Senior Solutions Architect

Job Summary: We are seeking an experienced Solution Architect to join our team in Lenexa, Kansas, at our corporate headquarters. The Solution Architect converts architectural strategy into durable, production-ready solutions. Working closely with the Manager of Software Architecture, this role ensures designs adhere to enterprise standards, advance platform modernization (including ERP/D365 integrations), and deliver measurable business outcomes. The Solution Architect also drives option analysis, documentation quality, delivery alignment, and governance readiness, while contributing to innovation pilots (AI, low-code, cloud) that accelerate ROI.

Outcomes: 

• Standards & Governance: Deliver solution designs and decision records that achieve the enterprise standards and pattern compliance targets defined by the architecture function (e.g., 90%+ compliance on new initiatives), with exceptions documented and approved via established review forums.
• Integration Modernization: Progress modernization of critical integrations (prioritizing D365 and adjacent systems) toward API-driven, standardized patterns; demonstrate reduced delivery time and technical debt in target domains.
• Innovation & Pilots: Partner on pilots in AI, low-code/automation, or cloud services; translate pilot learnings into actionable patterns and standards.
• Delivery Alignment: Minimize late-stage rework by aligning implementation to design through reviews, spike guidance, and close collaboration with engineering and QA.
• Knowledge Scaling: Mentor engineers and analysts on architecture practices, elevating solution quality and consistency across teams.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Strategy and Standards Support

• Translate roadmap, principles, and guardrails into concrete solution designs and architectural runway for active initiatives.
• Identify gaps in standards/patterns and propose pragmatic updates for review/approval via architecture governance forums.

• Solution Design and Documentation

• Produce and maintain end-to-end architectural designs (logical, integration, deployment views), non-functional requirements, and clear decision trade-offs.
• Ensure designs are implemented accurately by engineering—through specification clarity, design reviews, and hands-on guidance.

• Integration and Platform Architecture

• Define and evolve integration approaches across ERP (D365), CRM, data platforms, and custom apps; standardize API management and data flows while simplifying legacy interfaces.
• Evaluate and align third-party integrations to the enterprise architecture, resolving compatibility issues and risks.

• Delivery Enablement and Quality

• Lead activities that raise delivery quality and predictability: coding and testing standards, scope/test strategies, DevOps pipeline readiness, and definition of done.
• Proactively address risks and performance/scalability concerns with clear mitigation paths.

• Governance and Review 

• Prepare concise pre-reads and option analyses for architectural review boards/committees; present requests and capture decisions with traceability.
• Contribute to the IT Strategic Architecture Committee (ITSAC) by socializing patterns, reference architectures, and exception handling inputs.

• Innovation and Emerging Tech

• Scan, evaluate, and recommend emerging technologies (AI, low-code/RPA, cloud-native services) with business-value framing; run or support proofs of concept to demonstrate outcomes.
• Apply learnings to evolve standards, templates, and recommended stacks (e.g., Azure DevOps pipelines; Fabric/Power Platform/Synapse where appropriate).

• Coaching and Collaboration 
  • Partner with product owners, BAs, developers, QA, and operations to ensure designs remain feasible, testable, secure, and operable.
  • Mentor engineers and emerging architects to elevate architecture mindset and artifact quality across teams.

Basic Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field; 10+ years in software development/engineering.
• Proven expertise designing and delivering complex enterprise solutions, including integration patterns and non-functional requirements.
• Proficiency with C#/.NET (MVC), RESTful APIs, Angular, SQL, and/or X++; strong version control practices (Git) and Azure DevOps build/release pipelines.
• Experience with modern data and cloud platforms (e.g., Fabric, Power Platform, Synapse); solid grasp of architectural styles/design patterns.
• Strong understanding of enterprise systems, integration, operating systems, and hardware fundamentals; extensive relational data skills.
• Clear, concise written and verbal communication; excellent time-management and organization; effective stakeholder facilitation.
• Deep familiarity with Agile/Scrum and the SDLC; demonstrated leadership of significant, complex implementations.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree (CS or related). Local to KC metro.
• Prior participation in architecture governance bodies (e.g., ARB/ITSAC) and standardization efforts.
• Role not eligible for visa sponsorship.
• Must be local to Kansas City Metro

Measures and Operating Rhythm: 

Key Measures

• EA Maturity & Compliance: Contribution to published standards, reference architectures, and review throughput; adherence/compliance on new projects.
• Innovation Value: Successful pilots (AI/low-code/cloud) and translation of results into actionable guidance/roadmaps.
• Integration Modernization: Movement of targeted integrations to standardized/API-driven patterns; delivery time reduction and technical-debt deltas.
• Team Capability: Mentorship impact (knowledge-sharing sessions; growth of solution-architecture contributors).
• Delivery Alignment: Reduction in late-stage rework due to architecture gaps; on-time delivery of sprint/project commitments.

Operating Rhythm

• Participate in architectural reviews/committees (ITSAC) with prepared pre-reads and decision requests; publish decisions and follow-ups.
• Engage through Agile ceremonies with product/engineering/QA; ensure DevOps artifacts and release pipelines reflect design intent.

Decision Rights and Collaboration Model

• Responsible for end-to-end solution optioning, design artifacts, and implementation alignment.
• Accountable for adherence to enterprise standards; escalates cross-cutting trade-offs to the Manager of Architecture and governance bodies.
• Consulted: Product, Engineering, QA, Security, Data/Platform, Operations.
• Informed: PMO/Portfolio and affected business stakeholders.