environment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Brooksource, Medasource, and Calculated Hire are part of the Eight Eleven Group family of companies and operate under Eight Eleven Group, LLC. All employees receive the same benefits, policies, and terms of employment.

EEO Statement: We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related conditions), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Pay Disclaimer: The pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.