Chief Software Architect
Direct Hire - Perm
Atlanta, GA (Hybrid)
No sponsorship; no third parties
Our client is seeking a Chief Architect to join their team, hybrid in Atlanta, GA.
Job Summary :
The Chief Architect will lead the strategic technology vision and architectural direction for a Transportation Management Systems (TMS) platform. This senior leadership role is responsible for designing and overseeing enterprise-scale, multi-tenant SaaS architectures that serve global transportation and logistics operations.
The Chief Architect will collaborate with executive leadership, product management, and engineering teams to ensure our platform remains scalable, secure, and aligned with business objectives while driving innovation in bulk and break-bulk transportation technologies. This position requires deep technical expertise combined with strategic thinking and exceptional leadership skills to guide our globally adopted platform's continued growth and evolution.
Qualifications :
Essential Duties and Responsibilities :
- Define and communicate the overall technical architecture strategy and roadmap for the TMS platform, ensuring alignment with business goals and market requirements
- Lead the design and implementation of enterprise-scale, distributed, multi-tenant SaaS architectures capable of supporting global transportation operations
- Establish and enforce architectural standards, principles, and best practices across all development teams and technology stacks
- Oversee the evolution of system architecture to support scalability, performance, security, and reliability requirements for business-critical applications
- Collaborate with C-level executives, product management, and stakeholders to translate business requirements into comprehensive technical solutions and platform capabilities
- Guide technology selection decisions and evaluate emerging technologies for potential adoption, including cloud platforms, development frameworks, and architectural patterns
- Lead cross-functional architecture review processes and ensure compliance with established standards and governance policies
- Mentor and develop senior architects and engineering leaders, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning
- Drive the adoption of modern software engineering practices including microservices, API-first design, DevOps, and cloud-native architectures
- Ensure platform security, compliance, and adherence to industry standards including OWASP, CSA, and transportation industry regulations
- Oversee disaster recovery, business continuity, and system reliability strategies for mission-critical transportation operations
- Represent Company in technical forums, industry conferences, and client architectural discussions
- Develop and maintain architectural documentation, technical roadmaps, and platform blueprints
- Lead technical due diligence for potential acquisitions, partnerships, and technology investments
Required Qualifications :
Minimum of 15+ years of progressive experience in software development and architecture, with at least 5 years in senior architectural leadership rolesProven track record of designing and implementing large-scale, distributed, multi-tenant SaaS platforms serving enterprise customersExpert-level proficiency in multiple programming languages and technology stacks, including :Backend Technologies : Java, C#, .NET Core, Spring Framework, ASP.NETFrontend Technologies : JavaScript, TypeScript, Angular, React, HTML5, CSS3API Development : RESTful services, microservices architecture, Web APIDeep expertise with enterprise databases and data management :Relational Databases : Oracle (required), PL / SQL programming, Postgres stored proceduresData Architecture : Data warehousing, ETL processes, database optimizationExtensive experience with cloud platforms and services :AWS : EC2, RDS, Lambda, API Gateway, CloudFormation, ECS / EKSCloud Architecture : Auto-scaling, load balancing, disaster recoveryStrong knowledge of DevOps and CI / CD practices :Tools : Jenkins, Git, Docker, Kubernetes, Ansible, ChefMonitoring : Grafana, application performance monitoringAutomation : Infrastructure as Code, automated testingComprehensive understanding of cybersecurity frameworks and practices :Standards : OWASP, CSA, SSDF complianceSecurity Testing : SAST, DAST, penetration testingSecure Development : Threat modeling, security architectureDemonstrated experience with agile methodologies, software development lifecycle management, and modern development practicesStrong leadership and communication skills with ability to influence technical and business stakeholders at all organizational levelsExperience architecting systems for high availability, scalability, and performance in mission-critical business environmentsAbility to work independently and manage multiple strategic initiatives simultaneouslyWillingness to travel occasionally for client meetings, conferences, and team collaborationPreferred Qualifications :
Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related technical fieldExperience in Transportation, Logistics, or Supply Chain Management systemsKnowledge of transportation industry standards and regulationsExperience with additional technologies :Application Servers : WildFly / JBoss, Apache TomcatMessaging : Apache Kafka, RabbitMQ, AWS SQSNoSQL Databases : MongoDB, DynamoDB, RedisAdditional Frameworks : WCF, Entity Framework, JSP, jQueryFamiliarity with AI / ML technologies and their application in enterprise softwareAI-based accelerated coding and testing is a strong nice-to-have skill and experience.Experience with AI-accelerated development tools (Microsoft Copilot, GitHub Copilot)Previous experience in SaaS companies with $25M+ annual revenueIndustry certifications in cloud platforms (AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect)Experience with enterprise integration patterns and ESB technologiesKnowledge of mobile application architecture and developmentPerformance Skills / Competencies :
Exceptional strategic thinking and technology vision capabilitiesStrong executive presence and ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholdersProven track record of building and leading high-performing technical teamsExperience managing technical budgets and resource allocationStrong problem-solving skills with ability to balance technical excellence with business pragmatismExcellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentation and documentation abilitiesAbility to work effectively across global teams and different time zonesStrong analytical and decision-making capabilities under pressurePolished written and verbal communication skillsStrong teamwork skills, including the ability to work with teams in different geographic regions.Strong planning, scheduling, organization skillsStrong curiosity and drive to uncover root cause of incidents and find solutions.Strong desire to develop deep industry knowledge and increase autonomy as product and industry knowledge increases, ultimately becoming a mentor to other employees.Commitment to continuous learning and staying current with emerging technologiesRequired Education :
Masters or better in Computer Science or related field.Masters or better in Software Engineering or related field.Experience Required :
Minimum of 15+ years of progressive experience in software development and architecture, with at least 5 years in senior architectural leadership roles