IT Solution Architect - Enterprise Integrations

Ulta Beauty, Inc.; Bolingbrook, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 119,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Ulta Beauty, Inc. is seeking a Solution Integration Architect to design and implement real-time and near real-time integrations across core business processes. You will lead API-first design, event-driven patterns, and AI-enabled integration initiatives to modernize the enterprise landscape.

The role emphasizes collaboration with cross-functional teams, governance, and scalable architectures in a hybrid work environment. 10+ years in integration and 5+ years in retail context are desired.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in integration architecture or related roles, with emphasis on real-time and event-driven patterns.
• 5+ years of leadership delivering complex integration solutions in retail.
• Experience with real-time and event-driven architectures using Kafka, TIBCO EMS/BW, Spring Boot.
• Experience architecting AI-enabled integration solutions and secure data practices.
• Knowledge of API security standards (OAuth, OpenID Connect) and API governance.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive the integration architecture strategy aligned with enterprise and retail goals.
• Design integration solutions for order management, inventory sync, loyalty, pricing, promotions, and vendor collaboration.
• Lead real-time data flow using Apache Kafka, TIBCO, and Spring Boot; promote scalable, loosely coupled architectures.
• Define and implement an API-first approach using Apigee; govern lifecycle, versioning, cataloging, and reuse.
• Architect AI-enabled integration solutions and drive intelligent automation across the enterprise.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business needs into scalable integration strategies; mentor teams.

Skills

Leadership

Real-time integration

Event-driven architecture

API design

GCP knowledge

CI/CD/DevOps

Excellent communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Apache Kafka

TIBCO EMS/BW

Spring Boot

Apigee API gateway

GraphQL

REST/JSON/XML

GKE / Pub/Sub

Job description

OVERVIEW

Live the experience. From professional empowerment to continual learning opportunities. From ongoing investment in new and emerging technologies to a career of self-determination. At Ulta Beauty, our tech team is critical to our scalability—and is recognized that way. We’ve been defined as a “mature start-up.” A place where interdepartmental exposure, open doors, and genuine collaboration is ubiquitous. Where challenges come fast and furious, requiring agility, mental dexterity, and creativity. Where our passion for better solutions drives us and is core to who we are.

We’re engineering for the future of retail, and it’s no-holds-barred. But for those motivated by continual change and ambiguity, by superior leadership, by whip smart colleagues who will press you daily for your very best, you’ll find that virtually nothing’s impossible at Ulta Beauty.

THE IMPACT YOU CAN HAVE:

We are seeking a Solution Integration Architect with deep experience in the retail industry to lead the design and implementation of scalable, real-time and near real-time integrations across core business processes. This role focuses on enabling seamless data exchange between applications, platforms, and services, supporting omnichannel experiences, supply chain operations, merchandising, and customer engagement.

The ideal candidate will bring strategic architectural vision and hands-on technical expertise, particularly in real-time, near real-time, and event-driven integration patterns using technologies such as Apache/Confluent Kafka, TIBCO, Spring Boot, API-first design, and GraphQL. This architect will play a key role in modernizing Ulta Beauty’s integration landscape to support agility, scalability, and innovation.

The architect will also drive the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and intelligent automation within enterprise integration, identifying opportunities to use AI to simplify integration development, improve operational intelligence, automate workflows, and enable more adaptive, scalable, and resilient integration solutions.

YOU'LL ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS BY:

