Enterprise Application Architecture Lead

Ladders; United States; Remote; USD 175,000 - 263,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Learning opportunities

9/80 work schedule option

Excellent healthcare benefits

Strong 401k matching

Bonuses

Job summary

Ladders is seeking an Enterprise Application Architecture Lead to shape and govern the enterprise architecture strategy across a mission-driven technology environment. This remote, US-based role partners with stakeholders to rationalize and modernize portfolios while guiding architectural decisions and mentoring peers.

You will drive portfolio evolution, reduce duplication, and ensure alignment with long-term business goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field with 14+ years of experience, or a Master’s degree with 12+ years of experience, or a PhD with 10+ years of experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret level security clearance.
• Demonstrated experience in application architecture and portfolio architecture leadership.
• Strong understanding of application lifecycle management and modernization strategies.
• Experience influencing architecture decisions across multiple teams and organizations.
• Strong knowledge of TOGAF, with certification preferred.
• Ability to connect business priorities with application architecture decisions.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead for enterprise application architecture.
• Define and maintain application architecture principles and standards.
• Guide decisions on application portfolio rationalization and modernization.
• Shape approaches for application portfolio evolution and integration expectations.
• Partner with stakeholders to evaluate architectural trade-offs.
• Identify duplication and architectural risks across the application landscape.
• Mentor architects on application architecture methods and expectations.

Skills

TOGAF

Architecture leadership

Portfolio management

Stakeholder management

Application lifecycle

Modernization strategies

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree with 14+ years experience

Master’s degree with 12+ years experience

PhD with 10+ years experience

Job description

For our client, we are seeking a Enterprise Application Architecture Lead to join the team of a leader in the Aerospace & Defense space.

This role will shape the enterprise application architecture strategy and help drive modernization across a complex, mission-driven technology environment. You will define standards, guide portfolio rationalization, and influence how application capabilities evolve to support long-term business and operational goals. The position partners closely with stakeholders across the organization to evaluate trade-offs, reduce duplication, and strengthen architectural decision-making. It also provides the opportunity to mentor other architects and help establish consistent practices across multiple teams.

Location: Remote - US based candidates only, no visa sponsorship available

Compensation: $175,300 – $262,900 annually

Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead for enterprise application architecture.
• Define and maintain application architecture principles and standards.
• Guide decisions on application portfolio rationalization and modernization.
• Shape approaches for application portfolio evolution and integration expectations.
• Partner with stakeholders to evaluate architectural trade-offs.
• Identify duplication and architectural risks across the application landscape.
• Mentor architects on application architecture methods and expectations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field with 14+ years of experience, or a Master’s degree with 12+ years of experience, or a PhD with 10+ years of experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret level security clearance.
• Demonstrated experience in application architecture and portfolio architecture leadership.
• Strong understanding of application lifecycle management and modernization strategies.
• Experience influencing architecture decisions across multiple teams and organizations.
• Strong knowledge of TOGAF, with certification preferred.
• Ability to connect business priorities with application architecture decisions.

Benefits

• Flexible work arrangements and a friendly team environment.
• Phenomenal learning opportunities with exposure to diverse projects.
• 9/80 work schedule option for better work-life balance.
• Exceptional healthcare benefits and a strong 401k matching program.
• Opportunities for individual contributions and sharing in company results through bonuses.

Our client is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every qualification—your background could be exactly what this team needs.