Digital Systems Architect
6-12 month contract
San Francisco
Client is looking for a talented systems architect to provide technical leadership for in-store digital systems. The store digital team develops apps for iOS and Windows touch-screen devices that are used by client’s staff and customers. We also develop back-end systems to process data feeds, integrate to other systems, and provide services for the in-store devices. Current apps include online reservations, digital signage, online tutorials, and product finders for skincare, fragrance, and color.
Team includes dedicated development staff – both on-site and remote – as well as 3rd party SaaS vendors. The Architect will collaborate with business and IT staff, partners and vendors, to review business and technical requirements, drive architecture and design, and ensure that proposed solutions will solve business needs as well as being scalable and extensible for future growth. The emphasis for this role is to drive quality of the solution through good architecture and design practices, reviewing proposals and deliverables, and establishing best practices for software engineering.
8+ years’ experience in software engineering, including at least 4 years with responsibility for architecture and systems design. Must have broad technical understanding of all components that make up a typical enterprise system, from front end to back end and database.
Ability to describe technical and business benefits of a particular architecture, and engage in constructive dialog with team members from across the enterprise to arrive at optimal solutions. Must be able to interact confidently with all levels of technical, business, and leadership teams.
Demonstrated competence in UML, and detailed knowledge of design patterns, algorithms, and data structures. Excellent object-oriented design skills.
Strong coding background; prefer candidate who is keeping current on coding skills. Must have the ability to conduct code reviews and instill best practices in developers by demonstrating the benefits thereof.
Ability to debug complex systems, with challenges such as integration to legacy systems and 3rd parties, reliance on 3rd party libraries, complex network environments, and more.
Prefer candidate with experience evaluating 3rd party vendor technologies, and successfully implementing those technologies. Experience managing enterprise software vendors, architecting and integrating enterprise solutions is desirable. Prefer experience integrating mobile devices in an enterprise environment.
Experience designing and developing Rest services / service oriented architecture.
In-depth knowledge of databases, db tuning and optimization. Strong hands-on skills with schema design. Solid understanding of XML.
Excellent written and spoken communications.
Excellent documentation skills.
Ability to work in a dynamic team environment, with a mix of local and remote resources.
Bias for getting things done, overcoming obstacles, taking ownership of difficult problems, critical but constructive discussion, keeping a positive attitude.