Senior Architect

First Search Inc; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Top Echelon Software, LLC is seeking a Senior Software Architect to shape the technology direction of a global enterprise platform. You will drive modernization, guide cloud-native architecture, and influence decisions across Engineering, Product, and Technology leadership.

You will champion AI-assisted development, establish scalable, secure solutions, and mentor engineers while balancing cost, risk, and delivery timelines.

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years of progressive software engineering and architecture experience.
• Proven success designing and evolving large-scale, distributed, cloud-based enterprise applications.
• Strong understanding of modern architecture, cloud platforms, APIs, integration patterns, and data technologies.
• Experience leading modernization or architectural transformation initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Drive Technology Strategy: Define and execute a multi-year architectural roadmap.
• Lead Modernization: Evolve cloud-native architectures, APIs, data tech.
• Influence Technical Direction: Partner with senior leadership to decide on architecture.

Skills

Software architecture

Cloud platforms

Distributed systems

APIs

Leadership without authority

AI familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Java

TypeScript

JavaScript

SQL

Spring Boot

Kubernetes

Docker

OpenAPI

OAuth 2.0

JWT

PostgreSQL

Redis

Job description

Senior Software Architect

Shape the Future of a Global Technology Platform

The Opportunity

We're partnering with an established, globally recognized technology organization seeking a Senior Software Architect to help shape the future of its enterprise software platform.

This is a high-impact opportunity for an experienced architect who wants to do more than maintain existing systems. You'll play a key role in defining the long-term technology vision, driving modernization initiatives, and influencing how software is designed, developed, and delivered across the organization.

Working closely with Engineering, Product, and Technology leadership, you'll help build scalable, secure, cloud-native solutions that support mission-critical applications used around the world.

The organization is also exploring innovative technologies, including AI-assisted development and emerging engineering practices, making this an exciting opportunity to influence how modern software engineering evolves.

What You'll Do

• Drive Technology Strategy: Define and execute a multi-year architectural roadmap aligned with business objectives and product innovation.

• Lead Modernization: Guide the evolution of complex enterprise platforms, including cloud-native architectures, distributed systems, APIs, and data technologies.

• Influence Technical Direction: Partner with senior leadership and engineering teams to make strategic architecture and technology decisions.

• Champion AI & Innovation: Evaluate AI-assisted software development, automation, and emerging technologies to improve engineering productivity and accelerate delivery.

• Design for Scale: Establish architectural approaches that prioritize scalability, security, performance, resilience, and long-term maintainability.

• Improve Engineering Excellence: Identify opportunities to reduce technical debt, streamline development practices, and improve platform capabilities.

• Mentor & Collaborate: Serve as a trusted technical advisor, mentoring engineers and technical leaders while building alignment across teams.

• Balance Vision with Execution: Translate business needs into practical technical solutions while balancing innovation, cost, risk, and operational requirements.

Technology Environment

The organization works with a broad range of modern technologies, including:

• Languages: Java, TypeScript, JavaScript, SQL

• Backend & APIs: Spring Boot, Spring WebFlux, REST APIs, OpenAPI, OAuth 2.0, JWT

• Cloud & Infrastructure: Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, CI/CD, GitHub Actions, Jenkins

• Databases & Data Platforms: PostgreSQL, SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, Redis, event streaming and search technologies

• Observability: New Relic, OpenTelemetry, distributed tracing, monitoring and logging

• Engineering Practices: Domain-Driven Design, Agile, automated testing, continuous delivery, Infrastructure as Code

• AI Development Tools: GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Claude Code and other emerging AI-assisted engineering technologies

You don't need experience with every technology listed. What's most important is your ability to evaluate architectural options, understand technical tradeoffs, and make sound decisions that support long-term business and product goals.

What We're Looking For

• 8–10+ years of progressive software engineering and architecture experience, with a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

• Proven success designing and evolving large-scale, distributed, cloud-based enterprise applications.

• Strong understanding of modern architecture, cloud platforms, APIs, integration patterns, and data technologies.

• Experience leading significant modernization or architectural transformation initiatives.

• Ability to connect business and product strategy with technical architecture and execution.

• Demonstrated success influencing technical direction across multiple teams without direct authority.

• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

• Experience mentoring engineers and technical leaders.

• Familiarity with AI-assisted software development and an interest in leveraging emerging technologies.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

Meaningful Influence: Help establish the architectural direction of a major technology platform rather than simply executing someone else's roadmap.

Modernization & Innovation: Play a central role in evolving established systems and introducing modern cloud, automation, and AI-enabled engineering practices.

Strategic Visibility: Work directly with Engineering, Product, and Technology leadership, with the opportunity to influence important technology investments and decisions.

Global Impact: Contribute to highly available, mission-critical technology solutions supporting users around the world.

Long-Term Opportunity: Join an established organization where you can make a lasting impact on its technology, engineering practices, and future direction.

The Ideal Candidate

You're a strategic thinker who still enjoys getting into the technical details. You understand that great architecture isn't about chasing the latest technology — it's about making smart decisions that solve real business problems, improve engineering effectiveness, and create a strong foundation for the future.

If you're looking for an opportunity to have genuine influence over technology direction while working with talented engineering teams on meaningful modernization initiatives, this role is worth exploring.