Microsoft Architect

Desert Financial Credit Union•Phoenix, AZ

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Microsoft Architect is a core member of the Architecture team, responsible for designing and guiding secure, scalable, reliable, reusable, and maintainable solutions aligned with strategic technology direction. The role focuses on Microsoft collaboration and productivity technologies, including Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint, Exchange, Power Platform, identity, security, compliance, integrations, and cloud services. It connects and matures these capabilities to expand organizational capacity, modernize work, and enable effective use of Microsoft Copilot and emerging AI capabilities. The architect designs solutions across new and existing platforms, applications, integrations, automation, Copilot, and AI-enabled experiences; establishes reference architectures and standards; and leads technical discussions with stakeholders. The role assesses emerging capabilities and guides their responsible adoption, considering data protection, governance, security, user adoption, and measurable business value. It is a hybrid position based in Phoenix, Arizona.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, or a related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
7+ years of experience designing, configuring, implementing, integrating, or managing Microsoft enterprise technologies, including Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint, Exchange, Entra ID, Power Platform, Azure, security, compliance, and automation.
3+ years of experience leading technical teams or workstreams implementing and supporting Microsoft collaboration, productivity, automation, or cloud solutions.
Demonstrated expertise applying architecture principles and Microsoft best practices to align collaboration, productivity, automation, Copilot, and cloud solutions with business objectives.
Excellent analytical and creative problem-solving skills, including evaluation of AI-enabled use cases, solution risks, and measurable business value.
Excellent written and verbal communication, facilitation, consulting, and customer-service skills with technical and executive audiences.
Expertise working in collaborative, cross-functional environments and influencing teams without direct authority.
Demonstrated learning agility and ability to evaluate rapidly evolving Microsoft, Copilot, agent, and AI capabilities.
Strong business acumen, including ability to connect technology decisions to client outcomes, risk, adoption, cost, and return on investment.
Demonstrated competency with Microsoft 365 and architecture documentation tools, with ability to create solution designs, standards, roadmaps, decision records, and adoption guidance.

Nice To Haves

2+ years of experience in an architect, lead engineer, or comparable solution-design role.
1+ year of experience evaluating, designing, implementing, or governing Microsoft Copilot, generative AI, agents, or other AI-enabled enterprise solutions.
1+ year of experience in financial services or another regulated industry environment.
Microsoft collaboration or Microsoft 365 certification.
Enterprise Architecture framework certification or demonstrated equivalent architecture practice.
Microsoft Copilot, Power Platform, Azure AI, security, compliance, or responsible AI certification.
Microsoft Azure or Microsoft 365 solution architecture certification.

Responsibilities

Architect, design, and oversee implementation of end-to-end Microsoft 365 collaboration, communication, automation, and integration solutions.
Serve as a subject matter expert for Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint, Exchange, Power Platform, identity, security, compliance, and related cloud services.
Document and maintain the organization’s Microsoft solution architecture and technology portfolio; recommend improvements, modernization opportunities, and appropriate use of Copilot and AI-enabled capabilities.
Review new and existing solution designs, including Copilot and AI use cases, for alignment with architecture standards, licensing, security, privacy, compliance, data governance, and supportability.
Collaborate with project managers, vendors, security, data, and IT stakeholders to develop estimates and implementation plans for configuration, customization, integration, adoption, and change management.
Model business and system processes using use cases, sequence diagrams, workflow diagrams, data flows, and solution architecture artifacts.
Act as a strategist and trusted advisor for Microsoft collaboration, productivity, automation, Copilot, and related AI capabilities.
Develop long-term strategic goals and short-term tactical plans for Microsoft platforms, services, governance, lifecycle management, and adoption.
Ensure Microsoft solution architectures align with Data Architecture, Enterprise Architecture, security, privacy, and responsible AI principles.
Provide architectural expertise and direction to architects, engineers, developers, administrators, and delivery teams.
Develop and communicate investment plans for Microsoft solutions, including licensing optimization, technical debt reduction, service maturity, and measurable business value.
Evaluate emerging Microsoft technologies, including Copilot, agents, and AI-enabled features, and recommend adoption when they improve user experience, efficiency, security, or flexibility.
Partner with delivery teams, business stakeholders, clients, security, data teams, and senior management to refine requirements, collaborate on technical designs, and resolve complex issues.
Collaborate with other architects and domain experts; mentor technical teams on Microsoft platform standards, integration patterns, automation, and responsible use of Copilot and AI.
Participate in governance for Microsoft platforms, including architecture standards, tenant configuration, data protection, Copilot readiness, AI risk, lifecycle management, and responsible resource use.
Participate in complex or high-impact operational incidents involving Microsoft services, integrations, automation, Copilot, or AI-enabled solutions to support effective response and resolution.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.