Overview
Skills
Job Details
Client: Photon
Position: Java Technical Architect (Microservices)
Location: Boston, MA (Onsite)
Duration: Contract or Full time
Description for Internal Candidates
We are seeking a Technical Architect to lead the end-to-end architectural design and technical oversight of a major modernization initiative. This role is central to the strategic replatforming effort transitioning from a legacy C/C++ system to a scalable, robust, and cloud-adaptable Java-based architecture.
You will define the Target State Architecture and Blueprint, ensuring alignment with enterprise-wide objectives and technical best practices. As a hands-on and visionary architect, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams across infrastructure, security, development, and operations to shape a secure, high-performance, future-ready platform.
Key Responsibilities
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 tiers.
Provide final sign-off and governance over all architectural deliverables and designs.
Strategic Implementation Oversight
Ensure the accurate translation of architecture into implementation throughout the SDLC and production rollout.
Collaborate with project management, development, QA, and DevOps teams to ensure consistency and technical integrity.
Lead architecture reviews, risk assessments, and mitigation planning for the modernization program.
Cross-functional Technical Collaboration
Act as the primary architectural liaison between platform engineering, web services, security, data, and deployment teams.
Provide mentorship and technical guidance to engineers and solution designers involved in the migration.
Discovery & Migration Planning
Participate in the Technical Discovery & Blueprint Design phase, defining the platform s long-term architectural roadmap.
Oversee migration strategies during the Application Migration of Messaging Layer phase, especially around technologies like Apache Kafka.
Required Qualifications
Professional Experience
12+ years in software engineering or architecture roles, with at least 5+ years in enterprise-scale architectural leadership.
Direct experience leading legacy-to-modern technology transformations, ideally in financial services or other high-availability sectors.
Hands-on architectural experience with Java platforms, C/C++ systems, Oracle 19c, and enterprise messaging systems.
Technical Expertise
Deep knowledge of middleware, message brokers (e.g., Kafka, IBM MQ), and enterprise integration patterns.
Proven track record in designing scalable, fault-tolerant, and secure microservices-based architectures.
Solid understanding of performance tuning, HA/DR configurations, and low-latency system design.
Comfortable working with cloud-native and containerized architectures is a plus.
Communication & Stakeholder Management
Strong communication skills to translate complex technical concepts into business-aligned strategy.
Experience engaging with senior stakeholders, architects, and cross-functional technical teams.
Nice to Have
Experience with API gateway, security protocols (OAuth2, TLS, etc.), and observability tooling.
Exposure to cloud platforms (AWS, Google Cloud Platform, or Azure) and infrastructure-as-code tools (Terraform, Ansible).
Familiarity with regulatory requirements and compliance frameworks relevant to financial institutions.