APPLICATION ARCHITECT JOB DESCRIPTION

Owning enterprise application architecture is a distinct discipline. Where a Software Engineer builds within a defined system and an Enterprise Architect sets organizational technology policy, the Application Architect owns the design decisions that sit between them, determining how applications are structured, integrated, and evolved to meet real delivery constraints. This role operates across the full scope of the application portfolio, from legacy modernization to cloud-native platform design, accountable to both engineering leads and senior business stakeholders. The position demands fluency in TOGAF-aligned governance frameworks, hands-on command of integration patterns, and the authority to set binding architectural standards across development teams.

As the Application Architect, you will define and maintain the enterprise application architecture strategy, translating business requirements into technical blueprints that govern how software systems are designed, integrated, and sustained. You will work across engineering, infrastructure, and product teams, typically reporting to a senior IT or enterprise architecture leader, with accountability that extends to vendor relationships and cross-functional delivery programs.

Career Impact: Holding accountability for architectural standards and governance frameworks positions this role as a recognized technical authority among engineering leads, program directors, and senior IT management.

Business Impact: When application integration patterns are poorly defined, delivery teams duplicate effort, systems degrade under load, and migration programs stall - the Application Architect is the role that prevents those outcomes.

Growth Opportunity: Hands-on governance of cloud-native migrations, microservices adoption, and DevSecOps standards builds the portfolio that leads to Principal Architect or Head of Architecture roles.

• Define enterprise application architecture standards, integration blueprints, and technology policies governing development and deployment across the organization.
• Architect scalable, secure, and maintainable solutions spanning cloud-native platforms, legacy systems, and third-party integrations.
• Lead design and code reviews with development teams to validate that implementations conform to approved architectural patterns.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and deliver documented recommendations that align with the IT strategic roadmap.
• Develop migration strategies to close gaps between current-state application portfolios and approved future-state architectures.
• Guide and mentor software developers and senior engineers on design patterns, architectural decisions, and technical best practices.
• Partner with product managers, program directors, and infrastructure teams to ensure architectural requirements are captured and reflected in project plans.
• Produce and maintain architecture documentation, including solution blueprints, proof-of-concept deliverables, standards references, and roadmaps.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related engineering field, or equivalent work experience.
• 7 or more years of application architecture experience, with demonstrated ownership of enterprise-scale integration and platform design decisions.
• Proven ability to define and enforce governance frameworks covering SDLC standards, security compliance integration, and architectural review processes.
• Deep knowledge of integration architecture patterns, including RESTful APIs, event-driven messaging, service-oriented models, and middleware configuration.
• Experience designing solutions across cloud deployment models, including IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, and hybrid environments, with hands-on cloud platform exposure.
• Strong understanding of microservices architecture, containerization principles, and DevOps or DevSecOps pipeline design.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex architectural decisions to executive stakeholders, program managers, and cross-functional technical teams.
• Proven experience modernizing legacy systems, including both technical decomposition and the organizational change management that accompanies transformation.

• TOGAF 9 certification or an equivalent enterprise architecture framework certification, demonstrating formal governance competency.
• Experience applying domain-driven design principles in large, distributed application portfolios with multiple bounded contexts.
• Familiarity with IT portfolio rationalization methods, including application lifecycle planning, ROI analysis, and technical debt prioritization.
• Prior exposure to regulated or compliance-heavy environments, such as programs requiring audit trails, access controls, or documented architecture sign-off processes.

• Architecture review cycle time, measuring days from design submission to approved or rejected decision.
• Percentage of active projects with documented, approved architectural blueprints, reflecting governance coverage across the portfolio.
• Number of critical integration failures per quarter attributable to design gaps, tracked against incident logs.
• Technical debt backlog reduction rate, reflecting progress on legacy modernization commitments over rolling quarters.
• Reference architecture adoption rate, measuring share of new projects using approved patterns versus one-off designs.
• Typical tools: version control and repository management (commonly Git or Bitbucket); diagramming and architecture modeling (commonly Visio or Lucidchart).

• Base Salary Range: $140,000 to $185,000 annually, depending on seniority and location
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus typically 10% to 20% of base salary
• Equity: Stock options or RSUs offered at many mid-to-large technology organizations
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution varies by organization
• PTO: 15 to 25 days annually, plus standard US public holidays
• Common Perks: Remote or hybrid flexibility, continuing education reimbursement, and professional certification support

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Work authorization in the United States is required; candidates must be eligible to work without visa sponsorship unless otherwise stated by the employer. Employment in this role is contingent on successful completion of a background check. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Candidates requiring reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process are encouraged to submit a request to the hiring organization.

