Software Architect - IT (Considering Out of State Candidates)

Deadline to apply is 11:59 PM on

(Support staff salary will be based on internal equity and experience)

Position General Summary:

The Software Architect defines business system architectures and the subsequent designing, building, modifying, upgrading, extending, and supporting of custom applications and third-party product integrations. The Software Architect has a deep understanding of business goals, objective and business outcomes, business capabilities, value-streams, and business processes.

Essential Position Functions:

• Provide technical direction and leadership for internal software development efforts
• Identify and implement technology solutions to support Research & Development initiatives including data interchange systems, security frameworks, and business intelligence systems
• Plan and architect integration layers between internal applications that manage school and student information and external partner systems, including Learning Management Systems (LMS), Curriculum Services/Courses, and Physical School based systems
• Design and develop new software products or major enhancements to existing software
• Act as highest-level technical expert, addressing problems of systems integration, compatibility, and multiple platforms
• Perform feasibility analysis on potential future projects for management
• Work across internal development teams to deliver system performance and architecture improvements
• Work with leadership to identify and evaluate new technologies
• Exhibit excellent communication skills to earn trust, persuade, motivate, and mentor
• Assist in the establishment and maintenance of vendor relationships
• Work with leadership to document and present technology roadmaps and strategies
• Work together with peers and functional groups to ensure consistent approach and maximum value for development initiatives and business platforms
• Produce architectural documentation as required by the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) using industry standards; maintain and evolve software architecture documents based on evolving system requirements and industry trends and technologies
• Meet professional obligations through efficient work habits such as, meeting deadlines, honoring schedules, coordinating resources and meetings in an effective and timely manner, and demonstrating respect for others
• All work responsibilities are subject to having performance goals and/or targets established

(These essential functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job related duties as required.)

Minimum Requirements:

Education/Licensure/Certification:

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or Information Systems; or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
• Industry certifications in software, systems, network, or project management disciplines, preferred

Experience:

• Eight (8) years of software and systems architecture/development experience
• Ability to design large scale, enterprise-wide systems, optimized for performance utilizing appropriate industry technologies and best practices
• Open-source Development
  • Node.js (TypeScript & Express), required
  • Jest, required
  • Experience in Perl, preferred
  • Experience with Apache, preferred
• Microsoft Visual Studio.NET Development
  • C#, .NET, Microsoft MVC, Single-page Web Applications, RESTful Web APIs, preferred
  • Experience with PowerShell, preferred
  • ASP.NET, ASP.NET Web API, preferred
• Development Patterns, Methodologies and Tools
  • Design Patterns (E.g., Singleton, Factory, Observer, Strategy, Decorator, Adapter, Facade, etc), required
  • Code Repositories like Git/GitHub/TFS, required
  • Story Management Applications (E.g., Azure DevOps, Trello, Jira, etc), required
  • Development Frameworks, required
    • DevSecOps / DevOps
    • Agile Development
• Front-End Development
  • JavaScript, HTML 5.x, CSS required
  • Experience with Angular, Vue.js, or React, preferred
• Service Oriented Architectures
  • High -traffic and -volume Distributed System Design required
  • Experience with Microservices or Service Bus Technologies preferred
• Message Brokers like RabbitMQ, Kafka, Azure Service Bus, required
• Data Storage and Persistence
  • SQL server/MySQL required
  • No-SQL like MongoDB or Redis, required
  • Experience with Azure SQL, Azure Cosmos DB, or Azure Key Vault, preferred
• Experience with Cloud Storage like Azure Storage or Amazon S3, preferred
• Container-based Architectures like Docker or Kubernetes, preferred
• AI and Machine Learning with tools like Azure Cognitive Search, Azure Machine Learning, Azure Cognize Services or Azure Bot Services, preferred
• Experience with analytics like Azure Data Lake Storage and Analytics, Azure Databricks or Azure Open Datasets, preferred
• Experience in Business Intelligence, Big Data, or analytics, preferred
• Experience in Education industry or with education data, preferred
• Ability to design large scale, enterprise-wide systems, optimized for performance utilizing appropriate industry technologies and best practices

Knowledge, abilities, and skills:

