Modernization Solutions Architect

BuzzClan; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

BuzzClan seeks a seasoned solutions architect to guide modernization of a large court-case management system (JWEB) and its integrations with 20+ justice agencies. You will shape architectural roadmaps, lead cross-team collaboration, and establish governance for a secure, scalable multi-cloud environment.

The role requires deep expertise in databases, microservices, SOA, and user-interface considerations, with a track record of delivering successful large-scale solutions within highly regulated

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of experience leading large complex projects supporting Transformation and modernisation goals and objectives.
• Minimum 10 years of experience with information technology or application support, design or analysis and/or project management.
• Experience with complex environments involving many stakeholders across infrastructure, applications, data, and toolsets.

Responsibilities

• Modernisation: Define, build and align modernization data and application models and strategy/tools with industry best practice.
• Assessments: Complete initial assessments to understand current landscape and support applications and infrastructure.
• Strategy/Vision/Prioritisation: Develop an architectural roadmap for modernization and migration efforts.
• Hybrid Multi-cloud: Propose on-premise and cloud designs and compare on-premise vs hybrid cloud models focusing on security and value.
• Collaboration/Partnership and Stakeholder Leadership: Act as a trusted advisor, communicate with IT leaders and executives, coordinate with IS dept. stakeholders.
• Disaster Recovery Strategy/Approach: Understand current backup designs and develop DR considerations.
• Compliance/Standard and Governance: Ensure compliance with IT standards and governance processes.
• Knowledge Management and Enablement: Conduct workshops and document work products for knowledge transfer.

Skills

Enterprise architecture

Cloud architecture

Stakeholder leadership

Public sector experience

CJIS knowledge

Job description

We are searching for a solutions architect to assist the justice community in modernising their current court case management system, which includes complex integrations with over two dozen justice/law enforcement agencies. This system, called JWEB, is a very large, mission critical system for client. The history of the original system dates back to the 1990’s although the current version of the system is approximately five years old and is built on relatively modern technology.

The ideal candidate should have several years’ experience in various aspects of information technology (programming languages, cloud computing, network and security architecture, data architecture, and database systems), software development methodologies and architecting n-tier systems. The ideal candidate should have expertise in database patterns, and knowledge of user interface design. The ideal candidate should have experience beyond just the software level. They should have a deep understanding of database schemas, microservices, SOA, all while understanding each technology stack of the solution.

The ideal candidate will have a history of architecting successful solutions.

During the first nine months of employment, it is expected the candidate will be able to work with the Integrated Justice Information System Director and the justice community in general to solidity the modernization roadmap. This person will document high level business needs and objectives. This person will take lead responsibility on analyzing existing systems and recommending improvements, creating a set of initial technical documentation and architectural diagrams, evaluating and recommending suitable tools and frameworks and overseeing the implementation of the solution.

Responsibilities

• Modernisation: Define, build and align modernization data and application models and strategy/tools with industry best practice such as 6 R’s (Rehost, Re-platform, Replace, Retire etc), Viewpoints: Architecture -Monolith/SOA/Microservice, heavy focus on software architecting and designing, Delivery-Waterfall/Agile/DevOps
• Assessments: Complete initial assessments to understand and document current landscape to supporting the supporting applications and infrastructure. Identify any in-flight projects; Assess client’s change readiness levels
• Strategy/Vision/Prioritisation: Develop an architectural roadmap related to the modernisation and migration efforts around Application solutions; Developing an overall strategy that aligns with client's mission and vision. Identify short-term and longer-term initiatives and priorities.
• Hybrid Multi-cloud: Propose on-premise and cloud related design and compare/contrast on on-premise Hybrid cloud models and how they enhance the County’s stance around innovation, security posture, benefits, and speed to value. Government cloud focuses on Microsoft Azure, AWS clouds
• Collaboration/Partnership and Stakeholder Leadership: Acts as a trusted advisor, and builds and maintains relationships with the director and other IT leaders and executives to develop a clear understanding of enterprise needs; ensures cost-effective delivery of IT services to meet those needs, and can respond with agility to changing industry and organisation priorities. As such, the Architect will communicate and coordinate with all areas of the Information Systems department, including infrastructure, applications, database administrators, business owners and vendors; also work with customers, partners, and other critical stakeholders to develop and align architecture roadmaps
• Disaster Recovery Strategy/Approach: May need to work closely with IT and business teams to understand current state of organisation’s application and infrastructure solutions and DR plans, including any hot, warm or cold DR sites, templates, documentation, and related technology assets and tools. It is desired (not required) candidate is able to get clear understanding of the current backup strategy, designs, processes, and tools.
• Compliance/Standard and Governance: Ensure compliance according to client's Technology Information Security standards and best practice. Establish governance processes related modernisation and transformation initiatives aligned with the county standards, processes, plans, tools, and measures
• Knowledge Management and Enablement: Conduct workshops to provide and get input around important concepts and decisions. Document and align work products with key stakeholders as necessary. Ensure a process that enable knowledge transfer and support for less senior employees.

Work Experience/Qualification

• Minimum 15 years of experience leading large complex projects supporting Transformation and modernisation goals and objectives
• Minimum 10 years of experience with information technology or application support, design or analysis and/or project management
• Experience working in a complex environment with significant numbers of stakeholders across infrastructure, applications, databased and technology toolset with ambiguous or unclear requirements
• Minimum 3 years of experience working in public service industry especially state and local government within the past 7 years, supporting cross-functional teams influencing senior-level management and key stakeholders effectively across the organisation and within complex contexts
• Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) experience is desired
• Strong verbal communication skills, including the ability to present verbally to high-level stakeholders.
• Proven ability to provide excellent customer service and maintain client/professional relationships/partnerships.
• Capacity for quickly understanding new and different concepts/approaches, workflows, and systems.
• Works in a highly organised manner, independently or within a team, in a fast-paced, innovative, and continuously changing environment with minimal supervision.
• Strong leadership and strategic planning skills, with the ability to drive cross-functional projects and initiatives.
• Knowledge of ITIL and IT Service Management is desired.
• Demonstrated skills in managing shared services teams
• Demonstrated ability to constructively influence other people and organisations to drive and achieve objectives, goals and balance competing needs

Education (Required):

Certifications:

Formal Architecture Training (such as TOGAF or similar industry certification) required

Information Technology Infrastructure Library ITIL desired