Principal Enterprise Architect

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Enterprise Architect to join our team. This is a strategic leadership role responsible for defining and governing the enterprise architecture (EA) framework, technology roadmap, and digital transformation initiatives. This individual contributor role ensures alignment between business objectives, IT strategy, and industry best practices while optimizing scalability, interoperability, security, and cost efficiency. The Architect will support Blue Cross of Idaho and all its affiliates, ensuring architectural consistency, scalability, and innovation across a diverse portfolio of healthcare services and systems. As a key member of the IT leadership team, this role will shape the future of digital health services, driving enterprise-wide transformation and innovation.

This role has preference for flexible hybrid location (onsite Meridian Idaho campus, and work-from-home).

Responsibilities

• Architectural Leadership: Provide strategic direction and oversight for enterprise architecture solutions, ensuring alignment with business goals and compliance with regulatory requirements.

• Architect and optimize multi-tenant platforms to support scalable, secure, and compliant solutions across multiple business units and affiliates.

• System Design: Lead the design and implementation of scalable, secure, and reliable systems and applications in the health plan payer environment.

• Technology Strategy: Develop and maintain a comprehensive technology strategy that supports the organization's business objectives and enhances our competitive position.

• Stakeholder Collaboration: Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership, bridging business strategy with technical execution. Collaborate with IT, security, compliance, and business teams to ensure architectures meet HIPAA, NIST, SOC 2, and state/federal regulations.

• Innovation: Identify and evaluate emerging technologies and trends, and recommend their adoption where they add value to the organization.

• Vendor & Ecosystem Management: Oversee vendor evaluations (e.g., PBM platforms, EHR integrations, cloud providers) and ensure third-party solutions align with enterprise standards. Guide partnerships with payers, providers, ACOs, and HIEs to enable seamless data exchange and care coordination.

• Governance: Establish and enforce architecture governance and standards to ensure consistency and quality across all projects.

• Mentorship: Mentor and guide other technical staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

• Documentation: Develop and maintain comprehensive architectural artifacts, including blueprints, roadmaps, and technical specifications, to guide implementation and governance.

• Risk Management: Assess and mitigate risks associated with architectural decisions and technology implementations.

Qualifications

Required Education: Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.

Required Experience: 10+ years of experience in enterprise architecture, with at least 5 years in the health plan payer environment. Experience should span:

• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing multi-tenant architectures and solutions within the healthcare industry, ensuring data isolation, compliance, and operational efficiency across payer and provider ecosystems.

• Proven track record of leading large-scale architectural projects from conception to implementation.

• Deep expertise in payer core systems (e.g., QNXT, Facets, HealthEdge, Guidewire) and healthcare interoperability (EDI X12, FHIR, CCDA).

• Strong knowledge of healthcare regulations, standards, and compliance requirements.

• Expertise in modern architectural frameworks and methodologies, such as TOGAF, Zachman, or SAFe.

• Experience with cloud computing platforms, such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.

• Expertise in API ecosystems, event-driven architectures, and zero-trust security frameworks.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a keen attention to detail.

• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

• Certification in enterprise architecture (e.g., TOGAF, AWS Certified Solutions Architect) is a plus.

As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay range is: $128,646 - $192,969. The position is eligible for an annual incentive bonus (variable depending on company and employee performance). The pay range for this position takes into account a wide range of factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, relevant experience, skills, seniority, performance, shift, travel requirements, internal equity, geography, business or organizational needs, and alignment with market data. At Blue Cross of Idaho, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top range for the position. Compensation decisions are dependent on factors and circumstances at the time of offer.

We offer a robust package of benefits including paid time off, paid holidays, community service and self-care days, medical/dental/vision/pharmacy insurance, 401(k) matching and non-contributory plan, life insurance, short and long term disability, education reimbursement, employee assistance plan (EAP), adoption assistance program and paid family leave program.

We will adhere to all relevant state and local laws concerning employee leave benefits, in line with our plans and policies.

Reasonable accommodations

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.