Lead Software Architect

Role description

The Lead Software Architect defines the design and evolution of enterprise-wide systems to ensure scalability, maintainability, and alignment with business goals. This role is responsible for modernizing legacy applications into modular, future-ready platforms using contextually appropriate architectural patterns such as microservices, CQRS, or others as justified. The architect applies domain modeling techniques, for example Domain-Driven Design (DDD) or alternatives, based on the complexity of the business domain and facilitates collaborative modeling practices. 

They are expected to evaluate and apply architectural frameworks (e.g., C4 model, Hexagonal Architecture, Clean Architecture, Zero Trust Architecture) based on business and technical needs, articulating trade-offs and rationale. The architect collaborates cross-functionally to align architecture with product strategy, guides technology selection, and supports DevOps and CI/CD practices. They promote secure design through Zero Trust principles, ensure code quality using tools like SonarQube, and support compliance and transparency in development. Additionally, they design systems for high availability and performance, including data solutions capable of handling terabyte-scale processing.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the design and evolution of enterprise-wide software architecture to ensure scalability, maintainability, and alignment with strategic business objectives

• Translate business goals into actionable architectural direction, balancing innovation with practical delivery constraints

• Drive the modernization of legacy systems into modular, future-ready platforms using appropriate architectural patterns such as microservices, CQRS, or others as justified

• Apply domain modeling techniques such as Domain-Driven Design (DDD) or other suitable approaches, and facilitate collaborative modeling practices like event storming

• Evaluate and apply architectural frameworks (e.g., C4 model, Hexagonal Architecture, Clean Architecture, Zero Trust Architecture), clearly articulating trade-offs and rationale

• Guide technology selection and integration decisions to support long-term scalability, maintainability, and business agility

• Stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends, and assess their relevance to the organization’s goals

• Mentor and support engineering teams, fostering a culture of architectural thinking, continuous learning, and technical excellence

• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, product, and business teams to ensure architecture supports product strategy and delivery outcomes

• Promote secure design principles, including Zero Trust, and ensure adherence to modern security and compliance practices

• Support DevOps and CI/CD practices to enable efficient, reliable, and automated software delivery • Design systems for high availability, fault tolerance, and performance across cloud and on-premises environments

• Architect data solutions capable of handling large-scale processing and analytics workloads

Skills & Competencies

Technical

• Proven expertise in modern architectural paradigms such as microservices, CQRS, and event-driven systems

• Strong command of domain modeling techniques, such as Domain-Driven Design (DDD) and collaborative modeling practices like event storming

• Proficiency in applying architectural frameworks such as the C4 model, Hexagonal Architecture, Clean Architecture, and Zero Trust Architecture

• Solid understanding of secure design principles, compliance standards, and governance practices

• Experience designing and scaling high-performance, fault-tolerant systems across cloud and on-premises environments

• Familiarity with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and tools that support automated, reliable delivery

• Competence in architecting large-scale data solutions, including terabyte-scale processing and analytics

• Knowledge of software quality assurance practices and tools (e.g., SonarQube, automated testing frameworks)

Soft

• Strategic and tactical thinker, able to align architectural decisions with long-term business goals while operating effectively at the tactical and operational level

• High-energy leader and team builder who brings contagious enthusiasm and fosters a collaborative, supportive engineering culture

• Mentor and technical communicator who excels at guiding engineers and sharing knowledge through clear, hands-on communication

• Evidence-driven innovator who challenges existing approaches when supported by insight, and proposes well-reasoned alternatives that improve outcomes

• Adaptable and grounded, balancing innovation with pragmatism and maintaining focus on business priorities in dynamic environments

Qualifications & Requirements

Required

• MSc in Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related field

• Strong object-oriented programming (OOP) knowledge

• Proficiency in modern C++ (mandatory)

• 8+ years in software development, including 3+ years in architecture roles

Travel

Relocation to Calgary is required for this role and relocation support will be provided. Occasional travel may be needed for conferences, client visits, or project kickoffs.