Description
The candidate Solution Architect is an architecture professional with strong emphasis on Applications, Data and / or Technology Architectures and understanding of Business and Enterprise Architecture. The Solution Architect outlines solution architecture descriptions across domains, functions, and industries, then monitors and governs their implementation. The Solution Architect works in a close tandem with Enterprise Architecture Capabilities and Project Manager(s).Responsibilities:
Major accountabilities / duties
• Take ownership of non-functional requirements specification.
• Review and approve functional and non-functional requirement specifications.
• Design optimal solution architectures that support the business.
• Responsible to make trade-offs between buy/build for different elements of solutions.
• Organize work internally in accordance with solution architectures, in close collaboration with project managers: manage the tasks, monitor and control project progress. Responsible to design an in depth strategic roadmap for the different phases of the project(s).
• Acting as a coach towards the project team(s).
• Responsible for the overall quality of the solutions (implementation and/or customization).
• Manage the scope and control changes.
• Ensure that applicable principles, policies, standards and guidelines are being applied.
• Working within the development team and reporting to the project manager.
• Pro-actively detect problems that could affect service delivery, infrastructure and architecture.
Crafting the right architecture to solve the problem at hand is only part of architects' responsibilities. The architect must also:
• Define, document, and communicate it.
• Protect (own) the solution architecture and protect its integrity and consistency. Make sure everyone is using it, and using it correctly.
• Make sure that it comes out in stages in a timely way so that the overall organization can make progress before it's complete.
• Make sure the software and system architectures are in synchronization.
• Act as the emissary of solution architectures.
• Make sure stakeholders and management understand it (to the detail necessary).
• Make sure that the right modeling is being done, to know that qualities like performance are going to be met.
• Give input as needed to issues like tool and environment selection.
• Identify and interact with stakeholders to make sure their needs are being met.
• Make sure that the architecture is not only the right one for operations, but also for deployment and sustainment.
• Resolve disputes and make trade-offs.
• Resolve technical problems.
• Maintain morale, both within the team, and externally as well. The latter is done by providing a sound design, when needed, and providing good presentations and materials to let everyone know the organization is on the right track.
• Understand and plan for evolutionary paths.
• Plan for new technology insertion.
• Manage risk identification and risk mitigation strategies associated with the architecture.
Experience
• A proven track record of at least 8 years in IT within a large organization of which at least 5 as a solution architect.
• Very good knowledge of IT market trends and following technology evolutions.
• Familiar with converting and analyzing complex functional and non-functional requirements and able to make other complex technical information understandable.
Skills
General
• Excellent oral and written English skills.
• Understanding Dutch and French, and speaking at least one of these languages fluently.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to resolve conflicting points of view and to align people cross team.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate with business users without any hierarchical link.
• Ability to guide externals resources and evaluate proposed technical solutions.
Technology
• Excellent understanding of architecture/design patterns
• Knowledge of UML 2 and Domain-Driven Design. Knowledge of ArchiMate is an asset.
• Knowledge of object oriented analysis and design, aspect-orientated design and test-driven design.
• Knowledge of web technologies: HTML5, JavaScript, CSS, REST, Ajax, Single Page Applications, etc.
• Knowledge of application security.
• Knowledge of .NET, Java/JEE, OSGi or similar industry standard platforms.
• Knowledge of database solutions
• Knowledge of the full software development lifecycle and associated practices: configuration management, test management, build management; continuous integration, release management, etc. Knowledge of DevOps and continuous delivery is an asset.
• Knowledge of the Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) style and related technologies like web services, XML/SOAP, enterprise service bus, security standards, etc.
Personality
• Customer-focused in every aspect of the job.
• Able to work independently and collaboratively.
• Respectful of deadlines.
• Creative and analytical.
• Willing to continue to learn and pick up new information quickly.
• Proactive management style and leadership potential.
Education
• Master of Science in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electronic Engineering (or similar field).