Azure Cloud & AI Solutions Architect

Cyclotron, Inc.•Chicago, IL

3d•$200,000 - $250,000•Remote

About The Position

As a Principal Cloud & AI Solutions Architect at Cyclotron, you will drive sales wins through disciplined presales methodology, technical credibility, discovery, solution shaping, and executive-level communication. You will lead early-stage engagements, uncover business drivers, and design responsible, scalable solutions across the Microsoft cloud ecosystem. This senior role sits at the intersection of AI, cloud architecture, and consulting strategy. Cyclotron is a Microsoft Solutions Partner focused on the modern workplace, data, and AI. The company works to help clients streamline operations and achieve business goals, and describes its culture as collaborative and inclusive, with an emphasis on continuous learning and professional growth. The role is remote in the US or Canada.

Requirements

At least 8 years of experience in Microsoft cloud, data, or application architecture.
3–5 years of experience in presales, advisory, or solution architecture roles.
Demonstrated experience leading enterprise discovery or design workshops.
Ability to steer conversations beyond feature requests to identify underlying needs and drivers.
Ability to write clear, enforceable scopes with realistic boundaries and measurable outcomes.
Comfort whiteboarding and defending designs across Azure, Data, AI, Security, and Power Platform.
Understanding of margin, utilization, fixed-fee versus time-and-materials engagements, and risk structuring.
Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and credibly with executive stakeholders.
Knowledge of Azure data platforms including Fabric, Synapse, Data Lake, and Data Factory.
Knowledge of applied AI, including Azure OpenAI (RAG, agents, and summarization), Azure AI Search, and evaluation strategies.
Knowledge of integration patterns including APIM, Event Grid, Functions, Logic Apps, and Container Apps.
Knowledge of Power Platform and Copilot Studio, including use cases and governance considerations.

Nice To Haves

Certifications such as LUMA, IDEO, IBM Enterprise Design Thinking, Microsoft Catalyst, or equivalent structured problem-solving frameworks.
Prior experience at a Microsoft-focused consulting partner such as Avanade, Slalom, Deloitte, EY, or Accenture.
Exposure to Prosci or similar change management methodologies.
Experience producing 1–2 page discovery summaries, phased delivery plans with gates, and DevOps-ready backlogs with estimates and assumptions.

Responsibilities

Lead 60–120 minute enterprise discovery sessions to surface business drivers, constraints, and decision dynamics.
Respectfully challenge client assumptions and reframe feature requests as business problems with measurable outcomes.
Architect solutions across Azure, Data, AI, Security, Integration, and Power Platform.
Produce high-quality SOWs, scopes, assumptions, dependencies, and change-control language.
Design phased delivery approaches that reduce early risk, including data readiness, feasibility, and security constraints.
Communicate value, impact, and risk to CFO/COO audiences, and architecture and feasibility to CTO/CISO audiences.
Shape engagements to balance margin, utilization, and delivery risk.
Partner with sales and delivery teams to support clean handoffs and deal readiness.
Translate AI, Copilot, and automation requests into defined problems, measurable outcomes, and value hypotheses.
Support sales, delivery, and leadership through deal handoffs and orchestration.
Identify risks, gaps, and misaligned client expectations early to protect delivery teams.

Benefits

Competitive health insurance; Cyclotron covers 100% of employee medical premiums.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Generous and flexible paid time off.
Retirement plan options.
Ongoing training opportunities.
Flexible work arrangements.
Wellness programs.

Stand Out From the Crowd

Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.

Upload and Match Resume