Solution Architect

At Equity Residential, we're dedicated to creating thriving communities, and we invite you to be part of our team. Embracing values like Diversity, Sustainability, and Total Wellbeing, we foster a workplace culture of authenticity and collaboration.

How We Deliver a Winning Performance:  

• Question Authority 
• Walk the Talk
• Share Knowledge
• Listen, not just Hear
• See the Glass Half Full
• Take Educated Risks
• Enjoy the Ride
• Share the Spotlight
• Do the Right Thing
• Test Your Limits 

We Care About Your Total Wellbeing:

• Physical Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision care 
• Social Wellbeing: 9 paid holidays, annual vacation time, paid sick leave, new parent benefits
• Financial Wellbeing: 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan, Rent Discounts, Competitive Compensation
• Community Wellbeing: Paid Community Service Hours
• Career Wellbeing: Leadership Development
• Learn more about our Total Wellbeing program here.

What You'll Be Doing:

Reporting to the Sr Director, Enterprise Architecture & Engineering, the Solution Architect is responsible for developing scalable and reliable technical architectures for business applications, specifically focusing on property management, residential customer and retail tenant experience, and operational efficiency. The role directly contributes to business and information technology alignment by translating business needs into effective technical solutions and for designing strategies for seamless data flow between core company systems.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Architect and Design Solutions: Develop scalable, reliable technical architectures for business applications that enhance property management, tenant experience, and operational efficiency.
• Industry-Specific Technology: Assess, select, and integrate property technology solutions, including property management software, leasing platforms, and tenant communication systems.
• Business-IT Alignment: Partner with stakeholders across operations, marketing, finance, and property management to translate business needs into effective technical solutions.
• Data Integration: Design and implement strategies to ensure seamless data flow between core systems such as property management, accounting, and marketing platforms.
• Technical Leadership: Provide architectural direction and guidance to development and implementation teams, ensuring alignment with best practices and architectural standards.
• Network Fundamentals: Apply foundational knowledge of the OSI model, TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, and IP addressing to design and troubleshoot connectivity across systems.
• Cloud Infrastructure: Design secure, scalable architectures within AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, including VPCs, load balancers, firewalls, and networking services.
• System Design & Architecture: Engineer systems with a focus on performance, reliability, scalability, and business continuity, leveraging load balancing, failover, and disaster recovery practices.
• Security: Implement infrastructure security through firewalls, network segmentation, encryption (in transit and at rest), and IAM best practices.
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Utilize tools such as Terraform or CloudFormation to automate infrastructure deployment, ensuring consistency, repeatability, and efficiency.
• Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Environments: Design solutions that seamlessly integrate on-premises and multi-cloud environments to support flexible, scalable architectures.
• Innovation and Emerging Technologies: Monitor advancements in AI/ML, IoT, and related technologies, identifying opportunities to apply them in areas such as smart property management and predictive analytics.
• Documentation and Standards: Produce and maintain technical documentation, including architecture diagrams, design specifications, and technology standards.
• Represents the Company in a professional manner at all times. Consistently maintains a professional, courteous attitude when dealing with residents, coworkers and the general public. 
• Performs other duties as assigned. 
• The Company may revise this job description from time to time as business needs require. It is not intended to be an exhaustive listing of all the functions of the job, nor limit the Company's right to assign other functions to an employee in this position. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. 

JOB QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field or equivalent work experience.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in an architect or senior technical role.
• Previous experience in a real estate or prop-tech (property technology) company is highly desirable.
• Proven experience in solution design and architecture, with a solid background in software development, cloud computing (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud), and data integration.
• Strong understanding of the multi-family real estate industry, including property management operations, leasing, and tenant lifecycle.
• Experience evaluating and working with third-party software vendors specific to the real estate sector.
• Excellent communication skills to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders, effectively explaining complex concepts and solution benefits.
• The ability to analyze complex business problems and design practical, cost-effective, and scalable technology solutions.

SALARY:  Salary: $137,000 to $180,000 per year; in addition to base salary, a discretionary annual % bonus is provided.

The successful candidate's starting pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, and qualifications.

PHYSICAL AND VISUAL ACTIVITIES: 

Physical and Visual Activities: Ability to hear and speak well enough to converse verbally over the phone and in-person (expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken or written word). Ability to interpret, evaluate and communicate detailed written or verbal instructions to others accurately and easily. Able to see well enough to use the computer effectively and read written communications. Ability to lift, push, pull or carry up to 15 pounds for the dissemination of documents, supplies, materials, etc. to various locations throughout the work environment. Ability to sit for prolonged periods. The above describes the physical and visual activities that are commonly associated with the performance of the essential functions of this job. 

"Commonly associated" is not intended to mean always or only. Reasonable accommodation will be provided as required by law to enable otherwise qualified employees with a known disability to perform the essential functions of the job.

Additional Information 

Machines, Tools and Equipment, Software: Computer w/Internet and e-mail capabilities, Telephone, and Photocopier. Software to include Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite (Gmail, Calendar, Docs/Sheets/Drive, etc.).