Solution Architect

BuzzClan; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

BuzzClan is seeking an experienced Solution Architect to modernize a mission-critical court case management system, JWEB, serving the Texas justice community. You will lead technical analysis, architecture strategy, and the roadmap for the next-generation transformation.

In collaboration with the IJIS Director and public sector stakeholders, you will shape the modernization roadmap, assess frameworks, create architectural blueprints, and prepare for the build phase, while ensuring CJIS

Qualifications

• Education and extensive IT leadership experience.
• Experience integrating complex modernization programs in public sector environments.
• Expertise in software design, microservices, SOA, and data architectures.

Responsibilities

• Define modernization strategy and architecture for JWEB.
• Lead architectural design across software, databases, microservices, APIs, and security.
• Develop enterprise architectural roadmap aligning short-term and long-term modernization initiatives.
• Collaborate with IJIS Director and stakeholders to solidify the modernization roadmap.
• Ensure CJIS compliance and establish governance for modernization workstreams.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Public sector experience

Architecture & design

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, IT, Software Engineering, or related field

TOGAF certification

Zachman framework knowledge

PMP certification

ITIL certification

Job description

We are searching for an experienced Solution Architect to assist the local justice community in modernizing its mission-critical court case management system, JWEB.

This complex ecosystem requires integration with over two dozen justice and law enforcement agencies. Modernized approximately five years ago on contemporary technologies, the system’s historical legacy dates back to the 1990s. The Solution Architect will lead the technical analysis, architectural strategy, and roadmap definition for JWEB’s next-generation transformation.

During the first 9 months, the candidate will partner closely with the Integrated Justice Information System (IJIS) Director and key stakeholders across the justice community to solidify the modernization roadmap, document high-level business objectives, evaluate frameworks, create architectural blueprints, and prepare for the project build phase.

Key Responsibilities

Modernization Strategy & Architecture

• Define, build, and align modernization data/application models using industry-standard frameworks (e.g., 6 Rs: Rehost, Replatform, Replace, Retire, Retain, Refactor).
• Evaluate architectural viewpoints across Monolithic, SOA, and Microservices patterns to design high-performing, scalable $n$-tier systems.
• Lead technical design across software, database schemas, microservices, APIs, and network/security architecture.

Discovery, Assessment & Roadmapping

• Conduct end-to-end technical assessments of the current JWEB landscape, supporting applications, and infrastructure.
• Map dependencies, identify in-flight initiatives, and assess organizational change readiness.
• Develop an enterprise architectural roadmap aligning short-term and long-term modernization initiatives with organizational goals and mission vision.

Hybrid & Multi-Cloud Solutions

• Evaluate and propose on-premise, hybrid, and multi-cloud architectural models (focusing on Microsoft Azure Government and AWS GovCloud).
• Present comparative analyses detailing how cloud models enhance innovation, agility, speed-to-value, and security posture.

Stakeholder Leadership & Collaboration

• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to the IJIS Director, IT executive leadership, database administrators, infrastructure engineers, business owners, and third-party vendors.
• Facilitate workshops, gather input, document key decision records, and drive alignment among diverse stakeholders with varied priorities.

Disaster Recovery, Governance & Compliance

• Assess existing application/infrastructure disaster recovery (DR) plans, backup strategies, and hot/warm/cold site configurations.
• Ensure all proposed architectures strictly comply with organization Information Security standards and CJIS requirements.
• Establish architectural governance frameworks for modernization and transformation work streams.

Knowledge Management

• Document technical architecture, system blueprints, and implementation guidelines.
• Mentor and enable less senior technical staff to ensure effective knowledge transfer and long-term system maintainability.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• Overall IT Experience: Minimum 15 years leading complex, large-scale technology transformation and modernization projects.
• Architecture & Design: Minimum 10 years of experience in software design, application architecture, database patterns, microservices, SOA, and project analysis.
• Public Sector: Minimum 3 years of experience in public service (State/Local Government) within the last 7 years, managing cross-functional alignment in complex environments.
• Stakeholder Management: Proven track record of influencing senior-level executives and navigating ambiguous or evolving business requirements.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with demonstrated success presenting complex technical concepts to non-technical executive audiences.

Preferred Qualifications & Certifications:

• CJIS Clearance: Active CJIS certification or direct experience working within CJIS-compliant environments.
• Enterprise Architecture Certification: Formal architecture certification (e.g., TOGAF, Zachman) is required.
• Project & Service Management: PMP (Project Management Professional) and ITIL certifications are strongly desired.
• Experience managing shared services teams or multi-agency integration environments.