Cloud Modernization Architect

Function

Our client is looking for an experienced cloud architecture professional to help shape and deliver a large-scale modernization agenda across a complex enterprise environment. In this role, you will assess existing cloud and virtualized workloads, define a practical modernization roadmap, and guide the transition toward more secure, portable, and cost-efficient architectures.

Responsibilities

• Assess workloads running across AWS, Azure, and Azure VMware Solution, and define the right modernization approach using standard migration strategies such as rehost, replatform, refactor, retire, and retain.
• Lead the migration of VMware-based workloads away from virtualized infrastructure toward optimized cloud or on-premise solutions.
• Drive the re-architecture of legacy and monolithic applications toward containers, serverless patterns, and managed services to improve scalability and reduce operational overhead.
• Own and evolve cloud architecture standards and reference designs, including the move from traditional image-based deployment practices toward immutable and container-based delivery where appropriate.
• Support cloud cost optimization through rightsizing, reserved capacity or savings plans, and the removal of legacy over-provisioning, while keeping stakeholders informed on progress.
• Work closely with security stakeholders to ensure modernized workloads meet security and compliance requirements, with checks embedded into the delivery lifecycle from the start.
• Define standards for Infrastructure as Code and CI/CD pipelines to enable repeatable and automated modernization at scale.
• Perform Well-Architected reviews for priority workloads and translate findings into a prioritized modernization backlog.
• Provide architectural guidance on cloud, web application firewall, PKI, and related infrastructure or security initiatives impacted by modernization.
• Identify automation and self-service opportunities that reduce manual effort and improve operational efficiency.

Technical Skills

• Strong hands-on experience with AWS and/or Azure cloud platforms, including modernization-relevant services.
• Proven experience with VMware virtualization and Azure VMware Solution, including planning and executing migrations away from AVS using tools such as Azure Migrate, HCX, or equivalent.
• Solid background in application and infrastructure modernization across enterprise environments.
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code tools such as Terraform, or similar solutions, together with CI/CD pipelines that support automated deployments.
• Good understanding of cloud security practices, including vulnerability management, WAF, PKI, and IAM governance for modernized workloads.
• Experience with cloud cost optimization and FinOps-style practices as part of modernization initiatives.

Profile

• 10+ years of experience in cloud engineering or cloud architecture roles.
• At least 4 years of focused experience on AWS or Azure, with direct involvement in migration and modernization delivery.
• Strong ability to lead technical decisions and act as a trusted architectural authority across multiple stakeholders.
• Experience with container orchestration and event-driven architectures such as SNS/SQS or Kafka is a plus.
• Experience with large-scale VM-to-cloud migration programs, such as VMware Cloud or Azure VMware Solution, is an advantage.
• Familiarity with regulated, enterprise-scale environments is beneficial.
• Knowledge of GDPR or other EU compliance considerations is a plus.
• A Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field is preferred, although equivalent experience is also valued.
• Relevant cloud certifications such as Solutions Architect Associate/Professional or Security Specialty are preferred.

Practical Information

• Language requirements: fluent English and fluent Dutch.
• This is a long-term consulting opportunity.
• The assignment focuses on cloud modernization across AWS, Azure, and VMware-based environments.

Contactperson & Reference

• Reference #: INW27977
• Jeroen Van Hoecke
• jeroen.vanhoecke@i4m.be