Sr. System Architect

job summary:

The Sr. System Architect serves as the Technical Design Authority responsible for bridging the gap between Enterprise Architecture strategy and engineering delivery. This role is not just about high-level roadmaps; it is a "boots-on-the-ground" leadership position that defines the detailed technical blueprints-including microservices design, cloud-native patterns, and API contracts-required to modernize mission-critical Rail Transportation systems. You will lead the "Strangler" migration of legacy IBM Mainframe/TPF environments into a state-of-the-art Java and Spring-based event-driven architecture (EDA), ensuring that architectural integrity is maintained throughout the full engineering lifecycle.

location: Washington, Washington, D.C.

job type: Contract

salary: $75 - 85 per hour

work hours: 9am to 5pm

education: Bachelors



responsibilities:

Conceptual-to-Technical Bridge: Act as the primary translator between EA strategy and engineering. Convert high-level business capabilities into detailed technical specifications for microservices, integration patterns, and cloud-native architectures.

Modernization Leadership: Lead the technical design and execution for replacing legacy Rail Transportation systems (Mainframe/TPF) with modern, scalable Java and Spring Boot microservices.

API & Integration Strategy: Design and govern robust API contracts and integration patterns to facilitate seamless, real-time communication across heterogeneous, multi-domain environments.

Engineering Oversight: Maintain deep visibility into the full engineering lifecycle. Partner directly with development teams to ensure implementation adheres to architectural standards for reusability, scalability, and performance.

Framework Implementation: Ground all application and system designs in industry-standard frameworks, including TOGAF, BizBok, and DAMA (DMBok), ensuring alignment with enterprise data and business standards.

Agile Governance: Provide technical leadership within a Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) environment, aligning the "Architectural Runway" with Program Increment (PI) planning and continuous delivery.

qualifications:

Experience: 15+ years of progressive IT experience, with at least 10 years of dedicated technology/system architecture experience.

Domain Expertise: Required experience defining and implementing technology solutions for rail transportation or large-scale logistics companies.

Technical Mastery: * Proven track record of migrating IBM Mainframe/TPF workloads to Event-Driven Architectures (EDA).

Expert-level knowledge of Java, Spring Boot, Kafka/Kinesis, and Cloud-native patterns (AWS/Azure).

Frameworks & Certifications: 5+ years of active experience practicing within SAFe. Working knowledge of TOGAF, BizBok, and DMBok.

Leadership: Demonstrated ability to mentor senior engineers and influence C-level stakeholders through clear, technical blueprints.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected group status.

At Randstad Digital, we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please contact

Pay offered to a successful candidate will be based on several factors including the candidate's education, work experience, work location, specific job duties, certifications, etc. In addition, Randstad Digital offers a comprehensive benefits package, including: medical, prescription, dental, vision, AD&D, and life insurance offerings, short-term disability, and a 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility).

This posting is open for thirty (30) days.