Solution Architect Application Packaging

The Solution Architect (Application Packaging) is responsible for designing, governing, and validating the technical packaging solutions for enterprise desktop applications. This role provides expert guidance on packaging standards, compatibility, deployment readiness, automation practices, and end-to-end lifecycle coordination. The Solution Architect ensures that all application packages meet organizational security, compliance, performance, and standardization requirements. 

A. Packaging Solution Design

• Define end-to-end application packaging architecture, standards, and best practices (MSI/MSIX/App-V/PSADT).
• Evaluate application requirements, dependencies, and compatibility for packaging.
• Architect packaging solutions aligned with enterprise desktop standards (Windows 10/11, macOS optional).
• Recommend suitable packaging technologies based on application complexity, vendor constraints, and deployment platform.

B. Technical Assessment & Feasibility

• Conduct detailed technical assessments for new application onboarding.
• Analyze application behaviors, registry usage, DLL interactions, drivers, system dependencies, and middleware requirements.
• Identify potential conflicts, compatibility issues, or deployment risks prior to packaging.

C. Governance & Standards

• Define and enforce packaging governance, templates, documentation standards, and quality checklists.
• Ensure packaging requests follow consistent workflows, naming conventions, security controls, and testing guidelines.
• Validate adherence to enterprise deployment frameworks (Intune, SCCM/MECM, Azure AD).

D. Collaboration & Leadership

• Serve as the technical authority for Packaging Engineers, providing guidance, troubleshooting support, and solution reviews.
• Coordinate closely with the Application Manager to plan releases, prioritize workloads, and resolve technical blockers.
• Act as the technical counterpart to security, deployment, and engineering teams for packaging-related discussions.

E. Deployment & Integration Readiness

• Ensure packaged applications are fully compliant with deployment requirements (Intune/SCCM readiness).
• Validate detection logic, installation parameters, uninstall behavior, rollback mechanisms, and user experience criteria.
• Provide guidance on automation scripts, custom actions, and wrapper frameworks (e.g., PSADT).

F. Testing & Quality Assurance

• Oversee UAT planning, installation testing, silent deployment validation, and functional verification.
• Confirm packaging outcomes meet non-functional requirements: performance, stability, compatibility, security.
• Approve the final package for production deployment.

G. Security & Compliance

• Evaluate applications against security guidelines: vulnerability scanning, certificate requirements, elevation rules.
• Work with security teams on CVE remediation via packaging updates or configuration fixes.
• Ensure applications comply with organization-wide software governance and licensing policies.

H. Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain detailed design documents, packaging architecture notes, compatibility assessments, and technical workflows.
• Prepare monthly summaries on packaging volumes, failures, quality issues, and improvements.

Technical Skills

• 712 years of experience in Application Packaging or Application Engineering.
• 23 years in a senior packaging or solution architect role preferred.
• Certifications in ITIL, SCCM, or Azure technologies are an advantage.
• Expert-level understanding of application packaging tools:
• AdminStudio / InstallShield
• MSIX Packaging Tool
• Orca, Wix, Flexera tools
• PSADT scripting
• Strong knowledge of application deployment platforms:
• SCCM/MECM
• Intune
• Group Policy deployments
• Expertise in:
• MSI customization (Tables, Transforms)
• MSIX conversion and containerization
• App-V sequencing (optional)
• Silent install/uninstall scripting
• Strong PowerShell scripting skills.
• Deep understanding of Windows architecture, registry, file system, services, drivers, and COM components.
• Knowledge of vulnerability management and secure configuration practices.