Job Purpose

The primary purpose of this role is to serve as a pivotal player in shaping and guiding the architectural vision of the organisation. In this position, you will work closely with development teams and stakeholders to create robust, scalable, and innovative solutions that align with business goals and technological advancements. Your expertise will be integral to ensuring that architectural standards are not only met but continuously improved upon, facilitating successful project delivery and long-term strategic planning.

Job Description (Accountability)

• Provide and maintain solution architecture artifacts that align with business requirements and the roadmap, ensuring adherence to the organisation’s strategic goals and the overarching Enterprise Architecture framework.
• Define, document, and communicate architectural patterns, standards, and guidelines that enhance application development processes, with a focus on scalability, reliability, security, and performance optimisation.
• Identify and analyse integration patterns and architecture challenges, proposing improvements and retrofitting solutions back into the Enterprise Architecture for enhanced usability.
• Collaborate closely with the Enterprise Architect to illuminate the target state for Software Development and Architecture, ensuring clarity and alignment across all teams.
• Provide comprehensive guidance to development teams to facilitate the delivery of innovative architectures, mitigating risk to business processes and operational effectiveness.
• Lead problem-solving initiatives, working with development teams to ensure that innovative ideas are brought to fruition.
• Stay informed on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices, evaluating their potential impacts on the organisation’s applications and shaping strategic decisions accordingly.
• Identify and address knowledge gaps within the team, committing to continuous learning and sharing valuable insights on best engineering practices.

Experience

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field is essential.
• Demonstrated experience (typically 5+ years) as a Solution Architect or in a comparable role.
• Proficient hands-on development and delivery experience with a diverse array of languages and technologies, including Mobile, Web, Microservices, Cloud Adoption, Structured and Non-structured databases, among others.
• Significant experience with cloud computing, specifically with AWS, across a wide range of services.
• A proven track record in architectural design, with the ability to lead and inspire software development teams toward shared goals.
• Thorough knowledge of software engineering best practices, including Refactoring, Clean Code principles, Domain Driven Design, Object-Oriented methodologies, Design Patterns, and Enterprise Integration.
• Experience in Agile, Lean, and/or Continuous Delivery environments, familiar with methodologies such as Scrum, Continuous Integration/Deployment, and Test-Driven Development.
• Exceptional ability to distil complex topics into easily digestible information, adaptable to various audience levels.
• Strong communication and mentoring abilities, essential for effective collaboration with cross-functional teams and diverse stakeholders.

Knowledge

• In-depth understanding of solution architecture frameworks and methodologies.
• Thorough knowledge of software development life cycles and project management methods.
• Awareness of industry standards, compliance, and regulatory requirements that may affect architectural decisions.
• Up-to-date technical knowledge regarding programming languages, database management, and cloud technologies.
• Familiarity with various tools and technologies used in implementation, including CI/CD tools, version control systems, and project management software.
• Insight into current and emerging technology trends that can be beneficial in formulation of architecture strategies.

Skills

• Analytical Thinking: Ability to think critically and analytically to solve complex problems.
• Technical Proficiency: Strong technical abilities with a broad understanding of various technologies and their applications.
• Collaboration: Proven ability to establish and strengthen relationships with colleagues and stakeholders across different levels.
• Leadership: Capacity to inspire and lead teams toward achieving architectural goals.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to convey ideas clearly and influence stakeholders.
• Adaptability: Ability to adjust to changing project requirements, priorities, and environments effectively.