Software Engineering Architect

UNABLE to Sponsor or do C2C/Margin Sharing

Job Title: Software Engineering Architect

100% Onsite

Pleasant Prairie, WI

Feedback from the Hiring Manager:

We need a Senior Architect who has

• Deep hands-on expertise in designing and building on-premise Kubernetes platforms and container-based application delivery frameworks.
• Experience must go beyond using managed hyperscaler services (AKS, EKS, GKE); candidates must demonstrate the ability to architect, assemble, and optimize Kubernetes environments from the ground up.

Summary

The Software Engineering Architect is responsible for defining, designing, and governing the architecture of complex software systems and delivery solutions. This role ensures that applications are secure, scalable, and resilient — meeting both functional and non-functional requirements within a cloud-native, containerized environment. The Architect will play a key role in bridging high-level architectural strategy with hands-on engineering execution, guiding teams in modern software delivery practices, and ensuring alignment across development and operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Design architectural strategies for large-scale, enterprise-grade software systems leveraging modern SDLC practices, CI/CD pipelines, service mesh architectures, and container orchestration.
• Incorporate performance, security, scalability, and operational manageability into all architectural decisions.
• Define and validate high availability (HA) and disaster recovery (DR) standards for containerized applications and supporting infrastructure.
• Establish and maintain architectural best practices and patterns for microservices, service mesh implementations (e.g., Istio, Envoy), and container orchestration (Kubernetes, OpenShift).
• Develop technology roadmaps for core runtime components such as Java, Spring Boot, and shared libraries, ensuring proactive CVE management and alignment with organizational security requirements.
• Review and approve engineering design proposals to ensure compliance with architectural principles and modern software delivery standards.
• Evaluate and recommend appropriate technology solutions — including Infrastructure-as-Code tools, CI/CD systems, and application frameworks — aligned with GitOps methodologies.
• Lead proof-of-concept (PoC) initiatives to assess emerging DevSecOps, cloud-native, and service mesh technologies.
• Partner with platform, infrastructure, and security teams to ensure seamless integration and operational excellence across systems.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to engineers on CI/CD automation, testing frameworks, service mesh best practices, and container orchestration.
• Operate with autonomy and strategic foresight, making independent architectural decisions that support long-term organizational objectives.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field (required).

Experience:

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in software design and/or architecture, with substantial prior experience in software development.
• Proven background in building and modernizing applications within containerized and hybrid environments (OpenShift, Kubernetes).
• Strong experience with Java, Spring Boot, and cloud-native application development.
• Demonstrated ability to design resilient, high-performance, and secure systems.

Technical Competencies:

• Deep understanding of modern software architectures (Microservices, Distributed Systems, Cloud, Service Mesh).
• Proficiency in multiple programming languages, ideally Java and one or more of Python, Go, or Node.js.
• Hands-on experience with CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), GitOps, and DevSecOps principles.
• Familiarity with observability, monitoring, and performance optimization tools.

Soft Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical audiences.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Demonstrated leadership and collaboration across architecture and engineering teams.

Additional Information

• This is a hands-on architectural role, ideal for someone ready to expand into a broader technical leadership capacity.
• The environment is primarily on-premises, with growing adoption of hybrid and cloud-native solutions.
• The position involves close collaboration with both architecture and engineering teams to ensure cohesive software delivery.
• Occasional travel to branch or international locations may be required.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Experienced in designing and implementing cloud-native and containerized solutions using Kubernetes and OpenShift.
• Adept at building platforms that enable teams to deploy applications efficiently through automated CI/CD and GitOps workflows.
• Balances strategic architectural vision with deep technical execution and mentorship.
• Actively engaged in continuous learning and staying current with emerging technologies such as AI and modern DevSecOps practices.
• Currently working in a similar capacity and seeking a role with broader architectural impact.