Platform Architect

Platform Architect

The Platform Architect is part of a team building and supporting the core enterprise data & machine learning platform. The Platform Architect should be self-driven and be able to work in a federated team environment, advising on best practice architectural patterns & balancing the needs of individual data analytics & machine learning use cases against overall enterprise architecture principles in architecting & building the data/machine learning platform. The ideal candidate should have strong knowledge of computer science, DevOps, MLOps, CI/CD, and platform automation with an application programming background. The architect will be responsible for designing and building automated processes, keeping reproducibility, auditability, and traceability in view of all deliverables. This person will demonstrate an ability to manage complex, high-quantity, and often contradictory information to solve problems effectively, apply business knowledge to advance organizational goals, and comfortably navigate complex policy, people, and process-related organizational dynamics. This is a practical, hands-on role, not a TOGAF/Zackman or other theoretical one. The ideal candidate should have started their career as a software engineer and subsequently honed their architectural expertise through leading teams in the software engineering and product development of large, multi-tenant software applications. This individual is expected to be a thought leader, proficient in building consensus and establishing strong links between business and technology sectors. They must uphold objectivity and have a profound grasp of the fact that effective architecture is essential for the organization's success in meeting its business goals and objectives.

Essential Functions

• Lead creation & evolution of data & client platform under the guidance of Chief Architect and in partnership with BU data science, engineering & architecture teams.
• Develop solutions roadmap and phased implementation approach for tech platforms supporting project Trailblazer to deliver strategic business objectives.
• Balance individual needs for platform and tools against overall enterprise and BU-level architectural principles
• Ensure platforms and tools are not overlapping or duplicated.
• Provide guidance to balance tradeoffs between development speed and build-up of technical debt, as well as increased run costs due to sub-optimized code.
• Monitor the market for new architectural patterns; recommend new technologies to enhance existing technical infrastructure where relevant to the program's needs.
• Lead and design procedures for reviewing and integrating new components to existing cross-functional tech platforms used for Trailblazer
• Build & maintain a core data platform with high automation & ease of use by data scientists & engineers within each business unit.
• Responsibly receive, transmit, and handle consumer and customer data per applicable policies and procedures.
• Review and follow data privacy practices, policies, and guidelines.
• Formulate solution plans and provide guidance on designing automated delivery pipelines and best practices.
• Do tool analysis and selection and implement automation frameworks and approaches for different application platforms.
• Do hands on prototyping of new tools, libraries, frameworks, and architectural patterns. This hands-on approach is aimed at demonstrating to platform users that the proposed architecture goes beyond theoretical exercises, providing tangible, proven benefits..
• Evaluate and improve developer productivity by continuously assessing DevSecOps value stream.
• Identify emerging automation techniques to help improve DevSecOps & MLOps toolchain.
• Ensure the Data/Client platform is fault-tolerant, highly available, follow 12-factor app standards where possible, and efficiently and effectively use computing resources.

Qualifications

Requires a bachelor's degree in computer science from a four-year college or university with 8 plus years of experience in Computer Science, or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Technical Experience

• Deep understanding of business strategy and ability to craft architecture plans to support business outcomes.
• Deep understanding of AI, modern data architectures and patterns
• Expert knowledge in contemporary design and architectural paradigms, such as microservices and cloud-native (AWS) design, with a strong ability to champion and proliferate across the organization.
• Experience with cloud-based architecture API gateways; experience with large or complex system integration projects
• Relevant industry knowledge to frame best practices at comparable companies.
• Experience with modern data & machine learning platforms to support Digital & AI ambitions.
• Strong expertise with Databricks is preferred. Alternatively, similar tools like Snowflake.
• Advanced knowledge of object-oriented principles, Python, YAML/Terraform, Micro Services Architecture
• Extensive experience in architecting, designing, and implementing software applications in AWS or Azure.
• Extensive experience in designing and implementing CI/CD pipelines, preferably in AWS.
• Experience with Docker or other containerization technologies
• Expertise with modern SQL databases, data lakes & warehouse architecture.
• Proficiency with source control tools (GitHub, Bit Bucket, etc.)
• Experience with API Management platforms
• Familiarity with container orchestrators (Kubernetes, Docker EE)
• Operational experience with observability practices and tools such as monitoring, logging, and alerting
• Strong knowledge of Agile Methodologies
• Advanced knowledge of best practices and standards for software development

Soft Skills

• Strong communication skills across both technical and non-technical audiences, able to effectively articulate technical vision, possibilities, and outcomes
• Strong negotiation skills to align multiple stakeholders across BUs and functions, pragmatic problem solver
• Collaborative attitude, willingness to work with team members; able to coach, participate in code reviews, share skills and methods
• Manages complexity in order to effectively find solutions and solves problems.
• Drives results by consistently achieving completion and closure of tasks, even in the face of obstacles and setbacks.
• Adaptive personality and ability to function in a fast-paced environment.
• A problem-solving attitude that can adapt to varying timelines.
• Effectively communicates complex ideas in a clear and concise manner both verbally and in writing.
• A strong attention to detail combined with the ability to prioritize tasks.
• Strong interpersonal skills; promoting healthy relationships and team dynamics.
• Excellent ability to multi-task assigned duties or projects.
• 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.

(For optimum performance, the jobholder in this position would be expected to demonstrate appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities in the listed areas.)

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations*

Certifications specific to Application Development, agile methods, machine learning, data platforms of focus are a strong advantage.