Application/Systems Architect

The Application/Systems Architect is a subject matter expert on how each system meets the business functionality requirements and how the applications share data and integrate with each other. They have a deep knowledge of the data the application/system creates, uses, and shares and understands the vendor relationship in the case of Software as a Service applications as well as the data sharing agreements between the company and the vendor. The Application/Systems Architect can perform the impact analysis when applications/systems are updated or replaced and assists the Business Process Architect in developing to-be operational readiness plans (e.g., business process reengineering, workflows, reference manuals, etc.) supporting all business aspects of systems implementation.

Responsibilities

• Provides day-to-day system/application cooperation work in support of the technical integration program. Contributes to overall program and project plans, contributes to developing tests and implementing requirements, including system acquisition needs, related policies, procedures, workflows, and performance measurements.
• Facilitates and/or participates in meetings with vendors, implementation consultants, program/project manager, business and technology teams to support deliverables and project specifics.
• Identifies Features/Functions (from an application/system perspective).
• Reviews and approves development/modification/configuration of application functionality to ensure interoperability with other applications/systems, workflows, testing, and other application/system related functions.
• Identifies incomplete application/system and integration requirements, as well as identifies/escalates risks and issues.
• Develops technical specifications for applications/systems according to best practices and standards and adopted system architecture patterns. Translates complex business requirements into technical specifications for a highly scalable, large volume enterprise product or solution.
• Drives high-level architectural planning and strategic proof-of-concepts to support important enterprise initiatives.
• Performs Capacity Planning and provides inputs to Enterprise Architecture regarding the data volumes, sizing metrics, and concurrent end-user activity estimates to compute a capacity plan.
• Establishes standards and best practices for application implementation tools and technologies.
• Assists development teams. Reviews resource estimates for development projects, performs design reviews, and assesses contingency/disaster recovery plans.
• Enforces project/solution architectural integrity with appropriate change control, design reviews, development standards and code reviews.
• Maintains a repository of common or frequently used templates and promotes the usage of these where applicable.
• Collaborates with Enterprise Architects, Solution Architects, Data Architects, and business counterparts to design and implement solutions. Assists Architecture, Development, and Test Teams with business related questions.

Qualifications/Certifications

• Possesses excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Is able to work effectively with both business and technical stakeholders.
• Has a good understanding of the application/system functionality/features and how the application/system meets the business requirements.
• Has a good knowledge of SOA and Enterprise Architecture.
• Has a good understanding and ability to apply various system and integration design patterns.
• Has a knowledge of the tools and technologies used in the overall solution.