Software Architect

Description

Position Overview

We are seeking a Software Architect who can both deliver and "sell" the technical vision-someone who is equally comfortable architecting solutions and communicating them to business stakeholders and executives. You will create architecture blueprints, define application frameworks, and guide the integration of applications across a complex enterprise ecosystem. This role is 100% onsite in Washington, DC and requires strong stakeholder engagement, clear verbal/written communication, and the ability to discuss emerging technologies and their practical application.

Key Responsibilities

• Enterprise Architecture Leadership: Lead the design and implementation of the enterprise application architecture strategy aligned to business and IT goals.
• Solution Delivery Ownership: Oversee the full lifecycle of enterprise applications-from ideation and design through deployment and operational support.
• Systems Integration: Define and validate integration patterns across platforms and systems for high availability and interoperability (APIs, microservices, messaging).
• Cloud Architecture: Architect cloud-native and hybrid solutions on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, optimizing for scalability, security, reliability, and cost.
• Technical Evangelism: Present architecture options and trade-offs to stakeholders; "sell the vision" and secure alignment across technical and non-technical audiences.
• Standards & Governance: Produce architecture documentation (technical specs, process flows, integration patterns); contribute to standards, guardrails, and best practices.
• Performance & Reliability: Guide teams on non-functional requirements (performance, security, observability, availability, DR).
• Team Collaboration: Partner with engineering, product, and operations; mentor developers and influence sprint goals, estimates (including sprint pointing), and delivery quality.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field.

Experience:

• 7+ years of software architecture experience with enterprise applications; 3-5+ years hands-on enterprise architecture.
• 5+ years in software development.

Technical Depth:

• Strong proficiency in application integration patterns (REST APIs, microservices, event-driven designs).
• Proven experience designing and deploying solutions on AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform.
• Proficiency with modern app frameworks and architectures (.NET/Java, microservices), containerization (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes).
• Experience with CI/CD, DevOps practices, automated testing, and secure SDLC.
• Practical knowledge of relational and NoSQL databases; data modeling and integration.
• Security & Compliance: Understanding of application security practices (secure coding, data protection, identity, secrets management).
• Delivery Practices: Experience with Agile methodologies and sprint planning/pointing.
• Communication: Excellent executive-facing communication and documentation skills; ability to simplify complex concepts and drive consensus.
• Clearance: current or previous Public Trust is a plus.

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