Microsoft Cloud Architect (Staff Level) Interview Preparation Guide
Cloud Architect
Microsoft
Staff
8 rounds
Updated 2/22/2026
Microsoft's interview process for Staff-level Cloud Architect positions typically includes a recruiter screening, one technical phone screen, and 5-7 onsite interview rounds spanning 4-6 weeks total. The process evaluates deep cloud architecture expertise, ability to design large-scale distributed systems, cloud strategy and migration leadership, security and governance architecture, architectural decision-making under constraints, and demonstrated mentorship and influence across teams.
Interview Rounds
1
Recruiter Screening
30 min3 focus topicsbehavioral
2
Technical Phone Screen
50 min5 focus topicstechnical
3
Architecture Design Session 1 - Large-Scale SaaS Platform
75 min6 focus topicssystem design
4
Architecture Design Session 2 - Data Pipeline and Analytics Platform
75 min6 focus topicssystem design
5
Cloud Strategy, Migration, and Organizational Architecture
60 min6 focus topicssystem design
6
Security, Compliance, and Enterprise Architecture
60 min6 focus topicstechnical
7
Behavioral and Leadership Interview
60 min6 focus topicsbehavioral
8
Principal/Executive Round - Cloud Architecture Vision and Impact
50 min6 focus topicsbehavioral