Salesforce Technical Architect (Hybrid Chicago Office) - No H1 Visa transfers will be considered at this time

Covestro•Chicago, IL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Salesforce Technical Architect to provide strategic technical leadership across our Salesforce platform and its connections to the broader enterprise systems ecosystem. This role is based in Chicago, IL and operates on a hybrid work model with an expectation of regular in-office presence. The role is responsible for the design, development, and modernization of Salesforce solutions that support key business initiatives across multiple technology platforms. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, constantly evolving environment and has the leadership presence to transform ambiguity and change into clear direction for both the business and project teams. They bring deep hands-on Salesforce expertise — including Agentforce, Data Cloud, and security — and excel at cross-functional partnership, team development, and continuous improvement of both technology and delivery practices. Our Chicago office address is: 401 N. Manhattan Ave., Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60611

Requirements

Deep expertise in core Salesforce platform capabilities, configuration, and customization
Proven experience designing and implementing cross-cloud Salesforce integrations with other cloud platforms and on-premise systems, using modern integration patterns and API-based connectivity
Demonstrated ability to assess legacy implementations (Apex, Process Builder, Workflow Rules) and develop modernization strategies
Solid understanding of cloud-based architectural principles, including SaaS, PaaS, multitenancy, multi-tiered infrastructure, and application servers
Strong awareness of platform-specific considerations such as large data volumes, governor limits, and data migration strategies
Direct experience architecting and implementing agentic solutions in Salesforce, including Data Cloud and Agentforce
Experience with release management and deployment technologies, including CI/CD pipelines, Metadata API, and source control systems
Sound knowledge of software design principles, security best practices, and data protection
Proven ability to lead, influence, and build trusted partnerships across technical and non-technical stakeholders, including executive audiences
Strong executive presence with the ability to represent technology strategy at a senior level
Excellent business acumen with the ability to connect technical decisions to business outcomes
Comfortable and effective operating in fast-paced, ambiguous environments — able to quickly synthesize incomplete information and provide clear, confident direction to project teams and business stakeholders
Demonstrated ability to manage many competing priorities simultaneously, with sound judgment on sequencing and escalation
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences
Collaborative mindset with a track record of cross-functional partnership on large, complex enterprise initiatives
Strong Agile/Scrum fluency with the ability to champion iterative delivery practices, continuously evaluate team processes, and drive improvement in how the team works internally and with vendor and partner teams
8+ years of direct, hands-on Salesforce platform experience especially with integrations
4–6 years of experience in a Salesforce architect role, with a track record of leading enterprise-scale implementations

Nice To Haves

Salesforce Architect certifications (e.g., Application Architect, System Architect, or Certified Technical Architect)
Experience in a large, complex enterprise environment with multiple Salesforce clouds (Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, Experience Cloud, etc.)
Background working in and championing an Agile/Scrum delivery environment
Experience partnering with enterprise security teams on platform security design and remediation

Responsibilities

Integration Leadership & Enterprise Partnership Serve as the primary integration architect for Salesforce, leading solution design in close partnership with architects and technical leads across other departments and IT domains
Oversee and guide integration design between Salesforce and other cloud and on-premise systems, ensuring reliable, scalable, and maintainable connectivity
Lead and actively participate in enterprise-scale projects that span Salesforce, Data Cloud, Agentforce, Slack, and other systems within the CRM ecosystem
Platform Assessment, Modernization & Architecture Assess the current Salesforce platform infrastructure, codebase, and automation layer to identify technical debt, risk, and modernization opportunities
Develop and execute a structured roadmap to migrate legacy Apex code, Process Builders, and outdated configurations toward modern, scalable solutions (Flows, LWC, etc.)
Define and enforce infrastructure architecture standards to maximize efficiency, scalability, security, and platform compatibility
Provide technical leadership and architectural direction for all Salesforce platform initiatives, ensuring alignment with enterprise standards and business objectives
Agentforce, AI & Data Architecture Lead architectural strategy and hands-on guidance for agentic AI solutions within Salesforce, including Agentforce and Data Cloud implementations
Establish the right data model and structure to support agentic solutions serving both external customers and internal personas
Stay current on Salesforce AI capabilities and evaluate emerging features to drive innovation and competitive advantage for the organization
Team Development & Technical Coaching Guide, mentor, and coach technical team members to build versatility, modernize their skill sets, and increase productivity and independence
Champion adherence to architectural standards, coding best practices, and delivery consistency across the team
Lead, develop, and evaluate development team personnel to ensure high performance and continuous growth
Security Architecture & Governance Evaluate the current Salesforce security posture and develop a prioritized improvement plan aligned with enterprise security standards
Partner with the enterprise security team to implement and validate security enhancements across the platform
Develop and implement governance strategies to manage technical risk and ensure ongoing platform stability and compliance
Release Management & Delivery Excellence Partner with the release engineer to evaluate, improve and drive release management practices including source control, CI/CD pipelines, and deployment processes using Metadata API and related tooling
Foster a culture of continuous improvement, transparency, and delivery accountability