Principal Architect - Azure

Overview

Datacom is a leading IT services provider in Australia and New Zealand, dedicated to empowering communities and businesses by leveraging advanced technology for innovation and growth. The Principal Architect role offers an opportunity to shape strategic technology directions focusing on cloud, AI, and digital platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and define enterprise strategies for cloud, AI, and platform solutions that align with client business goals.
• Lead architecture efforts on substantial transformation projects ensuring security, scalability, sustainability, and profitability of solutions.
• Create and maintain Azure-based reference architectures, platform standards, governance policies, and best practices.
• Oversee design and execution of AI-driven platforms, agentic systems, and AI-enabled business workflows.
• Assess emerging technologies to enhance business outcomes, boost efficiency, and foster innovation.
• Conduct architecture assurance across multiple domains including cloud infrastructure, security, networking, data management, application frameworks, and AI technologies.
• Implement standards and frameworks to guarantee effective delivery, maintenance, and long-term evolution of technological solutions.
• Engage with executive stakeholders providing strategic advisory, technology roadmaps, and investment planning support.
• Contribute toward thought leadership, foster architecture communities, and promote innovation and reusable intellectual properties.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Significant background in Enterprise Architecture, Principal Architecture, or senior technical leadership.
• Proven track record in shaping and governing enterprise technology strategies covering cloud, infrastructure, security, networking, applications, and data platforms.
• Expertise in Microsoft Azure and contemporary cloud architecture methodologies including governance, landing zones, identity management, security, automation, and operational models.
• Experience leading enterprise AI initiatives and overseeing AI platform integration within complex organizations.
• In-depth knowledge of Azure AI Foundry, Azure OpenAI, Azure AI Search, large language models, and current AI architectural frameworks.
• Competence in designing AI solutions leveraging retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), vector search, and AI orchestration techniques.
• Experience in establishing AI governance frameworks, responsible AI practices, model lifecycle management, and enterprise AI operations.
• Background in developing or supervising agentic solutions, AI-enabled automation platforms, and intelligent workflows.
• Strong understanding of cloud and AI-related security, resilience, observability, compliance, and risk control mechanisms.
• Skill in establishing architecture standards, governance frameworks, reference architectures, and strategic technology roadmaps.
• Leadership abilities in managing architects and multidisciplinary teams on complex programs and transformation projects.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills that foster collaboration with senior executives, technical leaders, and delivery teams.
• Passion for emerging technology trends and converting innovations into tangible business benefits.

Preferred Additional Experience

• Experience creating enterprise AI Centers of Excellence or AI governance structures.
• Knowledge of multi-cloud architectures and hybrid cloud operation models.
• Familiarity with Kubernetes, platform engineering, and modern cloud-native technologies.
• Experience using GitHub Enterprise, GitHub Copilot, and AI-assisted software development methodologies.
• Understanding of FinOps, AI cost optimization, and cloud financial governance.
• Involvement in industry standards, technical communities, advisory boards, or thought leadership activities.
• Relevant certifications like Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Azure AI Engineer Associate, Azure Security Engineer Associate, TOGAF, or equivalent.
• Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or commensurate practical experience.

Culture and Benefits

Datacom prides itself on maintaining a dynamic, agile culture with a close-knit environment despite its large size. Employees enjoy benefits such as social events, relaxation areas, flexible working hours, remote work options, and professional development opportunities. The company values individual contributions within a collaborative and flat-structured workplace. The digital team promotes flexibility to accommodate non-work commitments and offers opportunities to engage with cutting-edge technology challenges across leading enterprise organizations in Australia and New Zealand.