Windows Solution Architect

Job Description

Job Description

Role:  MICROSOFT WINDOWS SERVER Solution Architect i

Duration: 6-Months Contract+Ext

Location: USA - Remote 

Pay Range: $80/HR - $90/HR  10+ years of Experience

JOB DESCRIPTION
The role of the MICROSOFT WINDOWS SERVER Solution Architect is to help design and deliver a range of solutions for our clients. You will utilize your deep technical and domain expertise to understand complex business issues and develop permanent solutions to those issues. This includes solution ideation, solution design, and solution implementation. The ideal candidate will be able to review and understand the business context of the solution space being addressed; define the vision and requirements for the solution; recommend potential options; selecting the optimal option and developing a roadmap for solution implementation. Ability to communicate across all levels of an organization and clearly articulate, in simple terms, the proposed technical solution across a broad collection of stakeholders.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Manage activities that take place during solution ideation, solution design, and solution implementation. Reviews business context for solutions to client challenges including identification of requirements. Champions a structured approach to business application solutions. Develops and executes solutions which further reduce the time spent on reactive work. Directs the identification and recommendation of appropriate solutions, upgrades, replacements, or decommissioning options incorporating business and technology productivity, usability, and total costs of ownership. Provide analysis of security considerations for proposed solution. Outstanding communication is required as solution architecture decisions must be explained in both technical and non-technical terms.

MICROSOFT WINDOWS SERVER Solution Architect Qualifications/Skills:
o This will be a bulleted list of the specific technical skills required for the application/tech we will be supporting and any specific domain expertise that may be required.
o Analytical and problem-solving skills
o Attention to detail
o Excellent communications skills, verbal and written
o Broad understanding of information technology topics
o Effective interpersonal skills and collaborative management style to include teamwork and team building agility
o Flexible in a fast paced dynamic environment with competing priorities
o Technically creative and open minded

Windows Server Architecture & Administration
o Deep, hands on experience administering and architecting Windows Server 2012 / 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, and 2022 environments
o Strong understanding of Windows Server lifecycle, EOS implications, and Extended Security Update (ESU) considerations
o Expertise in:
Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), including forests, domains, trusts, FSMO roles, and replication
Group Policy design, optimization, and troubleshooting
Core Windows services: DNS, DHCP, File & Print Services, Client, and identity infrastructure

Virtualization & Infrastructure Platforms
o Experience supporting Windows Server workloads in virtualized environments, including:
Microsoft Hyper V (standalone and clustered)
VMware vSphere (guest and host interaction awareness)
o Understanding of storage architectures (SAN/NAS), backup integration, and high availability design
o Ability to assess platform dependencies and constraints impacting lifecycle extension strategies

Security, Risk & Compliance Assessment
o Strong knowledge of Windows Server security hardening and baseline configuration
o Experience evaluating post EOS security risk and mitigation options without forced upgrades
o Familiarity with:
Patch management models (WSUS, manual, offline)
Legacy protocol and cipher exposure (e.g., SMBv1, NTLM, older TLS)
Privileged access and identity related risks
o Ability to clearly articulate security trade offs and compensating controls as part of Custom support recommendations [Generic Cu...Architect | Word]

Assessment, Lifecycle & Upgrade Avoidance Expertise
o Proven experience conducting current state technical assessments of Windows Server estates
o Ability to identify:
o EOS and ESU exposure
o Application and middleware dependencies
o Upgrade blockers and operational constraints
o Skilled in developing:
Lifecycle extension strategies
Consolidation or decommissioning recommendations

Integration & Platform Awareness
o Understanding of Windows Server as a foundational platform for:
SQL Server
IIS hosted and third party enterprise applications
o Ability to assess OS level impact on application stability, performance, and supportability
o Experience mapping technical dependencies to commercial and risk considerations
o Commercial, Pricing & Vendor Support Knowledge (Required)

Microsoft Support & Pricing Models
o Solid understanding of Microsoft Unified Support economics, including:
Spend based pricing models
o Coverage emphasis on SaaS versus on prem products
o Knowledge of Extended Security Updates (ESU):
Eligibility requirements
Cost escalation model
o Functional and security limitations
o Working knowledge of Microsoft licensing constructs relevant to Windows Server:
Percore versus per server models
Standard vs Datacenter editions
CAL dependencies

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Clear understanding of what is—and is not—traditionally provided under vendor maintenance versus third party support.