Role Summary:

The Exchange Migration Architect is responsible for designing, planning, and overseeing complex migration projects from on-premises Microsoft Exchange environments to Microsoft 365 Exchange Online. This role requires a deep understanding of Exchange Server architecture, Active Directory, identity and authentication models, hybrid configurations, and migration strategies. The architect ensures seamless migration with minimal business disruption, security compliance, and adherence to industry best practices.

Required Skills & Expertise:

Core Exchange Skills

• Deep knowledge of Microsoft Exchange Server (2013/2016/2019) architecture and administration.
• Expertise in Exchange Online (Exchange Admin Center, PowerShell).
• Understanding of mail flow, connectors, accepted domains, and hybrid mail routing.
• Experience with namespace design, certificates, and load balancer integration.

Active Directory & Identity

• Strong understanding of Active Directory architecture, FSMO roles, DNS, replication, and GPOs.
• Experience with Azure AD, Azure AD Connect, and hybrid identity management.
• Familiarity with ADFS, Pass-through Authentication (PTA), and password hash sync.

Authentication & Security

• Knowledge of Modern Authentication, OAuth, MFA, and Conditional Access policies.
• Experience with certificate management (PKI) and TLS security.

Migration Tools & Methods

• Hands-on experience with Exchange Hybrid deployments.
• Familiarity with migration tools like Quest On-Demand Migration, BitTitan, SkyKick.
• Ability to perform public folder migrations and archive mailbox migrations.

PowerShell & Automation

• Proficiency in PowerShell scripting for Exchange, AD, and Microsoft 365 automation.

Networking

• Good understanding of SMTP, DNS, Firewall rules, Load Balancers, and Proxy configurations.

Compliance & Governance

• Awareness of Microsoft Compliance Center, retention policies, eDiscovery, and legal hold.

Soft Skills

• Strong documentation skills (HLD/LLD).
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Problem-solving and troubleshooting under pressure.

Mandatory Certifications:

• Microsoft Certified: Exchange Server 2016/2019 (or legacy certifications like MCSE Messaging).
• Microsoft Certified: Messaging Administrator Associate.
• Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert.

Preferred Certifications:

• Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate.
• TOGAF (for architecture principles) – good to have.

Experience:

• 7+ years in Exchange Server administration and migration projects.
• 3+ years in Microsoft 365 migration and hybrid configurations.
• Experience handling enterprise-scale migrations (10,000+ mailboxes) is a plus.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Migration Strategy & Architecture
   
   • Design high-level (HLD) and low-level designs (LLD) for Exchange migrations (2010/2013/2016/2019 to M365).
   • Assess current on-premises Exchange environment (mail flow, DAGs, namespaces, connectors, certificates, load balancers).
   • Define migration approach: Cutover, Staged, Hybrid, or Third-Party Tools (Quest, BitTitan, etc.).
   • Create a migration roadmap including timelines, phases, dependencies, and rollback plans.
2. Active Directory & Identity Management
   
   • Analyze and optimize Active Directory health (FSMO roles, replication, DNS, schema updates).
   • Implement Azure AD Connect (or Cloud Sync) for directory synchronization.
   • Plan and configure identity models (Cloud-only, Synced, or Federated).
   • Design and validate authentication mechanisms: Modern Authentication, OAuth, Conditional Access, MFA, and SSO (ADFS/Entra ID).
3. Hybrid Configuration
   
   • Plan and configure Exchange Hybrid Mode (Hybrid Configuration Wizard).
   • Design secure mail flow between on-premises and Exchange Online.
   • Validate coexistence for mailboxes, calendars, free/busy lookups, and delegation.
4. Migration Execution & Tools
   
   • Select appropriate migration methods/tools based on environment size and complexity.
   • Lead mailbox migration batches, public folder migration, and shared resource migration.
   • Plan cutover weekends and user communication strategies.
   • Troubleshoot migration failures and performance issues.
5. Security & Compliance
   
   • Ensure compliance with ISO, GDPR, and organizational security policies.
   • Plan for Data Loss Prevention (DLP), eDiscovery, and retention policies.
   • Secure hybrid connectivity with TLS, firewalls, and zero-trust principles.
6. Collaboration & Governance
   
   • Work with stakeholders (IT, Security, Compliance) to align migration with business objectives.
   • Document HLD, LLD, migration runbooks, and operational guidelines.
   • Conduct knowledge transfer to operations/support teams post-migration.