Principal, AI-Native SDLC Architecture (Chicago)

What You'll Do:OCC is transforming how its technology organization builds software. We have deployed AI-assisted development tools across the firm, enabled citizen development, and established AI governance. The next step is redesigning our software development lifecycle to be AI-native from the ground up — with graduated, tiered standards that work for everything from personal productivity tools to SCI-grade production systems.Research from Stanford, HumanLayer, and Qodo consistently finds that the documentation and codified practices sufficient for experienced human developers are not detailed enough to drive consistent results from AI agents. Raising that bar benefits everyone — human developers onboard faster, key-person risk drops, and cross-team consistency improves. This role designs graduated standards and practices detailed enough that any competent developer, human or AI, can consume them and produce working code.You will design a graduated SDLC framework with prescriptive practice standards at each tier of criticality, pilot with real development teams, and drive adoption across the enterprise. The deliverable is a working development lifecycle — not a document.This is a rare opportunity to define how a critical financial market utility builds software in the AI era. You will have executive sponsorship, organizational mandate, and the backing to make standards enforceable rather than advisory.Primary Duties and Responsibilities:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily.Design Graduated SDLC Standards and PracticesDefine prescriptive practice standards across multiple tiers of development criticality — from personal experimentation through operationally critical, SCI-adjacent systemsEstablish standards across key dimensions: structure, testing, documentation, error handling, dependencies, storage, review, and operabilityElevate existing documentation, architecture decisions, integration patterns, and deployment procedures to the level of detail that drives consistent results from both human and AI developersDesign documentation and testing standards that serve double duty: readable by human developers joining a project and consumable by AI agents starting a coding sessionEncode tier-appropriate standards into persistent context files (CLAUDE.md, AGENTS.md, planning templates) as a natural output of well-documented practices — not as a separate AI-specific exerciseDesign graduation triggers and assessment mechanisms for artifacts moving between tiersEnable Citizen Development at ScaleCreate low-friction pathways for lower-tier development that enable experimentation without bureaucratic overheadDesign intake, classification, and registry processes for citizen-developed tools — visibility without paralysisSolve the path from working prototype to supported environment at every tierDrive Organizational AdoptionPilot the graduated SDLC with 2+ development teams, iterating based on real-world feedbackBuild alignment across Engineering, Architecture, Security, QA, and Governance/Risk functionsEstablish a quarterly organizational learning system where operational data, code review patterns, graduation assessments, and incident post-mortems feed back into living standardsDevelop training and coaching programs that help developers at every level internalize the standards — not just comply with themConnect to Enterprise Architecture and GovernanceProvide the practice standards layer underneath the existing governance frameworkEnsure standards satisfy regulatory requirements (Regulation SCI, CPMI-IOSCO, internal audit)Coordinate with enterprise architecture to ensure SDLC standards reflect infrastructure realityHow This Role WorksThis is a senior individual contributor role that leads through influence and organizational authority, not direct management. You will build consensus across multiple functions while being opinionated enough to define standards with teeth. You will have executive sponsorship from the CSO and CIO to make standards enforceable.If you have spent your career building things that other people’s processes depend on, and you are frustrated by organizations that treat development standards as optional guidelines, this role exists to fix that.What Success Looks LikeTimelineMilestone90 DaysCurrent SDLC variations assessed. Tier structure validated with stakeholders. Ownership model resolved.6 MonthsPractice standards published for all tiers. Context engineering templates in use. Pilot underway with 2+ teams. Intake and classification process operational.12 MonthsStandards organizationally agreed and ready for enterprise rollout. Automated validation gates active. Learning system operational with first quarterly review completed.Qualifications:The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary functions.Required:10+ years in software engineering, architecture, or development methodology rolesDemonstrated experience designing and implementing SDLC standards or development practice frameworks at organizational scale — not single-teamHands-on experience with AI coding agents (Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, or equivalent) in real codebases — not just demosWorking knowledge of context engineering: persistent context files, research-plan-implement workflows, progressive disclosure, context window managementExperience with brownfield/legacy codebases — understanding why AI-assisted development in complex existing systems is fundamentally different from greenfieldStrong facilitation and coalition-building skills — ability to drive alignment across engineering, security, architecture, and governance functionsExcellent written and verbal communication — ability to translate technical concepts for executives and organizational standards for AI agentsPreferred QualificationsExperience in financial services, particularly regulated environments (SIFMU, bank, exchange, clearinghouse)Familiarity with NIST AI Risk Management Framework, Regulation SCI, or CPMI-IOSCO principlesExperience with CI/CD pipelines, automated testing frameworks, and quality gate enforcementBackground in organizational change management — understanding that SDLC transformation is a culture change, not a standards documentTrack record of staying current with rapidly evolving AI development practices — demonstrated through conference participation, publication, or community engagementWhat We OfferThe chance to define how a SIFMU builds software in the AI era — a problem very few organizations are solving at this level of rigorExecutive sponsorship and organizational mandate to make standards enforceableA leadership team that understands context engineering, has studied the research, and is committed to AI-native transformation — not just AI adoptionCompetitive compensation commensurate with the Principal levelAbout UsThe Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) is the world's largest equity derivatives clearing organization. Founded in 1973, OCC is dedicated to promoting stability and market integrity by delivering clearing and settlement services for options, futures and securities lending transactions. As a Systemically Important Financial Market Utility (SIFMU), OCC operates under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. OCC has more than 100 clearing members and provides central counterparty (CCP) clearing and settlement services to 19 exchanges and trading platforms. More information about OCC is available at highly collaborative and supportive environment developed to encourage work-life balance and employee wellness. Some of these components include: A hybrid work environment, up to 2 days per week of remote workTuition Reimbursement to support your continued educationStudent Loan Repayment AssistanceTechnology Stipend allowing you to use the device of your choice to connect to our network while working remotelyGenerous PTO and Parental leave 401k Employer MatchCompetitive health benefits including medical, dental and visionVisit for more information.CompensationThe salary range listed for any given position is exclusive of fringe benefits and potential bonuses. If hired at OCC, your final base salary compensation will be determined by factors such as skills, experience and/or education. In addition, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer. We typically do not hire at the maximum of the range in order to allow for future and continued salary growth. We also offer a substantial benefits package as noted on All employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus. Discretionary bonuses are based on various factors, including, but not limited to, company and individual performance and are not guaranteed.Salary Range$175,100.00 - $282,800.00Incentive RangeThis position is eligible for an annual discretionary incentive compensation award, for which the target range is listed above (see Incentive Range). The amount of such award, if any, will be based on various factors, including without limitation, both individual and company performance.Step 1When you find a position you're interested in, click the 'Apply' button. Please complete the application and attach your resume. Step 2You will receive an email notification to confirm that we've received your application.Step 3If you are called in for an interview, a representative from OCC will contact you to set up a date, time, and location. For more information about OCC, please click here.OCC is an Equal Opportunity EmployerSummaryLocation: Chicago - 125 S FranklinType: Full time