The Application Architect owns the enterprise-wide application portfolio strategy, evaluating tools, technologies, and integration blueprints to align IT capabilities with evolving business requirements across cross-functional teams. Working with vendors, management, and development teams, the Application Architect delivers architectural standards and roadmaps that enable scalable, secure, and compliant system deployments across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide senior-level decisions and priorities on enterprise systems architecture.
• Lead IT strategic planning efforts.
• Assess the current state of the enterprise application portfolio.
• Collaborate with cross-functional IT areas to define application architecture, strategies, and roadmaps.
• Evaluate tools and technologies for future state architecture and evolving business requirements.
• Set enterprise application standards, architectural guidelines, technology policies, and procedures.
• Develop and maintain an integration architecture blueprint for the organization.
• Research and recommend integration, third-party products, and services to support procurement and development.
• Oversee development and integration of software and applications to identify and remedy potential problem areas.
• Interface with management and users to determine overall IT application requirements.
• Work with vendors and internal teams to design and develop pilot applications, proof of concept, and prototypes.
• Conduct technical research, analysis, and use cases on emerging technologies in accordance with IT objectives.
• Participate in business case development, project sizing, design, and implementation.
• Evaluate project technical outcomes and report recommendations based on findings.
• Guide development team members and support new system deployments.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of IT and business experience in enterprise-wide solution architecture.
• Experience in vendor management, tool evaluation, and documenting recommendations.
• Knowledge of software development life cycle, quality assurance, and project management disciplines.
• Broad technical expertise in conceptual design, system integration, data analytics, infrastructure, security, identity management, and cloud technologies, including SaaS, PaaS, and cloud architecture.
• Experience with Health Information Exchange (HIE), HL7 messaging (ADT and clinical), X12 messaging, and EHR interoperability.
• Proficiency in Java, UNIX, Web Services, API, SFTP, XML, HTML, version control, code repositories, and rules-based tools.
• Intermediate skills in Access, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Project, Visio, and Word.
• Strong problem-solving, negotiation, and strategic thinking skills with the ability to translate business needs into solutions.
• English proficiency in reading, writing, and verbal communication, with intermediate mathematical proficiency.

Embedded within the core data platform product organization, the Application Architect designs, develops, and deploys application architecture across all aspects of data platform products while ensuring uniform enterprise-wide design standards. Working closely with the application development team and stakeholders, the Application Architect improves scalability, stability, and efficiency of data systems through rigorous code quality standards and Agile SDLC participation.

Core Functions

• Design major aspects of application architecture and evaluate, identify, and develop software solutions.
• Document and record every aspect of an application or software.
• Provide technical leadership to the application development team and conduct design and code reviews.
• Locate and direct solutions for critical challenges involving software and hardware interface.
• Identify and resolve problems within software systems.
• Ensure uniform enterprise-wide application design standards are maintained.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to align architecture with business requirements.
• Improve scalability, stability, accuracy, speed, and efficiency of existing data systems.
• Design, build, test, and deploy new libraries, frameworks, or full systems to the highest standards of testing and code quality.
• Understand and implement data security and data protection.
• Participate in daily standups and all Agile SDLC meetings, including planning, estimation, retrospectives, and demos.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 15+ years as a Senior Developer with 4+ years as an Application Architect, including experience mentoring team members.
• Expert-level Java and AWS orchestration skills, with advanced experience in RESTful Microservices using Spring Boot.
• Strong knowledge of design patterns, architectural styles, agile software development, ESB platforms, and cloud computing technologies.
• Experience with distributed systems, containerization using Docker and Kubernetes, and serverless frameworks, including Node.js.
• Proficiency with Akka, Kafka, Couchbase, Maven, Git/Bitbucket, OpenIDC/OAuth2, and content management systems.
• Knowledge of Telephony systems, VOIP, WEBRTC, Speech to Text, AI/ML, and UI development with Angular or React is a plus.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with ability to work independently.

Reporting to project management leadership, the Application Architect leads end-to-end ServiceNow implementations, migrations, and transformation projects while establishing enterprise-wide best practices across Service Management, SIAM, Intelligent Automation, and RPA. Partnering with clients and onshore, offshore, and nearshore teams, the Application Architect delivers complex multi-module ServiceNow solutions that enable IT governance, security operations, and intelligent automation at scale.

Primary Duties

• Analyze current technologies and determine ways to improve them through ServiceNow architecture.
• Provide technical consultation to clients on ServiceNow best practices for implementations and ongoing operations.
• Lead and govern end-to-end ServiceNow implementations, migrations, and transformation projects using onshore, offshore, and nearshore models.
• Establish enterprise-wide best practices and IT thought leadership in Service Management, SIAM, Intelligent Automation, and RPA.
• Implement complex ServiceNow solutions across all modules, including TSM Pro, ITSM Pro, HRSD, ITOM Pro, SAM Pro, HAM Pro, ITBM Pro, Security Operations, GRC, FSM Pro, and CSM Pro.
• Lead and investigate complex technical issues and conduct code reviews as required.
• Account for project challenges, including risks, time, resources, and scope.
• Work closely with project management teams to monitor technical progress of ServiceNow implementations and maintenance tasks.
• Design ServiceNow technical solutions and provide detailed specifications for proposed solutions.
• Provide expert guidance on best practices related to ServiceNow administration.

Skills & Qualifications

• Mandatory ServiceNow certifications, including Certified System Administrator, Certified Application Developer, and Implementation Specialist in two or more modules.
• ITIL v4 certification preferred, and TOGAF 9 or similar enterprise architecture certification preferred.
• 10+ years of IT experience with proven ServiceNow product knowledge, with 3+ years as a ServiceNow Solution or Technical Architect implementing SaaS/PaaS solutions.
• Experience in multiple end-to-end ServiceNow implementations across all modules and with enterprise-level tool migrations.
• Strong experience integrating ServiceNow with other applications using SOAP and REST, including ServiceNow-to-Remedy ebondings or similar products.
• Strong working knowledge of Agile/DevOps environments, including CI/CD, automated testing, and Agile metrics.
• Deep understanding of ServiceNow integration technologies, including SSO, SAML, SSL, Web Services, LDAP, JDBC, ODBC, REST, FTP, and cloud technologies.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage at the executive level.

