Principal Architect (Solutions and Automation) (opens in new tab)

Partners in Digital Health; Northbrook (IL); On-site; USD 144,000 - 288,000; Full time

Job summary

CVS Health is seeking a Principal Architect, Solution Engineering and Automation to design end-to-end solutions for highly complex PBM initiatives. You will build a technology incubation function, guiding architecture, modernization, and AI/ML integration while working with business, IT, and external partners to deliver innovative, high-impact outcomes.

You will lead architecture reviews, enable automation frameworks, and mentor teams to accelerate adoption of cutting-edge technologies across

Qualifications

• 10+ years in design/development
• 7+ years in cloud platforms with hands-on experience

Responsibilities

• Provide technology leadership and solution oversight to ensure architecture aligns with guiding principles
• Lead Buy vs Build analyses and provide final recommendations
• Drive modernization opportunities across PBM technology landscape
• Develop reference architectures for cloud-native PBM apps
• Mentor junior architects and engineers in emerging tech adoption
• Develop and communicate forward-looking technology roadmaps
• Collaborate with business units, product mgmt, and external partners to drive innovation

Skills

Cloud architecture

GCP experience

Azure familiarity

AWS familiarity

Enterprise patterns

Security & observability

Automation & RPA

SDLC & tooling

AI/ML capabilities

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Kafka

Pulsar

UiPath

Automation Anywhere

Kubernetes

Job description

We're building a world of health around every individual - shaping a more connected, convenient and compassionate health experience. At CVS Health®, you'll be surrounded by passionate colleagues who care deeply, innovate with purpose, hold ourselves accountable and prioritize safety and quality in everything we do. Join us and be part of something bigger - helping to simplify health care one person, one family and one community at a time.

Role Summary

The Principal Architect, Solution Engineering and Automation will be responsible for the business solution designs that include working at the business unit level developing the most advanced end-to-end solution architecture for highly complex and significant initiatives in partnership with key business and IT stakeholders. In this high-impact role, you will build a technology incubation function, identifying, developing, and launching innovative solutions that address critical business challenges, improve patient outcomes, and drive significant value for CVS Health.

You will be at the forefront of emerging technologies, working closely with business leaders, technology teams, and external partners to shape the future of pharmacy benefits.

What you will do:

• Provide technology leadership, solution oversight, design reviews and guidance to ensure that the solution adheres to Solution Architecture Guiding Principles and standards while maximizing reuse of technology assets
• In depth experience in performing Buy vs Build analysis based on the qualitative and quantitative analysis across the available options to provide a final recommendation based on the rationale
• Actively lead and participate in the Architecture community to drive modernization opportunities for the advancement of PBM technology while keeping in mind the complexities of our IT landscape
• Develop Reference architecture and implementation and provide leadership, coaching and guidance to App Dev, Technology Services and Solutions and EA to develop/assemble PBM-applicable reference architectures for cloud-native applications to be applied to PBM apps targeted for refactor and optimization
• Advise and assist App development teams with technical roadblocks such as performance challenges within a solution in key strategic initiatives
• Develop and maintain forward-looking technology roadmaps that anticipate industry trends and position CVS Health as a technology leader
• Monitor technology developments across industries to identify opportunities for healthcare applications and competitive advantages
• Architect solutions leveraging advanced AI/ML capabilities, including Generative AI, Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, and Predictive Analytics
• Design and implement automation frameworks that improve operational efficiency and reduce manual intervention
• Evaluate and integrate cutting-edge development tools, platforms, and methodologies to enhance team productivity
• Partner closely with business unit leaders, technology teams (architecture, data science, engineering), product management, and other stakeholders to drive innovation initiatives forward.
• Mentor and guide junior architects and engineers in emerging technology adoption and best practices
• Collaborate with product management, business stakeholders, and external technology partners to align innovation initiatives with business objectives
• Establish centers of excellence for emerging technologies and lead knowledge sharing initiatives
• Partner with academic institutions and technology vendors to stay at the forefront of technological advancement
• Research, evaluate, and recommend adoption of emerging technologies including next-generation AI/ML frameworks depicting a forward-thinking technology strategy
• Lead and personally conduct technology feasibility studies and develop proof-of-concept solutions and technology demonstrations for emerging technologies, creating tangible examples of potential business value
• Present and demonstrate emerging technology capabilities to executive leadership, business stakeholders, and technical teams through compelling demos and prototypes

Required Qualifications

10+ years in overall design/development experience including:

• Extensive expertise in cloud platforms with over 7 years of hands‑on experience, primarily in Google Cloud Platform (GCP), with solid experience in Azure and familiarity with AWS, including advanced services like serverless computing, container orchestration, and cloud‑native databases
• Technical skills in the following areas: Enterprise Level Platform Service and Integration
• Expert in Software Architecture/Design patterns especially Domain Driven Architecture and Microservices, high‑level and low‑level architectures, technology best practices, technical debt reduction and modernization initiatives.
• Proficiency in Security, Automation and Observability along with a working knowledge of IT operations
• Experience in enterprise development tools, SDLC methodologies and Observability platforms
• Experience working with technologies that serve as integration layers between modern applications and legacy infrastructure, leveraging streaming platforms like Apache Kafka, Apache Pulsar, or similar
• Proven success influencing major technology decisions and collaborating with leadership and engineering teams
• Proven experience in automating complex processes and building intelligent automation frameworks. Experience in implementing RPA (Robotic Process Automation) solutions using platforms such as UiPath and Automation Anywhere
• Strong presentation and demonstration skills with ability to communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences
• Experience mentoring technical teams and driving adoption of new technologies across large organizations
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with business stakeholders to translate emerging technology capabilities into business value

Preferred Qualifications

• Health Care Industry domain knowledge and understanding of healthcare technology challenges and opportunities
• Experience with healthcare data standards and regulatory compliance requirements
• Knowledge of digital health trends and emerging healthcare technologies
• Comprehensive knowledge of storage technologies (SQL/NoSQL) and caching solutions
• Skilled in building high‑performance cloud‑native solutions
• Speaking experience at technology conferences and industry events
• Participation in open‑source projects and technology communities
• Experience with design thinking methodologies and innovation frameworks

Education

Bachelor Degree in Computer Science or related field or equivalent experience

Pay Range

The typical pay range for this role is:

$144,200.00 - $288,400.00

This pay range represents the base hourly rate or base annual full‑time salary for all positions in the job grade within which this position falls. The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, geography and other relevant factors. This position is eligible for a CVS Health bonus, commission or short‑term incentive program in addition to the base pay range listed above. This position also includes an award target in the company's equity award program.

Our people fuel our future. Our teams reflect the customers, patients, members and communities we serve and we are committed to fostering a workplace where every colleague feels valued and that they belong.

Great benefits for great people

We take pride in offering a comprehensive and competitive mix of pay and benefits that reflects our commitment to our colleagues and their families.

This full‑time position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the physical, emotional, and financial well‑being of colleagues and their families. The benefits for this position include medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, retirement savings options, wellness programs, and other resources, based on eligibility.

Additional details about available benefits are provided during the application process and on Benefits Moments.

We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on: 11/26/2026

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state and local laws.