Application Architect

Application Architect Contract to Hire Hybrid (Onsite 1–3 days/week) – Atlanta, GA 30309 (East Coast candidates considered; remote candidates travel to Atlanta once every 6 weeks) We are seeking a highly motivated Application Architect to lead the design and delivery of secure, scalable, cloud-native applications supporting global enterprise platforms. This role blends architecture, security leadership, and team management, with a focus on identity, access control, and system resilience. The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking engineer with deep experience in medium- to large-scale distributed architectures, microservices, event-driven systems, and modern security patterns, who is also enthusiastic about leveraging AI to improve architectural processes over time. Key Responsibilities Technical Leadership & Architecture Architect and guide medium- to large-scale distributed applications with a focus on security, scalability, and resilience. Lead the design of microservices-based systems with advanced patterns such as CQRS, event sourcing, and event-driven architectures. Implement and maintain platform authentication and authorization frameworks using OpenID, OAuth 2, ENTRA, Identity Server, and ForgeRock. Own identity management, role-based access control (RBAC), and forward-looking security models (ABAC, PBAC). Provide guidance on database strategies using Cosmos DB, MongoDB, and other persistence layers. Apply Domain Driven Design (DDD) principles to ensure maintainable, robust architectures. Partner with offshore and onshore development teams to ensure consistent technical execution and adherence to architectural standards. Explore AI-assisted architectural tools and workflows to enhance design, code review, and operational efficiency. Delivery & Execution Translate business and platform requirements into scalable, secure technical solutions. Drive adoption of CI/CD, automated testing, and DevOps practices. Collaborate across global teams to maintain consistent delivery velocity and quality. Champion secure coding practices, performance optimization, and resilient system design. Team Leadership & Mentorship Manage and mentor a team of ~15 engineers including architects, dev leads, developers, QA, and scrum masters. Foster a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning. Provide guidance on applying AI thoughtfully within software delivery workflows. Act as a bridge between US leadership and offshore teams, ensuring architectural alignment and execution. Required Qualifications 8–12 years of experience in software development and architecture. Strong expertise in distributed systems, microservices, event-driven architectures, CQRS, and event sourcing in production environments. Deep knowledge of security frameworks, authentication/authorization protocols (OpenID, OAuth 2), and identity management. Hands-on experience with .NET Core/C#, React, TypeScript, Azure. Experience with databases: Cosmos DB, MongoDB, SQL Server. Strong understanding of CI/CD pipelines, DevOps tooling, and Agile delivery. Proven ability to manage teams, mentor engineers, and provide technical leadership in global, matrixed environments. Enthusiastic about AI adoption—comfortable exploring tools for code review and architectural efficiency (not required to be an AI developer). Preferred Qualifications Familiarity with ABAC/PBAC and advanced security models. Experience with hybrid or cloud-native deployment strategies. Exposure to enterprise-scale identity management and API gateway design. Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills. Passion for mentoring engineers and promoting innovation in architecture. What Success Looks Like Security and access control frameworks are robust, scalable, and well-documented. Teams deliver high-quality, secure software consistently. Offshore and onshore teams align on architecture and delivery practices. Architects and engineers leverage AI tools thoughtfully to enhance processes. Platform architecture is resilient, modern, and forward-looking. Pay: $85.00 - $95.00 per hour Benefits: Dental insurance Health insurance Vision insurance Application Question(s): Will you now, or in the future, require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status)? Do you have hands-on experience with .NET Core/C#, React, TypeScript, and Azure? Do you have experience with the following databases: Cosmos DB, MongoDB, and SQL Server? Are you either currently located in Atlanta and able to work onsite 1–3 days per week, or located elsewhere on the East Coast and comfortable traveling to Atlanta approximately once every 6 weeks? Experience: Software development: 8 years (Preferred) Work Location: Hybrid remote in Atlanta, GA 30358