• Ability to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the requirements to solve problems and actively participate in software development
• Advanced knowledge of computer hardware and software
• Advanced knowledge of technology solutions for the Internet, handheld devices, and personal computers
• Advanced knowledge of computer networks
• Hands-on experience in developing technology solutions
• Honed skills for taking business requirements and designing powerful, yet succinct solutions for the business
• Critically evaluate information from multiple sources, reconcile conflicts, decompose high-level information into details and abstract low-level information to a more general understanding
• Strong professional writing skills for effective communication
• Demonstrable skills in the effective use of Microsoft Visio and Microsoft Word
• Solution modeling to represent design information in graphical forms that augment textual representations in natural language
• An in-depth understanding of contemporary design, management practices and the ability to apply them in a fast-paced business environment
• Knowledge of how enterprise software products are positioned and developed
• Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers, peers, and management through written and verbal communication
• Ability to deal with varied and difficult personalities while maintaining an even temperament
• Ability to train users
• Ability to handle recurring problems in a tactful manner

Core Competencies for Success:

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Clearly and effectively conveys and/or presents information verbally; summarizes what was heard to mitigate miscommunication; Shares ideas and perspectives and encourages others to do the same; Informs others involved in a project of new developments; Disseminates information to other employees, as appropriate; Effectively uses multiple channels to communicate important messages; Keeps supervisor well informed about progress and/or problems in a timely manner; Writes in a clear, concise, organized and convincing way for a variety of target audiences; The written message is consistently error-free; The written message has the desired effect on the target audience

CUSTOMER FOCUS

Prioritizes customers (internal and external) and their needs as primary and is dedicated to meeting their expectations; Develops and maintains customer relationships; builds credibility and trust; Quickly and effectively solves customer problems; Provides prompt, attentive service in a cheerful manner; adapts to changing information, conditions or challenges with a positive attitude; Incorporates customer feedback into delivery of service to provide the best experience possible for the customer; Actively promotes our organization in the community by serving as an ambassador or volunteer

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

Relates well with others; Treats others with respect; Shares views in a tactful way; Demonstrates diplomacy by approaching others about sensitive issues in non-threatening ways; Considers and responds appropriately to the needs, feelings and capabilities of others; Fosters an environment conducive to open, transparent communication among all levels and positions; Takes the initiative to get to know internal and external customers

FUNCTIONAL /TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

Has the skills, abilities, knowledge and experience to be successful in functional area of expertise; Dedicates time and energy to keeping abreast of the latest information related to area of expertise and technology; Picks up on technology quickly; Does well in technical courses and seminars; Produces high quality work in organized and timely fashion

INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTOR COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS:

PEER RELATIONSHIPS

Finds common ground and solves problems for the good of all; Can represent his/her own interests and yet be fair to other groups; Solves problems with peers with minimal "noise"; Is seen as a team player and is cooperative; Easily gains trust and support peers; Encourages collaboration; Is candid with peers

CREATIVITY

Comes up with a lot of new and unique ideas; Easily makes connections among previously unrelated notions; Tends to be seen as original and value-added in brainstorming sessions; Takes calculated risks; Is not afraid to try new things and potentially "fail fast"

SELF KNOWLEDGE

Seeks feedback; Gains insight from mistakes; Is open to constructive criticism; isn't defensive; Proactively seeks to understand his/her strengths and areas for growth; applies information to best serve organization; Recognizes how his/her behavior impacts others and incorporates insight into future interactions

PLANNING

Accurately scopes out length and difficulty of tasks and projects; Sets objectives and goals; Breaks down work into the process steps; Develops schedules and task/people assignments; Anticipates and adjusts for problems and roadblocks; Measures performance against goals; Evaluates results

ORGANIZING

Uses his/her time effectively and efficiently; Concentrates his/her efforts on the more important priorities; Can attend to a broader range of activities as a result of organizing time efficiently; Can marshal resources (people, funding, material, support) to get things done; Can orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal; Arranges information and files in a useful manner

PROBLEM SOLVING

Uses rigorous logic and methods to solve difficult problems with effective solutions; Probes all fruitful sources for answers; Can see hidden problems; Is excellent at honest analysis; Looks beyond the obvious and doesn't stop at the first answers

DRIVE FOR RESULTS

Can be counted on to exceed goals successfully; Very bottom-line oriented; Steadfastly pushes self and others for results; Is full of energy for the things he/she sees as challenging; Not fearful of acting with a minimum of planning; Consistently seizes opportunities; Consistently exceeds goals

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions:

• Frequency of travel: Occasional travel is required for meetings, trainings, and conferences; location may vary and may require overnight stays
• Light physical activities and efforts required working in an office environment

(Reasonable accommodations will be made in accordance with existing ADA requirements for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.)