Enterprise Architect

CBTS; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

CBTS is seeking an Enterprise Architect to serve as a strategic bridge between business vision and technology execution. You will shape IT strategy, define standards, and guide architecture across portfolios to drive outcomes for clients and CBTS.

In this high-visibility role, you will lead through influence, collaborate with leaders across business and technology, and translate complex ideas into clear direction while aligning initiatives with SAFe and enterprise goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Analysis, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience across at least two IT disciplines in a multi-tier environment.

Responsibilities

• Shape future-state IT strategy and architecture aligned with business goals.
• Develop architecture roadmaps, governance, and standards.
• Provide architectural runway aligned to SAFe Agile delivery.

Skills

Enterprise architecture

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder facilitation

Architecture framework

SAFe/Agile

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering/Related field

Job description

CBTS is searching for an Enterprise Architect to serve as a strategic bridge between business vision and technology execution. You'll work alongside business and technology leaders to shape the IT strategies and architectural standards that drive outcomes for our clients and our organization. This is a high-visibility, high-impact role for someone who can think at the portfolio level, lead through influence, and translate complex ideas into clear direction.

Responsibilities:

Shape Strategy & Architecture

• Define and evolve the future-state IT strategy, ensuring alignment across business, technology, and enterprise standards
• Develop architecture roadmaps, foundation principles, governance frameworks, and technology standards that guide the organization's direction
• Provide architectural runway aligned to SAFe Agile delivery, ensuring scalability, interoperability, and portability across applications and platforms

Lead and Collaborate

• Partner with architects across the organization to build and promote enterprise standards, design patterns, and shared roadmaps
• Guide teams across business process, end-user experience, applications, databases, integrations, and infrastructure
• Facilitate alignment between enterprise architecture and strategic portfolio development

Drive Standards & Governance

• Own the development and implementation of architectural policies, procedures, and templates
• Ensure security architecture standards and secure coding practices are embedded throughout design and delivery
• Evaluate vendor proposals against architectural guidelines and investment strategy

Inform Investment Decisions

• Contribute to annual technology budget reviews with an architecture lens
• Assess the financial impact of architecture alternatives to support data-driven decision-making
• Analyze technology trends and disruptions, advising leadership on their potential business impact

Requirements:

Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Analysis, or a related field
• 8+ years of experience spanning at least two IT disciplines — such as technical architecture, application development, network management, middleware, database management, or operations planning — in a multi-tier environment

Technical Depth

• Broad knowledge of technologies, platforms, and architectural domains
• Exposure to diverse technical configurations and processing environments
• Ability to quickly assess and adopt new technologies
• Familiarity with business re-engineering principles and financial modeling

Strategic Mindset

• Ability to hold both the big picture and near-term priorities simultaneously
• Skilled at translating business needs into technical architecture requirements
• Able to analyze industry trends and their implications for targeted outcomes
• Experience driving the evolution of EA teams, services, and operating models
• Exceptional written and verbal communication — you can make complex ideas accessible to any audience
• Strong facilitation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
• Comfortable navigating organizational dynamics and building consensus across stakeholders
• Consulting-oriented approach: you drive strategy, not just document it