IT Cloud Architect at Baker Botts in Austin, Texas

Job Description:

Baker Botts, a full-service, leading international law firm recognized for our understanding of the industries we serve, is seeking a Cloud Architect who will be responsible for interpreting and converting the technical requirements of a project into the architecture and design of a final product. The Cloud Architect position is a systems engineering role that will also be responsible for integrating complex Firm business applications, solutions in Azure public cloud (Azure Active Directory / Entra ID, M365, IAAS, PAAS, etc.), and hybrid infrastructure (Active Directory, SQL, firewall and switches, storage and compute systems, etc.) and other third-party public and private clouds such as iManage, Smartsheet, and eDockets. In this capacity, the Cloud Architect will implement, maintain, and support the Firm’s on-premises and cloud-hosted networked systems and services.

This is a full-time, remote, exempt position, that can be based out of any Baker Botts Texas offices (Austin, Dallas, Houston).


Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Understand customers' overall applications portfolio, IT and business priorities and success measures to design and implement architectures and solutions (Microsoft and 3rd party solutions) using SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, and on-premises systems
• Apply technical knowledge and customer insights to create a modernization roadmap. Architect solutions to meet business and IT needs, ensuring technical viability of new projects and successful deployments, while orchestrating key resources and infusing key infrastructure technologies (e.g. Windows and Linux IaaS, Security, Networking, etc.), and Application Development and DevOps technologies (e.g. App Service, containers, serverless, cloud native, etc.) as appropriate
• Ensure all deployed solutions provide high levels of performance, security, scalability, maintainability, and appropriate reusability and reliability
• Work independently to learn how to install, troubleshoot, document, and support new solutions
• Implement technical requirements and solutions ensuring compliance with departmental and Firm information security policies and best practices
• Act as a subject matter expert with respect to local infrastructure and cloud services when engaging with other stakeholders deploying their applications
• Provide secondlevel technical support to Service Desk Analysts and customers for the purpose of analyzing, troubleshooting, and resolving complex hardware, operating system, apps, enterprise integration and security issues
• Work closely with other IT team members to resolve issues escalated by the Service Desk Analysts
• Handle infrastructure lifecycle management and recommend process improvements
• Identify and act on opportunities for self-improvement, both professionally and technically, including attending training in a variety of formats to enhance technical and workplace skills
• Work with team members to present and cross-train on technical subjects
• Facilitate escalation of major technical issues to appropriate third level analysts, engineers, vendor support services, and management
• Assist other IT team members as required to meet established Service Level Agreements
• Document all change requests into the firm’s change management system, and present pending change proposals at the IT organization’s recurring technical and change advisory panel meetings for discussion and approval
• Monitor and follow up with customers after resolution of complex technical issues to ensure integrity of solutions
• Interact with customers and team members employing a high degree of tact, diplomacy, and professionalism
• Maintain a professional and courteous demeanor while working under busy conditions
• Communicate with team members, management, and customers in a clear, concise, and timely manner
• Participate in testing and quality checks as required
• Participate in after-hours support as needed. Baker Botts has offices around the globe.
• Maintain technical skills and knowledge of market trends and competitive insights; collaborate and share with the technical community

Other duties and responsibilities

• Provide management with project briefings and root cause analyses of system service disruptions
• Other projects and duties as assigned by Manager or Director

Core Competencies

• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Strong work ethic and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to work well with internal and external clients.
• Strong organizational skills, problem solving skills and attention to detail.
• Customer service focused.

