Principal Architect

Hays; British Columbia; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Principal Architect to shape technology and business strategies within a dynamic financial institution. This full-time, permanent role involves designing enterprise-level solutions and leading enterprise architecture initiatives. The ideal candidate will have over a decade of experience in software development, particularly in the financial sector, and possess a strong understanding of cloud architecture and enterprise frameworks. Join a forward-thinking organization committed to inclusion and social justice, where your expertise will drive innovation and success in a rapidly evolving industry.

Benefits

Customizable benefit packages

Vacation allowance up to six weeks

Health care and dental benefits

Defined pension plan

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in software development and enterprise architecture.
• Expertise in cloud architecture, particularly Azure, and core banking systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of enterprise-level solutions.
• Collaborate with senior executives and product owners to align technology strategies.

Skills

Software Development

Cloud Architecture

Enterprise Architecture

RESTful APIs

Analytical Skills

Leadership

Problem-Solving

Agile Methodologies

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science

Tools

Azure

TOGAF

Zachman Framework

Job description

A large Canadian financial institution, built on principles of inclusion and social justice. Their commitment to these values helps them challenge the status quo. They aim to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 and are working on strategies for Indigenous banking and financial resilience.

Your new role

This is a full-time, permanent position. The Principal Architect is pivotal in shaping the organization’s technology and business strategies. This role involves designing and implementing enterprise-level solutions that align with long-term goals and objectives. Your expertise in technology architecture, innovation, and leadership will drive success in a dynamic and evolving industry.

The Principal Architect is responsible for leading Enterprise Architecture, guiding and managing a portfolio of solutions to achieve targeted business outcomes. These solutions include systems (applications, technologies, processes, and information), shared infrastructure services, and shared application services. The Principal Architect defines target architecture, strategy, and roadmap to identify, implement, and rationalize capabilities across the technology landscape, focusing on core banking, integration, Customer Relationship Management, data platforms, and branch technologies. This role involves collaborating with senior executives, product owners, and application, integration, and data engineers to ensure solutions are consistent with the target architecture and are cost-effective. Strong leadership and a purpose-driven approach are crucial for this role.

Job Responsibilities:

1. Provide sound solutions and architecture for key business initiatives.
2. Build and maintain architecture standards, patterns, and best practices.
3. Understand business drivers and capabilities (future and current state) to determine corresponding enterprise system design and change requirements.
4. Guide and influence product owners, solution, data, security, and infrastructure architects, designers, and developers in implementing sound architecture choices (Buy vs. Build, or Real-time vs. Batch).
5. Provide guidance to Enterprise Architecture in establishing standards, evaluating products, and contributing to enterprise architecture initiatives.
6. Design and lead the implementation of solutions across all business applications or technologies based on enterprise strategy, capabilities, and requirements.
7. Manage and develop the enterprise architecture for a broader scope of projects, working closely with solution and application architects.
8. Provide consulting support to architects within projects to ensure alignment with the proposed solution and overall enterprise architecture.
9. Monitor the current-state solution portfolio to identify deficiencies through aging technologies or misalignment with business requirements.
10. Understand technology trends and the practical application of existing, new, and emerging technologies (like AI, automation) to enable new and evolving business and operating models.
11. Analyze the technology industry, competitors, and market trends to determine their potential impact on the enterprise.

What you'll need to succeed

1. Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
2. Minimum 10 years of software development experience as a solutions and enterprise architect, with experience designing solutions in Financial / Banking sector applications.
3. Experience in cloud architecture, preferably Azure.
4. Experience with modern core banking systems and awareness of the fintech landscape.
5. Excellent knowledge of enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF, Zachman) and methodologies.
6. Extensive knowledge of software architecture, application development, and technical processes, with in-depth knowledge in one or more technical disciplines (e.g., Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, cloud computing).
7. Proficiency in evaluating and recommending emerging technologies and best practices.
8. Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
9. In-depth knowledge of integration patterns and expertise in developing RESTful APIs with a good understanding of microservices architecture.
10. Motivated and driven by achieving long-term business outcomes, displaying intellectual curiosity and integrity.
11. Proven ability to innovate and adapt to the latest developments in the area of expertise, with the ability to grasp new skills and content.
12. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions.
13. Attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality software solutions.
14. Familiarity with software development methodologies, such as Agile or Scrum.

What you'll get in return

• Attractive benefit packages that can be customized and changed each year to meet evolving needs.
• Vacation allowance starting from three to four weeks per calendar year, increasing with length of service, up to a maximum of six weeks per year. Full-time, permanent staff may also purchase extra vacation days through a flexible benefits package.
• Additional statutory holidays and care days for short-term personal illness or emergency family illness, plus opportunities for unpaid leave for various reasons.
• Health care and dental benefits with three levels of coverage to select from, effective immediately based on hire date.
• A defined pension plan that pays a retirement benefit for life.