Sitting at the intersection of enterprise architecture governance and cloud-native engineering, the Application Architect builds and maintains the SDLC, integration patterns, and architectural runway in alignment with HQ stakeholders and Daimler compliance standards. Operating across project-product transformation initiatives, SAFe PI planning ceremonies, and DevSecOps governance, the Application Architect enables development teams to deliver secure, standards-compliant solutions at enterprise scale.

Duties

• Support the local Enterprise Architect Framework in alignment with HQ and key stakeholders.
• Support internal landscapes, functions, business strategies, and IT processes while suggesting improvements.
• Define, review, and maintain the SDLC in alignment with Information Security and organizational guidelines.
• Integrate security and compliance demands into the application-building process.
• Support lead architect and dev leads on enterprise scopes and topics from all stakeholders.
• Support design discussions, prove out concepts through prototypes, and implement the hardest parts of production systems.
• Assist teams in the Project-Product Transformation and participate in SAFe PI planning ceremonies to provide Enterprise Vision and own the Architectural Runway.
• Support governing enterprise-level DevSecOps standards and partner and supplier services for software development with Daimler compliance.
• Support the Enterprise Tech Radar and help ensure enterprise technology architecture compliance with applications.
• Define enterprise architecture and design patterns, application archetypes, standards, templates, and reusable assets.
• Manage application management systems, provide architectural integration expertise, and support documentation of application development processes, procedures, and standards.

Requirements

• 5-8 years of software engineering and technology management experience.
• Experience in DDD, Microservices, cloud-native engineering, and DevSecOps adoption at the enterprise level.
• Experience in solution architecture and TOGAF or similar EA governance frameworks.
• Experience in modernizing legacy systems, including both technical and change management aspects.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• A high degree of initiative with the ability to work independently.
• Ability to work flexible hours, weekends, and holidays when required.

A key member of the Store Customer Platform technology team, the Application Architect shapes the application architecture landscape for Coles' in-store and above-store systems while identifying opportunities for IT to drive business improvement and operational efficiency. Collaborating across Architecture, Business Analyst, and Development teams, the Application Architect leads knowledge transfer, skill development, and mentorship to align the team's capabilities with Coles' strategic and operational needs.

Functions

• Work with Architecture, Business Analyst, and Development teams to lead and contribute to system solution designs critical to the business strategic direction.
• Analyze and consult on business requirements within the In-Store and above-Store system landscape.
• Develop and maintain the application architecture landscape for the Store Customer Platform to address Coles' strategic and operational needs.
• Play a leading role in knowledge transfer, skill development, and mentorship to the wider Store Customer Platform technology team.
• Identify opportunities for IT contribution to business improvement and for improving systems functionality to address business issues.
• Review improvements in methodologies to ensure cost-effective and time-effective processes in determining solution outcomes.
• Develop the team culture in line with Coles and Coles Express values and ways of working.

Experience & Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills and extensive experience designing and integrating applications in a retail environment.
• Strong desire to engage with emerging digital trends and experience working in both Agile and Waterfall models.
• Proven ability to work with key stakeholders to achieve positive architectural outcomes, manage expectations, and maintain positive relationships.
• Ability to assess business cases, propose conceptual solutions, provide order-of-magnitude estimates, and identify required enabling technology, synergies, dependencies, and constraints.
• Excellent communication at all levels of the business.
• Ability to interpret customer or business needs and translate them into application and operational requirements.
• Ability to lead, coach, motivate, and mentor others in the use, development, and maintenance of the application stack and architecture.

Delivering secure, well-documented software solutions across integrated application, database, and middleware systems, the Application Architect depends on the Application Architect's deep expertise in Microsoft Azure to meet the architectural goals of CCoE consumers. Based within a cross-functional technology organization, the Application Architect liaises with programming and software development teams to monitor system performance and safeguard environments against cybersecurity threats.

Accountabilities

• Facilitate, communicate, design, and guide the implementation of technical designs.
• Develop software solutions and strategy to meet the architectural goals and needs of CCoE consumers.
• Liaise with programmers and software development teams to design and implement an architectural system.
• Design the interface between multiple applications, databases, and middleware systems.
• Monitor the performance of architectural systems to ensure fluid interaction between components.
• Ensure proper documentation of software design and development processes to produce appropriate procedures for application use.
• Design applications according to specific architectural designs to improve overall system performance.
• Ensure systems are safe and secure against cybersecurity threats.

Technical Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in IT, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Experience in infrastructure automation and application development within the Microsoft Azure platform, including Azure IaaS, PaaS, App Service Model, Azure Storage, and Azure API Management.
• Experience with Azure reference architectures for integration services, high availability, and data platforms.
• Experience with applications and services leveraging .NET Core, C#, JavaScript, Node.js, ASP.NET WebAPI, RESTful API concepts, Docker, and Kubernetes.
• Experience with data storage technologies, including Oracle, SQL Server, and NoSQL databases.
• Knowledge of serverless architecture, open-source technologies, scripting languages, Agile principles, and modern Web UI technologies, including AngularJS, HTML5, React, and CSS3.
• English proficiency at a proficient or fluent level, and knowledge of additional languages is a plus.

