Solution Architecture

Microsoft is on a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Our culture is centered on embracing a growth mindset, a theme of inspiring excellence, and encouraging teams and leaders to bring their best each day. In doing so, we create life-changing innovations that impact billions of lives around the world. You can help us to achieve our mission.

**Responsibilities**:
**Architecture and Design**
- Leverages a structured approach to architecture projects using existing methodologies (e.g., Waterfall, Agile, Iterative) that make use of existing reference architecture and established architectural styles and design patterns.
- Defines and documents the Architecture through an architecture description document, an architecture decisions log, and a requirements/constraints traceability matrix to communicate the value proposition of the business solution
- Leads cost-based and technology-based discussions to explain the architecture in terms of its build, deployment, and ongoing operational use to determine customer appetite for the business solution. Demonstrate ROI that the business solution realizes.
- Collaborates with the Project Manager to jointly drive project/technical governance of the design, build, and deployment into use of proof of concepts (POCs) and pilots.
- Collaborates with business sponsor and customer/partner stakeholders (e.g., Business users, Enterprise Architects, Security Team, Operations Team) to gather and ratify requirements and constraints. Manages and resolves ambiguity in the requirements and documents assumptions and implications where it cannot be resolved.
- Drives development and execution of Test Plans to prove that each requirement/constraint has been implemented as expected by the customer.
- Collaborates with Project Manager and Account Team to identify, categorize, and communicate business and technical risks.
- Generates new and/or improvements to existing intellectual property. Drives the re-use of intellectual property and recommends practices in both pre-sales and delivery.
- Participates and contributes to internal/external communities.

**Trusted Advisor**
- Develops a network of internal/external relationships to build influence in addressing problems/ blockers and facilitating additional views on the matter of interest. Stays up to date on Microsoft’s technologies, products.
- Uses evidence-based arguments that articulate complex concepts in a simple manner to respectfully challenge Microsoft and customers / partners when a decision or course of action will not produce optimal results.
- Serves as the "technical conscience" to challenge the status quo and unrealistic expectations.
- Proactively resolves conflicts and seeks resolution to balance the overall outcome.

**Thought Leadership**
- Shares ideas, insight, and strategic, technical input with technical teams, internal communities across the field, and the larger virtual team across Microsoft using a thorough knowledge of specific Microsoft products and their context in the competitive landscape.

Participates in external architect community events (e.g., conferences, seminars, technical meetups, Webcasts, blogs, hackathons) and shares learnings with internal team. Acts a mentor to junior colleagues to educate them on technical and non-technical concepts.

**Qualifications**:
Required/Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree OR Master’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field AND 12+ years’ experience in developing technology solutions, practice development, architecture, and consulting.

Additional or Preferred Qualifications
- Technical or Professional Certifications
- Inclusive and collaborative - driving teamwork and cross-team alignment.
- Strong partner relationship management and solution development skills.
- Conversant knowledge of competing platforms and solutions.
- Strong executive presence including communication and presentation skills with high comfort to large and small technical audiences.
- Problem solving mentality leveraging internal and/or external resources, conflict resolution, and follow through with partners.

Other
- The job may require travel.

Fluent English verbal and written communications skills are a must.