System Architect

KCS IT; Brussel Hoofdstad; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

KCS IT seeks a Senior/Expert SYSTEM ARCHITECT to design and govern our technology roadmap across Java, Angular, cloud platforms and tooling.

You will provide hands-on leadership, mentor engineering squads, and drive architectural consistency, automation, and modernisation initiatives across multiple teams in a global context.

Qualifications

• Senior/Expert level in Java software engineering and architecture.
• Strong knowledge of Java, Spring Boot, microservices and APIs.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and GitHub workflows.
• Familiarity with container platforms and cloud environments.
• Ability to lead architectural direction across multiple squads.

Responsibilities

• Define and manage technology roadmap across Java, Angular, cloud platforms and tooling.
• Ensure architectural consistency across development teams and domains.
• Provide technical leadership and referees for complex challenges.
• Coach teams on architectural decisions and best practices.
• Promote automation, observability, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Senior level

Java

Spring Boot

Microservices

APIs

Distributed systems

CI/CD

GitHub workflows

Containers

Cloud environments

OpenShift

Azure

Angular

Node.js

Jenkins

Maven

IntelliJ

Swagger/OpenAPI

Postman/SOAP-UI

JUnit

Dynatrace

Tools

GitHub

Jenkins

Maven

IntelliJ

Swagger/OpenAPI

Postman

Job description

We are looking for an Amazing: SYSTEM ARCHITECT

At KCS IT, we seek those who stand out, those who always strive to be better and fight for it. We value individuals who share our core principles:

Integrity & Transparency

At KCS IT, we champion equality and embrace diversity. We foster a safe, inclusive environment where opportunities are equal for all!

We do not discriminate based on age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, disability, or any factor other than merit.

Seniority: Senior / Expert

The amazing you, will have:

• Senior-level experience in Java software engineering and system/application architecture.
• Strong knowledge of Java, Spring Boot, microservices, APIs, and distributed systems.
• Good understanding of software architecture, integration, and design patterns.
• Experience defining architectural principles, technology roadmaps, integration guidelines, and engineering best practices.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, GitHub workflows, container platforms, cloud environments, and observability.
• Ability to support engineering teams with complex technical challenges and hands‑on implementations.
• Experience with refactoring, modernization initiatives, and technology adoption.
• Strong communication, coaching, and stakeholder‑management skills.
• An autonomous, pragmatic, and forward‑looking mindset.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple engineering teams and influence technical direction.
• Fluent English and the ability to collaborate with international teams.

Your Responsibilities

Architecture & Technology Roadmap

• Define and manage the technology roadmap across Java, Angular, cloud platforms, and engineering tooling.
• Ensure architectural consistency and alignment across multiple development squads.
• Define architectural principles, integration guidelines, and engineering best practices.
• Guide modernization and technology‑adoption initiatives.
• Provide technical leadership across Java/software engineering and related domains such as Cloud, Security, or AI.

Hands‑on Support to Engineering Teams

• Support squads with complex architectural and technical challenges.
• Participate in sprints when required to assist with refactoring, rework, or complex implementations.
• Define and promote secure, scalable, and maintainable engineering practices.
• Coach teams on architectural and technical decisions.
• Drive consistency and continuous improvement across:
• GitHub workflows and versioning
• Monitoring and observability
• OpenShift and Azure
• Release, change, incident, and problem management
• Collaborate closely with DevOps, Cloud, Security, and Observability teams.
• Promote automation and standardization across engineering teams.

Innovation & Technology Watch

• Monitor emerging technologies and assess their potential value.
• Drive PoCs, experiments, and pilot initiatives.
• Explore developments in areas such as Agentic AI, cloud‑native technologies, and next‑generation security.
• Encourage experimentation, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.

Technical Environment

Experience across several of the following technologies is relevant. Candidates are not expected to be experts in every technology listed.

• Spring Boot / Spring Cloud
• REST APIs, JSON, and SOAP Web Services
• Microservices and distributed systems
• Design patterns
• JDBC, Hibernate / JPA

Frontend

• Angular
• Node.js
• XHTML / CSS
• Struts, JSF / JSP are considered a plus
• Oracle, including ExaCC
• SQL / PL/SQL
• UML
• DDL / DML
• GitHub
• Maven
• Jenkins
• IntelliJ
• Swagger / OpenAPI
• Postman / SOAP-UI
• JUnit
• Sonar
• Dynatrace

Platforms & Cloud

• Docker
• OpenShift
• Tomcat / WebSphere / JBoss

AI & Emerging Technology

• Agentic AI
• Claude / Anthropic ecosystem
• OpenAI Codex

Ways of Working

• Scrum
• XP
• CI/CD

Nice to Have

• Experience within the telecommunications industry.
• Knowledge of TM Forum (TMF) standards.
• Exposure to emerging security standards such as NIS2 and post‑quantum cryptography (PQC).

Why should you become part of our family?

• Shape technology direction: Influence architectural standards, tooling, and engineering practices across multiple development teams.
• Interesting challenges ahead: Work on modernization, innovation, and technology‑adoption initiatives.
• Career development: Develop your career through personalized growth opportunities aligned with your short‑ and long‑term goals.
• Continuous learning: Benefit from training and certification opportunities across technology, business, languages, and behavioural skills.
• International exposure: Collaborate with experienced technical teams and contribute to complex engineering environments.
• Technical autonomy: Combine strategic architecture with hands‑on technical involvement and take ownership of engineering decisions.
• Well‑being: Benefit from KCS IT’s well‑being initiatives, including nutrition, psychology, general medicine, yoga, and personal training services.

Who are we?

Founded in 2008 and based in Lisbon, KCS IT is a consulting company in the field of Information Technology and Services, focused on creating value for our clients through three main areas: Consulting, Outsourcing, Innovation, and Training.

Our commitment to talent development is reflected in the opening of our Porto, Leiria, and Azores hubs, supporting technology development for national and international markets.

Since 2018, we have been elected one of the 10 major companies in the “Index of Excellence”, an initiative that rewards organizations that invest in employee development and satisfaction.