senior applications architect.

We are seeking a highly accomplished Senior Applications Architect for an enterprise-level contract opportunity based in Toronto. In this role, you will take on a premier strategic architecture and technical leadership capacity, specializing in designing, modernizing, and deploying cloud-native application architectures, microservices platforms, and hybrid cloud solutions.

As a principal applications architect, you will bridge the gap between complex business requirements, cloud infrastructure strategies, and development squads. Operating fully onsite in Toronto, you will lead the overall technology strategy across modern application platforms, conduct proof-of-concepts (PoCs), govern architectural compliance using standard frameworks (such as the Zachman Enterprise framework), and optimize cloud costing and licensing strategies. This position demands a seasoned architecture authority who can design containerized microservice solutions on platforms like VMware Tanzu, build secure Azure cloud workloads, and guide cross-functional project teams through formal architecture governance reviews.

Location: Toronto, ON

Assignment Type: Onsite (5 days per week)

Contract Duration: 7-month contract

Advantages
Enterprise Cloud & Microservices Strategy: Direct high-visibility cloud migrations and microservice architectures leveraging IaaS, PaaS, SaaS (Azure preferred), and containerized platforms like Tanzu.

Architecture Governance Leadership: Author enterprise architectural artifacts, lead option analyses, and guide projects through formal Architectural Review Boards (ARB).

Agile & DevOps Automation: Drive DevOps integration, automated CI/CD infrastructure deployments, test automation, and zero-downtime "blue-green" deployment strategies.

Cloud Security & Networking Scope: Architect secure cloud networks incorporating Virtual Networks (V-Nets), subnets, network peering, Web Application Firewalls (WAF), and RESTful API management.

Responsibilities
Lead the overall application architecture, technology roadmap, and design strategy across core software platforms and integrated sub-projects.

Design, build, recommend, and manage target-state application architectures (hardware, software, database, and communications) across large-scale, distributed cross-platform environments.

Architect, prototype, and implement cloud-native microservice solutions on container platforms, specifically leveraging VMware Tanzu (formerly Pivotal Cloud Foundry).

Provide strategic guidance on cloud licensing, costing, and resource management to maximize efficiency and budget allocation across cloud workloads.

Perform solution option analyses and produce formal architectural artifacts following standard enterprise frameworks (e.g., Zachman framework).

Research, develop, and maintain application architectural policies, standards, and best practices, obtaining formal management approvals.

Lead architectural assessments and reviews to align technology initiatives with changing business priorities, security requirements, and accessibility standards.

Establish secure cloud networking environments, including V-Nets, subnets, network peering, Web Application Firewalls (WAF), and API gateway solutions.

Guide project teams through enterprise architecture governance boards, presenting solution blueprints and securing formal approvals.

Collaborate closely with delivery teams in an Agile DevOps environment to provide technical direction, code/infrastructure deployment strategies, and "blue-green" rollout plans.

Perform deep analytical problem-solving to resolve complex system bottlenecks, integration challenges, and technical issues.

Author technical specifications, architecture work plans, runbooks, and deliver structured knowledge transfer to internal technical staff.

Qualifications
Core Requirements & Cloud Architecture
Public Cloud Expertise: Demonstrated experience developing and implementing public cloud solutions across Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), with a strong preference for Microsoft Azure.

Microservices & Container Platforms: Proven technical leadership architecting microservice-based solutions using container platforms, specifically VMware Tanzu (formerly Pivotal Cloud Foundry).

Multi-Platform & Language Mastery: Extensive hands-on experience across multiple operating systems (Windows, Linux), databases (MS SQL, Azure SQL, PostgreSQL), programming languages (Java, .NET/C#, Node.js, Angular, React), and communication protocols.

Cloud Networking & Security: Experience designing secure cloud networks (V-Nets, subnets, network peering, WAF) and cloud security baselines to safeguard sensitive data workloads.

Agile, DevOps & Modern Deployments: Hands-on experience embedding within Agile delivery teams, establishing DevOps automation, and executing blue-green deployment strategies.

Preferred Experience & Assets
Enterprise Architecture Frameworks: Hands-on experience authoring artifacts using standard enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g., Zachman framework) and navigating formal architectural governance committees.

API Management & SharePoint: Practical experience with API Management, RESTful APIs, Microsoft SharePoint Online, and on-premises deployments.

Modeling Tools: Proficiency with Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE) and diagramming tools such as Visio or PowerDesigner.

Soft Skills & Leadership Attributes
Stakeholder Engagement & Facilitation: Exceptional facilitation and negotiation skills to engage stakeholders across security, privacy, accessibility, and business domains.

Analytical Problem Solving: Superior critical thinking, analytical, and decision-making capabilities to solve complex technical architecture challenges.

Communication & Presentation: Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills to convey architectural designs clearly to both technical squads and executive management.

Summary
If you're interested in the "Senior Applications Architect" role based in Toronto, we encourage you to apply online at
Only qualified candidates will be contacted for the next steps. We look forward to hearing from you!

Randstad Canada is committed to fostering a workforce reflective of all peoples of Canada. As a result, we are committed to developing and implementing strategies to increase the equity, diversity and inclusion within the workplace by examining our internal policies, practices, and systems throughout the entire lifecycle of our workforce, including its recruitment, retention and advancement for all employees. In addition to our deep commitment to respecting human rights, we are dedicated to positive actions to affect change to ensure everyone has full participation in the workforce free from any barriers, systemic or otherwise, especially equity-seeking groups who are usually underrepresented in Canada's workforce, including those who identify as women or non-binary/gender non-conforming; Indigenous or Aboriginal Peoples; persons with disabilities (visible or invisible) and; members of visible minorities, racialized groups and the LGBTQ2+ community.

Randstad Canada is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible workplace for all its candidates and employees by supporting their accessibility and accommodation needs throughout the employment lifecycle. We ask that all job applications please identify any accommodation requirements by sending an email to View email address on randstad.com to ensure their ability to fully participate in the interview process.

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