Enterprise Architect

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Meridian Cooperative is looking for an Enterprise Architect to join our development team of passionate innovators and problem-solvers, empowered to rise above challenges and swarm around solutions. Here, at our Dunwoody office, we are energized by the fact that our work is important. We are driven to make work as easy as possible for our Members, Customers, Partners, and Employees. Help us lead the way in Utility Software, join a winning company and thrive.

Summary:

Define and implement the overall architecture strategy at Meridian across all value streams, aligning technology solutions with business goals and objectives. Play a pivotal role in establishing Meridian’s software portfolio’s technology vision, strategy, and roadmap.

• Collaborate closely with stakeholders at all levels to design and implement scalable, secure, and resilient solutions that leverage cloud technologies, big data, and artificial intelligence (AI) to drive business value.
• Lead and facilitate architecture discussions, workshops, and presentations to gather requirements, define solution scope, and gain alignment.
• Engage with stakeholders, including business leaders, IT teams, and external partners, to understand their requirements and priorities, and communicate architectural decisions and recommendations effectively.
• Lead requirements gathering and design sessions with stakeholders to understand business needs, goals, and challenges, and translate them into technical solutions.
• Understand user and process requirements and ensure those requirements can be achieved through high-quality deliverables.
• Develop and maintain the enterprise architecture vision across Meridian.
• Define and document enterprise architecture standards, principles, and guidelines to guide technology decisions and investments.
• Lead the architectural design and implementation of complex, enterprise-scale solutions, ensuring alignment with business strategy, Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) principles, and best practices.
• Develop and maintain a three-year architectural roadmap for the continuous evolution of Meridian’s technology stack, including the adoption of cloud and AI technologies as well as the continued evolution of Meridian’s data lake architecture and analytics.
• Develop and implement cloud adoption strategies, including assessing current infrastructure, identifying opportunities for cloud migration, and defining the roadmap for cloud transformation.
• Collaborate with System Architects and Solution Architects to guide the technical design of solutions developed by the Agile Release Trains (ARTs) and Solution Train. Synchronize architecture functions across ARTs and teams.
• Provide strategic technical direction across ARTs and teams. Guide development teams throughout the entire software development lifecycle, ensuring adherence to architectural standards and best practices.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize existing architectures, DevOps processes, and tools, leveraging feedback and lessons learned from previous projects.
• Share expertise and best practices with team members through mentoring, training, and knowledge-sharing sessions, fostering a culture of learning and collaboration.
• Serve as a technical subject matter expert and provide strategic technical direction across ARTs and cross-functional teams.
• Foster innovative ideas and technologies in support of business strategy. Stay current with emerging industry trends and best practices and share knowledge with the team and the broader organization.
• Research and monitor new technologies, frameworks, and tools that would improve development workflows and optimize technological capabilities to meet business needs.
• Collaborate with Lean Portfolio Management (LPM), working closely with the team responsible for overseeing Meridian's portfolio of initiatives and projects using Lean principles. Ensure that the architectural initiatives and decisions align with Meridian's strategic goals and objectives.
• Prioritize initiatives based on their strategic importance, business value, and resource availability.
• Evaluate technology options, assess risks, and make recommendations for technology selection and implementation. Identify potential technology risks and issues related to architecture and cloud infrastructure and develop mitigation strategies to address them effectively.
• Establish governance processes and frameworks to ensure compliance with architecture standards and guidelines.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance throughout project lifecycles, from planning and design to implementation and deployment. Identify and evaluate project constraints and risks.
• Gather and utilize feedback to inform architectural decisions and help identify areas where architectural improvements can have the most significant impact on Meridian’s strategic objectives.
• Guide and support the architectural runway strategy by providing direction and assistance in the planning, development, and maintenance of the foundational elements necessary to support ongoing and future architectural initiatives.
• Promote modern technical and DevOps practices by advocating for their adoption, providing guidance on their implementation, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the organization.
• Take the initiative in thought leadership, innovation, and creativity.
• Represent the company at conferences and networking events.
• Adheres to all Meridian corporate policies and procedures.
• Travel as required.
• Any additional responsibilities assigned by management.

Education and Knowledge:

Master’s Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field required; equivalent professional experience may be considered for substitution for the required degree on an exception basis.

Fifteen years of experience in a related role required, with extensive experience defining and implementing enterprise architecture strategies. Proven experience as an Enterprise Architect is required, with a focus on designing and implementing scalable, enterprise-level solutions.

Knowledge and experience working within a Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) environment.

Understanding of enterprise architecture principles, frameworks, and methodologies

Knowledge of all phases of the software development life cycle and solution delivery

Knowledge of enterprise architecture principles and best practices

Ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams and drive change in a dynamic and evolving environment.

Understanding of agile methodologies and experience working in agile environments, preferably with SAFe.

Knowledge of cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Oracle Cloud) and experience architecting solutions on these platforms.

Experience with a wide range of technologies and platforms, including but not limited to, cloud computing, microservices, APIs, databases, and integration technologies.

Ability to gather requirements and propose technical solutions accordingly.

Ability to embrace learning and grasp new technologies, applications, and solutions.

Ability to explain highly technical information to non-technical people effectively.

Written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels.

Leadership and decision-making abilities, with a demonstrated track record of driving architectural initiatives to successful outcomes.

Analytical and problem-solving capabilities

Flexibility and ability to rapidly respond to changes.

Ability to contribute in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple, competing priorities.

Solution-oriented and proactive mindset with a willingness to learn.

Certifications:

Relevant certifications in cloud technologies (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect, etc.) preferred.

We Offer:

• Outstanding Medical/Dental/Vision that starts on the first day of employment.
• Education/Training Reimbursement
• On-Site Education Courses
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health/Wellness Reimbursement (fitness tracking device one-time up to $300)
• Excellent Life Insurance & Disability
• Vacation: 22 days of accrued time off (no waiting period). 9 holidays which include the day after Thanksgiving & Christmas Eve. Up to 240 hours of vacation time can rollover to the following year.
• Volunteer Time: 8 hours per year.
• Retirement: very robust 401K employees are 100% vested in the Company-funded employer basic contributions from the date they enter the plan. The Company will match 100% of each dollar you contribute on the first five percent (5%) of eligible compensation that you contribute to your account. Employer basic contribution eligibility occurs on the first day of the month following the employee’s completion of one year of continuous service (contribution of 4-11% of base salary based on years of service).

In addition to a competitive salary, medical/dental/vision plan, and matching 401(k), also offer:

• Relaxed Dress Code
• Flexible Hybrid Work Schedules
• In Office Gym

About Us:

We were formed in 1976 by a group of Electric Membership Cooperatives with a vision for a single enterprise solution provider to serve data processing, IT, and operational needs to cooperatives, public utility districts, and municipal utilities. Through carefully curated acquisitions and partnerships, Meridian Co-op has unified multiple leading-edge companies under its umbrella to truly execute that vision. Today, the Meridian Suite serves over 500 utilities across the country with industry leading enterprise software solutions.