Knowledge and Skills

• 5+ years of technical and/or consulting experience demonstrating success in architecture, design, implementation, and troubleshooting of consultative/complex technical deployment projects and/or support of highly distributed applications required
• Proven track record of building deep technical relationships with senior IT executives. Experience in managing various stakeholder relationships and expectations to get consensus on solution/projects required
• Demonstrated ability solving customer problems through cloud and hybrid technologies required
• A desire to drive decisions and reach business goals collaboratively, resolving conflicts and ensuring follow through with exceptional verbal and written communication skills. Ability to orchestrate, lead, and influence project teams, ensuring successful implementation of customer projects. Presentation skills with a high degree of comfort with both large and small audiences (Senior Executives, IT management, Database administrators and Senior System Engineers) required
• Enterprise-scale technical experience with cloud and hybrid infrastructures, architecture designs, migrations, and technology management required
• Experience demonstrating end-to-end understanding of large-scale application portfolios in enterprise-wide environments including migration of on-premises workloads to the cloud required
• Subject matter expertise of hybrid cloud infrastructure solutions (i.e., Windows and Linux IaaS, SAP, BCDR, Security, Management, Storage, Networking, OSS, and Infra as a code technologies) required
• Subject matter expertise in several of the following technologies required:
• SQL including OSS (postgre, MySQL etc), Azure SQL
• Mobile device management for iOS devices (Ivanti MobileIron or Intune)
• Networking (switches, firewalls/IPS, routers, wireless AP’s)
• Compute and hyperconverged (Cisco UCS, HyperFlex, or similar)
• Exchange 2016/2019 and/or Exchange Online
• SAN storage (HPE\ imble, Pure, or similar)
• Virtualization hypervisors (VMware and Microsoft)
• Microsoft Windows Server 2012-2022
• Microsoft 365
• Microsoft Azure IaaS and PaaS
• Microsoft Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS)
• Azure Active Directory / Microsoft Entra ID
• Windows Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
• Extensive, advanced PowerShell expertise required
• Basic knowledge of common networking protocols and systems such as TCP/IP and DNS, and ability to troubleshoot issues required
• Understanding of Active Directory, including structure, object types, and schema attributes required
• Understanding of and ability to implement and support authentication protocols including NTLM, Kerberos, WS-Fed/SAML2.0 (ADFS), Oauth, and multi-factor authentication solutions required
• Expert-level ability to support and troubleshoot apps developed for major enterprise systems, including those prevalent in the legal/professional services industries (e.g. iManage, Aderant, Intapp, etc.) preferred
• Understanding of Group Policy and Group Policy Preferences, including knowledge of how to troubleshoot related issues preferred
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude and demeanor and strong customer service skills under busy conditions and short deadlines required
• Exceptional technical and analytical skills required
• Ability to adapt well to change, and to grasp new ideas quickly and a self-driven initiative to learn new technologies
• Strong attention to detail required
• Self-driven initiative to conduct external research to resolve difficult technical issues required
• Ability to track and ensure success of multiple simultaneous projects required
• Commitment to achieving the firm’s Service Level Agreement(s) required
• Work as part of a cohesive team; must show respect, cooperation, and willingness to assist at all times required
• Thoroughly understand and adhere to departmental policies, procedures, reporting, and support processes required
• Exercise good judgment and takes initiative to anticipate customer needs required
• Effectively manage time and multiple tasks within specific time frames required
• Quickly adjust to changing priorities and departmental processes required
• Follow oral and written instructions accurately required
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervisions required
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, specifically, the ability to be articulate and concise when speaking and working with customers, team members, and executives required

Extent of Contact (within and outside the Firm)


High level of contact with:

• IT Architecture Manager
• Director, Cloud and Infrastructure Services
• Other members of the IT/KS team
• Firm vendors, consultants, and industry peers

Moderate level of contact with:

• Firm attorneys, management and staff

Occasional level of contact with:

• Firm executive-level administration, staff, and management
• Firm clients

Physical Demands

• Must be able to work at a computer and telephone for extensive periods of time.
• Must be able to routinely lift and carry files and other items up to 20 pounds; and
• Must be able to function in a standard office environment.

Working Condition and Environment

• Position requires 24x7 escalation support
• Position is full-time and requires a five-day work week and standard hours as outlined in the Firm policy manual (additional hours, including weekend and evening hours may be required to perform the essential functions of the job)
• This position is fully remote however, you may be required to come to the office periodically for team meetings or when there is a business or client need (this will require that you live within a commuting distance of a Baker Botts US office location and that you will allow you to commute into the office on relatively short notice)
• When working remotely, you must have secure and reliable internet service and a safe, private workspace from which to work
• Unusual work hours will be required at times, depending upon circumstances
• Must be available to work throughout the calendar year including weekends and holidays depending on the business need
• Travel to other locations may be required as needed

Baker Botts is committed to cultivating a culture where our attorneys and staff thrive professionally and personally. We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits program designed to support and enhance the overall wellbeing of our employees and their families.

Baker Botts L.L.P. is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law. Apply Now