CODE PA is seeking an experienced AEM Solution Architect to assess the Commonwealth's majority vendor-built Adobe Experience Manager as a Cloud Service implementation and define a sustainable long-term support model for the implementation of pa.gov.
PA.gov is one of the Commonwealth's most visible digital platforms. Its current AEM environment is highly customized and largely opaque to internal teams. This role exists to change that to bring clarity to the architecture, identify what is sound versus what introduces risk, and recommend the staffing, governance, and support approach needed for the platform's next phases. The selected candidate will lead an upfront assessment in the first several months, then continue as a strategic technical advisor through the remainder of the engagement, supporting transition execution, governance, and platform decisions as they arise.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
The AEM Solution Architect partners with CODE PA leadership, engineering, operations, procurement, and the current technical vendor to evaluate the platform's current state and shape its future. The work begins as a diagnostic engagement and evolves into ongoing architectural advisory as transition activities get underway. Lead architecture and solution design for relevant AEM tools, including: AEM Sites, Assets, Forms, and others.
This role requires deep AEM expertise, the judgment to distinguish standard practice from over-customization, and the communication skills to make complex technical realities legible to executive and non-technical audiences. The candidate will be responsible for guiding internal and external development teams on security and performance best practices as well as code review, enforcement and creation of standards, and support deployment/governance strategies.
EXPECTED OUTPUTS
Over the course of the engagement, the architect will produce written assessments, recommendations, and supporting documentation that give CODE PA a clear understanding of the PA.gov AEM platform and a credible path forward for its support. Specific artifacts will be defined collaboratively based on assessment findings and organizational needs.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
*Platform assessment and architecture review. Evaluate the current AEM as a Cloud Service implementation. Distinguish standard platform practice from over-customization or unnecessary complexity. Assess long-term maintainability and recommend simplification, stabilization, or remediation where warranted.
* Support model and transition planning. Define what support work can reasonably be performed internally, by contractors, or by a vendor. Develop a credible transition approach. Identify the skills and roles required for the future-state team.
* Documentation and knowledge transfer. Identify gaps in existing platform documentation. Establish documentation standards. Guide knowledge transfer between the current vendor and future support resources so that critical knowledge lives in the organization rather than in individuals.
* Cross-functional collaboration. Work with stakeholders across product, UX, and engineering teams.
* Architecture support. Evaluate and define component, template and experience architecture. Translate business requirements into technical architecture, workflows and content models.
* Governance and supportability. Recommend guardrails to ensure future enhancements align with sound AEM practice. Advise leadership on architectural tradeoffs, technical debt, and the long-term implications of platform decisions.
* Stakeholder communication. Serve as a trusted technical advisor to CODE PA leadership. Translate architectural complexity into clear, actionable guidance for executive, procurement, and operational audiences.
* Risk and decision support. Surface platform risks and operational dependencies with clear analysis and decision points. Help leadership weigh the cost of maintaining the current model against alternatives.
* Vendor and contractor oversight. Evaluate current vendor responsibilities and provide technical input into future contractor or vendor scopes, labor categories, and accountability expectations.
WORK SCHEDULE
*1-year contract with the ability to extend
*Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, with a 60-minute lunch (hours may be negotiable)
*Telework: This position may be eligible for part-time telework. Contractors must maintain a secure high-speed internet connection when teleworking. Contractors who cannot telework will be required to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
* 8 10 years in enterprise content management, digital platform architecture, or closely related roles.
* Deep hands-on Adobe Experience Manager expertise across architecture, implementation, and support.
* Deep knowledge of Java, Sling, dispatcher, and front-end integration.
* Experience assessing complex, highly customized enterprise platform environments and identifying supportability risks.
* Experience working with vendor-built systems and evaluating transition readiness.
* Demonstrated ability to develop technical assessments, support models, and documentation strategies.
* Strong written communication, including assessments and recommendations written for executive audiences.
* Experience with collaboration and delivery tools such as Confluence, SharePoint, or Azure DevOps.
Preferred Qualifications
* Experience supporting transitions from vendor-led to internal or hybrid support models.
* Experience establishing or maturing enterprise platform governance, including customization standards, change management, and support ownership models.
* Experience contributing to technical procurement, SOWs, or contractor role definition.
* Experience supporting large public-facing or government digital platforms.
* Familiarity with AEM as a Cloud Service operational constraints, including Cloud Manager pipelines, deployment strategies, and DevOps practices (branching, automated testing, environment management).
*Understanding of AEM security models and familiarity with accessibility requirements.
*Relevant Adobe or architecture certifications.
Success Metrics
By the end of the engagement, the following will be true:
*CODE PA has documented, credible understanding of the PA.gov AEM environment, its risks, and its dependencies.
*A future-state support model has been defined and endorsed by leadership.
*A transition plan is in place and execution is underway.
*Core architecture and support documentation exists in Commonwealth-owned systems.
*Governance expectations for future platform changes are established.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
* Familiarity with enterprise platform governance, vendor management, and support model design.
* Exposure to technology procurement or participation in RFP/RFI processes preferred.
* Ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
Skills:
Experience in Enterprise Contect Management, Digital Platform Architecture, or closely related roles Required 10 Years
*Deep* hands-on Adobe Experience Manager expertise across architecture, implementation and support Required
Deep knowledge of Java, Sling, dispatcher, and front-end integration. Required
Experience assessing complex, highly customized enterprise platform environments and identifying supportability risks. Required
Experience working with vendor-built systems and evaluating transition readiness. Required
Demonstrated ability to develop technical assessments, support models, and documentation strategies. Required
Experience with collaboration and delivery tools such as Confluence, SharePoint, or Azure DevOps. Required
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