As the Application Architect, this role supports vendor and contract management, infrastructure solution design, and application lifecycle planning within the Cyber Defence Centre environment. The Cyber Defence Centre relies on this work to ensure application designs remain aligned with principal network architectures, capability roadmaps, and security operations tooling requirements.

Activities

• Support vendor and contract management for selected applications in the Cyber Defence Centre, including procurement, license renewals, and tender activities.
• Produce and update infrastructure solution design documentation and application designs with feature teams, including network diagrams and topology.
• Advise and oversee implementation of technology that is secure, reliable, maintainable, scalable, and usable, while sharing knowledge within the team.
• Ensure application designs are aligned with principal network architectures and support application lifecycle planning.
• Work with application roadmaps to ensure alignment with capability and product roadmaps.

Position Requirements

• Strong technical background from roles in IT or OT environments, covering application and infrastructure architecture.
• Experience with integrations and software architecture related to application integration.
• Experience with technology and application management of commercial software, contract management, and lifecycle planning for commercial off-the-shelf software.
• Experience with procurement of commercial software, such as SKI or Tenders, and open-source lifecycle planning in relation to infrastructure operations.
• Experience with security technologies and security operations tooling.

Application Architect leads the design and development of cloud-based architecture components while performing data analysis, quality assurance, and Java code refactoring across complex integration projects. The work directly supports business analysts, customers, project leaders, and developers by producing software architecture documents and participating in technical working groups that ensure system interoperability.

Operational Focus

• Analyze the integration of different departments' information systems.
• Perform data analysis and data modelling.
• Design and develop architecture components and building blocks using cloud components.
• Conduct quality assurance of new modules and developments.
• Adapt existing modules and perform development and refactoring of Java code.
• Produce software architecture documents.
• Participate in technical working groups, progress meetings, and meetings with users.
• Assist during testing, analysis, technical documentation, deployment, evaluation, and reporting.
• Review the architecture of existing systems.
• Interact with business analysts, customers, users, project leaders, and developers.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of J2EE, web service architectures, and interoperability technologies, including web services, message-oriented middleware, service-oriented bus, and event architecture.
• Excellent knowledge of Oracle relational databases.
• Basic understanding of business processes and workflows in the translation area.
• Excellent problem-solving ability.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.

Reporting to executive leadership within the Strategy and Transformation organization, the Application Architect develops application architecture strategy aligned with business goals, manages governance processes, and leads multi-disciplinary engineering teams distributed across remote locations. Partnering with business leaders, contracting teams, and cross-functional stakeholders, the Application Architect establishes end-to-end architecture vision across cloud-native, microservices, and high-scale distributed systems that accelerate PepsiCo's digital transformation value chain.

Key Deliverables

• Create the vision and guide a team of engineers to build and support digital products and services across S&T core priorities.
• Lead multi-disciplinary, high-performance work teams distributed across remote locations, and build, manage, develop, and mentor a team of engineers.
• Interact with executives to lead the narrative around software engineering and manage escalation of delivery impediments, risks, issues, and changes to stakeholders.
• Develop application architecture strategy in alignment with business goals and manage architecture governance processes, including principles, policies, and standards.
• Review business drivers and strategies, identify implications to application architecture, and identify and mitigate risks.
• Champion and communicate application architecture to business leaders and contracting teams.
• Define development guidelines and standards for application development and integration, and analyze the current software ecosystem to identify weaknesses and improvement opportunities.
• Define transition steps and strategy from current to future application architecture and develop conceptual and detailed architecture for new applications.
• Develop methods to integrate systems across organizational lines, maintain IT ecosystem architecture models and documentation, and identify emerging technologies.
• Contribute to proof of concepts, prototypes, and the development of a comprehensive reference architecture.

Professional Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, with a Master's or PhD preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant software development and engineering leadership experience, with 5+ years architecting fault-tolerant, high-scale distributed systems.
• Working knowledge of Java, Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, NodeJS, React-Redux, SpringBoot, SQL, and NoSQL databases, including MongoDB and CouchDB.
• Working knowledge of cloud-native architectures, including Message Queues, Distributed Caching, Serverless, Microservices, CDN, and Load Balancers.
• Experience on Azure, Google Cloud, and AWS.
• Strong knowledge of design patterns and full-stack engineering.
• Experience with mission-critical, high-throughput, large-scale web services.
• Strong attention to detail with cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to navigate complex, matrixed organizations and influence across cultures at a senior level.

The Application Architect oversees the full software development life cycle for Oracle eBusiness Suite solutions, guiding developers on mission-critical system design, development, and deployment across Supply Chain, Order to Cash, and Procure to Pay modules. The work directly supports development teams and business stakeholders by delivering complex application integrations, troubleshooting software errors, and sharing best practices through training and demos.

Areas of Ownership

• Design and develop software solutions to meet business requirements.
• Implement and manage the full software development life cycle, including design, development, testing, and post-production support.
• Perform solution design, bug verification, and support, including research and analysis.
• Execute, assess, and troubleshoot software programs and applications.
• Analyze and amend software errors in a timely and accurate manner, and participate in software upgrades, revisions, fixes, and patches.
• Design, develop, and document specifications throughout the project life cycle.
• Guide developers on issues related to design, development, and deployment of mission-critical systems, and review the work of development teams.

