IT ARCHITECT-APPLICATIONS

City of Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Houston Information Technology Services seeks an IT Architect – Fire Applications to lead Enterprise Architecture for mission critical fire systems. You will design, implement, and transform application architectures, enabling cloud-ready modernization while maintaining security and regulatory compliance.

Bring TOGAF/Zachman familiarity, hands-on experience with .NET/Java, microservices, Azure/AWS, Docker/Kubernetes, and API integration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• At least 10 years of experience in application systems or related field.
• CJIS Certification (or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire) is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain enterprise application architecture standards, patterns, and best practices.
• Design scalable, secure, and high-performing application solutions aligned with business requirements.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend adoption strategies to modernize application ecosystems.
• Provide ongoing support for critical legacy applications to ensure stability and reliability.
• Develop and execute strategies to transform legacy architectures into modern, cloud-ready platforms.
• Lead migration efforts from monolithic systems to microservices or modular architectures.
• Implement modernization roadmaps that minimize operational disruption while improving performance and security.
• Integrate legacy systems with modern platforms, APIs, and cloud services.
• Design and implement hybrid architectures that bridge on-premise and cloud environments.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders, IT leadership, and cross-functional teams to translate requirements into technical solutions.
• Document architecture diagrams, technical specifications, and integration workflows.
• Mentor team members and promote knowledge sharing across the organization.
• Optimize application performance through effective design and tuning.
• Implement robust security measures, including identity management, encryption, and compliance controls.
• Monitor and address architectural risks to ensure system reliability and resilience.

Skills

Enterprise architecture

Cloud fundamentals

Security & compliance

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Azure

AWS

Docker

Kubernetes

API design

Job description

IT ARCHITECT-APPLICATIONS | Career Pages page has loaded.

Full Time

Job Number

39897

Houston Information Technology Services

Division

HITS - ENTERPRISE APPLICATION SERVICES (EAS)

Applications accepted from: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED
Department/ Division: Houston Information Technology Services / Enterprise Applications Services
Reporting Location: 500 Jefferson, Houston, TX 77002
Workdays & Hours: MONDAY – FRIDAY 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM*
* Subject to Change

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The IT Architect – Fire Applications will serve as a technical leader responsible for designing, implementing, and transforming enterprise application architectures to meet the City of Houston and Houston Fire Department’s evolving technology landscape. This role requires strong expertise in modern application frameworks, integration strategies, and cloud-based solutions, while ensuring continuity and modernization of legacy systems. Key responsibilities include:

• Define and maintain enterprise application architecture standards, patterns, and best practices.
• Design scalable, secure, and high-performing application solutions aligned with business requirements.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend adoption strategies to modernize application ecosystems.

Legacy System Support & Modernization

• Provide ongoing support for critical legacy applications to ensure stability and reliability.
• Develop and execute strategies to transform legacy architectures into modern, cloud-ready platforms.
• Lead migration efforts from monolithic systems to microservices or modular architectures.
• Implement modernization roadmaps that minimize operational disruption while improving performance and security.
• Integrate legacy systems with modern platforms, APIs, and cloud services.
• Design and implement hybrid architectures that bridge on-premise and cloud environments.
• Optimize application architecture for scalability, performance, and compliance in cloud-native ecosystems.

Technical Leadership & Governance

• Provide architectural guidance to development teams throughout the software development lifecycle.
• Establish governance processes for application design, coding standards, and deployment practices.
• Conduct architecture reviews and ensure compliance with security and regulatory standards.
• Partner with business stakeholders, IT leadership, and cross-functional teams to translate requirements into technical solutions.
• Document architecture diagrams, technical specifications, and integration workflows.
• Mentor team members and promote knowledge sharing across the organization.

Performance & Security

• Optimize application performance through effective design and tuning.
• Implement robust security measures, including identity management, encryption, and compliance controls.
• Monitor and address architectural risks to ensure system reliability and resilience.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

• Strong proficiency in enterprise architecture frameworks (TOGAF, Zachman, etc.).
• Advanced knowledge of application development technologies (.NET, Java, microservices).
• Notable expertise in cloud platforms (Azure, AWS) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Highly skilled in API design, integration patterns, and middleware technologies.
• Previous experience in legacy system modernization and migration strategies.
• Deep understanding of security standards, compliance, and data governance.

