Technical Architect

Position Title: Technical Architect
Location: Onsite Boston, MA
Employment Type: Contract

Key Skills: Software Architecture, Java, C, C++, API, Messaging, Kafka, Migration

Job Description:
We are seeking a seasoned Technical Architect to lead the end-to-end architectural design and provide technical oversight for a major modernization initiative. This strategic role is focused on re-platforming a legacy C/C++ system into a robust, scalable, and cloud-adaptable Java-based architecture.
The Technical Architect will define the Target State Architecture and Blueprint while ensuring alignment with enterprise goals and industry best practices. This role requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams including infrastructure, security, development, and operations to deliver a secure, high-performance, and future-ready platform.

Architectural Leadership
Drive the creation of the Target State Architecture and Blueprint, including system interaction models and integration flows
Define and validate architecture diagrams, technical patterns, and component interaction models across all architecture tiers
Provide final sign-off and governance over all architectural deliverables and designs

Strategic Implementation Oversight
Ensure accurate translation of architectural designs into implementation across SDLC phases and production rollout
Collaborate with project management, development, QA, and DevOps teams to maintain technical integrity
Lead architectural reviews, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies for the modernization initiative

Cross-functional Technical Collaboration
Serve as the primary architectural liaison among platform engineering, web services, security, data, and deployment teams
Offer mentorship and technical guidance to engineers and solution designers throughout the migration process

Discovery and Migration Planning
Participate in the Technical Discovery and Blueprint Design phase, outlining the long-term architectural roadmap
Lead migration strategies during the application migration phase, with a focus on messaging layer technologies such as Apache Kafka

Required Qualifications:
Professional Experience
Minimum 12 years in software engineering or architecture roles
At least 5 years of experience in enterprise-scale architectural leadership
Hands-on experience with legacy-to-modern technology transformations, preferably in financial services or other high-availability environments
Experience with Java platforms, C/C++ systems, Oracle 19c, and enterprise messaging systems

Technical Expertise
Strong knowledge of middleware and message brokers (e.g., Apache Kafka, IBM MQ)
Demonstrated expertise in designing scalable, secure, and fault-tolerant microservices architectures
Familiarity with performance tuning, high availability/disaster recovery (HA/DR), and low-latency system design
Experience with cloud-native and containerized architectures is a plus

Communication and Stakeholder Management
Ability to articulate complex technical concepts to business stakeholders and executive leadership
Experience working closely with senior technical and business stakeholders across the organization