Education & Experience

• 8+ years of related experience with a 4-year degree, or 6 years with an advanced degree, or equivalent experience.
• Deep expertise in Oracle eBusiness Suite Supply Chain, Order to Cash, or Procure to Pay modules, with preferred knowledge of Oracle Cloud and SaaS applications.
• Proficiency in one or more of PL/SQL, Java, Ext JS, or Web Services, with ability to develop custom applications and integrations and recommend solutions to complex problems.
• Experience implementing projects using DevOps and Agile methodologies.
• Ability to solve complex problems independently using best practices, with a track record of resolving issues where precedent may not exist.
• Contributes to organizational knowledge through training sessions, demos, and sharing of best practices.

Embedded within an innovative scrum team focused on the Trading Cockpit application, the Application Architect advances end-to-end architecture and development of web-based applications for internal Buyers, Planners, and Traders. Working closely with Data Engineers, ML Engineers, Frontend and Backend Engineers, Data Scientists, and Product Owners, the Application Architect establishes standards and best practices that ensure solutions align with enterprise application architecture principles and enable data-driven business decisions.

Role Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end architecture and development of web-based applications.
• Provide technical leadership to the application development team and conduct design and code reviews.
• Provide direction to product teams during development and delivery to ensure solutions fit with enterprise application architecture principles and guidelines.
• Establish standards, procedures, guidelines, and best practices related to application development.
• Stay updated on new products and relevant industry trends in frontend and backend engineering.

Background & Experience

• IT Architect certification, such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate or Professional.
• 5+ years in cloud application development, with 3+ years in technology architect or engineering leadership roles.
• Good knowledge of object-oriented design and programming, architectural styles and patterns.
• Knowledge of full-stack cloud-based microservice architecture.
• Experience in architecting cloud application development using leading frontend and backend technologies.
• Strong understanding of Infrastructure as Code, AWS application services, relational and non-relational databases, container orchestration, and DevOps.

Serving as a DevOps Architect and subject matter expert in cloud-native application development, the Application Architect refines CI/CD pipeline designs, containerization strategies, and microservices architecture for clients and IBM teams. Based within a hybrid multi-cloud engineering practice, the Application Architect mentors development team members on DevSecOps best practices and contributes to sprint planning, risk assessment, and user story definition across complex cloud-agnostic ecosystems.

Job Functions

• Act as a DevOps Architect and SME in cloud-native application development.
• Provide recommendations on the latest DevSecOps tools and products and their optimal utilization based on industry trends and best practices.
• Engage with clients and IBM teams to create cloud-native CI/CD pipeline designs, including containerization, API-first, and microservices architecture.
• Collaborate with program and product managers to contribute to sprint planning, estimation, risk assessment, dependency management, and user story definition.
• Perform hands-on development of cloud-agnostic ecosystems deployable in hybrid multi-cloud environments.
• Mentor and guide development team members on DevOps CI/CD pipeline development best practices.

Minimum Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in Bash Scripting or Python development.
• 3+ years of experience with Git or GitLab.
• 3+ years of experience applying DevOps, DevSecOps, and Systems Reliability Engineering principles and creating or using CI/CD pipelines.
• Must be detail-oriented.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Application Architect produces end-user quality and code architecture across enterprise-grade web-based applications, working closely with the Architecture team and Enterprise Architect to create reference architectures from completed Proof-of-Concepts. The Architecture team relies on this work to ensure development teams follow best practice design patterns and that architecture overviews are communicated effectively to technical management.

What You'll Do

• Own the quality of the product from code architecture to end-user quality.
• Influence the technology and design choices for applications and solutions.
• Work closely with the Architecture team to ensure development teams are on the right path.
• Work with the Enterprise Architect to create reference architectures following completion of Proof-of-Concepts.
• Liaise with application development and operation engineering teams to learn about current processes and flows.
• Communicate design overviews to the enterprise architect and technical management.
• Guide development teams and provide design patterns in collaboration with the enterprise architect on best practice standards.

Required Qualifications

• 15+ years of overall software development experience with a proven track record in enterprise-grade web-based applications, including 8+ years as a Java architect.
• Understanding of Agile estimation processes.
• Strong Java application architecture skills with experience designing and building SOA applications, microservices, and APIs in a middleware Java stack.
• Experience with ESB, BPM, MQ, BPEL, workflow, automation tools, API Gateways, and securing web services.
• Experience with data streaming and real-time processing using Kafka, Spark, Akka, and NoSQL, and engineering practices such as TDD, ATDD, CI/CD, and refactoring.
• Familiar with data services, virtual data layers, and in-memory data.
• Proficiency in Java, C#, SQL, and JavaScript.
• Strong team player and leader with excellent planning and managerial skills.

Reporting to senior leadership at a pure-play software company, the Application Architect leads multiple project teams and outsourced development partners through all stages of design and development for complex products and platforms. Partnering with internal and outsourced development teams, the Application Architect drives innovation and integration of new technologies to deliver highly scalable, enterprise-grade SaaS solutions that place customers at the center of product innovation.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Lead multiple project teams and outsourced development partners through all stages of design and development for complex products and platforms, including solution design, analysis, coding, testing, and integration.
• Manage relationships with internal and outsourced development partners on software application design and development.
• Evaluate designs and project activities for compliance with application design and development guidelines, and provide tangible feedback to improve product quality and mitigate failure risk.
• Provide domain-specific expertise and overall software application leadership to cross-organization projects, programs, and activities.
• Drive innovation and integration of new technologies into software application design projects.

