POSITION SUMMARY
The Solutions Architectserves as a strategic technical leader responsible for designing, governing, and advancing technology solutions that support business objectives across Sunrise Banks. This role combines hands-on solution architecture with enterprise AI innovation responsibilities, ensuring that modern technologies, including Microsoft Copilot and other AI capabilities, are implemented securely, responsibly, and effectively.
The position partners closely with business leaders, technology teams, information security, compliance, risk management, and vendors to deliver scalable solutions while establishing governance frameworks that maximize business value and minimize operational, security, and regulatory risks.
The successful candidate will possess deep expertise in cloud architecture, application integration, enterprise platforms, and AI governance, with the ability to translate emerging technology opportunities into practical business outcomes.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Demonstrates and models Sunrise Banks' Core Values by serving as a Force for Good, bringing positivity and humility to interactions, embracing continuous learning and curiosity, taking ownership of outcomes beyond formal responsibilities, and fostering an inclusive environment built on respect, collaboration, and constructive feedback.
- Develop deep knowledge of banking business capabilities, processes, and regulatory requirements, using that understanding to align technology architecture and investment decisions with business strategy, operational efficiency, risk management, and customer outcomes.
Solution Architecture
- Partner closely with Data, Security, Cloud, Infrastructure, and Application Architects in the architecture and design for enterprise applications, cloud services, infrastructure solutions, integrations, and automation initiatives.
- Translate business requirements into scalable technical architectures and implementation roadmaps.
- Develop architecture diagrams, solution blueprints, integration patterns, and technical standards.
- Lead technical design reviews and architecture workshops.
- Evaluate software vendors, cloud services, and technology platforms.
- Partner with engineering, infrastructure, security, and business teams throughout project lifecycles.
- Establish and maintain solution architecture documentation and standards.
- Ensure solutions align with security, compliance, resiliency, and operational requirements.
- Participate in architecture review boards and governance activities.
- Create and maintain enterprise architecture standards and reference architectures.
- Assist with the development of technology roadmaps and future-state architecture planning.
- Review architectural exceptions and provide recommendations.
- Lead proofs of concept and technology evaluations.
- Recommend technology investments aligned to business strategy.
AI Innovation
- Lead adoption efforts for Microsoft Copilot and future AI-enabled technologies.
- Evaluate AI use cases and provide architectural guidance to business and technology teams.
- Partner with Information Security, Compliance, Legal, Risk, and Data Governance teams to assess AI-related risks.
- Monitor Microsoft AI roadmap developments and assess impacts on Sunrise's technology strategy.
- Participate in employee education initiatives regarding AI best practices, acceptable use, and responsible AI principles.
- Support AI vendor assessments and third-party AI risk reviews.
- Research emerging technologies, industry trends, and banking technology modernization opportunities.
- Experience implementing or governing Microsoft Copilot, Copilot Studio, Azure OpenAI, Microsoft Purview, or related Microsoft AI technologies.
- Knowledge of responsible AI principles, AI risk management, and governance frameworks.
- Experience establishing AI policies, standards, and control frameworks.
- Understanding of data governance, information protection, and regulatory considerations associated with AI technologies.
- Experience evaluating AI vendors and third-party AI solutions.
- Ability to communicate AI opportunities and risks to both business and technical audiences.
- Experience measuring AI adoption, business value, and operational effectiveness
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
None
KEY COLLABORATORS
All Business and IT departments including Operations, Infrastructure, Security, Governance, and Engineering
COMPETENCIES
- Sunrise Core Values
- Adaptability
- Communication
- Compliance
- Dependability & Flexibility
- Initiative
- Integrity
- Judgement
- Organizational Skills
- Productivity
- Professionalism
- Quality Service
- Teamwork
- Technical /PC Skills
- Work Quality
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- Proven experience and success in systems engineering and software architecture design.
- Financial Services core technologies (Fiserv) preferred
- Experience with PCI requirements preferred
- Experience with public-facing architecture or development required
- Expert level knowledge in Microsoft Technology Stack, including the Microsoft Azure Cloud and Copilot ecosystem
- 7+ years experience in IT architecture, enterprise infrastructure with specific experience in cloud-based systems development, deployment and cloud security
- Ability to solve complex problems applying creativity, innovation, and technical concepts.
- Ability to work in a cooperative team environment. Ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities effectively.
- Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
- Demonstrates the ability to work effectively with AI tools and maintains an open, curious approach to emerging technologies.
Annual salary range DOQ: $123,192 $175,989 $228,785
Eligible benefits: Medical, dental, vision, FSA, Life, AD&D, STD/LTD, 401k, PPL, PTO, PVTO and more. Visit www.sunrisebanks.com for more detail.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with DisabilitiesThis employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Skills Required
- Proven experience and success in systems engineering and software architecture design
- Experience with public-facing architecture or development
- Expert-level knowledge of the Microsoft technology stack, including Microsoft Azure Cloud and the Copilot ecosystem
- At least 7 years of experience in IT architecture and enterprise infrastructure, including cloud-based systems development, deployment, and cloud security
- Ability to solve complex problems using creativity, innovation, and technical concepts
- Ability to work cooperatively and manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work effectively with AI tools and maintain curiosity toward emerging technologies
- Experience with Financial Services core technologies, including Fiserv
- Experience with PCI requirements
- Experience implementing or governing Microsoft Copilot, Copilot Studio, Azure OpenAI, Microsoft Purview, or related Microsoft AI technologies
- Knowledge of responsible AI principles, AI risk management, and governance frameworks
- Experience establishing AI policies, standards, and control frameworks
- Understanding of data governance, information protection, and regulatory considerations associated with AI technologies
- Experience evaluating AI vendors and third-party AI solutions
- Ability to communicate AI opportunities and risks to business and technical audiences
- Experience measuring AI adoption, business value, and operational effectiveness
What We Do
At Sunrise Banks, our success relies on the success of the communities we serve. We believe that where you bank matters. That’s why it’s our mission to be the most innovative bank empowering financial wellness. As a socially responsible bank, we offer financial products that aim to better the lives of our clients in Minnesota, South Dakota, and beyond. Since 1986, we have been committed to working with the communities we serve using innovative tools and resources that provide opportunities to gain stability, build generational wealth or start a business. Sunrise Banks was founded by David Reiling, a social entrepreneur and innovator on the cutting edge of fintech and financial wellness. He strives to forge meaningful partnerships that drive sustainable economic growth. The bank, driven by David’s vision, focuses on positive community engagement and partners with like-minded companies to extend its mission nationally and around the world. Our membership and certifications are one way we demonstrate our ethical banking standards. Our mission is embedded in the products we offer and the services our customers receive. We provide innovative services throughout our core banking and fintech offerings. These certifications and memberships show our commitment to values-based banking: • Certified B Corporation • Certified Community Development Financial Institution • Member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender | Equal Opportunity Provider | NMLS # 640909 | AA/EOE









