Software Architect

Position Summary

The Software Architect is a technology leadership role responsible for providing architectural guidance on the best use of software-based technologies and assets. They are responsible for the development, socialization, adoption, and assurance of standards and related packaging like patterns, reference models, platforms, and configurations. In consultation with Solutions Architect(s) and Enterprise Architect(s), they provide guidance on the selection, implementation, and management of technology solutions, then lead the realization of those solutions. Their responsibilities are broad, requiring technical depth into our technology stack to ensure adherence to standards and best practices, technical team mentoring, representing Software Development within the Architecture Community and Communities of Practice, and partnering with other technical areas to develop and mature our technology roadmaps and DevSecOps pipelines. The Software Architect will drive positive change throughout the Credit Union and into the Software Development teams as we continue to modernize our technology stack and continuously improve our software development craft.  This role requires deep passion for technical delivery excellence and a desire for positively impacting our environments and solutions across our core, web, mobile and technical landscape.

Work Location

This position is a hybrid role (remote option available) with a combination of working both onsite at the Headquarters 2 building in East Lansing and remotely. A schedule of expected onsite and remote workdays will be discussed during the interview process.

An offer of employment with MSU Federal Credit Union and affiliates is contingent upon the agreed work arrangement (onsite/hybrid/remote) and work location. MSU Federal Credit Union may or may not be able to accommodate temporary or permanent changes to work arrangements or allow employment outside the city and/or state of residency in which the new hire resides at the time of offered employment. 

 Compensation & Benefits 

• Salary Range:
  
  • Software Architect- $104,000-$130,000+ dependent on experience
  • Senior Software Architect $115,000-$140,000+ dependent on experience
• 100% Company-Paid Health, Dental, Vision, Life, and Long-Term Disability Premiums 
• Up to 26 days of PTO within your first year, as well as Volunteer Time Off & 11 Paid Holidays
• 401(k) with an immediate 2:1 Match 
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Up to 12 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Software Architect:

• Establish a high level of personal credibility and build strong relationships with team members and departments in the Credit Union.
• Translate business and technical requirements into a solution roadmap to achieve business objectives.
• Partner with Solution Architecture to develop end-to-end solution processes by providing technical documents and estimates, cost estimations, implementation requirements, and alternative solutions to support the business case, as well as provide any necessary adjustments if re-architecture of solutions does not meet requirements.
• Supports product line program managers, product owners and solution architects in the development of roadmaps for the evolution of the enterprise application portfolio from future to current state, particularly in areas related to supporting technology solutions.
• Determine, develop, and improve technical solutions in support of business goals.
• Remain current on emerging technologies and trends on a broad range of technologies, platforms and vendors. Lead the efforts to integrate new technologies into our environments.
• Participates in evaluation, design and analysis for the implementation of a solutions across a group of specific business applications or technologies based on enterprise business strategy, business capabilities, value-streams, business requirements and enterprise standards.
• Lead and/or participates in brainstorming sessions to develop potential solutions for business needs or problems.
• Proactively identify opportunities for process improvements and identify areas where Information Technology can support business needs and goals.
• Collaborate with technical teams to develop flexible, scalable solutions and products.
• Communicate and consult with internal stakeholders to develop appropriate solutions.
• Support and evolve pragmatic agile development practices within the teams. Actively participate in team agile events with an eye on continuous improvements.
• Supports product owners in EOL (end of life) product decisions to maintain, refresh or retire products, services or systems (including applications, technologies, processes and information).
• Participate in the development of roadmaps for the evolution of the enterprise application portfolio from future to current state (as defined by the Architecture Community).
• Monitors the current-state technology platforms to identify deficiencies through aging of the technologies used by the application, or misalignment with business requirements.
• Works closely with the Strategy Realization Team to ensure the execution of plans corresponds with what is being promised throughout the project or product lifecycle.
• Works closely with the product owners, program managers, and team leads to ensure a robust architectural runway that can support future business requirements throughout the product lifecycle.
• Share in the vision of the product and drive team towards that vision.
• Lead by example, model best practices and behaviors and mentor developers by sharing knowledge to make sure software development is continuously improving. Instill a spirit of continuous improvement and technical excellence within the teams.
• Responsible for creating and evolving standards and best practices in software development.
• Apply standards of cloud compliance to application design to achieve reliability.
• Scan the environment in a proactive manner to gain perspective on industry trends, leading practices and technology offerings for use in engagements with business.
• Participate in demos for product/vendor evaluations.
• Collaborate on creating and evolving a DevSecOps pipeline, including tooling, processes and best practices.
• Establish, lead and/or participate in Communities of Practice, Focus Groups and Task Forces related to software development.
• Set direction and best practices in software development with respect to tools and processes.
• Be at the forefront of evolving the way we work across both business and technical teams by incorporating design thinking and end to end collaboration.
• Develop Playbooks, reference implementations and other documentation to enhance development practices.
• Participate in training activities within your department or branch and with the learning and development department; such training helps to ensure staff compliance with Credit Union policies and state and federal regulations and laws.
• Perform other duties and assist other employees, as assigned.