Qualifications & Experience

• Extensive experience in overall architecture of software applications for products and solutions.
• Proven track record in designing and building highly scalable enterprise-grade systems.
• Extensive experience with SaaS, cloud-first, and containerized architectures.
• Experience designing and integrating software applications running on multiple platform types into the overall architecture.
• Additional assets include knowledge of Security, Elastic Search, Information Management, Analytics, and relational databases such as Postgres and SQL Server.
• Ability to effectively communicate product architectures and design proposals, and negotiate options at senior management levels.

Sitting at the intersection of insurance and healthcare technology, the Application Architect develops and delivers core business application architectures and integrations as a Technical Lead and Lead Architect on large-scale projects across multiple technology stacks. Operating across discovery, planning, implementation, and delivery phases, the Application Architect gains broad exposure to innovative tools, technologies, and platforms while contributing to strategy, roadmap exercises, and architecture definition for X by 2 clients.

Scope of Work

• Participate in strategy and roadmap exercises, architecture definition, product selection, and application and integration design.
• Play key roles in large projects as Technical Lead and Lead Architect.
• Participate in and provide technical leadership in all phases of a project from discovery and planning through implementation and delivery.
• Architect and design core business applications and integrations for insurance, healthcare, and other industries.
• Wear many hats and gain experience with tools, technologies, and platforms across many technology stacks.
• Work closely with and share ideas with fellow Architects, Developers, and Technical Project Managers.
• Learn new things and grow rapidly from constant exposure to innovative ideas, concepts, and patterns.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience in architecture, design, or development of enterprise applications and integrations.
• Hands-on experience with modern web application and enterprise application development platforms such as J2EE, .NET, and JavaScript.
• Knowledge of architecture and design patterns with the ability to apply them.
• Ability to learn and adapt quickly to new business domains and technologies.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to conceptualize and articulate ideas clearly and concisely.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to travel occasionally, including possible out-of-state travel.

The Application Architect produces high-quality, standards-compliant applications by defining technical standards, reusable components, and enterprise architecture models across capital and operational projects. Success in the position means ensuring package applications comply with organizational standards, that the most appropriate tools are applied throughout the systems development lifecycle, and that cross-application issues are resolved through demonstrated industry application expertise.

Performance Expectations

• Define technical standards, processes, tools, and reusable components that form the basis for developing high-quality applications compliant with technical and business requirements.
• Assist in high-level application design where business requirements can be allocated to major application components for independent and concurrent development.
• Ensure package applications are technically sound and comply with the Owner's standards.
• Ensure the most appropriate tools are correctly applied throughout the system's development lifecycle to achieve project deliverables in accordance with architecture standards.
• Ensure applications comply with current enterprise architectures and standards through consultation with IS Operations and Architecture, and update enterprise models appropriately.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent.
• Minimum 10+ years of general IT experience, with 7+ years of specific and progressive experience in application design leading to overall application architecture responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience in industry applications to resolve cross-application issues and ensure application designs are integrated with the entire application suite.
• Expert-level technical skills in the application toolset being used to deliver the capital or operational project.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills.

A key member of cross-functional delivery teams, the Application Architect designs scalable Java-based application architectures and manages programs, subsystems, and system enhancements while verifying stability, interoperability, portability, security, and scalability. Collaborating across all levels of professionals and leaders, the Application Architect conveys architectural solutions and ensures compliance with established design patterns, policies, standards, and best practices.

Functions

• Examine and define current architecture systems.
• Design scalable architecture systems for Java-based applications.
• Identify hardware and software infrastructure needs to accommodate the client's architectural goals.
• Verify stability, interoperability, portability, security, and scalability of system architecture.
• Convey architectural solutions to all levels of professionals and leaders.
• Ensure compliance with established architecture, design patterns, policies, standards, and best practices.
• Design, develop, implement, and maintain programs, subsystems, revisions, and enhancements to current systems.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of experience in the role of Application Architect across multiple projects.
• Bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent from an accredited institution, or three years of progressive relevant experience per year of education, with a Master's degree strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with Java and middleware technologies such as WebSphere Application Server, JBoss, and Tomcat.
• Experience with design and implementation of software stacks within Spring Framework, REST API, SOAP Services, and build and automation tools such as Maven and Gradle.
• Well-versed in Agile methodologies and able to solve complex software system issues.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.

Application Architect crafts solutions to complex technical challenges in the Supply Chain ecosystem by designing multi-tenant SaaS application architectures proven with working code and codified through design patterns and coding standards. The work directly supports implementation teams by breaking down application complexity into parallel-workable services, managing technical debt, and spreading best practices through mentoring, documentation, and hands-on code delivery.

Accountabilities

• Solve the toughest technical challenges in the Supply Chain ecosystem by creating multiple designs proven with working code.
• Break down the application into services based on understanding of the domain.
• Design a transactional database for a multi-tenant SaaS application that can scale.
• Develop design patterns and coding standards as means to codify best practices.
• Spread best practices and hand off designs through working code, mentoring, and documentation.
• Point out risks and issues during implementation, and catalog and prioritize technical debt and enablers.

Minimum Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in an Application Architect position, with 2+ years of application development experience, and 1+ years leading agile teams.
• Extensive experience working on production-level code for complex, multi-tenant SaaS applications, including experience with event-driven architecture and cloud development.
• Experience with Heroku, CircleCI, and a UI framework such as Angular or React.
• Experience with Extreme Programming or Scrum, Test-Driven Development, Behavior-Driven Development, and working with Product Owners and Managers.
• Previous startup and logistics or supply chain experience preferred.
• Strong passion for building the highest-quality software with a drive to create reliable and maintainable applications using automation and 12-factor app principles.

