Senior Cloud Solutions Architect (Azure)

BlueFlag is seeking an ambitious, senior-level Cloud Solutions Architect specializing in Azure to join our dynamic team. This opportunity is remote. As a key player in our cloud infrastructure initiatives, you'll have the opportunity to architect, implement, and optimize cloud solutions for large enterprise environments, including a cutting-edge data and analytics platform for the Department of Veterans Affairs. What You'll Do Lead cloud architecture design and solutioning for a large data and analytics platform, with emphasis on Azure-based services including Azure Databricks, Synapse Analytics, Azure Data Factory, Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2, Azure Kubernetes Service, and Azure Cognitive/ML Services. Drive the migration of large, complex workloads from the legacy warehouses and on-premises VA systems into the cloud-based platform, ensuring security, compliance, and performance optimization. Architect data ingestion, processing, and integration patterns using batch, near-real-time (GoldenGate), streaming (Event Hubs), SFTP, and API-based ingestion methods. Support data preparation, wrangling, transformation, enrichment, normalization, and integration pipelines leveraging Databricks, Synapse, and Starburst. Define and implement solution accelerators (e.g., Databricks notebooks, ingestion patterns, reporting and ML workspace templates) to support repeatable, scalable implementations across workstreams. Partner with customer success teams to support onboarding of VA customers, including migration of workgroups with extensive and complex VM/application footprints. Provide architectural guidance for system-to-system integrations using APIs, SHIR (Self-Hosted Integration Runtime), and various API frameworks. Ensure Identity and Access Management (IAM) and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) models are consistently applied across Azure Entra (Active Directory), service principals, managed identities, and data lake ACLs. Work closely with platform engineers, data governance engineers, data management engineers, and application development teams to design, review, and improve deployment patterns. Align architecture decisions with VA security and compliance requirements, including FISMA, NIST 800-53, FIPS 199/200, VA Handbook 6500, and the VA Authority to Operate (ATO) boundary constraints. Provide architectural input into platform roadmap planning, ensuring that DevOps, initiatives, and customer projects are aligned with VA’s strategic priorities and capacity planning processes. Document all solution architectures in the platform's unified architecture framework within Confluence, ensuring traceability across enterprise, platform, data, integration, and consumption layers. Mentor engineers, data scientists, and other technical staff in cloud-native architecture best practices, automation, and data product development. Research and evaluate emerging cloud technology trends and best practices to enhance company offerings. Why Join BlueFlag At BlueFlag, we're passionate about leveraging cutting-edge technology to make a real difference. You'll be at the forefront of cloud innovation, working on projects that directly impact people's lives. We offer a high-growth, entrepreneurial environment that values fresh ideas and authentic teamwork. If you're ready to take your cloud engineering career to new heights and contribute to meaningful projects that push the boundaries of technology, we want to hear from you. Join BlueFlag and be part of a team that's shaping the future of cloud solutions! Requirements Education & Experience Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field. 8+ years of experience in cloud architecture, with at least 5 years focused on Microsoft Azure. Demonstrated experience leading large-scale cloud migration projects, including VM and application migrations from on-premises environments to Azure. Proven expertise in data engineering and analytics workloads, with hands-on experience in: Azure Databricks (data processing, ML pipelines, advanced analytics) Azure Synapse Analytics (SQL Pools, big data analytics, enterprise data warehouse) Azure Data Factory and Event Hubs (batch, near real-time, and streaming ingestion) Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2, Neo4J, and SQL databases Technical Skills Strong background in cloud-native solution architecture within multi-cloud environments (Azure Gov, AWS). Experience with infrastructure-as-code (Terraform, GitHub Actions) for provisioning and deployment automation. Deep understanding of data governance frameworks (Collibra, Immuta for ABAC, RBAC group models in Azure Entra). Knowledge of system security and compliance requirements in a federal environment, including NIST 800-53, FISMA, FedRAMP High, and VA Handbook 6500. Familiarity with disaster recovery, system integrity, and secure communications controls (e.g., Contingency Planning, System and Information Integrity, System and Communications Protection SOPs). Professional Skills Experience leading cross-functional teams (architecture, DevOps, data governance, application development) in a program environment. Strong client engagement skills, with ability to work directly with VA stakeholders, data providers, and consumers to translate business needs into technical solutions. Proven ability to design scalable, secure, and compliant data and analytics solutions that align with organizational strategy and regulatory requirements. Excellent communication skills to support stakeholder engagement, intake processes, and solution handoffs. Certifications (preferred) Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate or Azure Data Scientist Associate Experience with Azure security certifications (e.g., SC-100, SC-200) is a plus US Citizen: Must be a citizen of the United States. Security Clearance: Must be able to obtain a public trust clearance. Must be eligible to work in the United States. Benefits Competitive salary Generous annual leave and paid holidays Comprehensive group health and dental plans 401(k) with company match Life insurance and AD&D coverage Ongoing training and professional development opportunities