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The Role
Owns Thunder’s architecture practice, standards, governance, and technical quality across complex Salesforce, cross-cloud, data, and AI solutions. Leads architecture reviews, presales solution oversight, escalations, and technical strategy while mentoring architects and shaping career standards. Provides executive-level client influence, governs integrations and data foundations, evaluates AI applicability, and supports critical engagements through solution design and recovery.
Summary Generated by Built In
Chief Architect
Location: Remote (United States)
The Head of Architecture (Chief Architect) is Thunder's senior technical authority, owning the architecture practice end to end and carrying the architecture leadership seat on the Delivery team. You define and enforce Thunder's architecture standards, govern cross-cloud, data, and AI solution design, provide oversight on technical solutioning through pre-sales, and own the technical bar that defines architectural excellence at Thunder. You set the Thunder's direction on how data and AI show up in client solutions, ensuring they rest on a sound data foundation rather than just sitting on top. You are also the architect Thunder turns to on its most critical engagements, the judgment that protects our delivery reputation when the stakes are highest. This role is equal parts technical authority, executive influence, and stewardship of the Thunder's architectural identity.
Key Accountabilities:
Lead, Manage, & Accountability
- Own the architecture function. Set direction, run the operating cadence, and hold the architect community accountable to standards and outcomes.
- Serve as the single point of accountability for architecture quality across the portfolio.
Architectural Governance & Standards
- Define, publish, and enforce Thunder's architecture standards, including design patterns, documentation templates, integration standards, and DevOps/CI-CD guardrails.
- Run architecture review boards and design gates; own the customization versus configuration line.
- Extend Thunder's standards to cover data architecture and AI/agent design, so emerging solution patterns are held to the same governance bar as established ones.
- Make standards real and operational.
Cross-Cloud Architecture Strategy
- Serve as the connective tissue on multi-cloud and multi-system programs, ensuring workstreams align on a coherent data model and platform strategy.
- Govern how Salesforce integrates into the broader technology ecosystem, including ERP, data platform, middleware, and identity, ensuring seamless, scalable interoperability.
Data & AI Architecture Strategy
- Own the architecture strategy for data and AI across client solutions, including data platforms, Data 360, Agentforce and agentic patterns, ensuring solutions are grounded in a sound data model and governed data foundation.
- Set the design standards and guardrails for AI and agent solutions, covering data readiness, trust and security, human-in-the-loop design, and responsible-use considerations, so that what we deliver is scalable and defensible.
- Serve as the Thunder's senior authority on when AI genuinely fits a client problem and when it does not, protecting clients and Thunder from AI over-reach.
- Provide technical input to Thunder's internal delivery-transformation efforts, partnering with delivery leadership on how AI strengthens how we architect and deliver.
Pre-Sales Solution Oversight
- Set the standards for how Thunder solutions and estimates before it commits, establishing the estimation discipline and design principles that govern technical scoping.
- Vet proposed architectures on strategic and complex pursuits against delivery capacity and skill sets to prevent sales over-reach.
- Provide architectural oversight and review on the highest-stakes pursuits; guide technical discovery and shape the technical narrative that wins executive trust.
Architectural Excellence & Technical Bar
- Own the technical bar for the architect community. Define what "good" looks like, the design and code-quality standards architects are held to, and the certification and capability roadmap as a technical artifact.
- Partner with practice and delivery leadership on the architect career ladder, hiring bar, and career development, ensuring the people model is anchored to the technical standard you set.
- Coach and elevate the architect community through review, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing.
Escalations & Account Recovery
- Step into escalated or at-risk engagements to diagnose technical root cause, reset the design or direction, and stabilize.
- When a critical engagement requires it, go deep. Lead solution design sessions, review complex integration and data-migration strategies, and make the hard architecture calls directly.
Thought Leadership
- Represent Thunder externally through client executive presentations, public speaking, and published thought leadership.
- Stay current on Salesforce product and platform capabilities, emerging patterns, and product updates.
- 12–15+ years within Enterprise and/or Salesforce ecosystem as an architect, solution engineer, or technical consulting leader in customer-facing roles, including complex, multi-cloud programs.
- 4+ years leading architects, whether as a manager, Principal/Enterprise Architect, or architecture practice lead, with a proven track record of setting standards and driving organizational technical strategy, not just delivering projects.
- Executive presence: able to own a room, earn trust with client C-suite and technical teams alike, and turn a technical narrative into a business decision.
- Deep expertise across Salesforce architecture and platform capabilities (Sales, Service, Experience, and custom solutions), plus cross-cloud and cross-system fluency.
- Expert in custom and managed-package API integrations (RESTful + SOAP) and proven implementation using Salesforce Integration Patterns, including MuleSoft and middleware.
- Demonstrated depth in data architecture, including data modeling, data quality, migrations, and integration into governed data platforms (Data 360 and comparable), as the foundation for the platform, analytics and AI.
- Working fluency in AI and agentic solution design on the Salesforce platform (Agentforce and related patterns), with the judgment to separate durable architecture.
- Sound judgment on the profitability line, architecting for scalability and quality.
Certifications:
- Strongly Preferred: Salesforce Certified Technical Architect (CTA). If not held you must demonstrate the ability to operate at a CTA level.
