Enterprise Azure Architect - AI Automation Remote-US/Canada Contract Role JD: Position Overview We are seeking an experienced Enterprise Architect to shape the target-state architecture for a strategic Azure-based platform for intelligent document processing, validation, workflow orchestration, and downstream transaction enablement. This role is accountable for defining scalable architecture patterns, technology guardrails, integration standards, security and control principles, and platform evolution across lines of business. The ideal candidate combines strong enterprise architecture discipline with hands-on depth in cloud-native Azure platforms, event-driven design, API-led integration, data architecture, and operational resilience. Key Responsibilities Define and govern the target-state architecture for the application, including platform boundaries, reference patterns, integration principles, and architectural guardrails. Architect cloud-native, event-driven solutions on Azure across ingestion, extraction, validation, workflow orchestration, case management, and downstream system integration. Establish reusable patterns for APIs, messaging, workflow orchestration, data persistence, identity and access, observability, and environment design to support scale across multiple lines of business. Lead architecture decisions for Azure services such as App Services, Functions, Logic Apps, Event Grid or Service Bus, API Management, Blob Storage, Cosmos DB, PostgreSQL, Key Vault, and Entra ID. Drive secure-by-design and control-by-design architecture, including zero-trust principles, private connectivity, RBAC, segregation of duties, encryption, auditability, and regulatory alignment. Define non-functional requirements and architecture standards for scalability, performance, resilience, disaster recovery, supportability, and production readiness. Partner with product, engineering, security, operations, and business stakeholders to translate business demand into durable platform capabilities rather than one-off solutions. Review solution designs, challenge architectural drift, manage key technology trade-offs, and ensure alignment to enterprise standards and the long-term roadmap. Produce clear architecture artifacts, decision records, and executive-ready communication to support governance, delivery teams, and senior leadership review. Required Qualifications 12+ years of experience in software engineering, solution architecture, or enterprise architecture, with substantial experience in architecting enterprise-scale platforms. Strong experience designing cloud-native solutions on Microsoft Azure, including application, integration, data, identity, networking, and security architecture. Proven expertise in distributed systems, event-driven architecture, API-first design, microservices-aligned patterns, and asynchronous integration. Deep knowledge of architecture patterns for workflow orchestration, human-in-the-loop processing, rules-driven decisioning, and operational case lifecycle management. Hands-on familiarity with Azure services such as App Services, Functions, Logic Apps, Event Grid or Service Bus, API Management, Storage, Cosmos DB, PostgreSQL, Key Vault, Monitor, and Entra ID. Experience defining architecture for secure and regulated environments, including private networking, role-based access, audit trails, data protection, resilience, and disaster recovery. Strong understanding of CI/CD, infrastructure as code, environment strategy, and production governance for enterprise platforms. Ability to work across business, product, engineering, and governance stakeholders and convert ambiguous demand into clear architectural direction. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to create high-quality architecture documents, present trade-offs, and influence senior stakeholders. Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related discipline. Preferred Qualifications Experience with architecture for intelligent document processing, OCR/extraction pipelines, or AI-enabled operational platforms, including services such as Azure AI Document Intelligence. Familiarity with architecture for regulated, high-volume operational workflows that require strong auditability, explainability, and human-in-the-loop controls. Experience designing platforms that support multi-line-of-business reuse through configuration, modular services, and well-defined platform boundaries. Understanding of enterprise data architecture, lineage, canonical data models, and integration patterns across systems of record and operational platforms. Experience working through enterprise architecture, security architecture, risk, and production governance review processes in large organizations. Relevant Azure or architecture certifications are a plus.