The Application Architect manages the full product development lifecycle from architecture design to deployment, translating product specifications into production-level web-based applications and guiding developers on mission-critical system decisions. The work directly supports the product team by defining development standards, creating cross-product frameworks, and managing alpha and beta releases during new product stabilization.

Key Responsibilities

• Mentor developers by providing technical and non-technical guidance, lead code reviews, and help team members grow abilities and strengthen capabilities.
• Play a hands-on role in code development for web-based n-tier applications.
• Manage the timeline for product development and aid in product release planning and feature viability assessment.
• Define and evolve development standards, guidelines, procedures, processes, and metrics.
• Work with the product team to understand requirements and create functionality specifications.
• Invent and document solutions to product specifications for shared capabilities throughout the architecture.
• Create and sustain technical architecture standards and develop cross-product frameworks and best practices.
• Manage the deployment of alpha and beta releases during the stabilization of new product development.

Position Requirements

• BA/BS in Software Engineering or Computer Science.
• 10+ years of experience in application development, software design, and architecture, with 5+ years of experience in team management.
• Ability to create, debug, secure, test, and optimize code for multiple web-based applications and services.
• Knowledge of threading, asynchronous event handling, data binding, scripting, and query languages and tools.
• Familiarity with common software development languages.
• Excellent understanding of database design and ability to document issues and proposed improvements while evaluating existing architecture.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to meet deadlines, prioritize, and decompose components of large systems, and lead small teams.
• Skilled in oral and written communication, including presentation and experience in consulting environments covering business analysis, data management, system architecture, and distributed technologies.

Sitting at the intersection of claims platform architecture and enterprise modernization, the Application Architect develops flexible, modular solution architectures and roadmaps for application transformation while implementing governance processes and maintaining a repository of architecture assets, including Platforms, Services, and APIs. Operating across product delivery and operation support teams, the Application Architect promotes Agile and DevOps practices and drives technology innovation to meet client needs in a matrixed environment.

Duties

• Develop flexible, adaptable, modular, and reusable business solution architecture designs in collaboration with product delivery and operation support teams.
• Develop solutions and roadmaps for application transformation and modernization.
• Support the evolution of architecture blueprints and reference models, and facilitate their enablement and adoption within the enterprise.
• Implement solution architecture governance processes and tools while maintaining a focus on design patterns and technology standards.
• Maintain a repository of architecture assets, including Platforms, Services, and APIs, and promote effective reuse across the enterprise.
• Act as an enabler of Agile and DevOps practices in collaboration with product delivery and operation support teams.
• Explore, evaluate, and promote technology innovation, and evaluate and assist teams with open-source technology solutions.

Background & Experience

• Extensive knowledge and experience in claims platform architectures from blueprint to solution design and implementation.
• Experience in architecture methodologies and standards, application modularization and modernization, including Micro Service Architecture, and Integration Architectures from Service Bus to API Mediation and Event Bus models.
• Experience in Information Security, Risk Management, and cloud solution design and implementation of IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, and hybrid models.
• Experience in modern programming languages, including JavaScript-based frameworks such as Node.js, React.js, and Angular.
• Strong business acumen and understanding of products, risk appetite, and market niches.
• Exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent planning, documentation, and problem-solving skills, along with project management ability and a drive-for-results orientation.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and build relationships in a matrixed work environment, with a proven track record of driving change and leveraging technology to meet client needs.

Reporting to a program director, the Application Architect leads architecture efforts on multiple projects and drives strategic architecture improvement efforts across the Crawford organization, working closely with business partners, program managers, project managers, business analysts, data analysts, software developers, quality analysts, and support specialists. Collaborating across application owners and architects, the Application Architect advances SOA, DDD, API-led, AWS, and cloud technologies while producing architectural blueprints that enable scalable integration and data warehouse outcomes.

Core Functions

• Work closely with application business owners and program managers to architect major application components and processes, plan architectural improvements, and provide guidance to developers, infrastructure engineers, and quality analysts.
• Model data for transactional and data warehouse databases in collaboration with program managers and business analysts, maintain data dictionary and metadata, and guide development and infrastructure teams.
• Collaborate with application owners and architects to define, coordinate, and maintain internal and external application and system integrations, including external data feeds.
• Monitor the market for emerging technologies, promote adoption of SOA, DDD, API-led, AWS, and related cloud technologies, and support ROI analysis and project portfolio management through application rationalization.
• Generate and maintain core application frameworks, participate in and support architectural initiatives across strategic programs, assist in planning and implementation, provide general architectural mentoring, and uphold the Crawford Code of Business Conduct.

Professional Experience

• Bachelor's degree in any related field, with IT or insurance industry certifications a plus.
• At least 10 years of IT industry experience and 4+ years in application, data, integration, or strategic architecture.
• Experience in the insurance services industry strongly desired.
• Expertise in programming languages such as .NET, C#, VB, Java, and J2EE, web development using JavaScript, HTML, and XML, and databases including Oracle/PL/SQL, SQL Server/T-SQL, or other DB tools.
• Expertise in integration using RESTful APIs, RAML, and EDI, and knowledge of one or more domains, including Data Warehousing, Business Intelligence, BPM, OLTP, OLAP, and Mobile Technologies.
• Knowledge of modeling languages, including UML and TOGAF.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and fluently within software development life cycle and methodology.

