Enterprise Applications Architect

Job Duties

The Virginia Retirement System (VRS) is seeking an experienced IT professional to serve as the Enterprise Applications Architect. The Enterprise Applications Architect will be highly collaborative and knowledgeable of VRS' strategies and will take a pragmatic and practical approach to problem solving and decision making.

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

• Provide thought leadership and assist technical and non-technical staff engaged in application analysis and architecture of business solutions activities.
• Manages large operational cloud environments spanning multiple tenants through techniques such as multi-Account management, Azure best practices, AWS Well Architected Best Practices, GCP, etc
• Defines the architecture of cloud deployed applications, modernization of hybrid deployed applications
• Provides expertise in service-oriented architecture, web services, and Application Programming Interfaces
• Remains proficient in understanding containers, container orchestration, auto-scaling, advanced deployment models, CI/CD with GitOps, databases (MS SQL, Mongo, Redis, etc) and pipeline customization
• Designs open-source stack of trusted, high-performing Kubernetes solutions and taking disparate business problems and delivering the best technology solutions for large scale applications
• Designs, codes, and implements next-generation enterprise CI/CD architecture using open-source tools and best practices
• Applies Agile Methodologies (e.g Scrum, Kanban, SAFe, Lean)
• Develops and maintain software development patterns for multiple development teams.
• Provides technical expertise and direction on the architecture, design, development and implementation of innovative solutions that address business needs and help achieve agency strategic goals.
• Owns the vision and roadmap for architecture and strategic technical direction for our enterprise-class software, most of which is custom-developed in-house.
• Works with peers to develop the next generation of Enterprise Applications architectures to take advantage of new and emerging technologies.
• Creates, implements and ensures compliance with application architecture and development methodologies based on industry best practices and the defined agency SDLC process.
• Stays current with industry architecture and development methodology best practices and creating and implementing a continuous improvement process regarding the methodologies.
• Writes, implements and maintains policies and standards for application architecture and development.
• Independently and proactively leads/facilitates efforts in identifying opportunities to improve VRS architecture and development procedures to enable business success.
• Gathers, evaluates, and documents application architecture and design for complex new systems or system enhancements based on business user input, technical requirements and constraints.
• Analyzes proposed system changes to identify architecture and development strategies for meeting business objectives and impacts, including costs and effort required to implement.
• Works effectively with business process owners and other technology staff to ensure business objectives are understood and met.
• Participates in design to help ensure an appropriate focus on implementation of architecture standards in business solution designs.
• Collaborates with product teams, Infrastructure and QA engineers and release management on new implementations.
• Contributes to the enforcement of change management policy and best practices.
• Provides support in dealing with production issues that arise, through troubleshooting and consultation with peers and vendor product support as needed.
• Works with other technical staff in the development of business solution designs.

Technical Expertise and Guidance
• Possesses and applies a broad range of expertise of technology principles, best practices and procedures to the completion of difficult and complex assignments crossing multiple functional areas
• Applies comprehensive technical knowledge of software architecture, design, construction and implementation to the oversight of significant assignments
• Provides guidance, technical leadership, and training to less experienced staff, especially in application architecture, design and construction
• Develops and documents application architecture and development processes and methodologies

Leadership
• Develops work plans, project budget costs, estimate staffing needs, coordinate team assignments, report to project management, resolves day-to-day issues, and ensures deliverables are completed in a timely manner
• Works on multiple, complex and varying technology projects independently
• Performs project management planning and oversight activities on technical projects, some of which will be large and/or complex.
• Assists in the development of detailed project work plans for complex technology projects.
• Assists and advises project managers with creation and execution of software development plans
• Reviews and approves the work of other technology staff
• Participates as a member of the leadership team responsible for technology at VRS. Actively assist this team in ensuring that technology is appropriately applied to solve business problems and achieve business goals.
• Creates and fosters a culture of collaboration and customer service.
• Develops and recommends enhancements to technical standards, policies and practices
• Evaluates effectiveness of services provided and recommends changes in procedures to meet users’ needs
• Serves on department and agency projects as technical architect and development subject matter expert
• Provides cross-team support whenever needed to achieve technical goals, knowledge sharing, and APO’s
• Performs special assignments as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Business Administration or a related discipline.

Seven (7) years’ experience in one or more architecture domains (e.g. business architecture, solutions architecture, application architecture) or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience in designing and architecting large scale applications, relational databases, including SaaS Hybrid, on-prem and cloud-based applications.

Advanced knowledge and experience in one or more current programming languages (E.g. - Java, JavaScript (including AngularJS), .Net Core, .net, C#, Micro services, MVC, WCF, Python, Rust, Go, Ruby or PHP)

Additional Considerations

Preferred candidates will have:

• Experience with business intelligence (BI), and enterprise content management (ECM).
• Experience implementing, designing and enforcing project management, requirements definition and signoff, Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), quality assurance methodologies, software testing principles.
• Knowledge of Change Management and Configuration Management best practices.
• Experience working in one or multiple IT areas, but with the versatility to apply concepts for Cloud Enabled/Cloud native solutions, SecDevOps, Advanced Analytics, Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence/Robotic Process Automation, Integration/API/Microservices, User Experience.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Hybrid Work Environment = Employees work two days onsite at VRS and three days remote. The selected candidate must be able to work in the office as required by the supervisor.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Email:

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability.