Solutions Architecture Manager

Arizona Department of Administration • Phoenix, AZ

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Economic Security (DES) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated professional to join their Division of Technology Services (DTS) as a Solutions Architecture Manager. This is a hands-on leadership role focused on designing and delivering modern, scalable technology solutions, with a particular emphasis on Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Architecture, and emerging technologies. The position requires a blend of deep technical expertise and strong project management skills to oversee solution design, architecture governance, and the successful delivery of complex projects. The role may offer the possibility of remote work within Arizona, contingent on departmental needs and performance. The State of Arizona promotes a work culture of flexibility, autonomy, and trust, with many employees participating in the Remote Work Program.

Requirements

• Broad and deep understanding of all facets of management and leadership, as well as a vision for DES technical environment as it relates to application development
• Thorough working knowledge of the infrastructure technologies, in-house developed applications and vendor applications utilized in the enterprise
• Methodologies and tools including waterfall, Agile, and Scrum
• Agency policies and procedures
• The interrelationships among various internal and external organizational functions
• Advanced software/testing methodologies
• Designing systems to intrinsically support Quality and Performance Testing
• Application architecture, design, coding, automated testing practices and implementation
• Strong understanding of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Generative AI, and Large Language Models (LLMs)
• Designing and implementing AI-powered solutions and cloud-based systems
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communications
• Modern technologies such as Python, RESTful APIs, Kubernetes, Docker, serverless computing, and AI frameworks
• Strong technical leadership and solution design skills with the ability to create architectural blueprints and diagrams
• Advocating for technology changes that provide value and support agency goals
• Championing a cohesive and consistent approach to improvement in the organization
• Customer service and conflict resolution
• Maintaining confidentiality
• Listening skills which include the ability to listen to others without interrupting
• Remaining open to other’s ideas and trying new things
• Creating and fostering lines of communication that help multiple teams to identify solutions
• Defining immediate and long-term goals, priorities, and operational plans to ensure team goals are aligned with the goals and priorities of the organization
• Balance, prioritize and organize multiple tasks
• Manage/lead medium to large size complex technical teams
• Develop/grow teams and resources to meet the needs of DES and its clients
• Leverage networks of people to better define and solve problems
• Provide clear and concise direction
• Work collaboratively in teams and across organizations
• Synthesize feedback and adjust plans accordingly
• Build strong relationships both inside and outside of the organization
• Evaluate and test emerging technologies
• Apply creative solutions to business problems to ensure business needs are most effectively met
• Understand and anticipate needs and priorities of both internal and external customers
• Evaluate new technologies and recommend innovative solutions that deliver business value
• Bachelor's degree plus 5 or more years of related experience in related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Employee shall obtain and maintain a valid Level One fingerprint clearance card that meets DES requirements for a Level One card pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 41-1969.
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
• Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree is preferred.
• Salesforce.com Certified Advanced Developer and/or AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional are preferred.
• Hands-on experience designing and implementing cloud-based AI/ML solutions.
• Demonstrated Project Management experience leading technical projects from inception to delivery.

Responsibilities

• Managing professional employees and supervising medium-to-large, complex technical or business support or production operations teams consisting of application developers, solutions architects, database, and quality assurance analysts.
• Providing leadership to supervisors and professional staff.
• Leading the architecture and designing of AI-powered solutions and modern technology platforms.
• Working closely with Technical Product Managers, Project Managers and with business teams to architect technology solutions to meet client needs.
• Providing hands-on technical leadership in areas such as Generative AI, Machine Learning, Cloud-native architecture, APIs, and Data platforms.
• Managing the technical delivery of integrations, security, single-sign-on, and application-customizations.
• Publishing and presenting architecture and innovative solutions to technology leaders and business executives.
• Tracking and identifying technologies to solve business problems and present findings to technology leaders.
• Defining and implementing development best practices including secure coding, adequate unit testing, code quality checks, automated build processes, and continuous integration.
• Ensuring compliance of new and existing applications with technology standards and policies.
• Preparing reports for the Applications Development Senior Manager to identify the health of software applications, performance metrics and the status of development projects.
• Providing technical information required to develop the annual budget, including cost to upgrade or renew software and hiring additional resources.

Benefits

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child.
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Stipend Opportunities
• Infant at Work Program
• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
• Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities
• State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

What This Job Offers

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