Applications Architect

Softline™ Technology Inc.; Toronto; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Softline™ Technology Inc. is seeking an Application Architect to lead the architecture strategy for the MLITSD 360 platform and its sub projects.

You will define and manage architecture across a distributed cross-platform environment, working with clients to secure approvals and ensuring alignment with Ontario Government standards. You will drive architecture artefacts, cloud strategy, and microservice delivery using Tanzu, while mentoring teams and ensuring governance and best practices across

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in developing and implementing application architectures.
• Ability to engage multiple stakeholders on I&T solutions including security and accessibility considerations.
• Strong cloud native knowledge to support high-sensitivity data apps (Azure App Services, RESTful API).
• Extensive microservice architecture experience using containers (Tanzu).
• Experience across multiple platforms, OSes, databases, languages, and protocols.
• Familiarity with MLITSD patterns and enterprise architectures.
• Structured design methodologies and large-scale systems analysis experience.
• Proficiency with CASE tools (PowerDesigner, Visio) and related software.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture and technology strategy for the MLITSD 360 platform and sub projects.
• Develop and manage architecture across distributed cross-platform environments.
• Define architecture requirements with clients and obtain approvals.
• Produce architectural artefacts to meet Ontario Government standards.
• Lead risk and change assessments for enterprise priorities and clients.
• Provide solutions analysis and post-implementation support.
• Ensure adherence to policies, standards, and best practices.
• Mentor project teams and drive architecture governance across programs.

Skills

Leadership

Facilitation

Cloud-native tech

Microservice architecture

Cross-platform systems

Enterprise architecture

Case tools

Analytical thinking

Communication & negotiation

Tools

Tanzu

PowerDesigner

Visio

MS SQL

Azure SQL

PostgreSQL

Job description

Responsibilities

The Application Architect will be responsible for the following activities and deliverables:

• Lead the overall architecture and technology strategy of the MLITSD 360 platform and all sub projects withing it
• Develop, recommend, implement, and manage the application architecture (hardware, software, database, and communications) which will be used for all or specific applications in a large, distributed cross-platform environment.
• Development, recommend, POC, implement and manage the application architecture strategy of the MLITSD 360 platforms using microservice architecture on the Tanzu platform
• Provide input into the cloud costing, licensing and management and how individual projects and the overall program can make the most efficient use of their budget
• Define and describe application architecture requirements with clients and obtain I&IT management approval. Develops and obtains approval for detailed plans and resource estimates for large-scale and complex information architecture projects and/or components of other projects with application architecture elements.
• Provide solution option analysis and deliver architectural artefacts to describe the solutions to resolve complex business requirements and to meet requirements of Ontario Government architecture standards.
• Undertakes and/or leads in-depth and complex application architecture reviews and assessments, development and/or support projects, to support new and changed enterprise priorities and initiatives, and client clusters’ and their clients’ application architecture and/or business needs.
• Researches, develops, implements and maintains application architectural policies and standards, as approved by management.
• Ensures integration with related corporate and client cluster policies and standards, and incorporation of best practices in the industry.
• Provides general and situation-specific application architecture interpretation advice and expertise to other project and/or enterprise level I&IT project teams, client management and staff, cluster clients, and external contractors.
• Leads and/or participates in highly sensitive application architecture investigations.
• Deliver architectural artefacts as required by the OPS Zachman Enterprise framework.
• Provide leadership for the architecture definition and implementation of the projects.
• Provide leadership in updating an existing architecture work plan and design meetings. If required, participate in the selection or implementation of acquired solutions and tools.
• Participate in the review of the artefacts in all architectural domains to ensure overall architecture quality and consistency.
• Define solutions to accommodate the communication between the system components and the other systems that it must interact with to support the business and any new or modified service delivery requirements.
• Resolve technical and system problems/issues with business clients and other teams in order to ensure the project activities are implemented.
• Ensure the project teams develop artefacts according to Ministry standards and methodologies.
• Assist in the resolution of system related issues when needed.
• Provide post implementation support.
• Assist in IT project management in the preparation and maintenance of project plans as required.
• Provide effective knowledge transfer to Ministry staff at all stages of this assignment.

Skill Set Requirements

• Leadership experience in the development and implementation of application architectures at the specified experience level.
• Facilitation skills to engage multiple stakeholders involving I&IT solutions, security, privacy, and accessibility considerations
• Solid experience and knowledge of cloud native technology and architecture to support applications with high sensitive data such as Azure App Services and RESTful API
• Extensive experience with microservice architecture using containers – specifically with Tanzu (formerly Pivotal Cloud Foundry)
• Extensive experience with at least three different platforms (e.g. Midtier, Mobile), operating systems (e.g. Solaris, Windows), environments, database technologies (e.g. MS SQL), programming languages (e.g. Java, C#, JavaScript), and communications protocols (ftp, http, smtp, ntp, tcp/ip, udp, icmp)
• Knowledge of and experience with MLITSD application patterns and infrastructure
• Experience in structured methodologies for the design, development and implementation of applications
• Extensive experience in systems analysis and design in large systems environments
• Experience in the use of Computer Aided Software Engineering (Case) tools (i.e. PowerDesigner, Visio) and other software tools
• Awareness of emerging technologies, trends and direction
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills; verbal and written communication skills; interpersonal and negotiation skill

Experience Requirements

Evaluation Criteria

Solutions & Cloud Architecture – 20%

• Experienced in development & implementation of solutions to the public cloud using Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) (Azure experience preferred)
• Demonstrated leadership role with microservice architecture and delivery leveraging containerized platforms
• Demonstrated leadership role in cloud security and practical experience in securing cloud-based workloads against potential threat actors
• Proven ability to lead architecture of hybrid deployment of solutions to on-premise data centers as well as multiple cloud providers
• Demonstrates capabilities to differentiate between various cloud services and provide the best fit for the organization

Microservice Architecture / Container Solutions Delivery – 20%

• Experienced in designing solutions to be delivered utilizing microservice architecture on a container platform
• Specific experience architecting solutions for the Tanzu (formerly Pivotal Cloud Foundry)
• Experience in managing large programs using microservice architecture leveraging common platforms to deliver multiple solutions within a larger integrated program area

Agile Software Delivery & DevOps – 20%

• Capable of working as an architect using Agile delivery methodologies
• Ability to work as an embedded team member with the delivery team to provide leadership and guidance to the solution design
• Demonstrated experience in leading solutions delivery project teams from a technical delivery perspective
• Experienced in automation that supports DevOps with deployment of infrastructure & code, and test automation methodologies including functional testing & security testing
• Experience in building strategies for “blue-green” deployments

Technology – 20%

• Experience with platforms such as Mid-Tier, and Mobile
• Experience with operating systems such as Windows, Linux
• Experience with database technologies such as MS SQL, Azure SQL, PostgreSQL
• Experience with programming languages such as Java, .NET / C#, and Responsive web extensions (including Angular, React, Node.js)
• Experience with Microsoft SharePoint Online, SharePoint on-premises deployments
• Experienced in cloud networking design and implementation including design and build of Virtual networks (V-Nets), Sub Networks (subnets), network peering, Web Application Firewalls
• Experience with API Management, REST API

Public Sector / Large Enterprise Organization Experience – 15%

• Experience with Public Sector / large enterprise architecture governance and committees
• Experience with IT standards including for an organization such as the GO ITS standards
• Experienced leadership in leading projects through enterprise architecture governance committees such as the Ontario Government’s Architectural Review Board and providing relevant documentation and artifacts to support

Soft Skills – 5%

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills; verbal and written communication skills; interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Excellent presentation skills
• Excellent documentation skills