Azure Solutions Architect and Administrator

Azure Solutions Architect and Administrator Location: Jackson, MS Duration: 1 year Position type: Contract. Job Description: The primary architect for the agency's Azure cloud initiatives. The architect will design and oversee the adoption of public cloud solutions, establish strategy and policy for cloud usage, and lead workload migrations from on-premises environments to Azure. A major component of this effort will be developing and executing plans to transition enterprise systems, including the state payroll system (SPAHRS), currently operating on zLinux mainframes into secure, scalable cloud platforms. The architect will work closely with DFA's technical and administrative teams: Develop Azure-based IaaS and PaaS solutions. Implement automation for provisioning, configuration management, and lifecycle tasks. Ensure strong cloud governance, security, and compliance. Integrate hybrid environments and containerized workloads. Provide expertise in Windows Server, Linux, and legacy system migration to guide successful adoption. This role is both strategic and hands-on, requiring the ability to design enterprise-level architectures, oversee implementation, and support knowledge transfer so DFA staff can manage and sustain cloud services long term. Mandatory requirements: A four-year degree from an accredited school in Computer Science, Information Technology, or like field. Five (5) years or more of direct and specific experience creating Azure environments and migrating systems and services from on-prem to the cloud. Five (5) years or more of direct Azure solutions architect experience. Five (5) years or more of DevOps engineering experience. Five (5) years or more of experience driving cloud security, privacy, and compliance decisions. Five (5) years or more network administration skills. Documentation and knowledge transfer experience. Excellent English-speaking skills, written communication skills, and knowledge transfer skills Mainframe administration experience, zLinux, Red Hat, Ubuntu, SUSE, AI and machine learning, and application monitoring Skill Set Skill Level Operating Systems Windows Server Advanced Required Versions 2019, 2022, 2025 Linux Advanced Preferred zLinux, Red Hat, SUSE Programming Language/Development Tools PowerShell Advanced Preferred Framework/SLD/Methodology Azure Architecture Advanced Required Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure QA/Testing Approaches, Application Azure DevOps Advanced Required Azure Test Plans, Pipelines, and Boards