Software Architect

Thales • Austin, TX

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Thales is seeking a Windows Software Architect to develop and maintain the CTE product line and solutions for deployment on-premises, across multiple clouds, and within big data and container environments. The role requires deep knowledge of Windows internals, Windows kernel and file system driver development, cybersecurity, and cloud/container technology. The architect assesses customer and business requirements, documents designs, develops architectural approaches, and provides technical advice to software development teams. The role also serves as a technical expert on systems, compatibility, and software integration, collaborating with team members and product managers to strategize, develop, trial, and document features.

The position is hybrid in Austin, Texas, or San Jose, California. The architect will understand current system architecture, standards, and future technology plans; keep pace with security, data protection, and cloud technology; review design weaknesses and risks; and guide teams in the appropriate use of technology. The role supports compliance with codes and standards, infrastructure improvements, technical documentation, product analysis, software diagnosis, quality assurance, and Agile-Scrum practices. It also involves coordinating development teams and communicating with stakeholders, including solution architects, sales engineers, product management, and customers.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at hire without visa sponsorship and must be a U.S. Person as defined by applicable law, or otherwise authorized or eligible for authorization to access technology controlled under ITAR and/or EAR. The position requires successfully completing a post-offer background check.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and at least 8–12+ years of relevant work experience, or a Master’s degree in a relevant field and at least 6+ years of relevant work experience.
• At least 8 years of experience leading software design in medium- to large-complexity projects.
• At least 8 years of software development experience, Agile product development experience, and experience leading offshore development.
• At least 8 years of Windows Kernel Driver experience.
• At least 8 years of developing code with C or C++.
• At least 5 years of experience with the Windows kernel debugger (windbg).
• In-depth knowledge of Windows filesystem architecture.
• Experience using AI large language models, such as Claude or ChatGPT, to assist across the software development lifecycle.
• Working knowledge of data encryption with key management, privileged user access control, and policy management for on-premises, multiple-cloud, big-data, and container environments.
• Experience developing data security products in application encryption and tokenization.
• Ability to keep up to date with evolving technologies and frameworks.
• Effective interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills, including excellent verbal and written communication.
• Experience with DevOps Services REST API in multithreaded, highly distributed client/server development.
• Ability to shape complex problems into simple architectural solutions and influence the broader community.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer at the time of hire; the position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or assumption of employment visa sponsorship.
• Must be a U.S. Person as defined in applicable law, or otherwise authorized or eligible for authorization to access hardware, software, technology, or technical data controlled under ITAR and/or EAR.
• Must successfully complete a post-offer background check.

Nice To Haves

• Strong knowledge of system programming and file system and storage driver development.
• Strong knowledge of data security software development, DevOps tooling, and cloud/container technology, including AWS, Azure, GCP, and Kubernetes.
• Demonstrated deep technical understanding of a system and a track record of architecting innovative technical solutions within that domain.

Responsibilities

• Understand the organization’s current system architecture, standards, and future technology plans, and recommend emerging software infrastructure trends based on research.
• Keep pace with industry trends in security, data protection, and cloud technology.
• Analyze system-design shortcomings, review risks, recommend mitigations, resolve security alerts, and anticipate adverse outcomes from identified weaknesses.
• Guide teams in using technology appropriately and ensure compliance with codes and standards.
• Develop infrastructure improvements and serve as a subject-matter expert.
• Help prepare white papers and technical documentation and provide technology and product analysis.
• Help diagnose new and existing software products and provide quality assurance reviews.
• Work within Agile-Scrum methodology and collaborate with system architects for related products.
• Assess customer and business requirements, document designs, propose architectural approaches, and provide technical advice for software development.
• Collaborate with team members and product managers to strategize, develop, trial, and document features.
• Interact with solution architects, sales engineers, product management, and customers to strategize, develop, and deliver new features.
• Lead and coordinate development teams in producing scalable and robust designs.
• Serve as a technical leader to continuously improve the standards and capabilities of the development team.
• Influence team members to meet commitments, forge consensus, and resolve issues amid conflicting goals or interests.

Benefits

• Elective health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Flexible spending account and health savings account options.
• Voluntary life and AD&D insurance, whole group life with long-term care, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance.
• Legal plan, identity theft protection, and pet insurance.
• Retirement Savings Plan available after 30 days, with company contribution and matching and no vesting period.
• Company-paid holidays and paid time off.
• Company-provided life insurance, AD&D, disability coverage, Employee Assistance Plan, and Well-being Program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior