Azure Architect

Specialty Building Products is currently looking for an Azure Architect to join our VALUES based organization. The ideal candidate will bring deep Azure expertise, a strong architectural mindset, and hands-on experience establishing cloud-native patterns across enterprises. This role will drive the design of scalable, secure, and maintainable solutions leveraging the full Azure ecosystem including containers, messaging, APIs, AI services, and modern data architecture.

The Azure Architect will work cross-functionally with System Administration, Networking, Security, Data Warehouse, and Application Development teams to align our Azure strategy with enterprise architecture standards. This includes ensuring adherence to Microsoft-recommended best practices

Responsibilities:

• Partner with engineers, DevOps, and product managers to deliver cloud-native applications using C#, React, and Python, deployed to Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS).
• Collaborate with System Administration, Network, Security, Data Warehouse, and Development teams to implement cohesive architectural standards across the Azure ecosystem.
• Define and champion Microsoft-recommended Azure architecture best practices for scalability, observability, resiliency, and cost optimization across the tenant.
• Architect and implement containerized solutions on AKS with secure ingress via Azure Application Gateway and Azure API Management, leveraging Okta OAuth for token-based authentication and external identity integration.
• Oversee and optimize relational data solutions using Azure SQL Database and Azure Database for PostgreSQL, incorporating backup strategies, high availability, and scalability.
• Design secure object and document storage strategies using Azure Blob Storage, including lifecycle policies and access control via Azure Key Vault.
• Establish data ingestion and transformation pipelines using Azure Data Factory (ADF) in support of reporting, analytics, and integration use cases.
• Leverage Azure Service Bus for asynchronous messaging and reliable communication between microservices and back-end systems.
• Integrate AI capabilities using Azure OpenAI, Azure Cognitive Services, and Document Intelligence to enhance intelligent automation, search, and document processing.
• Design distributed caching strategies using Azure Cache for Redis to support high-throughput, low-latency application experiences.
• Govern secrets, certificates, and secure settings via Azure Key Vault, integrated with DevOps pipelines and runtime environments.
• Architect content delivery strategies using Azure CDN for static assets and global performance.
• Drive centralized monitoring, logging, and telemetry through Azure Monitor, Application Insights, and Log Analytics for operational excellence.
• Implement Infrastructure as Code using Terraform, automating resource provisioning and environment management at scale.
• Guide CI/CD adoption with Azure DevOps, including branching strategies, automated builds, deployments, approvals, and rollback mechanisms.
• Conduct architectural reviews, produce documentation, and provide ongoing mentorship to elevate engineering capabilities and architectural maturity.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on Azure architecture experience with a proven track record designing and implementing complex cloud solutions.
• Deep expertise in:
  - Azure App Services, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure API Management
  - Azure SQL, Azure Database for PostgreSQL
  - Azure Blob Storage and secure document management
  - Azure Data Factory, Azure Service Bus, Azure Cognitive Services, Azure OpenAI, Document Intelligence
  - Azure Cache for Redis, Azure Key Vault, Azure CDN
  - Monitoring and diagnostics via Azure Monitor, Application Insights
  - Infrastructure as Code using Terraform
  - Okta OAuth/OpenID Connect for secure authentication and authorization
  - CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps
  - Proficiency in C#, Python, JavaScript/TypeScript (React)
• Solid understanding of microservices, domain-driven design, RESTful APIs, and cloud-native development patterns.
• Experience implementing the Azure Well-Architected Framework, with emphasis on governance, cost control, and security.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills with a proactive mindset for enabling cross-functional success.
• Prompt Engineering
• Context Engineering

Preferred Certifications:

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert
• HashiCorp Terraform Associate (preferred)

Specialty Building Products is the leading distributor of specialty building products in North America. SBP operates under the brands U.S. LUMBER, Alexandria Moulding, REEB Millwork, DW Distribution, Millwork Sales and Amerhart. We serve 45 states in the U.S. and 8 provinces in Canada from over 40 locations. Here at SBP we are a people first organization, our team is built upon strong culture and standards for success. We value your perspective and want to learn more about you with a commitment to laying the foundation for you to build a successful career with us. Join us and EVOLVE your future at Specialty Building Products!   

Being a part of SBP you will be eligible for many benefits. Full-Time benefits would include:   

• Medical, Dental, Vision given on the 1^st of the month following 30 days of employment
• Company-Paid Life Insurance & Disability
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Company-Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays & Floating Holidays
• PLUS ADDITIONAL PERKS!

We are proud to have the best team in our industry. We have experienced a tremendous amount of growth as a company. This growth has served not only our customer base but has also provided significant opportunities for advancement amongst our employees.  

Specialty Building Products is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy of Specialty Building Products not to discriminate in hiring and employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, military status, genetic information, or other protected class status in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.