Cloud Architect AKA solution architect

Own the end-to-end architecture for UNFCU's Azure-based digital banking platform — spanning solution, cloud platform, integration, and security architecture. Translate business outcomes into a secure, scalable, integration-ready, production-grade platform, and act as the single technical authority (architecture gate owner) from design through production readiness and operational transition.

Boundary: partners with the Front End Architect, who owns the client tier (React Native/web app architecture, component library, design system). The Solution Architect holds final authority on platform, backend/microservices, integration, cloud, and security decisions, and owns the BFF contract.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. End-to-end architecture ownership

• Own conceptual, logical, and physical architecture across application, platform, integration, and infrastructure layers.

• Author architecture decisions, reference architectures, and guardrails (ADRs); chair architecture/design reviews and the architecture sign-off gate.

• Ensure alignment with UNFCU enterprise architecture and the Azure Well-Architected Framework.

2. Solution & integration architecture

• Define cloud-native, API-first, event-driven, microservices, and domain-driven patterns; own the Backend-for-Frontend (BFF) contract for mobile and web channels.

• Lead integration architecture across Fiserv DNA core banking, MuleSoft APIs, and near-real-time core data sync (CDC) via Oracle GoldenGate over ExpressRoute

• Define resiliency, observability, and scalability patterns across the application landscape.

3. Cloud platform architecture (Azure)

• Design and govern AKS, API Management, Azure Functions/Durable Functions, Service Bus, Event Grid, Azure SQL/Storage, Azure Monitor & Application Insights.

• Define hub-and-spoke networking, ExpressRoute, private endpoints, DNS, and secure connectivity.

• Establish environment strategy (Dev/QA/UAT/Prod) and deployment topologies.

4. Security, compliance & resiliency

• Define security architecture with identity/security teams: Microsoft Entra External ID (CIAM), OAuth 2.0, OIDC, JWT; Zero Trust, encryption, secrets management, and Key Vault integration.

• Own PCI-DSS scope definition, cardholder-data trust boundaries (CDE), tokenization strategy, and QSA coordination.

• Design HA/DR, failover, and operational-readiness (monitoring, logging, alerting).

5. DevSecOps & delivery enablement

• Define CI/CD and infrastructure-as-code (ARM/Bicep, Azure DevOps) direction; guide deployment/release strategy and production readiness.

6. Technical leadership & stakeholder collaboration

• Provide direction to engineering, QA, DevSecOps, and integration teams; resolve cross-team dependencies.

• Present architecture, trade-offs, and recommendations to leadership; collaborate with UNFCU and vendors (Fiserv, MuleSoft) through delivery and hypercare/handover.

7. AI-enabled engineering

• Direct enterprise-approved AI tools across the SDLC with human review, secure prompt/data handling, traceability, and governance; define AI guardrails and adoption practices and own architecture-level review of AI-generated design/code.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 15+ years in software engineering, incl. 5+ years in solution and/or cloud architecture.

• Bachelor's in Computer Science / Engineering / Information Systems, or equivalent experience.

• Proven end-to-end delivery (architecture → production) in Agile, cross-functional, distributed teams.

REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Azure: AKS, API Management, Functions/Durable Functions, Service Bus, Event Grid, Azure SQL, Storage, Monitor, Application Insights.

• Architecture: cloud-native, microservices, API-first, event-driven, domain-driven design, BFF, enterprise integration patterns.

• Security & identity: Microsoft Entra External ID, OAuth 2.0/OIDC/JWT, Zero Trust, secrets management, encryption.

• Platform engineering: ARM/Bicep, Azure DevOps/CI-CD, architecture governance (ADRs, reviews).

• Networking: VNets, ExpressRoute, private endpoints, DNS, secure connectivity.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Digital banking / credit union / regulated financial-services domain.

• Fiserv DNA, MuleSoft, Oracle GoldenGate; Thales CipherTrust (CTVL) and/or Akeyless (secrets).

• PCI-DSS-compliant Azure platforms; Azure AI Foundry / Azure OpenAI / AI Search.

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert.

SUCCESS PROFILE

• Takes full ownership from concept to production; balances speed with security, quality, and compliance.

• Strong communicator across technical and executive audiences; drives clarity across complex multi-system landscapes; enables teams with reusable patterns and guardrails.

Compensation, Benefits and Duration

Minimum Compensation: USD 64,000

Maximum Compensation: USD 224,000

Compensation is based on actual experience and qualifications of the candidate. The above is a reasonable and a good faith estimate for the role.

Medical, vision, and dental benefits, 401k retirement plan, variable pay/incentives, paid time off, and paid holidays are available for full-time employees.

This position is available for independent contractors

No applications will be considered if received more than 120 days after the date of this post.