Application Architect develops large-scale enterprise applications and technology roadmaps in collaboration with Senior IT and Business Managers across three companies while driving adoption of enterprise standards and best practices. The work directly supports development teams, business stakeholders, and the Enterprise Architecture group by providing technical leadership across frontend frameworks, cloud-native solutions, and multi-integration-point application environments.

Work Activities

• Work with Senior IT and Business Managers to define the strategic roadmap.
• Work with development teams supporting systems for the three companies.
• Collaborate with other members of the Enterprise Architecture team on technologies and approaches.
• Participate in Proof of Concept work to evaluate platforms and capabilities.
• Lead a team through the initial stages of a development program.
• Provide technical leadership and drive the continued adoption of enterprise standards and best practices.

Requirements

• 8+ years of progressively responsible work experience in a technical discipline.
• Proven experience designing and developing large-scale enterprise applications in a technical development lead, solution architecture, application architecture, or enterprise architecture role.
• Proficiency in one or more frontend frameworks, including Angular, React, and Vue, and proficiency in JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML, CSS, and WebComponents.
• Experience with Java, Spring Framework, Mobile development using iOS, Android, and ReactNative, and CI/CD pipelines including Jenkins.
• Experience supporting applications with multiple integration points, including external third-party systems through APIs, and experience with JWT, OAuth, OpenID, and SAML.
• Experience with cloud-native solutions such as Lambda, API Gateway, EKS, and cloud data platforms.
• Experience with APM tools, application performance analysis, and Test Driven Development.
• Strong presentation, verbal, and written communication skills.

The Application Architect creates and delivers architecture documentation, migration strategies, and middleware solutions for large, complex, ecosystem-wide applications while gathering and aligning architectural requirements with IT strategy. Success in the position means partnering with project teams, customers, vendors, and technology groups to produce optimal, portable, and scalable solutions that close gaps between current and future application architecture states.

Core Responsibilities

• Produce architecture documentation and deliverables, including Architecture Plans, proof-of-concept, standards, and roadmaps.
• Provide leadership, knowledge, and experience to delivery teams on the architecture, design, and delivery of cost-effective and sustainable solutions.
• Ensure all aspects of application design follow best practices and meet business requirements by participating in conceptual and physical design and approving design deliverables.
• Develop migration strategies to close gaps between current and future states of application architectures.
• Identify system requirements for large, complex, ecosystem-wide applications.
• Partner with project teams, customers, vendors, and technology groups to ensure compatibility with existing solutions and create optimal solutions.
• Gather, analyze, and develop application architecture requirements at a project or program level, aligning architectural requirements with IT strategy.
• Research, recommend, and apply middleware to facilitate portability and scalability of applications.
• Independently identify, troubleshoot, document, and escalate complex problems and perform in-depth system analysis to determine root cause of performance issues.
• Provide training, mentoring, and knowledge transfer to project team members, and guide teams on what functionality should be exposed as new enterprise services.

Technical Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required, with at least 7 years of relevant IT work experience.
• Advanced knowledge of architecture, application design, system engineering, integration, architecture frameworks and tools, and industry standard best practices.
• Working knowledge of .NET, Java, XML, and C.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to work within Agile-Scrum methodology, interpret technical instructions in written or diagram form, write technical specifications, and resolve complex issues with sound judgment.
• Ability to handle sensitive or confidential information and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated leadership through effective written and oral communication.
• Committed to continuous self-development.

Embedded within a global IT organization, the Global Application Architect executes architectural oversight for design, development, deployment, and integration of applications across subsidiaries worldwide, collaborating with IT peers in business relationship management, solution architecture, development, project management, business intelligence, security, and infrastructure. Working closely with vendor consultants and project teams, the Global Application Architect elevates integration technology standards and guides adoption of emerging technologies to ensure consistency, security, and business value across the enterprise.

Primary Duties

• Provide architectural oversight for design, development, deployment, and integration of applications.
• Participate in global IT initiatives and support standardization of solutions and processes based on best practices for subsidiaries globally, collaborating with IT peers across business relationship management, solution architecture, development, project management, business intelligence, security, and infrastructure.
• Define application architectures and recommend courses of action to ensure technology is consistent, usable, secure, and adds value to the business.
• Define and document architecture, capture non-functional requirements, prepare estimates, and define technical solutions to proposals.
• Ensure quality and consistency of application architecture across the system and provide technical guidance to development teams.
• Serve as an advisor on best practices, stay current on business initiatives, and ensure integration technology standards are maintained across the organization.
• Research and evaluate new technology and development tools to remain abreast of current and emerging technology.
• Collaborate with vendor consultants and provide technical direction to project teams while prioritizing and resolving technical issues and facilitating smooth project handoffs.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Extensive knowledge of multiple technological areas, including applicable processes, methodologies, standards, products, and frameworks.
• Expert knowledge in designing solutions using core applications.
• Advanced expertise in workflow, data feed, API, and data exchange configuration.
• Knowledge of CI/CD practices and experience with unit testing, release procedures, coding, design, documentation, and change management.
• Proficiency in creating and communicating architecture for green-field and redesign projects, with a track record of delivering diverse business and IT outcomes.
• Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to a wide variety of audiences and to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, clients, and the general public.