The Solution Architect is integral to the delivery of an innovative, modern and integrated technology landscape within International SOS. The purpose of this role is to develop an infrastructure roadmap that enables International SOS to keep pace with the rapid technology developments in products and services and has the right balance with cyber security and compliance.
This role is part of the PMO delivery team and is also strongly aligned with the Infrastructure teams as he/she will be leading the technical solution discussions across technology teams to determine the requirements, deliver the solution design or review the design provided by vendors/partners with respective service and application owners, recommend the implementation approach and validate the plan against the design to ensure that the project and business objectives are achieved through the solution.
As a key member in our transformational projects, this role will be responsible for delivering a comprehensive IT infrastructure roadmap that ensures seamless, secure IT services and a frictionless user experience. This role focuses on optimizing both operating costs and capital investments by reducing tech debt and eliminating point-solutions within our technology stack. The incumbent will lead and guide the IT organization in the development of a vision for IT that is fit-for-purpose, robust and cost effective.
This role is also responsible in driving the modernization and efficiency of our day-to-day delivery. International SOS is looking to build our capabilities in zero-touch automation across infrastructure management, service management and application management. This role will provide the key architectural inputs and will review the architecture and solution designs of our automation tools and deliver initiatives to maximize the efficiencies and drive continuous improvement in our operations.
This role will participate in the assessment of technology and provide guidance on IT supplier selection to ensure that there is minimal technology lock-in and that the technology solution is in line with our roadmap.
As this role will work across different levels and teams, strong and open communication with senior stakeholders is essential to ensure that the technology solutions support and help accelerate business growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain the integrated infrastructure roadmap, ensure alignment with business and technology strategy and objectives and also best practices on architectural principles.
- Design and implement strategy, solutions and architecture for overall infrastructure environment, covering key solutions around Modern Workplace, Server, Network, Storage, Cloud, Cybersecurity, among others.
- Collaborate with all stakeholders to provide technical guidance on best practices and standards for infrastructure design during the solution design stages.
- Evaluate and recommend new innovative technologies and solutions to improve IT services performance, reliability, security and scalability.
- Drive automation and optimization of technology management and workflow processes in the evaluation of solutions and implementation.
- Accountable for the detailed component specifications and translating these into detailed designs for implementation.
- Create or review design documents such as High-Level Designs (HLD) and Low-Level Designs (LLD) to ensure that these deliver the business outcomes and adhere to technology standards.
- Articulate and communicate the design rationale and business value to stakeholders and capture feedback to continually improve on the solution efficiencies.
- Conduct feasibility studies and risk assessments to identify potential technical challenges and propose mitigation strategies.
- Define and direct the implementation approaches to ensure the solutions are maximized to deliver against the business outcomes, integrates with existing technology landscape, minimizes operational disruption and meets security and compliance requirements during the transformation.
- Manage technical debt across the infrastructure and application landscape and ensure solutions are adaptable to minimize lock-in and solution lifecycles are proactively managed.
- Create and maintain all solution architecture and delivery artifacts, including infrastructure diagrams, technical specifications, and configurations.
- Update and maintain architecture guiding principles and reference architecture based on technology direction and changes and business strategy.
- Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to team members working on IT Infrastructure projects.
- Cultivate a culture centered around innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the teams.
- Stay up to date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in IT Infrastructure, solution architecture, and project management.
- Define and drive quality standards across solution design and delivery.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field.
- Relevant certifications, such as Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365 for Modern Desktop, Microsoft Windows Servers and Microsoft Security, AWS Certified Solution Architect, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, TOGAF, Compliance and Identity certifications, CISA, CISSP, CCNA, CompTIA Network+, or ITIL, are a plus.
- Minimum of 8 years of experience in technical engineering management, infrastructure architecture or solution architect roles, preferably in a cloud-first environment.
- Proven experience in technology architecture, preferably in an architecture leadership capacity, in designing and implementing solutions and technology vision across domains such as infrastructure, application and security.
- Proven working experience with concepts including DevSecOps and Infrastructure as Code, as well as various technology and project management lifecycles.
- Experienced with running IT operations with cross-domain expertise is an advantage.
- Knowledge and experience in dealing with Compliance and Audit certifications such as PCIDSS, Cyber Essential and ISO27001 and security standards such as NIST.
- Strategic mindset and ability to generate infrastructure and application architecture designs that adhere to business objectives and are fit-for-purpose.
- Proficient in IT Infrastructure principles, network architecture, cloud computing, end-user computing technologies including authentication/authorization technologies, server and storage systems, and cyber security tools and infrastructure.
- Proficient knowledge of Microsoft product portfolio, such as Azure, Office 365, Dynamics 365, Power Platform, etc.
- Proficient knowledge on AWS services and components such as VPC, EC2, S3, RDS, Lambda, CloudFormation, etc.
- Strong knowledge on network security such as firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS and network protocols; Cloud Security for Azure, AWS clouds; Encryption and cryptography techniques and protocols and cybersecurity solutions such as SIEM, PAM, DLP, endpoint protection technologies, etc.
- Proficient in IT Service Management processes such as incident, change, problem management.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to understand complex business requirements and translating them into technical solutions.
- Strong leadership in driving changes, influencing senior stakeholders and provide technical guidance and mentorship to team members.
- Excellent communication skills and can articulate design decisions to senior business stakeholders and also communicate business requirements to technical teams.
- Strong ability to manage complex matrixed reporting structures and manage priorities.
