Our Client is a dynamic and growing consulting, IT outsourcing, and back-office outsourcing organization focused on driving customer success. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Our Client serves organizations across the upstream and midstream energy markets, delivering cost-effective business solutions while creating a challenging and fulfilling environment for employees.
Team members have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the oil and gas industry and related technologies while collaborating on complex client engagements. Our Client values teamwork, continuous learning, professional service, and delivering meaningful value to customers.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Our Client is seeking a Principal Architect to serve as the senior-most client-facing technical authority within its IT Outsourcing practice.
This is a hands-on, player-coach position for an accomplished architect who can move seamlessly between strategy and execution. The Principal Architect will lead complex client engagements, design enterprise solutions, guide migrations and M&A integrations, and provide project management and quality assurance oversight for other Architects.
The role spans Azure, Microsoft 365, identity, networking, endpoint management, and security. The Principal Architect will own technical discovery, current-state assessments, target-state architecture, technical due diligence, major migrations, and architecture quality across the practice.
Success in this position requires deep Microsoft cloud expertise combined with exceptional executive presence. The Principal Architect must be comfortable leading technical discussions with CIOs, CFOs, client executives, and external stakeholders while also mentoring technical teams and personally contributing to complex delivery work.
RESPONSIBILITIES
CLIENT ARCHITECTURE AND ADVISORY
Serve as lead architect on client engagements across Azure, Microsoft 365, identity, networking, endpoint, and security environments supporting both enterprise and small-to-medium business clients
Own technical discovery, current-state assessments, and target-state design for upstream oil and gas clients and organizations in other industries
Author and own client-facing architecture deliverables, including technical SOW sections, high-level designs, low-level designs, runbooks, and technology roadmaps
Serve as the senior technical escalation point for the IT Outsourcing delivery team on client issues
Represent Our Client during client QBRs, technical design sessions, and director- and executive-level technical conversations
Lead client security architecture initiatives involving Conditional Access, Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Sentinel, Intune compliance, Privileged Identity Management, and identity governance
M&A AND MIGRATION TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP
Lead technical due diligence for client acquisitions and divestitures, including carve-outs, tenant splits, data migrations, and identity consolidation
Architect and personally execute or oversee Azure migrations and Microsoft 365 tenant-to-tenant migrations
Design integration plans for acquired entities covering Active Directory and Entra consolidation, mail flow, file and data migration, endpoint management, and licensing rationalization
Own the technical risk register for major client projects
PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND QUALITY ASSURANCE
Provide project management and quality assurance oversight for projects led by other Architects
Review architecture documents, technical designs, and implementation plans before client delivery
Lead technical gate reviews at key project milestones, including discovery, design, cutover, and closeout
Drive consistency in deliverable quality, methodology, and client communication across the architecture team
Identify technical risk, scope creep, and technical debt early and escalate situations requiring commercial or staffing intervention to appropriate leadership
Coach Architects through complex technical decisions and challenging client situations
PRACTICE STANDARDS AND MENTORSHIP
Establish and maintain reference architectures, technical patterns, and reusable design assets
Mentor Architects and senior engineers and help develop the next generation of senior technical talent
Drive the technical evaluation of new tools and vendor solutions for client delivery
SALES ENGINEERING SUPPORT
Partner with sales teams on technical pre-sales activities, including scoping and solution design
Serve as the senior technical voice on competitive pursuits when needed
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
A successful Principal Architect will demonstrate measurable impact across client delivery, architecture quality, and team development.
Reduce senior IT leadership involvement in client technical escalations by 70 percent or more
Establish documented reference architectures for the most common client engagement patterns
Lead at least two major client projects from beginning to end
Implement an effective project management and quality assurance cadence across the architecture team, resulting in measurable improvements such as reduced rework, stronger client deliverables, and improved on-time milestone completion
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience
12 or more years of progressive IT experience
5 or more years of experience in a senior or principal architect role
Deep hands-on expertise across the Microsoft cloud stack, including Azure IaaS, PaaS, networking and governance, Entra ID, Microsoft 365, Intune, Defender, Sentinel, and Purview
Proven experience leading Azure migrations and Microsoft 365 tenant migrations from discovery through completion
Strong identity and access management expertise, including Conditional Access design and Zero Trust architecture
Previous MSP, CSP, or IT consulting experience involving multi-tenant client environments
Demonstrated ability to lead, review, and quality-assure the work of other Architects
Strong executive presence with the ability to lead technical conversations with client CIOs, CFOs, and external stakeholders
Strong written communication skills with experience developing SOWs, architecture documents, and executive summaries
Ability to succeed in a fast-paced, high-energy technical environment
Advanced analytical and problem-solving capabilities
Strong work ethic and excellent organizational skills
Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and deadlines effectively
Comfort working with shifting priorities in a rapidly evolving environment
Ability to quickly learn new technologies, products, and concepts
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience in oil and gas, energy, or regulated or operational technology environments
M&A technical integration and carve-out experience
Familiarity with ConnectWise Manage PSA and NinjaOne RMM
Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification
Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect Expert certification
Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator certification
Scripting and automation proficiency using PowerShell, KQL, SQL, AI agents, and foundational large language models
Experience with OT or SCADA environments, production accounting systems, or upstream E&P application stacks
Oil and gas industry experience is preferred but not required
EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Full time
WORK SITE
Hybrid
Onsite three days per week
Must be based in Houston, Texas
TRAVEL
Ability to travel to client locations throughout Texas and nationally as needed
WORK AUTHORIZATION
Must be eligible to work for any employer in the United States
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