IT Infrastructure Architect

About the Role:

The Infrastructure Architect connects and integrates IT Operations technologies and teams ensuring infrastructure platforms operate as a cohesive business-aligned ecosystem. The role focuses on connecting strategy across domains aligning technology decisions and building a clear integrated narrative of how infrastructure enables the business.

Operates with a team-of-teams mindset that prioritizes enterprise outcomes over siloed success with a focus on end-user experience not just technical implementation. Balances innovation with operational stability drives clarity and shared understanding and acts with credibility pragmatism and transparency.

This is a hybrid position requiring three days of onsite work per week. Baird is not currently hiring individuals for this position who now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status.

The Impact Youll Make:

• Connect infrastructure technologies and teams to ensure platforms operate as a cohesive business-aligned ecosystem.
• Lead cross-team architecture discussions that keep teams aligned on tradeoffs dependencies and direction.
• Turn complex multi-platform architecture into roadmaps and presentations that leaders can act on.
• Connect cloud SaaS and on-premises infrastructure into one coherent architecture. Identify gaps or overlaps between platforms to drive early resolution.
• Align Microsoft Teams AV/conference room and endpoint architectures to ensure a smooth experience across meeting spaces and devices.
• Connect identity (Entra ID) endpoint management (Intune) and collaboration tools such as Teams and SharePoint with cloud services. Look for ways to simplify and modernize.
• Partner with Project Managers and Business Analysts early to shape infrastructure solution options assessing feasibility weighing trade-offs and defining network security and platform requirements before designs are locked.
• Help integrate AI capabilities into the infrastructure and workplace environment working within security and governance guidelines. Plan or design the infrastructure needed to support Bairds AI efforts.
• Help integrate AI capabilities into the infrastructure and workplace environment working within security and governance guidelines. Plan or design the infrastructure needed to support Bairds AI efforts.
• Step in as a senior technical resource during major incidents helping teams see how systems connect; driving faster resolution.
• Build alignment across teams without formal authority and coach engineers and technical leads on architecture thinking and communication.
• Act as an escalation point to help teams work through optimization trade-offs to ensure the best result for Baird.

What Youll Bring to Baird:

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in infrastructure cloud systems engineering or related technology disciplines including a minimum of 3 years leading complex technical or cross-team initiatives in a large IT environment
• Solid grasp of Azure M365 including Teams Exchange SharePoint and Intune identity including Entra ID networking virtualization and unified communications. Comfortable connecting multiple technology areas rather than specializing in just one.
• Skilled at leading through influence facilitating discussions and communicating clearly with both technical and business audiences.
• Bachelors degree in Information Technology Computer Science Engineering or a related field or equivalent experience

Compensation and Benefits:

• Compensation and bonus are commensurate with experience performance and/or firm profitability
• Youll have the opportunity to advance your career while enjoying our comprehensive benefits designed for your life career and future.

Note to External Recruiters / Search Firms: Baird does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not compensate for any placement resulting from such submissions. Any unsolicited resumes received will not be treated as valid applications.

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Baird is committed to diversity and provides employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race color religion sex pregnancy citizenship national origin age disability military service veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression genetic information or any other status protected by law.