Solution Architect

Role Overview We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Solution Architect to join our Technology team, focusing on high-volume customer-facing systems. This role is crucial for designing, enhancing, and maintaining high-volume transaction systems that directly impact our customers and business operations across our entire retail network. The ideal candidate has a strong technical background, excellent communication skills, and a proven track record of working within a full-stack, agile development environment. Key Note & Application Instructions To apply, send your current CV directly to SHERYL.SAN.LORENZO@RANDSTADDIGITAL.COM . Please note: Due to high application volumes, only candidates who meet the outlined requirements will be contacted for further discussion. To be considered, you MUST have the following minimum experience: 8–10 years of overall professional experience, showing career progression (e.g., from Developer/Analyst to Solution Architect). Strong proficiency in Node.js / JavaScript Proven experience with Non-Relational Databases , preferably Cosmos DB Proven, hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure (required) implementing API/Microservices . Key Responsibilities Architecture: Design & Implementation Maintain and evolve solution architecture for loyalty and personalization platforms, ensuring alignment with enterprise and domain standards. Translate business requirements into scalable, secure, and cloud-native technical designs using Azure services, event-driven patterns, and API-first principles. Define and document integration patterns, system interactions, and data flow diagrams for core capabilities. Develop and review architectural deliverables, including solution blueprints and high-level design documents (HLFDs). Ensure code quality through design reviews, reusable patterns, and performance optimization. Assess trade-offs between architecture options considering scalability, performance, cost, and maintainability. Contribute to discovery phases, proposals, and project charters by providing architectural input. Support estimation, dependency mapping, and technical feasibility assessments across related initiatives. Cross-Functional Collaboration Collaborate with product owners, delivery leads, developers, DevOps, data, and security teams to ensure a shared architectural vision. Partner with internal and external architects to align integration and governance strategies. Act as a technical authority in stakeholder discussions, translating business needs into solution architectures. Advise on process improvements and support change management efforts as needed. Innovation & Strategic Influence Evaluate vendor platforms and define transition strategies toward in-house, cloud-native capabilities. Lead or participate in vendor evaluations and proof-of-concepts (POCs) for modernization opportunities. Research and assess emerging technologies (AI, personalization engines, headless loyalty solutions) to support future platform evolution. Governance & Standards Coach and mentor technical leads and developers on architectural principles and best practices. Drive governance around reusability, scalability, observability, and technical debt management. Define and enforce standards for API design, data contracts, security, identity, and deployment. Ensure non-functional requirements (NFRs) such as high availability, performance, and compliance are incorporated into all designs. Must-Have Qualifications 8+ years of experience in backend application development (Node.js, JavaScript), systems integration, and solution architecture in cloud-native environments. 5+ years of hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure services (Cosmos DB, Service Bus, Blob Storage, Event Grid, Application Gateway, App Services, Azure Functions, API Management, ACR, Key Vault). 3+ years of experience designing and optimizing non-relational databases (preferably Cosmos DB). 5+ years of experience with microservices, REST APIs, and event-driven architecture. Strong knowledge of security best practices in cloud and application design. Experience with Docker, containerization, and Kubernetes. 4+ years of experience in frontend development (Next.js, JavaScript). Proven ability to architect for scalability, resilience, and flexibility in ambiguous environments. Good to Have Experience influencing multiple delivery teams without direct authority. Ability to simplify complex technical concepts and balance short-term needs with long-term scalability. Experience working in Agile/Scrum and SAFe environments. Familiarity with loyalty platforms and personalized offer systems is a strong plus. Exposure to CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure as Code (Bicep, ARM, Terraform), and container orchestration (Kubernetes, ARO). Preferred Qualifications Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (strongly preferred). Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. TOGAF or equivalent enterprise architecture certification. Location: This is a Hybrid role requiring employees to be in the office three days a week