Architect and Lead Software Engineer

Job description

As an Architect and Lead Software Engineer on a large-scale platform of modernization engagement, you will drive the end-to-end architecture from the data layer through the API and services tier to the front-end presentation layer. The client environment spans both Microsoft Azure cloud services and on-premises infrastructure, so you must be equally comfortable designing cloud-native workloads and hybrid integration patterns. You will lead architectural decision-making across multiple workstreams, produce reference architectures and migration roadmaps, and work hands-on with engineering teams to validate designs through prototypes and proofs of concept. This is a high-visibility role that requires you to present architectural options, trade-offs, and recommendations directly to senior technical and business leaders. What qualifications make you an Aubrant Architect and Lead? You are a full-stack thinker. You see the system, from the user interface to the database, and you design architectures that optimize across all layers rather than shifting complexity from one tier to another. You lead through technical authority. Engineering teams trust your judgment because you combine deep hands-on experience with the ability to articulate clear, defensible rationale for every architectural decision. You are comfortable navigating hybrid environments. You understand that modernization is rarely a clean lift-and-shift; you know how to design transitional architectures that bridge on-premise systems and cloud services without disrupting business operations. You communicate architecture in business terms. When you present to senior leaders, you translate technical trade-offs into cost, risk, timeline, and capability impact. You have a builder's instinct. You validate your designs with working prototypes and proofs of concept, not just diagrams. You believe architecture should be proven, not assumed. You thrive in ambiguity. Legacy modernization is messy; you bring structure, prioritization, and clarity to environments where documentation is sparse and tribal knowledge is the norm. Responsibilities: Architecture & Design: Define the target-state architecture for the modernized platform, spanning front-end frameworks, API/services layer, data persistence, integration middleware, and infrastructure (Azure and on-premise). Produce reference architectures, architectural decision records (ADRs), and migration roadmaps that guide engineering teams through phased modernization milestones. Design hybrid integration patterns that allow cloud-native and on-premise components to coexist during transitional phases, including networking, identity, and data synchronization strategies. Technical Leadership: Lead architectural reviews and design sessions across front-end, back-end, data, and infrastructure workstreams, ensuring consistency, quality, and alignment with the target architecture. Mentor and guide senior engineers and tech leads on architectural patterns, modernization strategies, and Azure best practices. Evaluate and recommend technologies, frameworks, and platforms; produce decision memos with clear trade-off analysis for leadership review. Modernization Execution: Conduct legacy system assessments, including codebase analysis, dependency mapping, performance profiling, and data architecture review, to inform modernization sequencing and risk mitigation. Design and validate migration strategies (re-platform, re-architect, re-factor) for individual system components, balancing speed, risk, and long-term maintainability. Build and oversee proofs of concept and reference implementations that de-risk critical architectural decisions before full-scale engineering begins. Stakeholder Engagement: Present architectural strategies, options, and progress to senior technical and business leadership, translating complex technical concepts into clear business impact. Collaborate with the client's existing architecture, engineering, and infrastructure teams to align standards, governance, and shared technical direction. Partner with program management to ensure architectural decisions are reflected in delivery plans, resource needs, and risk assessments. Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in computer science, Software Engineering, or related discipline, or equivalent experience. MUST be proficient in written and spoken English (85%). 10+ years of professional software engineering experience, with at least 5 years in a solutions architect or enterprise architect capacity. Demonstrated mastery of architectural design across the full application stack: front-end (React, Angular, or equivalent modern frameworks), API/services tier (RESTful APIs, microservices, event-driven architectures), and data layer (relational databases, NoSQL, data pipelines). Deep expertise in Microsoft Azure cloud services, including App Services, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure SQL, Cosmos DB, Azure Functions, Azure API Management, Azure DevOps, and Azure Networking (VNets, Private Link, ExpressRoute). Proven experience designing and implementing hybrid architectures that span Azure cloud and on-premise infrastructure, including identity federation (Entra ID/Active Directory), data synchronization, and network connectivity. Expert-level proficiency in API design and integration architecture, including API gateway patterns, service mesh, and enterprise integration patterns for bridging legacy and modern systems. Strong experience with application modernization strategies: monolith decomposition, strangler fig pattern, database migration, and phased re-platforming. Expert-level knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code (Terraform, Bicep, or ARM templates), and DevOps practices for hybrid environments. Experience with performance and scalability engineering, including load testing, capacity planning, caching strategies, and observability (Application Insights, Grafana, or equivalent). Security architecture expertise, including zero-trust principles, identity and access management, encryption at rest and in transit, and compliance considerations. Azure certifications (e.g., Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Azure DevOps Engineer Expert) are a plus. Experience in life sciences, diagnostics, healthcare, or regulated industries is a plus. Familiarity with data engineering concepts (ETL/ELT, data lakes, data warehousing) is a plus. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to operate effectively when requirements are ambiguous or the path forward is unclear. Strong communication skills and ability to work in cross-functional teams. Aubrant is a client-facing consultancy; every team member must be able to interact confidently with stakeholders at all levels. Ability to build strong customer relationships and deliver customer-centered solutions. Willingness to anticipate and adopt innovations in digital and technology practices. About Aubrant Aubrant Digital is a leader in multi-shore custom application development. We are passionate about solving our clients’ business problems through consultative teamwork, innovative software, and proven processes. We’ve served more than 50 clients and delivered hundreds of high quality, custom enterprise applications. Our clients value us as integral team members who get the job done on time and on spec, and we are proud of our high client retention rate and under 2% staff turnover. With offices in New Jersey, Boston, Costa Rica, and Eastern Europe, we execute the full software lifecycle, from architecture and design through development, QA and application maintenance & support. Our company culture emphasizes client service, trust-based relationships, and innovation.