Senior Solutions Architect (Hybrid)

CareFirst, Inc.; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 127,000 - 252,000; Full time

Job summary

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield seeks an experienced Solutions Architect to create architecture for moderately complex projects, aligning with enterprise standards and leading design across multiple domains.

The role provides technical oversight and collaborates with project teams to deliver strategic IT solutions, including cloud, data, and API initiatives. Applicants should have deep architecture expertise and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS or IT; or 4 additional years of related work experience.
• 8 years of IT engineer/architect experience.
• Masters degree in CS or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead solutions design across multiple technical domains and define end-to-end architecture.
• Translate business strategy into deliverables aligned with enterprise standards.
• Orchestrate solution delivery and governance to ensure architecture compliance.
• Collaborate with product managers and stakeholders to support future business needs.
• Maintain knowledge of emerging technologies such as cloud, API, data, and ITIL practices.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or IT related field

Masters degree (preferred)

Job description

Resp & Qualifications

PURPOSE

Responsible for creating solution architecture for moderately complex projects by studying and understanding clients' requirements, identifying gaps (if any) between clients' requirements and technical functionalities, and defining solutions to bridge the gap. The position makes sure the project scope is maintained and solutions are implemented based on approved architecture. Primary accountability for architecture work takes place during the life cycle for large Initiatives/projects, from planning to implementation. Provides high-level design recommendations that are reviewed and approved by Architecture Review Board for implementation of the projects. Provides technical oversight and strategic direction to IT project teams in order to deliver key solutions to business problems.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Leads Solutions Design and Analysis:
  Accountable for leading solutions design incremental and analysis of complex projects/issues that require in-depth knowledge across multiple technical domains and business segments. Responsible for defining components and subsystem, end to end integration architecture and their interface, as well as the target deployment aligning with target architecture vision. Responsible for recommendations of critical design decisions and trade-offs. Ensures seamless integration of new applications with enterprise applications in the ecosystem by selecting the technology, tools or services that provides the best solution for business needs.
• Translate business strategy into solution architecture:
  Accountable for creating the Solution Architecture deliverables for one or more portfolios, programs or complex projects, which aligns with enterprise architecture and links the high-level architecture, business requirements, and technology standards into a cohesive solution. Responsible for defining and communicating a shared technical and architecture vision across the portfolio/program. Provides foundational architecture and creates technical alignments for the full solution balancing the needs from both business and domain architecture. Has an expert knowledge of integration solutions and communicates with business owners, domain architects, other Solution Architects, technical delivery staff, and key technical stakeholders, including Security, Data, and Technology Centers of Excellence. Collaborates with peer Solution Architects to ensure that the proposed solution is consistent with other designs.
• Orchestrate solution delivery:
  Responsible for communicating solution architecture and getting it implemented. Defines and directs implementation governance activities associated ensuing solution architecture compliance with the intent and overall enterprise architecture. Responsible for creates architecture and technical enablers to support architecture runways. Supports the implementation of enablers and ensures solution of technical and architecture enablers meet solution objectives.
• Facilitate and collaborate to drive business value:
  Partners with the project manager, product managers technical delivery manager, requirements manager, and business leadership in the definition of the Solution Architecture. Work closely with product managers, product owners to ensure a robust architecture runways that can support future business needs through product lifecycle. Provide consulting supports to domain architects and solution delivery team to ensure project and product aligned with overall enterprise architecture.
• Maintain industry and technology Expertise:
  Maintains knowledge of and apply industry best practices for architecture, participates in cross-functional component architecture teams, and develops future architecture and technology migration plans. Evaluates and selects from existing and emerging technologies options best fitting business and IT strategic needs.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Position does not have direct reports but is expected to assist in guiding and mentoring less experienced staff. May lead a team of matrixed resources.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education Level

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or IT related field OR in lieu of a Bachelor's degree, an additional 4 years of relevant work experience is required in addition to the required work experience.

Experience

8 years experience as an IT engineer, architect or relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Computer Science or related field preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• In-depth knowledge of architecture and design across systems.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Ability to lead, coordinate, and manage complex projects.
• Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• In-depth knowledge of new and emerging technologies, such as cloud, mobile, data, API etc.
• Familiarity with information management practices, system development life cycle management, IT service management, infrastructure and operations, and enterprise architecture and ITIL frameworks.

Salary Range

Salary Range: $126,864 - $251,966

Salary Range Disclaimer

The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the work is being performed. This compensation range is specific and considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, internal peer equity, and market and business consideration. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range, as compensation decisions depend on each case's facts and circumstances, including but not limited to experience, internal equity, and location. In addition to your compensation, CareFirst offers a comprehensive benefits package, various incentive programs/plans, and 401k contribution programs/plans (all benefits/incentives are subject to eligibility requirements).

Department

Communicate to Health Plan

Equal Employment Opportunity

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is an Equal Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of theCompany to provide equal employment opportunities to allqualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Federal Disc/Physical Demand

Note: The incumbent is required to immediately disclose any debarment, exclusion, or other event that makes him/her ineligible to perform work directly or indirectly on Federal health care programs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The associate is primarily seated while performing the duties of the position. Occasional walking or standing is required. The hands are regularly used to write, type, key and handle or feel small controls and objects. The associate must frequently talk and hear. Weights up to 25 pounds are occasionally lifted.

Sponsorship in US

Must be eligible to work in the U.S. without Sponsorship.