PermitSF Solutions Architect (9976) - Department of Technology

Overview

The Department of Technology (DT) is seeking a PermitSF Solution Architect to lead the City’s technical strategy, integration architecture, and system interoperability for the unified permitting platform launched in 2026. This role focuses on ensuring data flows across permitting systems, establishing an integration architecture that enables OpenGov to work with City systems such as Accela, Oracle Forms, and Clariti. The Architect will define enterprise standards, guide architectural decisions, and work with PermitSF, DataSF, Digital Services, the Mayor’s Office of Innovation (MOI), and DT to align data governance, API standards, and roadmaps for Citywide modernization. The Architect will develop a long-term plan for replacing legacy systems and guide decisions to ensure scalability, resilience, and sustainability.

Essential duties

• Provide strategic leadership for PermitSF’s integration and system architecture to ensure data exchange and interoperability across departments.
• Lead architectural decisions for connecting OpenGov with City systems, including legacy platforms (Accela, Oracle Forms, Clariti) and City infrastructure (API gateway, cloud, data platforms).
• Establish and maintain enterprise architecture standards covering integrations, data exchange, GIS/addressing, identity, document management, and API design.
• Define the integration layer that decouples City systems from OpenGov logic for long-term flexibility.
• Ensure alignment with citywide strategies for cloud, cybersecurity, privacy, and digital transformation.
• Architect the system landscape supporting PermitSF, including data synchronization, workflow coordination, data pipelines, GIS services, document management, and API/event-driven integrations.
• Occasionally perform light technical prototyping, configuration, or proof-of-concept work to validate integration approaches.
• Guide implementation partners and vendors to ensure architecture compliance and long-term sustainability.
• Advise on configuration tradeoffs to minimize customizations and technical debt.
• Develop the roadmap for transitioning from legacy systems to OpenGov, including coexistence and phased replacement strategies.
• Define operational standards for integrations, including monitoring, performance, security, and lifecycle management.
• Collaborate with DT engineering and operations to ensure platform readiness and support.
• Partner with PermitSF leadership, business owners, DataSF, MOI, and Digital Services to align solutions with redesigned workflows and data governance needs.
• Act as a liaison across City departments — Planning, DBI, Public Works, Fire, Public Health, DataSF, and DT — to ensure technical consistency and alignment.

Qualifications

Education : Possession of an associate’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related field from an accredited college or university OR its equivalent in total course credits/units (at least 60 semester or 90 quarter credits/units with a minimum of 20 semester or 30 quarter credits/units in Computer Science, Engineering or a closely-related field).

Experience : Five (5) years of experience in enterprise architecture, solution design, or technical leadership roles.

Substitution : Additional experience as described above may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis (up to two years). One year is equivalent to 30 semester or 45 quarter units with a minimum of 10 semester / 15 quarter units in one of the specified fields.

Note: Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted. One-year full-time employment is equivalent to 2000 hours; overtime is not included in the calculation for full-time employment.

Desirable Qualifications

• Strong background in integration architecture, API strategy, and systems interoperability.
• Experience with SaaS case management systems (e.g., OpenGov, Accela, Clariti) or similar platforms.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, or GCP) and modern integration approaches.
• Experience with enterprise data platforms (Snowflake, Power BI) and data governance frameworks.
• Knowledge of San Francisco’s permitting landscape or municipal operations is a plus.
• Certifications such as TOGAF or cloud architecture credentials preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to guide technical decision-making and influence diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in complex, large-scale enterprise or government environments.

Additional Information

• Appointment Type: Temporary Exempt (TEX). Full-time position is excluded from the competitive civil service examination process and serves at the discretion of the appointment officer.
• Work Location: Hybrid work with on-site presence at the Department of Technology, 1 South Van Ness, and 49 South Van Ness, San Francisco, CA 94103; other City sites as needed.
• Nature of Work: 40-hour week with on-site work as required.
• For more information, see the SF Careers site and related department documents.

How To Apply

Applicants are encouraged to apply promptly as recruitment may close at any time, but not before February 8, 2026. The Supplemental Questionnaire must be completed and submitted with the application. The following items are required:

• Resume attached with the application.
• Complete the Supplemental Questionnaire:
• Questions: View email address on click.appcast.io
• Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. Mailed, hand-delivered, or faxed documents will not be accepted.

Additional information on hiring processes, equal employment opportunity, benefits, and other notices are provided in the City and County of San Francisco’s employment resources.