Architect (Java, Kubernetes, AWS, Gen AI, Agentic AI)

Our vision for the future is based on the idea that transforming financial lives starts by giving our people the freedom to transform their own. We have a flexible work environment, and fluid career paths. We not only encourage but celebrate internal mobility. We also recognize the importance of purpose, well-being, and work-life balance. Within Empower and our communities, we work hard to create a welcoming and inclusive environment, and our associates dedicate thousands of hours to volunteering for causes that matter most to them.

Chart your own path and grow your career while helping more customers achieve financial freedom. Empower Yourself.

An Architect within the technology organization will provide thought leadership and direction in aligning projects and solutions to a technology vision they will help evolve. This role works closely with business partners and technology leadership in the assessment of business initiatives and their impact on current technology, modernization efforts and change management. The role will entail developing technology strategies, reference architectures, solutions, best practices and guidance across the entire IT development organization; with particular focus on total cost of ownership, stability, scale and performance.

In this rapid paced environment, the person must possess a "can-do" attitude while demonstrating a strong work ethic. This person should have a strong aptitude to help drive decisions. He or she will be actively involved in influencing the strategic direction of technology at Empower and Great West Financial. There will be collaboration across teams including IT Infrastructure, PMO office, Business, and third-party integrators in reviewing, evaluating, designing and implementing solutions.

The Architect must understand the available technology options and educate and influence technology teams to leverage them where appropriate. The Architect will recognize and propose alternatives, make recommendations, and describe any necessary trade-offs. In most cases, the Architect will lead the design and implementation of end-to-end solutions directly with the development teams.

The ideal candidate will leverage their technical aptitude and direction-setting skills with the development organization to prove out technical concepts quickly using a variety of tools, methods, & frameworks.

DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Help define and execute on the business aligned data strategy and vision.
• Develop, document, and provide input into the technology roadmap for Empower and Great West Financial.
• Create Reference Architectures that demonstrate an understanding of significant components and the relationships between them.
• Maintain a high level of skill in various application deployment and workload architectures, such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS).
• Connect data strategy to integration protocols and technologies, such as REST & resource-oriented design, OData and API Gateways.
• Design and modernize complex data architectures into cloud compatible or cloud native data solutions where applicable. Create strategies and designs for migrating data to cloud systems.
• Participate in the evaluation of new technologies, integration options, challenge the status quo, create solid business cases, and influence direction while establishing partnerships with key constituencies.
• Implement best practices, standards & guidance, then subsequently provide coaching of technology team members.
• Make leadership recommendations regarding strategic architectural considerations related to data design and process.
• Provide strong leadership and direction in development/engineering practices.
• Collaborate with other business and technology teams on architecture and design issues.
• Respond to evolving and changing security conditions. Implement and recommend security guidelines.
• Provide thought-leadership, advocacy, articulation, assurance and maintenance of the Enterprise Architecture discipline.

EDUCATION: 

Technical bachelor s degree (e.g. computer science, IS, engineering, math, etc.) or a non-technical bachelor s degree (e.g. Business)

OTHER PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5+ years of experience in the development and delivery of database systems.
• 3+ years of experience creating solution architectures and strategies across multiple architecture domains (business, application, data, integration, infrastructure and security).
• Solid experience with three or more of the following technology disciplines: SOA & Microservices design, Cloud Architectures, Big Data/Advanced Analytics, Data Warehouse systems, Advanced Programming, Modern Integration Methods (API Gateway/Web Services, Messaging & RESTful architectures), NoSQL, Client-side Development (e.g. Web and/or Mobile).
• Expertise in addressing architectural cross cutting concerns and their tradeoffs, including topics such as caching, monitoring, operational surround, high availability, security, etc.
• Demonstrates competency applying architecture frameworks and development methods.
• Strong knowledge of data modeling, security patterns and integration methods.
• Experience with DevOps processes and tools.
• Understanding of business process analysis and business process management (BPM).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrates continuous learning of new technologies.
• Self-motivated individual that thrives in a team environment.
• Financial industry expertise preferred (Investments, Asset Management, etc.).

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications of the job.  The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time.   You will be evaluated in part based on your performance of the responsibilities and/or tasks listed in this job description.   You may be required perform other duties that are not included on this job description. The job description is not a contract for employment, and either you or the employer may terminate employment at any time, for any reason, as per terms and conditions of your employment contract.

We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity.  All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, religion, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law.