Lead Technical Architect

Ampstek; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Ampstek is seeking a senior Lead Technical Architect to lead architectural design and implementation for large client projects in Johannesburg. The role focuses on complex problems, stakeholder management, and driving non-functional design such as performance, availability and DR.

The architect will liaise with project teams, clients, and regional development groups, and will specialize in multiple product areas within our portfolio.

Qualifications

• Seven+ years of experience in software technical consultancy including banking product implementations.
• Strong knowledge of integration architectures, ESB and API-based integrations.
• Extensive experience with multi-platform tech stacks and performance considerations.

Responsibilities

• You will act as architectural leader and trusted advisor to Clients.
• You will design viable technical solutions compatible with business requirements and project plans.
• You will lead cross-functional technical teams and manage client expectations.
• You will review and govern technical designs, SARs and change requests.
• You will provide guidance on environment management, release control and TIM adherence.
• You will ensure end-to-end solution validation and stakeholder communication.

Job description

The role is known both internally and externally as either Lead technical Architect (LTA) or Solution Architect or Principal Technical Consultant.

The position is a senior role within a Client project team with responsibility for establishing and communicating the overall architectural and non-functional solution design. The role is complementary to the Lead Business Architect (LBA) role and may also start from the pre-contract scoping phase, continuing through the implementation on a full-time at one single large project , or responsible for a number of smaller projects as required.

The role holder plays the role of interface between the project team and the client, and ensures that all actions are taken to fully satisfy the client within the project scope in all aspects of a technical nature. They would focus on complex problems, and lead the Technical teams in resolving issues, challenging both colleagues and clients when required and demonstrate proven Stakeholder Management Skills with all contacts.

They will have a detailed level of knowledge on one particular Product area, along with the ability to explain multiple others. They will also display similar level of awareness of Industry and market trends/behaviours.

A strong “Leadership” contribution to their aligned Centre of Excellence and input on product and process Improvement is also expected.

To act as the point of escalation for multiple projects and where required understand client Issues, challenge where applicable and present plans to resolve.

OPPORTUNITES

• You will act as an architectural leader and trusted advisor to Clients.
• You will design viable technical solutions compatible with business solutions, agreed requirements, contractual obligations and project plans.
• You will be commercially astute when engaging and advising a client.
• You will act as an ambassador for Client product solutions throughout a customer engagement.
• You will identify, evaluate and offer mitigation strategies for technical risks.
• You will provide expert advice and guidance to Clients on the optimal implementation of Client products within the Client’s infrastructure, thus achieving the desired non-functional characteristics such as online and COB performance, high availability, disaster recovery and associated testing strategy.
• You will represent Client within the project/ program Design Authority to promote the benefits of a solution based on established Reference Architectures, Core Product and Model Bank, and adhering to the governing principles agreed between Client and the Client for the project.
• You will provide an effective link between the project team and Development Teams and the Technology Product Group in respect of Reference Architecture and Sizing information.
• You will help the Project Manager to prevent scope creep, eliminating the design and delivery of inconsistent solutions, and providing transparency on the entire solution design process.
• You will help to ensure that the Technical Consulting and architectural elements of Client Implementation Methodology (TIM) are understood by the Client and adhered to by project team members. Helping the Project Manager to negotiate and agree any specific technical or architectural divergences from TIM with the Client (for example, to incorporate Client-specific methodology and naming standards) and communicate them to project team members.
• You will review and supervise technical System Amendment Requests (SARs), and process changes. (L1 Developments).
• You will work closely with Client, project team members and Regional and Local development teams (L2 & L3) to develop a robust and viable architecture related to customer value and business benefit.
• You will take ownership for applying leading practice in terms of methodology and component re-use, covering the whole Client footprint.
• You will coach other Technical Consultants
• You will provide advice and guidance to the Client on environment management and release control between various pre-live environments.
• You will obtain Client agreement on proposed technical solutions including end to end process overviews.
• You will complete Solution Design Documents for technical areas as defined in work package.
• You will define technical solutions for customization and configuration needs for CLIENT products as per agreed technical definitions.
• You will ensure completion of TAABS data collection through the Technical Process Analysis phase of the project.
• You will support User Acceptance Testing (UAT) where required from a continuity perspective on projects.
• You will liaise with the CLIENT maintenance groups to ensure that the product problems identified are understood and resolved.
• You will, as The Solution Architect, be seen by Clients and colleagues as a thought leader within the project team and by his/her peers within Client.
• The Lead Technical Architect is expected to specialize in at least two of the following technical areas:
• Technical architecture and best use of CLIENT Client services tools.
• Configuration of CLIENT products or interfaces with the products, according to the definitions supplied,
• Data migration and related activities.
• You will master tasks and technical problems on a wide range of complex issues and prove general proficiency in the tools, systems, procedures required to accomplish the job.
• You will lead the installation of custom enhancements and give final validation on technical set-up and conduct necessary testing to ensure user acceptance and global quality of the solution delivered.
• You will supervise, if and when needed, over specific technical parts of the implementation plan.
• You will perform such other duties, functions and services, consistent with status or vocational ability, as may from time to time be required.
• You will be required to travel to client sites.
• You will oversee the development and implementation of integration interfaces, APIs, message queues, or other integration technologies.

SKILLS

• You should have a minimum of seven years of experience in software technical consultancy including T24 implementation experience in a banking environment.
• You should understand industry concepts such as:
• Java VMs and artefacts (WAR and EAR files), performance tuning, JMS
• Componentisation of applications
• Role of an ESB for event driven messaging and orchestration
• Concepts for Internet Security, Intranet security, cryptography, data tampering, firewalls
• Single Sign On concepts / supported solutions, LDAP / Active Directory
• Approach to Process Workflow and Human Workflow – jBPM exposure an advantage
• Web Services
• Penetration; stress and performance testing.
• Knowledge will be essential in ensuring efficient data flow, system interoperability, and effective integration across different platforms.
• Knowledge of Event-driven architecture, API integration, Integration and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, etc.).
• Knowledge on agile methodologies and the ability to lead and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Concepts for Internet Security, Intranet security, cryptography, data tampering, firewalls
• You should have good Client product knowledge and knowledge of general Architecture of T24 and related interfaces.
• You should have strong awareness of Industry and market developments, good overall company knowledge.
• You should also have the following:
• Technical knowledge: Application Servers (jBOSS, Web Sphere, Web Logic) OS (Windows, RedHat Linux, IBM AIX) Understanding of RDBMS; knowledge of MSSQL, DB2 or Oracle RDMS.Exposure to mainframes. Understands industry concepts such as:
• Concepts for Integration (i.e. Integration of data or user accounts between multiple systems for a client.)
• Concepts for Internet Security.
• Single Sign On concepts / supported solutions.
• Approach to Process Orchestration.
• Product knowledge: Client portfolio with expert knowledge in one specific product together with a willingness and ability to master other Client products that from our product suite. Strong awareness of Industry and market developments, good overall company knowledge.

VALUES

• Care about being a specialist in your field.
• Commit to being an integral part of a first class architecture function in your region.
• Collaborate with your team and business stakeholders.
• Challenge yourself to constantly improve your field of knowledge.