Software Architect

Thales; Santa Barbara (CA); Hybrid; USD 163,000 - 278,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Life insurance

Job summary

Thales Group is hiring a Windows Software Architect to design, develop, and deploy the CTE product line across on‑premises, clouds, and containers. You will assess customer needs, craft architectural approaches, and guide teams while addressing systems, compatibility and security concerns.

The role requires deep Windows internals knowledge, kernel driver experience, and collaboration with product managers to document features in an Agile environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 8-12+ years of relevant work experience or Master's with 6+ years.
• 8+ years leading software design in medium to large projects.
• 8+ years software development experience and Agile product development.
• 8+ years of Windows Kernel Driver experience.
• 8+ years of developing code with C or C++.
• 5+ years with Windows kernel debugger (windbg).
• Deep knowledge of Windows filesystem architecture.
• Experience using AI LLMs to assist in software development lifecycle.
• Data encryption and key management experience across cloud/on-premises.
• Strong communication and leadership skills; Agile collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Understand system architecture and recommend emerging trends for software infrastructure.
• Analyze designs for risks, security, and reliability; provide reviews.
• Ensure compliance with codes and standards and drive infrastructure improvements.
• Prepare white papers and technical documents; provide technology analysis.
• Diagnose software products and provide QA review.
• Work within Agile-Scrum methodology and collaborate with stakeholders.

Skills

Windows kernel driver

C/C++ development

Windows filesystem

Cloud/containers

Security knowledge

DevOps REST API

AI LLM usage

Agile/Scrum

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree in related field

Tools

Windbg

Windows kernel debugger

Kubernetes

Cloud platforms

Job description

Location: Texas, United States of America

Thales people architect identity management and data protection solutions at the heart of digital security. Business and governments rely on us to bring trust to the billions of digital interactions they have with people. Our technologies and services help banks exchange funds, people cross borders, energy become smarter and much more. More than 30,000 organizations already rely on us to verify the identities of people and things, grant access to digital services, analyze vast quantities of information and encrypt data to make the connected world more secure.

This is a hybrid position in Austin, TX or San Jose, CA

Position Summary

We are looking for a Windows Software Architect with strong experience in developing, maintaining CTE product line and solutions for deployment wherever it resides, on-premises, across multiple clouds and within big data, and container environments. The individual must have deep knowledge of Windows Internal, experience in Windows Kernel Development, Windows File Systems driver development and cyber security and cloud/container technology. The individual will assess the requirements of customers and businesses, designs documents, and comes up with architectural approaches. Architects provide technical advice for software development. An architect will also assume the role of a technology expert in addressing issues related to systems, compatibility, and software integration. They will collaborate with team members and product managers to strategize, develop, trial, and document features.

Essential Functions

• Understand an organization’s current system architecture, standards, future technology plans thoroughly, and recommend emerging trends for software infrastructure according to the research. Keep pace with industry trends in security data protection and cloud technology.
• Analyze and provide reviews on the magnitude of shortcomings and shortages in system designs, approaches to mitigate risks, resolve security alerts, and preempt possible adverse outcomes of identified weaknesses. Architects help teams in making them use technology appropriately.
• Ensure compliance with codes and standards, develop infrastructure improvements and serve as an expert in your specialty.
• Help in preparing white papers, technical documentations and in providing technology and product analysis.
• Help to diagnose new and existing software products and provide quality assurance review.
• Be able to work within Agile-Scrum Methodology.
• Collaboration with system architects in related products.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in field with a minimum of 8-12+ years of relevant work experience or Master’s degree in field with 6+ years of relevant work experience
• 8+ years of experience leading software design in medium to large complexity projects
• 8+ years of software development experience and Agile product development and experience in leading offshore development
• 8+ years of Windows Kernel Driver experience.
• 8+ years of developing code with C or C++.
• 5+ years of experience with the Windows kernel debugger (windbg).
• In depth knowledge of Windows filesystem architecture.
• Experience using AI LLM’s (Claude, ChatGPT etc.) to assist in all aspects of the software development lifecycle.
• Working knowledge of data encryption with key management, and privileged user access control and policy management for on‑premises, across multiple clouds and within big data, and container environments. Experience with the development on data security products in the areas of application encryption and tokenization
• Keep up‑to‑date with latest technologies evolution and frameworks.
• Effective interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills
• Experience with DevOps Services REST API in multi‑threaded, highly distributed client/server development
• Excellent communications skills, both verbal and written.
• Assertive and must be able to influence team members to meet their commitments in a timely manner and be able to forge consensus and resolve issues in the face of conflicting goals or interests.
• Should be able to shape the complexity into simple architectural solutions, and influence the entire community that they are working on.
• Interact and facilitate communication with other stakeholder like Solution Architects, Sales Engineers, Product Management and customers to strategize, develop, and deliver new features.
• Lead and coordinate with various development teams to provide the scalable and robust designs
• Serve as a technical leader in order to continuously improve the standard and abilities of the development team

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of System Programming, File System and Storage driver development experience
• Strong knowledge of data security software development, DevOps tooling and cloud/container technology (AWS, Azure, GCP, Kubernetes)
• Has demonstrated deep technical understanding of a system, and has a track record of architecting innovative technical solutions within that domain

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer at the time of hire. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or for assuming sponsorship of an employment visa now or in the future. Must be a U.S. Person as defined in applicable law, or otherwise authorized or eligible for authorization, to access to hardware, software, technology or technical data controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

The anticipated TTC range for this role is 162,626.70 - 222,160.35 - 277,700.44 USD Annual. The Company reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s status protected by local, state, or federal law.

This position will require successfully completing a post‑offer background check. Qualified candidates with [a] criminal history will be considered and are not automatically disqualified, consistent with federal law, state law, and local ordinances.

Thales champions inclusion and we believe diversity strengthens the fabric of our culture. Thales is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans.

If you need an accommodation or assistance in order to apply for a position with Thales, please contact us at [e-mail].

The reference Total Target Compensation (TTC) market range for this position, inclusive of annual base salary and the variable compensation target, is between

This reflects how companies in a similar industry and geographic region generally pay for similar jobs. This range helps the Company make pay decisions as one data point among many. Where a position falls within this range is also dependent on other factors including – but not limited to – the employee’s career path history, competencies, skills and performance, as well as the company’s annual salary budget, the customer’s program requirements, and the company’s internal equity. Thales may offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s status protected by local, state, or federal law.

(For Internal candidate, if you need more information, please raise HR request through MyThales)

Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full‑time employees working 30 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following:

• Elective Health, Dental, Vision, FSA/HSA, Voluntary Life and AD&D, Whole Group Life w/LTC, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Legal Plan, Identity Theft, and Pet Insurance
• Retirement Savings Plan after 30 days of employment with a company contribution and a match, and with no vesting period
• Company paid holidays and Paid Time Off
• Company provided Life Insurance, AD&D, Disability, Employee Assistance Plan, and Well‑being Program