Sr. Software Architect:

• All of Software Architect (Level I) duties and responsibilities.
• Review business requirements to ensure sufficient detail and transparency, collaborating with business partners to ensure that these are brought together accurately with clear and complete understanding of capabilities, process and people implications, as well as technology.
• Lead the evaluation, selection and replacement of technology platforms. Take ownership over the technology roadmap strategy and implementation to achieve business unit goals.
• Lead the advancement of platform integrations to support the Credit Union’s rapid growth strategy.
• Have a proven track record of being able to plan, prioritize, estimate, manage, and deliver projects and work efforts on time.
• Champions change management through mentoring and influence. Ability to influence peers and leaders.
• Develop advanced understanding of applications, systems, supporting infrastructure, and systems integration.
• Creates reference implementations focused on detailed design principles, decision points, detailed APIs, major systems and dependencies between business and IT.
• Monitor and evaluate software development team member’s competency and skill development progress.
• Develop business cases and ROI analysis for large-scale technology changes.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

Software Architect:

• Bachelor’s Degree in software engineering, computer science, or related field required.
• 5+ years of experience operating in a technical solutioning and leadership capacity
• Exposure to multiple, diverse technologies, platforms and processing environments.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a focus on rapport-building, listening, questioning skills, and ability to relate to people at their knowledge level.
• Good understanding of strategic, new, and emerging technology trends, and the practical application of existing, new and emerging technologies to new and evolving business and operating models.
• Good understanding of product management, agile principles and development methodologies and capability of supporting agile teams by providing advice and guidance on opportunities, impact and risks, taking account of technical and architectural debt.
• Experience working in a relevant industry is helpful, but not required.
• Knowledge of various aspects of an enterprise technology architecture like business, information, data, network and security.
• Knowledge of information principles and processes.
• Knowledge of end to end DevSecOps tools, practices and principles for continuous deployment of high quality applications.
• Proficient in software and mobile development methodologies and procedures in an Agile landscape
• Must have excellent communication skills, both written and oral, along with the ability to present information in a creative way that motivates usage of services.
• Adapt to changes in the work environment, manage competing demands, and handle frequent change, delays, or unexpected events with poise.
• Expert knowledge of Internet protocols, standards and information security.
• Knowledge of several of these programming languages: PHP, PERL, Ruby, Python, C#, C++ or Java.
• Expert knowledge of HTML, CSS, AJAX, PHP, SQL, Java, JavaScript and jQuery or other JS libraries
• Knowledge of various database technologies like MySQL, MongoDB and SQL.
• Experience with Episys core banking system preferred, but not required.
• Ability to read and understand complex computer system documentation; this job requires some technical writing skill for creating documentation for new and existing web applications and their APIs.
• Excellent problem solving skills and an ability to anticipate possible outcomes and issues not readily apparent
• Demonstrated ability to probe and initiate research to identify critical problems and areas of significant concern or opportunity and answer them with solution recommendations including the ability to clearly articulate pertinent information to agile teams
• Willingness and able to handle contingencies and changes with a demonstrated ability to help lead change with a positive mindset helping others overcome resistance to needed change
• Ability to work at both detailed and abstract levels
• Must be able to adjust plans, as necessary, and provide alternative strategies to meet changing business needs and agile team’s commitments
• Excellent listening and feedback skills with a demonstrated ability to facilitate dialogues producing new perspectives and trigger recommendations for substantial innovative enhancements and analysis of consequences
• Sense of urgency and commitment to providing the best support possible
• Team-oriented and ability to foster collaborative working environments by engaging business and technical teams to help identify business solutions consistent with best practices
• Exceptional interpersonal and consensus-building skills with a demonstrated ability to challenge conventional thinking and traditional ways of operating to help identify issues and opportunities to improve, streamline, and innovate on current processes.
• Demonstrated leadership through expertise in a software development subdomain (innovation, system architecture, etc.), software development, and departmental expertise.
• Ability to design and develop innovative, efficient, and complex programming solutions with excellent understanding of and consideration for impact on relationship to other programs, employees, and membership.
• Ability to work independently as well as cooperatively in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
• Ability to work well with all employees, including mangers, VP’s, executives and software/IT vendors.
• Able to manage and prioritize multiple tasks independently, while remaining flexible to changing requirements.
• Ability to understand the long-term (“big picture”) and short-term perspectives of situations.
• Work requires understanding of user experience design.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate with all levels of the organization as well as solid facilitation skills

Sr. Software Architect:

• All of Software Architect (Level I) duties and responsibilities.
• Project management skills in order to handle multiple problems, often times simultaneously, and meet aggressive deadlines.
• A strong knowledge of critical Credit Union applications and programs.
• Must have a high level of business acumen and ability to collaborate with non-technical people and all levels within the organization.
• Ability to balance between innovation and pragmatism when determining the practical application of new ideas
• Expert knowledge of department programming languages and conventions, design and development standards, and best practices.
• Displays intellectual curiosity and integrity.
• Motivated and driven by achieving long-term business outcomes.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and lead cross-functional teams.
• Work collaboratively with Business, IT teams and outside vendors to create and improve business processes.
• An increased ability to analyze complex situations and problems and is able to perform the necessary research to arrive at innovative solutions.
• Ability to communicate system information, risks, and vision clearly for technical and non-technical employees and leadership.
• Ability to recognize business issues early on, how they affect overall project delivery, and take action as necessary to reduce or eliminate disruption in service or project completion.
• Advanced business acumen that can interpret and translate business goals into technical specifications, delivering thought leadership of specific technologies and driving technology change.
• Expert business knowledge and interpersonal skills to build, maintain, and influence relationships with senior leaders.
• Knowledge of financial models and budgeting.
• Organizationally savvy, with the ability to navigate organizational politics.
• Ability to propose and estimate the financial impact of solution alternatives.
• Ability to work creatively and analytically to solve business problems and propose solutions.
• Trusted and respected as a thought leader who can influence and persuade business and IT leaders and IT development teams.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• May be required to remain in a stationary position for an extended period of time.
• Ability to operate standard office technology, equipment and tools, which may include many hours of computer and phone usage.
• Occasionally needs to move about inside of office area
• Exposure to potentially hazardous condition, i.e. robbery. Receives detailed instructions and procedures to be followed to minimize the exposure
• This position is able to work in remote, hybrid or onsite working arrangements.

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