Chief Architect

Chief System Architect

United Kingdom

Role Overview:

We are looking for a Chief System Architect to play a crucial role in shaping the future of the client’s cloud-based SaaS product. Reporting directly to the Chief Product and Technology Officer, this role will lead the development and implementation of scalable architecture solutions, integrate elasticity and auto-scaling capabilities, and manage containerization strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

- Lead the development and implementation of scalable technical architecture solutions, defining technical architecture, outlining processes, and providing guidance to software developers.

- Collaborate with development teams to integrate elasticity and auto-scaling features into the client’s cloud infrastructure.

- Lead the evaluation and selection of appropriate technologies, tools, and frameworks to ensure high availability, performance, and reliability.

- Oversee the implementation of containerization and orchestration strategies using Kubernetes.

- Work closely with stakeholders to understand business needs and define technical solutions that align with those needs.

- Develop and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, including system models, process diagrams, and architecture designs.

- Provide leadership, technical direction, and mentorship to architects and developers, sharing knowledge and promoting best practices.

- Prepare and present technical architectural plans to senior management and other stakeholders.

- Analyse emerging technologies and trends, providing recommendations on how to improve and evolve the client’s systems architecture.

**Key Competencies:**

- **Helicopter vision**: Able to take a broader perspective and see the big picture rather than focusing on individual details.

- **Critical thinking**: Strong ability to analyse needs and feedback, identify patterns, and make connections between data points to gain a deeper understanding.

- **Accountability**: Ability to take responsibility for actions and accept the consequences of decisions.

- **Ownership**: Willingness to take full responsibility for tasks, projects, or actions, with a commitment to achieving desired outcomes.

- **Integrity**: Ability to act ethically, with honesty, and follow through on commitments.

- **Agile mindset**: Quick to adapt to changing circumstances, able to pivot strategies as needed to stay competitive and relevant.

- **Communication**: Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with individuals across the organization and respond to their needs and concerns.

**Required Experience & Skills:**

- At least 5 years of experience as a software architect and a minimum of 10+ years in software development.

- Strong knowledge and hands-on experience with **Azure**, **Kubernetes**, and cloud elasticity.

- Expertise in containerization tools such as **Kubernetes**.

- Cloud-native with in-depth knowledge of **Azure**.

- In-depth experience with software methodologies, systems architecture, and database design.

- Proven experience with a variety of technologies including **C#**, **Java**, **C++**, **SQL**, and **Python**.

- Extensive experience designing and implementing cloud-based solutions and microservices architecture.