Compliance & Security Requirements:

• CJIS Certification (or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire) is mandatory.
• Must successfully pass a comprehensive background check, including criminal history, and fingerprinting per Houston Police Department and CJIS standards.
• Candidate must maintain eligibility for access to sensitive law enforcement systems and data.

WORKING CONDITIONS

There are no major sources of discomfort, i.e., essentially normal office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature, and air conditioning.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Requires a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Management and Information Systems (MIS) or a closely related field.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Applications accepted from: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED
Department/ Division: Houston Information Technology Services / Enterprise Applications Services
Reporting Location: 500 Jefferson, Houston, TX 77002
Workdays & Hours: MONDAY – FRIDAY 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM*
* Subject to Change

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The IT Architect – Fire Applications will serve as a technical leader responsible for designing, implementing, and transforming enterprise application architectures to meet the City of Houston and Houston Fire Department’s evolving technology landscape. This role requires strong expertise in modern application frameworks, integration strategies, and cloud-based solutions, while ensuring continuity and modernization of legacy systems. Key responsibilities include:

Application Architecture & Design

• Define and maintain enterprise application architecture standards, patterns, and best practices.
• Design scalable, secure, and high-performing application solutions aligned with business requirements.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend adoption strategies to modernize application ecosystems.

Legacy System Support & Modernization

• Provide ongoing support for critical legacy applications to ensure stability and reliability.
• Develop and execute strategies to transform legacy architectures into modern, cloud-ready platforms.
• Lead migration efforts from monolithic systems to microservices or modular architectures.
• Implement modernization roadmaps that minimize operational disruption while improving performance and security.

Integration & Cloud Transformation

<
• Integrate legacy systems with modern platforms, APIs, and cloud services.
• Design and implement hybrid architectures that bridge on-premise and cloud environments.
• Optimize application architecture for scalability, performance, and compliance in cloud-native ecosystems.

Technical Leadership & Governance

• Provide architectural guidance to development teams throughout the software development lifecycle.
• Establish governance processes for application design, coding standards, and deployment practices.
• Conduct architecture reviews and ensure compliance with security and regulatory standards.

Collaboration & Solution Delivery

• Partner with business stakeholders, IT leadership, and cross-functional teams to translate requirements into technical solutions.
• Document architecture diagrams, technical specifications, and integration workflows.
• Mentor team members and promote knowledge sharing across the organization.

Performance & Security

• Optimize application performance through effective design and tuning.
• Implement robust security measures, including identity management, encryption, and compliance controls.
• Monitor and address architectural risks to ensure system reliability and resilience.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

• Strong proficiency in enterprise architecture frameworks (TOGAF, Zachman, etc.).
• Advanced knowledge of application development technologies (.NET, Java, microservices).
• Notable expertise in cloud platforms (Azure, AWS) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
• Highly skilled in API design, integration patterns, and middleware technologies.
• Previous experience in legacy system modernization and migration strategies.
• Deep understanding of security standards, compliance, and data governance.

Compliance & Security Requirements:

• CJIS Certification (or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire) is mandatory.
• Must successfully pass a comprehensive background check, including criminal history, and fingerprinting per Houston Police Department and CJIS standards.
• Candidate must maintain eligibility for access to sensitive law enforcement systems and data.

WORKING CONDITIONS

There are no major sources of discomfort, i.e., essentially normal office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature, and air conditioning.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

Requires a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Management and Information Systems (MIS) or a closely related field.

Holds multiple applications-specific technical certifications; recognized as having mastery of a particular technical discipline.

A Master’s degree in Computer Science, Management and Information Systems (MIS) or a closely related field may be substituted for up to two (2) years of experience.

EXPERIENCE: At least ten (10) years of specialized experience in application systems analysis and development.

LICENSE

None

PREFERENCES

Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION / SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED

Department may administer skills assessment test

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION – NO

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

EOE Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate’s qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

PAY GRADE: 33

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.