Senior Solution Architect II

Sallie Mae; Newark (DE); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salaries

Bonus incentives

Generous PTO

Job summary

Sallie Mae is seeking a Senior Architect II to design and implement complex architecture initiatives that align with business strategies and technology goals. You will lead scalable, secure solutions and ensure architectural alignment across projects.

Responsibilities include defining standards, conducting reviews, and documenting decisions. Strong TOGAF experience, leadership, and communication are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• Strong proficiency with architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF), design patterns, and system integration.
• Experience with cloud computing, microservices, and enterprise software technologies.
• Proven ability to lead architecture for medium to large-scale projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of scalable, secure, and maintainable architecture solutions for complex projects.
• Develop and enforce architecture standards, guidelines, and best practices to ensure consistency and quality.
• Conduct architecture reviews, assess risks, and provide recommendations for improvements.
• Support project teams throughout the development lifecycle, ensuring architectural alignment.
• Document architecture artifacts, decisions, and technical specifications clearly and comprehensively.

Skills

TOGAF / architecture frameworks

Design patterns

System integration

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Cloud computing

Microservices

Enterprise software

Job description

When you join Sallie Mae, you become a champion for all students.

We’re on a mission to power confidence as students begin their unique journey. To help them plan their higher education, successfully finish, and prepare for life after school. To help them Start smart. Learn big.

Students need guidance navigating this important time in their life. They need someone who acknowledges that their education path is unique. They need a partner willing to evolve and not only meet but surpass their expectations. We’re changing. Because students need a better way.

We’re looking for people who are excited to drive this transformation. To break barriers and think of new ways to adapt, help, and create better experiences for students—and for each other.

This is where diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives matter. It’s where you’re empowered to bring your authentic self to work.

Feeling your best allows you to do your best. Our benefits take care of the whole you—from physical and mental to financial and professional. You’ll get opportunities to further your education and career, support for you and your family (including your pets!), paid time off to volunteer for the things that matter to you, and more.

We’re obsessed with impact and making a real difference. For us, that means putting relationships first, asking “why not?” when tackling challenges, and continuously learning new skills.

Come do more than join something, change something. For students, for future generations, for the future of education.

What You’ll Contribute

The Senior Architect II will be responsible for designing and implementing complex architecture initiatives that support business strategies and technology goals.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the design and implementation of scalable, secure, and maintainable architecture solutions for complex projects.

• Develop and enforce architecture standards, guidelines, and best practices to ensure consistency and quality.

• Conduct architecture reviews, assess risks, and provide recommendations for improvements.

• Support project teams throughout the development lifecycle, ensuring architectural alignment.

• Document architecture artifacts, decisions, and technical specifications clearly and comprehensively.

The above information is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job; it is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees in this role.

What You Have

Minimum education, skills and experience required.

• Strong proficiency with architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF), design patterns, and system integration.

• Experience with specific technologies/platforms relevant to the role, e.g., cloud computing, microservices, enterprise software.

• Proven ability to lead architecture for medium to large-scale projects.

• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Preferred education, skills, and experience.

• 7+ years of experience in software or systems architecture and engineering.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.

• Experience with Financial Services, Lending and Credit domain

The Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination by employers, in compensation and employment opportunities, against qualified individuals with disabilities who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the “essential functions” of a job. A function may be essential for any of several reasons, including: the job exists to perform that function, the employee holding the job was hired for his/her expertise in performing that function, or only a limited number of employees are available to perform that function.

Feeling your best helps you do your best:

Our benefits take care of the whole you—so you can build your work around your life (not the other way around!).

• Competitive base salaries

• Bonus incentives

• Generous PTO, Floating Holidays and 12 Federal Holidays observed

• Support for financial-well-being and retirement401k with employer match

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance and more

• Employer paid short-term/long-term disability and basic life insurance

• Flexible hybrid working arrangements.

• Paid parental leave and adoption reimbursement programs

• Free access to on-site staffed fitness centers (in Delaware) and gym subsidy (for locations outside Delaware)

• Confidential counseling support (EAP), Health Advocacy services and Wellness program with financial incentives

• Tuition Reimbursement and Family Scholarship Programs

• Career development and training opportunities

Sallie Mae is proud to be an equal opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, gender identity, disability, Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Click here to view the U.S. Pay Transparency Policy, here for federal job applicant notices, and here to view the California Employee Privacy Notice.

Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation please call [phone] and choose option 9. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.