Lead IT Software Architect - PPM Platforms

The Lead IT Software Architect - PPM Platforms is the senior technical authority responsible for the architecture, design, maintain, and reliability of Aerospace Program & Portfolio Management (PPM) platforms, with primary focus on Accolade (Sopheon) .

This role owns the technical integrity of Accolade as an enterprise platform , ensuring it scales to support NPI stage-gate execution, engineering programs, portfolio governance, and financial traceability across Aerospace. The Lead Engineer works closely with Aero PMO, Engineering, Finance, Digital, and Cybersecurity teams to translate portfolio and execution needs into robust, secure, and highly integrated technical solutions .

This is a hands-on lead engineer role , not a people-management position.

Accolade Platform Architecture & Technical Ownership

• Serve as technical owner and architect for Accolade (Sopheon) across Aerospace

• Define and maintain end-to-end technical architecture , including:

• Configuration strategy vs customization

• Data models for NPI, programs, milestones, and financials

• Integration patterns and APIs

• Lead architectural decisions related to:

• Scalability and performance

• Multi-program and multi-portfolio usage

• Upgrade and vendor-release compatibility

• Ensure Accolade operates as the authoritative system of record for NPI and PPM execution

Software Engineering & Extensibility

• Design and develop custom extensions, services, and integrations around Accolade

• Build and maintain:

• Middleware and integration services

• APIs and event-driven workflows

• Custom reporting and data pipelines where native capability is insufficient

• Enforce strong engineering standards , including:

• Code quality and design reviews

• Automated testing and CI/CD pipelines

• Secure coding and access controls

• Balance out-of-the-box configuration vs custom engineering to minimize technical debt

Integration & Data Enablement

• Lead technical design and implementation for integrations between Accolade and:

• ERP / SAP financial systems (CAPEX, OPEX, forecasts, actuals)

• IT PPM platforms and demand intake systems

• Engineering, R&D, and reporting platforms

• Ensure data consistency, traceability, and auditability across systems

• Enable portfolio-level and program-level analytics through clean, governed data flows

Security, Compliance & Reliability

• Design Accolade and surrounding services to meet:

• ITAR / EAR export-control requirements

• Honeywell cybersecurity, data handling, and access governance policies

• Partner with Cybersecurity and Compliance teams to:

• Implement role-based access and data segmentation

• Support audits and evidence collection

• Embed observability, monitoring, and resilience into the platform

Platform Lifecycle & Vendor Collaboration

• Lead technical strategy for upgrades, patches, and version adoption of Accolade

• Evaluate new Accolade features and influence adoption from a technical feasibility standpoint

• Act as senior technical interface to:

• Sopheon / Accolade product and engineering teams

• System integrators and implementation partners

• Drive reduction of environment drift and configuration sprawl across instances

Stakeholder Collaboration & Technical Influence

• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to:

• Aero PMO leadership

• Engineering and NPI program teams

• Finance and Digital stakeholders

• Translate portfolio and execution requirements into clear technical designs

• Communicate complex technical topics in business-relevant, executive-ready language

Due to compliance with U.S. export control laws and regulations, candidate must be a U.S. Person, which is defined as, a U.S. citizen, a U.S. permanent resident, or have protected status in the U.S. under asylum or refugee status or have the ability to obtain an export authorization.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field

• 10+ years experience in enterprise software engineering

• Deep expertise in:

• Enterprise system architecture

• Integration-heavy and workflow-driven platforms

• API and data-centric system design

• Experience working in regulated environments with strict compliance requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Aerospace, Defense, or Engineering-driven portfolios

• Strong, hands-on experience with Accolade (Sopheon) in NPI / PPM environments

• Strong understanding of:

• Stage-gate and NPI execution models

• Portfolio, program, and financial traceability concepts

• Experience with:

• SAP or ERP integrations

• Reporting and analytics architectures

• Proven track record as a principal-level or lead architect influencing platform direction across teams