Job Title: GIS and Azure Infrastructure Optimization Specialist
Location: Oakville, ON (Hybrid)
Estimated Duration: 12 Months
Our client is a leader in the North American wide hydro utility industry. We are looking for a GIS & Azure Infrastructure Optimization Specialist to work on an initial contract term of 12 months that has ability to be extended. This candidate should ideally be based in the GTA as the client's office is located in Oakville. Will be mainly remote work with some office visits that may be required from time to time for stakeholder and team meetings. .
The role:
GIS & Azure Infrastructure Optimization Specialist
Reports To: Infrastructure & Cloud Services Leadership
The GIS & Azure Infrastructure Optimization Specialist will provide senior-level technical expertise focused on the assessment, optimization, and modernization of enterprise ESRI GIS environments hosted within Microsoft Azure. This role will work closely with internal IT stakeholders, ESRI consultants, and external partners to enhance GIS platform performance, scalability, user experience, and cloud cost efficiency.
The successful candidate will play a key role in evaluating the current Azure-hosted ESRI architecture, translating workshop recommendations into executable technical solutions, and supporting the evolution of GIS application delivery through Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD).
Key Responsibilities
• Assess and optimize the existing ESRI GIS application architecture within Microsoft Azure, including compute, storage, networking, and supporting cloud services, in alignment with ESRI and Microsoft best practices.
• Participate in ESRI-led workshops, architecture reviews, and optimization sessions, providing technical implementation expertise and operational insight.
• Translate workshop findings and recommendations into actionable technical designs, implementation plans, and infrastructure tasks.
• Support the design, deployment, and optimization of Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) environments for GIS users, including transition planning from legacy Citrix-based delivery platforms where applicable.
• Perform right-sizing analysis for GIS application servers and validate system performance improvements following optimization activities.
• Provide recommendations for Azure cost optimization strategies, including Reserved Instance (RI) alignment, resource utilization analysis, and consumption optimization.
• Collaborate closely with Infrastructure, Application, Security, Networking, and Cloud Governance teams, as well as ESRI consultants and third-party vendors.
• Support system testing, performance validation, user acceptance activities, and phased deployment initiatives.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, implementation procedures, and operational support materials.
• Facilitate knowledge transfer and operational readiness activities with IT Operations and support teams following project completion.
Required Qualifications
• Strong experience supporting enterprise ESRI GIS environments, preferably within Microsoft Azure cloud infrastructure.
• Hands-on expertise with Microsoft Azure services including virtual machines, storage, networking, monitoring, identity integration, and cost management.
• Experience designing and supporting Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) environments.
• Familiarity with Citrix environments and migration or transition planning to AVD.
• Strong understanding of infrastructure performance optimization, capacity planning, and server right-sizing methodologies.
• Experience participating in technical architecture reviews and translating recommendations into implementation activities.
• Knowledge of Azure cost optimization practices including Reserved Instances, resource governance, and consumption management.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multiple technical and business stakeholder groups.
Preferred Qualifications
• ESRI ArcGIS Enterprise administration or architecture experience.
• Microsoft Azure certifications and/or ESRI technical certifications.
• Experience working in large enterprise or regulated environments.
• Familiarity with cloud governance, security, and operational support frameworks.
Engagement Characteristics
• Senior-level technical consulting and implementation role.
• High degree of collaboration with cross-functional teams and external vendors.
• Combination of strategic infrastructure assessment and hands-on technical execution.
• Opportunity to contribute to modernization and optimization of a critical enterprise GIS platform.