Application Architect – Application Modernization

Role: Application Architect – Application Modernization

Client: IBM (Internal)
Location: Remote
Employment Type: Contract
Rate: $65/hr

Job Description

The Application Architect – Application Modernization is responsible for designing and leading the transformation of legacy applications into modern, scalable, and cloud-native architectures. This role blends deep technical expertise with strategic vision to ensure applications are rehosted, replatformed, or refactored to meet current business demands and support future growth.

The architect will define modernization strategies, guide engineering teams, and ensure alignment with enterprise architecture standards while delivering secure, resilient, and high-performance solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end architecture for application modernization initiatives

• Design cloud-native architectures across AWS, Azure, IBM Cloud, and Google Cloud Platform

• Architect microservices-based solutions, APIs, data models, and integration patterns

• Define containerization and orchestration strategies using Docker and Kubernetes

• Design secure, resilient, and compliant architectures with cloud-native security and governance best practices

• Collaborate with development, DevOps, and infrastructure teams to implement CI/CD pipelines and automation frameworks

• Guide the integration of Generative AI technologies such as Watson, Azure OpenAI, Amazon Bedrock, and Google Vertex AI into modernized applications

• Develop application modernization roadmaps using Application Modernization Method (AMM)

• Utilize automation and modernization tools such as IBM Cloud Automation (ICA)

• Provide architectural governance for testing, performance optimization, and reliability engineering

• Oversee data migration, legacy system integration (RPG, AIX, Mainframe Z), and hybrid cloud deployments

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong experience as an Application Architect or Modernization Architect

• Hands-on experience modernizing legacy applications into cloud-native architectures

• Expertise in microservices, APIs, and distributed systems

• Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, and container platforms

• Strong understanding of cloud security, governance, and compliance

• Experience working with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices

• Knowledge of hybrid cloud and legacy integration patterns

• Excellent communication and stakeholder collaboration skills