About the role

Aplyr's Quick Take

This role is for a Cloud Solution Architect focused on Data and AI at Microsoft. You'll lead technical strategy for large-scale data and AI projects, working directly with enterprise clients to modernize their data systems and implement AI solutions. It's a senior-level position that combines technical leadership with strategic advisory duties.

Good fit

Ideal candidates have 8+ years in data-related fields and a strong technical background, particularly in data architecture and AI. You should be comfortable influencing stakeholders and navigating complex projects, with a collaborative working style.

Worth noting

The role involves mentoring other architects, which could be a plus if you enjoy leadership. However, the high level of responsibility and ambiguity in stakeholder management may be a challenge for some.

Overview

At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As a Cloud Solution Architect (CSA) for Data & AI, you will operate as a senior technical leader responsible for shaping how enterprise customers modernize their data estates and unlock production-scale AI transformation.

In this role, you will lead complex, high-impact engagements across strategic customers, guiding the design and adoption of AI-ready data platforms that power Generative AI, Copilot, and agent-based solutions. You will work at the intersection of data, AI, and cloud platforms to drive end-to-end transformation; from foundational data architecture through to production AI outcomes at scale.

You will act not only as a delivery leader, but as a thought partner and strategic advisor, influencing customer roadmaps, platform decisions, and Microsoft solution plays across industries.

Responsibilities

Lead and own end-to-end architecture and technical strategy for large-scale data and AI transformation programs across enterprise and public sector customers.
Architect and drive adoption of enterprise-grade data platforms (lakehouse, real-time streaming, governance and compliance frameworks) aligned to AI-enabled use cases.
Enable and scale production AI workloads (GenAI, RAG, Copilot, AI agents) by ensuring strong alignment between data platforms, applications, and business processes.
Operate as a technical leader across multiple engagements, stepping into complex or at-risk scenarios to unblock delivery, resolve architectural challenges, and accelerate outcomes.
Influence and align senior stakeholders across Data, AI, Infrastructure, Security, and Partner ecosystems, driving decisions in highly ambiguous and dynamic environments.
Translate architectural decisions into business value, measurable impact, and consumption growth, shaping customer investment and long-term platform strategy.
Contribute to solution play development, reusable IP, and best practices, helping scale learnings and standardize patterns across customers and teams.
Mentor and guide other CSAs, sharing expertise and elevating technical capability across the team.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Data Science, or related field, or equivalent experience.
8+ years of experience in Data Science, Data Engineering, Data Analytics, or related technical disciplines.
Significant experience in leading customer-facing architecture and delivery engagements, including influencing senior technical and business stakeholders.
Deep expertise in data platform architecture, including large-scale analytics systems, distributed data processing, real-time architectures, and enterprise data governance.
Proven ability to design and enable AI and advanced analytics workloads, including familiarity with modern AI patterns such as retrieval-augmented generation and AI-driven applications.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with Microsoft Azure data and AI services (e.g., Azure Synapse, Microsoft Fabric, Azure Data Factory, Azure SQL, Power BI, Azure AI services).
Strong understanding of data modeling, optimization, performance tuning, and enterprise data architectures.
Demonstrated ability to operate with a T-shaped skill profile, combining deep technical specialization with broad cross-domain knowledge across AI, applications, infrastructure, and security.
Experience leading or contributing to large-scale cloud transformation or AI adoption programs across multiple business units or customers.
Track record of influencing architecture standards, reusable patterns, or strategic technical direction within an organization or customer environment.

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.

Skills & Tags

ai data

Aplyr's read

Microsoft is a technology giant shaping global computing, attracting talent interested in innovation and impact across software, cloud, and AI sectors.
Synthesized from recent postings & public sources

What's promising

•Strong commitment to innovation in AI and cloud computing.
•Diverse range of roles from technical to managerial, offering career growth.
•Financially stable with a robust global presence and market influence.

What to watch

•Complex organizational structure can slow decision-making processes.
•High competition for roles may limit entry-level opportunities.
•Potential for work-life balance challenges in high-demand positions.

Why Microsoft

•Pioneer in personal and business computing with a legacy of innovation.
•Extensive global reach with a diverse workforce and inclusive culture.
•Leader in integrating AI into mainstream software and cloud services.

Aplyr’s read is generated by AI from public sources. Was it useful?

About Microsoft

Microsoft

microsoft.com

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MSFT$512.90+0.77%

Microsoft is a global technology company that develops, licenses, and supports a wide range of software products, services, and devices. Known for its Windows operating system and Office productivity suite, Microsoft has a significant impact on personal and business computing worldwide.