Lead Solution Architect

Summary

The Lead Solution Architect provides enterprise-level solution architecture leadership, supporting the design, alignment, and evolution of technology solutions across platforms and domains. This role collaborates with domain architects, delivery teams, and business stakeholders to ensure solutions are scalable, maintainable, and aligned with enterprise standards and strategic direction. The role operates within a federated architecture model, contributing to governance, modernization initiatives, and technology strategy while balancing technical rigor with pragmatic delivery. Success requires strong technical expertise, strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to influence without direct authority in a matrixed environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide solution architecture guidance to ensure alignment with enterprise architecture standards, governance processes, and long-term sustainability.
• Collaborate with domain architects, engineering, infrastructure, security, and business teams to deliver cohesive and scalable solutions.
• Participate in architecture governance forums and review boards to ensure design completeness, compliance, and readiness for approval.
• Contribute to enterprise architecture initiatives including portfolio management, capability planning, and technology modernization.
• Support the development and adoption of standards, reference architectures, and architectural patterns.
• Identify and resolve architectural misalignment across platforms and initiatives.
• Maintain architecture documentation, artifacts, and communication materials.
• Build relationships across stakeholders to drive alignment and shared outcomes.
• Support DevOps, cloud, and automation practices as part of modern solution delivery approaches
• Lead and influence solution design decisions across multiple platforms and domains.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to delivery teams and stakeholders throughout the solution lifecycle.
• Evaluate and design scalable, secure, and resilient architectures, including cloud and hybrid environments.
• Ensure solutions meet governance, compliance, and enterprise standards.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration and resolve architectural challenges in a matrixed environment.
• Translate business and technical requirements into practical architectural solutions and ensure ongoing alignment between implemented solutions and target architecture.
• Support continuous improvement of architecture practices, frameworks, and governance models.

Essential Functions of the Role

Education & Work Requirements

Education & Work Preferences

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant IT experience with a focus on solution architecture, platform design, or related disciplines.
• Experience designing and implementing cloud or hybrid architectures within complex enterprise environments.
• Experience working across multiple architecture domains such as application, integration, infrastructure, or cloud.
• Knowledge of DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure automation concepts.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and drive alignment without direct authority.
• Experience working within federated or matrixed organizational structures.
• Master’s degree in a related field preferred.
• Experience in regulated industries such as manufacturing, pharmaceutical, or medical devices preferred.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Azure or similar cloud platforms preferred.
• Experience with infrastructure as code, automation, and advanced DevOps practices preferred.
• Relevant certifications in cloud, architecture, or DevOps disciplines are preferred.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement skills to balance strategic thinking with practical execution and delivery.

Competencies