As a key leader in the architecture team, the Senior Software Architect will define and evolve the architectural blueprint for complex distributed systems built using Java, Spring Boot, Apache Kafka, and cloud-native technologies. This individual will ensure that system designs align with enterprise architecture principles, business objectives, and performance/scalability requirements.
The architect will also work closely with engineering leads, DevOps, data engineering, product managers, and customer-facing teams to drive architectural decisions, mentor technical teams, and foster a culture of technical excellence and innovation.
Key Responsibilities:
Own and evolve the overall system architecture for Java-based microservices and data-intensive applications.
Define and enforce architecture best practices, including clean code principles, DDD, event-driven design, and cloud-native patterns.
Lead and guide technical design sessions, architecture reviews, and design walkthroughs for high-impact features and integrations.
Design solutions with a focus on performance, scalability, security, and reliability in high-volume, multi-tenant environments.
Collaborate with product and engineering teams to convert business requirements into scalable technical architectures.
Conduct technical due diligence, risk assessments, and make build vs. buy recommendations.
Drive the use of DevSecOps, automated testing, and CI/CD to improve development velocity and code quality.
Act as a mentor for senior developers, and play a hands-on role when necessary in prototyping or unblocking critical issues.
Own and contribute to architecture documentation, including high-level design diagrams, flowcharts, and decision records.
Lead architecture governance efforts and influence platform roadmaps.
Basic Qualifications:
12 15 years of hands-on experience in Java-based enterprise application development, with at least 4 5 years in an architectural leadership role.
Deep expertise in microservices architecture, Spring Boot, RESTful services, and API design.
Strong understanding of distributed systems design, event-driven architecture, and domain-driven design.
Proven experience with Kafka, Spark, Kubernetes, Docker, and AWS ecosystem (S3, EC2, IAM, Lambda, etc.).
In-depth experience with MongoDB, SQL databases, and data streaming & ingestion pipelines.
Proficiency in multithreaded programming, asynchronous communication, and defensive programming techniques.
Experience driving SLA-bound, high-availability systems and designing for observability (logs, metrics, tracing).
Strong foundation in security principles, including data encryption, identity management, and secure APIs.
Working knowledge of Agile practices, DevOps pipelines, and CI/CD automation.
Exceptional communication, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
Exposure to C4 Model, Lucidchart, or similar tools for system architecture and diagramming.
Experience leading architectural transformations (e.g., monolith to microservices).
Knowledge of Data Mesh, Data Governance, or Master Data Management (MDM) concepts.
Experience with stream processing, schema registry, or Protobuf/Avro.
Certification in AWS, Kubernetes, or Software Architecture (e.g., TOGAF, SAFe Architect).
Experience in regulated environments with compliance (GDPR, HIPAA, etc.) is a plus.
