Solution Architect - Hybrid

John Hancock; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 167,000; Full time

Job summary

John Hancock is seeking a Solution Architect to design scalable, secure technology solutions in collaboration with engineering, product, and business teams. You will stay hands-on while guiding architecture decisions and contributing to modernization efforts in cloud, AI, and automation.

The role emphasizes collaboration across stakeholders and governance, with opportunities to influence enterprise technology strategy in a hybrid Boston-area environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in software engineering, systems development, or application development.
• Experience delivering enterprise-scale applications and technology solutions.
• Hands-on with one or more modern programming languages such as Java, C#, .NET, Python, JavaScript, or TypeScript.
• Experience with cloud platforms (Azure preferred) and API-first architectures.
• Knowledge of CI/CD, DevOps, test automation, and Agile delivery practices.

Responsibilities

• Partner with engineering, product, and business teams to design scalable technology solutions.
• Develop architecture artifacts, designs, and recommendations aligned with enterprise standards.
• Guide teams through concepts from concept to delivery during projects.
• Design secure, maintainable, and highly scalable solutions.
• Lead proofs-of-concept and evaluate emerging technologies.

Skills

Java

C#

.NET

Python

TypeScript

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering

Tools

Azure

AWS

GCP

CI/CD

DevOps

Job description

Solution Architect

John Hancock Technology Office

Are you a senior software engineer or technical lead looking to expand your influence and help shape the future of digital solutions? John Hancock Technology Office is seeking a Solution Architect to support high-profile technology initiatives that drive our customer-centric digital transformation.

In this role, you'll work closely with engineering leaders, product teams, business stakeholders, and senior architects to design scalable, secure, and modern technology solutions. You'll remain hands-on with technology while building your expertise in solution architecture, helping turn business vision into reality.

If you enjoy solving complex technical challenges, collaborating across teams, and leveraging emerging technologies such as cloud and AI, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Do

• Partner with engineering, product, and business teams to design and deliver scalable technology solutions.
• Develop architecture artifacts, technical designs, and recommendations aligned with enterprise standards and long-term technology strategy.
• Participate throughout the project lifecycle, guiding teams from concept through delivery.
• Design secure, maintainable, resilient, and highly scalable solutions.
• Lead proof-of-concepts and technical evaluations for emerging technologies and innovative approaches.
• Contribute to reusable frameworks, architecture patterns, engineering standards, and best practices.
• Communicate solution options, trade-offs, risks, and recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaborate with teams to define non-functional requirements, architecture diagrams, and implementation approaches.
• Review architecture designs, estimates, requirements, and code to ensure alignment with business and technical objectives.
• Evaluate vendor and third-party solutions for integration, scalability, security, and operational support.
• Support architecture governance, reviews, and technical decision-making.
• Document architecture decisions and technical rationale through Architecture Decision Records (ADRs).
• Identify technical risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Contribute to modernization, cloud adoption, AI, automation, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Stay current with industry trends, particularly in cloud computing, AI, software engineering, and cybersecurity.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in software engineering, systems development, or application development.
• Strong experience delivering enterprise-scale applications and technology solutions.
• Experience as a senior developer, technical lead, engineering lead, or similar leadership role.
• Hands-on experience with one or more modern programming languages such as Java, C#, .NET, Python, JavaScript, or TypeScript.
• Experience designing web, mobile, API, integration, or distributed systems.
• Solid understanding of software architecture principles, design patterns, and modern engineering practices.
• Experience with cloud platforms, preferably Microsoft Azure, as well as AWS or Google Cloud Platform.
• Knowledge of CI/CD, DevOps, test automation, and Agile delivery practices.
• Experience with cloud-native, microservices, event-driven, and API-first architectures.
• Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and deployment automation.
• Experience working with containerized and serverless technologies.
• Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with technical and business stakeholders.
• Understanding of application security, privacy, compliance, and secure design principles.

AI & Modern Technology Experience

We're particularly interested in candidates who are excited about the future of AI-powered solutions and modern application architectures.

• Understanding of Generative AI and AI-enabled solution architectures.
• Familiarity with Large Language Models (LLMs), Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), AI agents, and modern AI integration patterns.
• Exposure to Microsoft AI technologies, including Azure AI Foundry, Azure OpenAI, Microsoft Copilot technologies, or related Azure AI services.
• Understanding of Responsible AI, AI governance, and security considerations.
• Ability to evaluate and incorporate AI capabilities into business solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in financial services or a regulated industry.
• Experience with Microsoft or Salesforce platforms and associated technologies.
• Exposure to cloud-native development and modern engineering practices.
• Experience working within Agile delivery environments.
• Passion for emerging technologies and innovation.
• Cloud, architecture, AI, Agile, Microsoft, or Salesforce certifications are considered an asset.

Why Join Us?

This role is ideal for experienced software engineers and technical leaders who want to expand into Solution Architecture while staying connected to technology and delivery. You'll have the opportunity to:

• Work on impactful, enterprise-scale initiatives.
• Help shape technology strategy and solution design.
• Gain architecture experience while remaining hands-on.
• Collaborate with talented engineering and business teams.
• Explore emerging technologies, including cloud, AI, and automation.
• Influence the future of digital experiences for our customers.

Join us and help design the next generation of innovative technology solutions at John Hancock.

If you are applying to this role in Massachusetts, please note the salary range is $90,160.00 USD - $167,440.00 USD. Additionally, employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance.

The role being advertised is an existing vacancy.

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. To learn more about us, visit https://www.manulife.com/en/about/our-story.html.

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact [e-mail].

Referenced Salary Location

Toronto, Ontario

Working Arrangement

Hybrid

Salary range is expected to be between

$86,100.00 CAD - $136,100.00 CAD

Employees also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn incentive compensation tied to business and individual performance. The actual salary will vary depending on local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualifications, experience, and education/training. If you are applying for this role outside of the primary location, please contact [e-mail] for the salary range for your location.

Manulife offers eligible employees a wide array of customizable benefits, including health, dental, mental health, vision, short- and long-term disability, life and AD&D insurance coverage, adoption/surrogacy and wellness benefits, and employee/family assistance plans. We also offer eligible employees various retirement savings plans (including pension and a global share ownership plan with employer matching contributions) and financial education and counseling resources. Our generous paid time off program in Canada includes holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days, and we offer the full range of statutory leaves of absence. If you are applying for this role in the U.S., please contact [e-mail] for more information about U.S.-specific paid time off provisions.

We use data and analytics technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), and automated processing tools, to analyze and process the information you provide to us or third parties in the application process. For more information, please refer to our personal information collection statement.