• Integration Architecture Strategy: Define and drive the integration architecture strategy aligned with enterprise and retail business goals. Establish best practices for real-time, near real-time, and event-driven integration across platforms and systems, including in-store, online, supply chain, and CRM.
• Retail Business Process Integration: Partner with functional and technical teams to design integration solutions supporting key retail processes such as order management, inventory synchronization, loyalty, pricing, promotions, and vendor collaboration.
• Real-Time & Event-Based Architecture: Design and implement solutions using platforms like Apache Kafka, TIBCO, and Spring Boot, enabling efficient real-time and near real-time data flow. Promote loosely coupled, scalable architectures through event streaming and messaging systems.
• API Design and Management: Define and implement an API-first approach to integration using modern API management tools such as Apigee. Develop standards and governance for API lifecycle, versioning, cataloging, and reuse across the enterprise.
• AI & Intelligent Integration Architecture: Architect and drive the adoption of AI-enabled integration solutions across the enterprise, leveraging generative AI, AI agents, intelligent automation, and machine learning capabilities to enhance integration processes. Identify opportunities to use AI for intelligent routing, data transformation, anomaly detection, operational automation, and integration monitoring. Define patterns and standards for securely integrating AI services and agents with enterprise applications, APIs, event streams, MCP servers and data platforms. Partner with engineering and business teams to evaluate emerging AI capabilities and translate them into scalable, reusable, and governed enterprise integration solutions.
• Collaboration and Leadership: Work closely with enterprise architects, application teams, and business stakeholders to translate business needs into integration strategies. Lead design sessions and guide teams in building scalable, reusable, and performant integration solutions.
• Governance and Standards: Establish integration governance processes to ensure consistency, security, and compliance. Define and maintain shared integration standards, canonical models, and reusable services.
• Hybrid Integration Design: Architect integration solutions across on-premise and hybrid environments using modern integration technologies while ensuring scalability, performance, and security.
• Documentation and Enablement: Develop comprehensive documentation and promote knowledge sharing through internal communities, training, and best practice guidance.

ESSENTIALS FOR SUCCESS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in integration architecture or related roles, with strong emphasis on real-time, near real-time, and event-based integration patterns.
• 5+ years of leadership experience designing and delivering complex integration solutions within the retail industry.
• Proven experience implementing real-time and event-driven architectures using technologies like Apache Kafka, TIBCO EMS/BW, and Spring Boot-based microservices.
• Proven experience architecting or implementing AI-enabled solutions, including Generative AI, AI agents, intelligent automation, or machine learning capabilities within enterprise technology environments.
• Strong understanding of integrating AI services and agents with enterprise applications, APIs, event streams, and data platforms, with knowledge of AI security, governance, responsible AI practices, and enterprise data protection requirements.
• Strong understanding of retail business domains and how integration enables omnichannel, supply chain, and customer engagement initiatives.
• Expertise in API architecture, MCP API gateway tools (e.g., Apigee), and API security standards (OAuth, OpenID Connect).
• Hands-on experience designing and implementing integrations in on-premises and hybrid IT environments.
• Proficient in standard data exchange formats and protocols: REST, SOAP, JSON, XML, AMQP, JMS, and MCP integration protocol.
• Familiarity with compliance frameworks such as SOX, CCPA, GDPR, and experience building secure, compliant integration solutions.
• Practical experience working in Agile/Scrum development environments with a strong focus on CI/CD and DevOps principles.
• Strong hands-on experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP), including GKE, Pub/Sub, IAM, Monitoring, and cloud-native application design.
• Experience designing and implementing REST APIs, Microservices, Event-Driven Architectures, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Ability to multi-task and adapt quickly to change in a dynamic environment.
• Strong work ethic and pride in producing high-quality solutions.
• Excellent documentation skills and ability to create clear architectural diagrams.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent decision-making and leadership capabilities.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive alignment across stakeholders.
• Self-starter who works well independently with minimal supervision.
• Minimal travel required (e.g., training or conferences).

#LI - HYBRID

#LI - ML1

The pay range for this position is $119,300.00 - $180,000.00 / Year with the opportunity for eligible associates to earn additional compensation pursuant to the Company’s bonus plan. Exact pay will be based on factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, level, shift, geographic location, and business and organizational needs. Full-time positions are eligible for paid time off, health, dental, vision, life and disability benefits. Part-time positions are eligible for dental, vision, life, and disability benefits. For additional information concerning our benefits, visit our Benefits and Career Development page: https://learn.bswift.com/ulta

ABOUT

At Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA), the possibilities are beautiful. Ulta Beauty is the largest North American beauty retailer and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. We bring possibilities to life through the power of beauty each and every day in our stores and online with more than 25,000 products from approximately 500 well-established and emerging beauty brands across all categories and price points, including Ulta Beauty’s own private label. Ulta Beauty also offers a full-service salon in every store featuring—hair, skin, brow, and make-up services.

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.