Azure Solutions Architect
Role: Azure Solutions Architect
Also Known As: Cloud Architect, Enterprise Architect
Salary: $130K – $210K (US)
Role Overview
Azure Solutions Architects design end-to-end cloud systems that balance scalability, security, cost, and performance.
They convert business problems into technical architectures.
Core Responsibilities
1. Solution Design
- Design complete Azure architectures
- Choose between VM, PaaS, Serverless
- Ensure HA/DR readiness
- Create architecture diagrams
2. Network Architecture
- Design hub-spoke networks
- Implement Private Endpoints
- Plan hybrid connectivity (VPN / ExpressRoute)
- Apply zero-trust networking
3. Data Architecture
- Select databases (SQL, Cosmos DB, PostgreSQL)
- Design partitioning and scaling
- Build data pipelines
4. Security Architecture
- Implement Entra ID, MFA, PIM
- Use Key Vault + Managed Identity
- Apply WAF, Firewall, Private Endpoints
5. HA & DR
- Define RPO / RTO
- Design multi-region failover
- Automate disaster recovery
6. Cost Optimization
- Right-size resources
- Use Reserved Instances
- Apply auto-scaling
7. Governance
- Define management groups
- Implement Azure Policy
- Apply tagging strategy
Architecture Decision Table
| Requirement | VMs | PaaS | Serverless |
|---|
| Control | High | Medium | Low |
| Scaling | Manual/VMSS | Auto | Auto + Zero |
| Cost | Fixed | Moderate | Usage-based |
| Use Case | Legacy | Web Apps | Event-driven |
Architecture Patterns
Enterprise Web App
Users → Front Door → App Gateway → App Service
→ Azure SQL + Redis + Blob
Microservices
Users → Front Door → AKS → Microservices
→ Cosmos DB + Service Bus + Redis
Serverless
Event → Event Grid → Functions → Cosmos DB
Data Platform
Data → Data Factory → ADLS → Databricks → Synapse → Power BI
Hybrid Architecture
On-Prem → ExpressRoute → Hub VNet → Spokes → Apps
HA/DR Strategy
| Pattern | RTO | RPO | Cost |
|---|
| Single Region | Minutes | 0 | $$ |
| Active-Passive | Minutes | Minutes | $$$ |
| Active-Active | Seconds | 0 | $$$$ |
Certification Path
| Certification | Level |
|---|
| AZ-900 | Beginner |
| AZ-104 | Associate |
| AZ-305 | Expert |
| AZ-500 | Security |
| DP-203 | Data |
Interview Cheat Sheet
- Web App Design: Front Door → App Service → SQL
- Microservices: AKS + Service Bus + Cosmos DB
- Security: Private Endpoints + Key Vault + MFA
- Cost: RI + auto-scale + serverless
- HA: Zones + multi-region failover