This position is open to candidates located anywhere in the United States. Candidates are welcome to work remotely or out of one of our regional offices.

We are seeking a highly experienced Azure Enterprise Architect with a strong full stack engineering background and deep expertise in Microsoft Azure cloud architecture, enterprise application modernization, AI/GenAI solutions, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and large-scale delivery leadership.

The ideal candidate will possess 15+ years of progressive experience designing and delivering enterprise-grade solutions while leading distributed engineering teams across onshore and offshore models. This individual will serve as the primary technical authority for strategic initiatives, guiding architecture decisions, mentoring engineering teams, engaging directly with executive stakeholders, and ensuring successful project execution from inception through production.

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring deep technical expertise across cloud, application development, infrastructure, networking, DevOps, and AI platforms.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design, and oversee enterprise-scale cloud-native solutions on Microsoft Azure aligned with business and technology strategies.

• Lead architecture and delivery for complex full stack applications using modern frontend technologies including React, Angular, TypeScript, and mobile frameworks when required.

• Provide technical leadership across backend platforms utilizing .NET, C#, Python, Node.js, microservices, APIs, event-driven architectures, and distributed systems.

• Own end-to-end Azure architecture including networking, security, governance, identity management, observability, resilience, performance, and cost optimization.

• Define and implement enterprise Infrastructure as Code (IaC) standards using Terraform, Bicep, ARM Templates, and Azure DevOps pipelines.

• Lead architecture reviews, technical design sessions, and solution governance processes across multiple concurrent projects.

• Drive application modernization initiatives, cloud migrations, and hybrid cloud integration strategies.

• Guide engineering teams in designing and implementing AI and Generative AI solutions leveraging Azure OpenAI, Azure AI Services, Agentic AI frameworks, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), vector databases, and enterprise AI architectures.

• Establish architecture standards, engineering best practices, coding standards, security requirements, and cloud governance frameworks.

• Collaborate closely with client executives, business stakeholders, product owners, program managers, and engineering leadership to ensure successful delivery outcomes.

• Lead globally distributed teams including architects, developers, DevOps engineers, data engineers, and QA resources across onshore and offshore delivery models.

• Drive Agile and Scrum practices while providing delivery oversight, risk management, estimation, roadmap planning, and technical project leadership.

• Mentor architects and senior engineers while establishing a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.

• Evaluate emerging technologies and develop strategic recommendations aligned with organizational objectives.

• Ensure solutions comply with enterprise security, compliance, privacy, governance, and regulatory requirements.

The AI Architect Manager is a critical leadership role responsible for designing, developing, and scaling enterprise AI solutions aligned to business strategy and measurable outcomes. This role serves as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert, enabling clients to establish, mature, and scale their AI programs across the Microsoft ecosystem.

The incumbent will lead AI architectural design and end-to-end solutioning and sales efforts, including opportunity origination, qualification, solution shaping, and delivery, by evaluating business processes, operating models, and application architectures to deliver scalable, secure, and high-performing AI solutions tailored to client environments. This role is responsible for translating complex business requirements into actionable AI architectures that deliver tangible value and measurable client outcomes.

The AI Architect Manager will partner closely with cross-functional stakeholders and global teams across Avanade, Accenture, Microsoft, and partner ecosystems to ensure a cohesive, enterprise-wide approach to AI solution delivery, innovation, and revenue growth.

This position requires a strategic and hands-on leader capable of operating effectively in a complex, matrixed environment while driving innovation, collaboration, client impact, and commercial success.

What you'll do

• Provide leadership and oversight for AI solution architecture, ensuring alignment with client business strategies, technical requirements, and industry best practices.

• Own and drive end-to-end sales cycles, including opportunity identification, qualification, solution shaping, proposal development, pricing inputs, and deal closure.

• Partner with account teams and clients to originate and develop AI opportunities, aligning solutions to business value and measurable outcomes.

• Translate business requirements into AI solution scope, value propositions, and scalable architectural designs in collaboration with AI teams and Solution Architects.

• Analyze client processes, systems, and data landscapes to identify AI transformation opportunities and recommend appropriate approaches based on client maturity.

• Lead solutioning activities including estimation, technical design, and proposal development across the pre-sales and delivery lifecycle.

• Deliver AI engagements in roles including AI SME, Solution Architect, or Technical Architect, ensuring high-quality outcomes.

• Provide governance, quality assurance, and best practice guidance across AI project teams related to delivery approach, design, and implementation.

• Facilitate client workshops, stakeholder meetings, and pre-sales presentations to articulate AI value, solution approach, and business impact.

• Develop and contribute to AI assets, accelerators, and methodologies to enhance organizational capability, sales effectiveness, and delivery efficiency.

• Collaborate across global teams and partner ecosystems to share knowledge, drive innovation, and scale AI capabilities.

Priority Skill

• Agentic AI Solution Architecture

Job Requirements: 

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as business needs require, with reasonable accommodation provided where required by applicable law.

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally, as business needs require.

IMPORTANT before applying for a job internally:

• Review this application criteria.

• You must already possess the appropriate visas and/or work permits required to live and work in the country the job is based. Do not apply until you have confirmed these authorizations are in place, or the job description states that international applicants will be considered.

• If you apply and are selected for a job at a higher level, it will be offered at your current level. You will be considered for promotion at the next eligible promotion period, except where subject to local law or contractual obligations*.

*ICEG, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, and Germany: Promotions will be handled in accordance with local labor laws and works council agreements, where applicable). 

Come join us
There’s one in every group—the person who sees what’s possible and goes after it. If you’re a consultative, enterprise deal hunter who loves navigating complex organizations, shaping C‑suite agendas, and closing transformational Microsoft-powered programs, you’ll thrive at Avanade.

In this role, you will: own strategic new logo and expansion growth across a defined set of large enterprise accounts, build multi‑year account plans, orchestrate pursuit teams across solution areas, and partner deeply with Microsoft to co-create and win large, outcome-based deals.

Role snapshot

• Work model: Hybrid (with travel to clients)  |  Travel: 34%

• Primary location: US-based  |  Territory: US-wide with multiple industries available (retail, healthcare, financial services, etc.)  

• What you’ll sell: Microsoft-led transformation (Azure, Data/AI, Modern Workplace, Security, Business Apps) delivered through consulting + services

• Level: Enterprise / strategic accounts  |  Deal type: multi-stakeholder, multi-workstream pursuits

Key responsibilities

• Build senior executive relationships and map complex buying centers—engage C‑suite and SVP/VP leaders to align strategy to Microsoft-led transformation roadmaps.

• Create and execute multi-year account plans—identify whitespace, craft value propositions, and convert pipeline into large programs and long-term managed engagements.

• Lead end-to-end pursuits—set win strategy, coordinate solution/delivery/alliance stakeholders, and drive proposals, pricing, and commercial structures to close.

• Drive Microsoft co-sell—build joint pursuit plans, align to Microsoft priorities, and leverage the partner ecosystem to accelerate enterprise wins.

• Own forecasting and operating rhythm—pipeline hygiene, deal reviews, and clear stakeholder communication to deliver against annual targets.