Solution Architect

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago • Chicago, IL

167d

About The Position

The Solution Architect defines technology solutions that satisfy the needs of a particular business unit, function or process by analyzing business requirements, evaluating existing systems, and proposing optimal architectures to solve business challenges, acting as a bridge between business needs and technical capabilities. The Solution Architect partners with key business stakeholders, delivery teams, other Solution Architects and Enterprise Architecture to ensure that defined solutions meet the needs of the business while also aligning with enterprise technology strategy (the technology 'North Star'), enterprise architectures, and documented patterns and standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or equivalent education or work experience
• 7+ years of experience in information technology roles, with 1-3 years experience in architecture roles (enterprise or solution architecture)
• Demonstrated ability to communicate the complexities of technical programs
• Experience modeling system diagrams, functional processes and interfaces between systems
• Experience working in a financial institution is desirable
• Experience working in a regulated industry is desirable
• Experience with cloud computing services, particularly Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• AWS certifications are a plus
• TOGAF certification is desirable
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to guide technical teams and facilitate decision-making
• Ability to effectively build consensus and motivate others
• Deep understanding of relevant technologies (cloud computing, databases, networking, software development methodologies, domain driven design, event driven architecture)
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Thorough knowledge of supported business domains and processes
• Ability to generate creative solutions that incorporate emerging technologies and business trends
• Ability to work well with teammates across the organization and manage conflict
• Highly self-motivated and adept at managing own time and workloads

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a financial institution
• Experience working in a regulated industry
• AWS certifications
• TOGAF certification

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the success of business initiatives and significantly influence the strategic direction of technology projects
• Enhance overall business efficiency and effectiveness
• Ensure consistency and coherence across the Bank's technology landscape
• Develop an understanding of relevant business functions and associated challenges, translate complex business requirements into technical solutions
• Propose architecture solutions to solve business needs, considering factors like cost, performance, scalability and reuse, operational efficiency and security
• Build prototypes and proof-of-concepts to validate solution feasibility
• Work with business and technology stakeholders, technology vendors and implementation partners to ensure that technologies are selected, designed and implemented in alignment with Bank policies, standards, and enterprise architectures
• Create architecture documentation that successfully describes a proposed solution, effectively communicate the solution to all stakeholders
• Participate in technology governance processes, present proposed solutions to and gain approval by the Architecture Review Board (ARB)
• Guide delivery teams during implementation, ensuring alignment with the approved architecture
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to communicate technical concepts and address concerns
• Provide mentoring and guidance to delivery team members and Architecture teammates on business domain knowledge as well as technical topics

Benefits

• Collaborative, in-office operating model
• Retirement program (401k and Pension)
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Lifestyle Spending Account
• Competitive PTO plan
• 11 paid holidays per year

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Credit Intermediation and Related Activities
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees