Solution Architecture

At Microsoft, our core mission is empowering every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Industry Solutions (IS) is a global organization of over 16,000 strategic sellers, industry experts, elite engineers, architects and consultants, who along with delivery experts are working together to bring Microsoft’s mission of empowerment - and cutting-edge technology - to life for the world’s most influential customers. We are on the front lines of innovation, working side-by-side with customers to drive value across the entirety of their digital transformation journey. Our team prides itself on embracing a growth mindset, inspiring excellence, and encouraging everyone to share their unique viewpoints and be their authentic selves.

**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.

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**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.

**Technology Areas**
- Proficient with one or more Cloud Databases such as Azure SQL, Azure Database for PostgreSQL, MySQL, Azure Cosmos DB, database scalability and availability
- Source code management including branching, merging, and rebasing etc. using Git or other source control technologies such as TFS
- Open-source technologies and frameworks
- Exposure to Azure Infrastructure & Security including load balancing, geo-redundancy, CDN and VPN technologies.

**Other**
- Embody our culture and values

**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 intern