Core Infrastructure SME / Architect

Role Title Microsoft & Core Infrastructure SME / Architect

Reports to Chief Architect

Location Mumbai, India

Role purpose

Responsible for strategy, design, and governance of core infrastructure services across the organisation. Provides technical direction and design authority across identity, messaging, virtualisation, server, storage, and Microsoft platforms, ensuring secure, supportable, and operationally aligned services.

Key accountabilities

General Technical

• Provide technical leadership for core infrastructure architecture across Microsoft 365, email, VMware, servers, storage, identity, and directory services.
• Own and maintain infrastructure standards, patterns, roadmaps, and design guardrails for enterprise use.
• Ensure solutions align to security, resilience, support, and operational requirements.
• Provide design input and technical guidance to engineering, project, and operational teams.
• Support cloud integration and hybrid architecture across Microsoft and core infrastructure services.
• Drive governance for platform lifecycle, technical debt, patching, and upgrade activity.
• Identify automation and service improvement opportunities across infrastructure and identity platforms.

Experience and personal qualities

Essential Technical

• 10+ years of experience
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft 365 services and supporting platform architecture.
• Strong experience with Barracuda email security and enterprise email platforms.
• Strong VMware infrastructure knowledge across design, support, and lifecycle management.
• Strong experience with Windows server platforms and core server infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of enterprise storage platforms and resilience considerations.
• Strong experience with MIM / IDAM solutions and identity lifecycle processes.
• In-depth knowledge of Entra ID (Azure AD), Active Directory, and hybrid identity environments.
• Experience planning and governing Windows OS upgrades and migration activity.
• Strong understanding of platform governance, operational support models, and service continuity.
• Experience working across infrastructure projects, architecture reviews, and technical delivery.
• Experience in core infrastructure services monitored and alerting.
• Strong analytical and documentation skills

Desirable Technical

• PowerShell scripting and automation.
• Experience with conditional access, MFA, and identity security controls.
• Knowledge of backup, recovery, and disaster recovery design principles.
• Microsoft or infrastructure-related certifications.

Relationship management

• Provide regular updates to line management.
• Build strong relationships with IT and business stakeholders.
• Work closely with architects, engineers, and support teams on solution direction.
• Collaborate with global teams to maintain service consistency and supportability.

Management information

• Ensure core infrastructure services are monitored using standard tooling.
• Review platform roadmaps, risks, support status, and upgrade requirements.
• Support vendor engagement across Microsoft, VMware, Barracuda, and related platforms.

Behaviors

• Can focus on detail.
• Capable self-learner.
• Team player.
• Can lead by example.
• Can work to tight deadlines

Communication

• Maintain proactive communication across IT and business stakeholders.
• Produce clear technical documentation, standards, and designs.
• Actively support knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
• Strong English verbal and written communication.

General / Working Environment

• Undertake relevant training and development.
• Adhere to company policies including security and data protection.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Used to working as part of a design and operational environment.
• Hybrid working based in Mumbai, India.