Job Title: Senior Systems Architect
Job Type: 3-to-6-month contract (strong potential for extension or permanent conversion)
Location: Markham, ON (Hybrid)
Work Model: Onsite / Hybrid
Start Date: ASAP
Hours: 40 hours per week
Rate: $105 to $110/hr Inc.
Role Overview
Our client is seeking a Senior Systems Architect to provide technical leadership across Azure, hybrid and on-premises infrastructure, identity, Microsoft 365, security, backup and disaster recovery, and infrastructure modernization. This is a hands-on architecture role for an experienced professional who can design and implement solutions, establish technical standards, lead infrastructure projects, and mentor Systems Administrators.
Key Responsibilities
- Own Azure, Azure Local, and hybrid infrastructure architecture.
- Design cloud, server, storage, networking, identity, and backup solutions.
- Lead legacy infrastructure migrations to Azure and modernization initiatives.
- Architect Active Directory, Entra ID, MFA, Conditional Access, RBAC, and PIM.
- Govern Microsoft 365, Intune, Defender, and Purview.
- Design backup and disaster recovery solutions using Veeam, Azure Backup, and Azure Site Recovery.
- Lead infrastructure automation and Infrastructure as Code using PowerShell, Terraform, Bicep, or ARM.
- Establish security, architecture, and operational standards.
- Mentor technical teams and provide architecture leadership.
- Maintain architecture diagrams, standards, runbooks, and technical documentation.
Required Qualifications
- 10+ years of enterprise infrastructure or systems experience.
- 5+ years in a senior, lead, or architect-level role.
- Deep hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure and hybrid cloud architecture.
- Strong knowledge of Windows Server, Active Directory, Entra ID, and Microsoft 365.
- Experience with Azure networking, storage, backup, monitoring, and governance.
- Intune or endpoint management experience.
- Strong backup and disaster recovery architecture experience.
- VMware and/or Hyper-V experience.
- Networking knowledge including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VPNs, firewalls, and VLANs.
- PowerShell automation experience.
- Strong technical leadership, documentation, and stakeholder communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Azure Solutions Architect Expert
- Azure Administrator Associate
- Microsoft 365 Administrator Expert
- Windows Server Hybrid Administrator
- Terraform, Bicep, or ARM experience
- Veeam experience
- ServiceNow or Freshservice experience
- CISSP, CISM, CCNA, or ITIL 4
- Alibaba Cloud experience
- Familiarity with SOX, ISO 27001, NIST, or CIS frameworks
- Manufacturing or global enterprise experience
Technical Environment
- Cloud: Azure, Azure Local
- Identity: Active Directory, Entra ID, Entra Connect, PIM, MFA
- Microsoft 365: Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive
- Endpoint and Security: Intune, Defender, Purview, CrowdStrike
- Infrastructure: VMware, Hyper-V
- Backup: Veeam, Azure Backup, Azure Site Recovery
- ITSM and Monitoring: ServiceNow, Freshservice, NinjaOne, Zabbix
- Networking: Fortinet, Cisco Meraki, Auvik
- Automation: PowerShell, Terraform, Bicep, ARM
- Enterprise Applications: Salesforce, Azure DevOps, Power Platform, QAD, Workday, MES
