Lead System Architect

About the Role

The Lead System Architect (LSA) is responsible for designing and building technically complex frameworks to support application development. Additionally, the SA acts as a mentor for application developers both inside and outside of their section and department, guiding the developers on best practices for application development.

The SA is also responsible for researching new technologies and providing recommendations to management around the uptake of those technologies.

The LSA reviews business projects to understand whether they will have a significant technical impact and provides project estimates for LSA resources that will participate on the project.

Additionally, the LSA will have input and responsibilities across a range of cross-functional DevOps / Agile areas, including release management and source code management (SCM).

Key Accountabilities of the Function

Application Framework Ownership

• The System Architect will have responsibility for the ongoing development, support, and maintenance of multiple framework components.
• These framework components include thick-client, web, services, enterprise application integration / service bus, and batch.
• This responsibility includes furthering the frameworks by identifying areas for improvement, advancement, and implementing these changes within the frameworks.

Production Support

• Provide cross-functional support for performance issues and application errors.
• Provide both specific expertise on frameworks as well as generic expertise for the technology stack.
• Help to determine root cause of issues with input from operations and application resources.

Technical Subject Matter Expertise

• Assist the development of architectural designs that implement Systems Architecture frameworks.
• Provide guidance to internal and external resources on the appropriate use of these frameworks and technology in support of projects and application maintenance.

Release / SCM Management

• Supports the DevOps release management process in an agile and rapidly changing environment.
• Fosters the execution of an agile release methodology and assists with all aspects of release management for the entire environment.

Agile / DevOps Leadership

• Acts as a focal point for cross-functional items that allow the development teams to deliver projects and maintenance in an agile manner.
• This includes providing deep expertise on agile methodologies, understanding and ensuring the implementation of separation of duties, and the ability to identify cross-functional needs and recommend how those needs can be satisfied.

Support Efficient Work Processes

• Coordinate day to day activities with team members.
• Leads and mentors other team members.
• Coordinates release planning and off-cycle efforts.
• Resolves/escalates risks and issues.
• Executes resource planning and time tracking processes.

Impact on Innovations and Changes

• Balancing speed to market, product quality and cost in the design and implementation of technical solutions.
• Developing technical solutions that appropriately account for both evolving technology and future business requirements.
• Executing in an evolving agile environment.

Purpose and Subject of Interaction / Communication

• Close collaboration with IT colleagues and the Business in the design and implementation of technical solutions.
• Performance of activities and interactions with internal and external customers through verbal or written communication should reflect adherence to the company’s core values.

Requirements

Work Experience / Leadership Experience

• 10+ years IT experience
• 7+ years application development in a PRPC environment

Preferences

• 7+ years developing applications using Enterprise Application Integration tools
• Experience writing DB2 and/or PostgreSQL stored procedures
• 1+ years financial services

Additional Must-Have Skills

• Good understanding of HTTP, REST and GraphQL
• Strong written, verbal, and visual communication skills
• Knowledge of Containerization / experience with Docker Containers
• Development and deployments with AWS, Azure, Cloud
• GIT, Jenkins, Terraform

Bonus Skills

• Kubernetes knowledge
• Container orchestration using EKS
• Microservices architecture