- Required: Salesforce Admin, plus a credible depth of architect-track certifications, ideally 5+ across Sharing & Visibility Architect, Data Architect, Application Architect, System Architect, Platform Developer I/II, Platform App Builder, and Integration Architect.
- Valued: Sales/Service/Experience/Revenue Cloud Consultant, MuleSoft Integration Architect, Identity & Access Management Architect, Data 360, Agentforce, Development Lifecycle & Deployment Architect.
- Active certifications with a willingness to achieve additional certifications on emerging technologies as Thunder's roadmap moves.
Why Thunder? Because You Deserve More Than Just a Job.
- A Culture of Builders – We’re a remote-first, global team of curious, collaborative problem-solvers. You’ll have the opportunity to refine processes, solve challenges, and help shape the future of Salesforce and Amazon consulting. If you’re excited to build, innovate, and grow, you’ll fit right in.
- Forge Your Own Path – At Thunder, you’re not just filling a role—you’re shaping it. Whether it’s jumping into presales, refining our methodology, or building something entirely new, the opportunity to innovate is yours to take.
Perks In Store for You:
- Comprehensive Benefits with Sequoia – Medical, Dental, Vision, and Employer-Paid Life/Disability Insurance to keep you and your loved ones covered.
- Ownership & Impact – Stock options in a fast-moving, high-growth company. Every employee plays a part in what we’re building. Come make your mark!
- Level Up Your Career – Real opportunities to grow your Salesforce and Amazon expertise through mentorship, certifications, and hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology.
- Work from anywhere (well, almost 😉) - Enjoy the freedom of remote work, flexible PTO (with a 2-week minimum!), and generous leave policies - because the best work happens where you’re happiest.
- People-First Flexibility – We’re always listening, evolving, and adapting. Your feedback helps shape our policies, ensuring you can thrive - professionally and personally.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
At Thunder, we are committed to pay equity and transparency. The annual salary range for this position is $210,000 to $250,000 and represents the national base pay targets for this role across all U.S. locations. This disclosed range does not include additional compensation components such as discretionary bonuses, equity, or our standard employee benefits package. Actual individual pay decisions are based on a rigorous assessment of job-related factors, including the candidate’s geographic location, relevant certifications, and specific level of professional experience. Please note that it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range, as compensation is tailored to the unique facts and circumstances of each specific case.
Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If most of this job description describes you, then we encourage you to please apply for this role. Thunder is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer, and is deeply committed to building and supporting our diverse team through inclusive, equitable hiring practices.
Thunder does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. All resumes submitted by recruitment agencies to any employee via email, the Internet (including LinkedIn), or directly without a fully-executed search agreement will be deemed the sole property of Thunder, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired.
Skills Required
- 12–15+ years in enterprise and/or Salesforce architecture, solution engineering, or technical consulting leadership in customer-facing roles
- Experience delivering complex, multi-cloud programs
- 4+ years leading architects as a manager, Principal or Enterprise Architect, or architecture practice lead
- Proven record of setting architecture standards and driving organizational technical strategy
- Executive presence with the ability to influence C-suite stakeholders and technical teams
- Deep expertise in Salesforce architecture and platform capabilities, including Sales, Service, Experience, and custom solutions
- Cross-cloud and cross-system architecture fluency
- Expertise in RESTful and SOAP API integrations, Salesforce integration patterns, MuleSoft, and middleware
- Depth in data architecture, data modeling, data quality, migrations, and governed data platforms
- Working fluency in Salesforce AI and agentic solution design, including Agentforce
- Sound judgment regarding scalability, quality, profitability, and technical scope
- Salesforce Certified Technical Architect certification or demonstrated ability to operate at a CTA level
- Salesforce Administrator certification
- Credible depth of architect-track certifications, ideally five or more
- Active certifications and willingness to earn additional certifications in emerging technologies
- Additional certifications such as Sharing and Visibility Architect, Data Architect, Application Architect, System Architect, Platform Developer, Platform App Builder, or Integration Architect
- Sales, Service, Experience, Revenue Cloud, MuleSoft Integration Architect, Identity and Access Management Architect, Data 360, Agentforce, or Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect certifications
- Current authorization to work full-time in the United States
Thunder (thundersf.com) Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Thunder (thundersf.com) and has not been reviewed or approved by Thunder (thundersf.com).
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is positioned as comprehensive for employees and families, with administration via a recognized benefits platform and employer‑paid life and disability protection noted in postings. Materials emphasize ongoing evaluation to keep offerings best‑in‑class.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off is described as unlimited with a mandated minimum to ensure people actually take rest. Role listings highlight required floors on PTO usage, creating a safeguard against underutilization.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Stock options are offered to full‑time teammates across roles, extending total compensation beyond base pay. This broad access to ownership is framed as a core component of the package.
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The Company
What We Do
Get Salesforce and Amazon Connect right. Now, and forever. Thunder is a trusted Salesforce and Amazon Connect partner. Get GSI-level talent at a boutique consulting partner. We are an all-remote team of seasoned Salesforce and Amazon Connect consultants, based from Hawaii to Brooklyn, NY - and everywhere in-between.
