Principal Technology & Architecture consultant

We are seeking a senior, business-oriented Technology & Architecture Consultant to lead current-state and future-state architecture assessments across applications, data, DevOps, and AI readiness.

This role focuses on evaluating how modern, cloud-based platforms support document-driven workflows, digital commerce, and scalable product experiences, and defining a clear, pragmatic target architecture aligned with business growth.

The ideal consultant combines deep technical expertise with the ability to translate business strategy into clear architectural direction and actionable roadmaps.

Key Objectives

• Assess the current-state architecture across applications, data, DevOps, and cloud platforms
• Identify gaps, risks, scalability issues, and technical debt
• Define future-state architecture principles and blueprints aligned with business and product goals
• Create a prioritized modernization roadmap with sequencing and investment guidance
• Ensure technology supports document workflows, integrations, e-commerce, and AI enablement

Core Responsibilities

1. Discovery & Current-State Assessment

• Lead structured discovery across:
• Application architecture
• Data platforms and databases
• DevOps pipelines and cloud infrastructure
• Conduct stakeholder interviews across product, engineering, and operations
• Evaluate:
• System workflows, integrations, and dependencies
• Data models, consistency, and performance
• CI/CD maturity, automation, and deployment reliability
• Cloud governance, security, and observability
• Document pain points, constraints, and improvement opportunities

2. Application & Integration Architecture

• Assess modern web and platform architectures built with:
• React-based frontends
• API-driven and service-oriented backends
• E-commerce platforms (e.g., BigCommerce-type systems)
• Review integration patterns (REST APIs, webhooks, eventing, middleware)
• Evaluate document and workflow handling, metadata, permissions, and versioning
• Recommend modernization approaches (API-first, modular, event-driven)

3. Data, AI Readiness & Databases

• Assess relational and NoSQL data stores (e.g., SQL, MongoDB)
• Evaluate data ingestion, transformation, and synchronization between systems
• Identify data quality, governance, and scalability gaps
• Assess readiness for AI-enabled use cases such as:
• Document classification and extraction
• Metadata enrichment and search
• Workflow automation and recommendations
• Define principles for operational vs analytical data separation

4. DevOps & Cloud Architecture

• Evaluate CI/CD pipelines, release processes, and environment consistency
• Assess Azure-based cloud architecture and services
• Review infrastructure provisioning, automation, and cost efficiency
• Evaluate observability, monitoring, and incident response practices
• Identify opportunities for Infrastructure-as-Code and standardized pipelines

5. Future-State Architecture & Roadmap

• Define future-state architecture across:
• Applications & integrations
• Data & analytics platforms
• AI enablement
• DevOps & cloud infrastructure
• Establish clear architectural principles and guardrails
• Develop a phased modernization roadmap (short-, mid-, long-term)
• Support executive reviews and architecture alignment workshops

Key Deliverables

• Current-State Architecture Assessment
• Gap & Risk Analysis
• Future-State Architecture Blueprints
• Data & AI Readiness Strategy
• DevOps & Cloud Modernization Strategy
• Prioritized Implementation Roadmap
• Executive-ready summary and recommendations

Required Experience & Qualifications

Must Have

• 10+ years of experience in architecture, platform engineering, or technical consulting
• Proven experience leading current-state / future-state assessments
• Strong hands-on knowledge of:
• Azure cloud services
• React-based web applications
• MongoDB and relational databases
• E-commerce platforms (BigCommerce, Shopify, or similar)
• Strong understanding of business workflows and product strategy
• Ability to translate technical findings into business-focused recommendations
• Excellent stakeholder facilitation and communication skills

Nice to Have

• Experience with AI/ML enablement or AI-ready data architectures
• Experience with document-centric or workflow-heavy platforms
• Background in B2B, construction, or regulated industries
• Prior experience as a Principal Consultant or Lead Architect

Engagement Style

• Strategic and hands-on
• Business-first, technology-enabled
• Comfortable working with executives and delivery teams
• Focused on clarity, pragmatism, and execution-ready outcomes