Principal AI-Native Software Development Lifecycle Architect

Principal, AI-Native SDLC Architecture - Financial FirmSALARY: $200k -235k flex plus 30% bonusLOCATION: Chicago, ILHybrid 3 days onsiteThis role is focused on redesigning software development lifecycle to be AI native from ground up. SDLC frameworks Claude.md agents. 10 years software engineering architecture or development. claude code GitHub cursor or equivalent real code bases brownfield legacy codebases AI assisted developmentYou will design a graduated SDLC framework with prescriptive practice standards at each tier of criticality, pilot with real development teams, and drive adoption across the enterprise. The deliverable is a working development lifecycle not a document.This is a rare opportunity to define how a critical financial market utility builds software in the AI era. You will have executive sponsorship, organizational mandate, and the backing to make standards enforceable rather than advisory.Primary Duties and Responsibilities:Design Graduated SDLC Standards and PracticesDefine prescriptive practice standards across multiple tiers of development criticality from personal experimentation through operationally critical, SCI-adjacent systemsEstablish standards across key dimensions: structure, testing, documentation, error handling, dependencies, storage, review, and operabilityElevate existing documentation, architecture decisions, integration patterns, and deployment procedures to the level of detail that drives consistent results from both human and AI developersDesign documentation and testing standards that serve double duty: readable by human developers joining a project and consumable by AI agents starting a coding sessionEncode tier-appropriate standards into persistent context files (CLAUDE.md, AGENTS.md, planning templates) as a natural output of well-documented practices not as a separate AI-specific exerciseDesign graduation triggers and assessment mechanisms for artifacts moving between tiersEnable Citizen Development at ScaleCreate low-friction pathways for lower-tier development that enable experimentation without bureaucratic overheadDesign intake, classification, and registry processes for citizen-developed tools visibility without paralysisSolve the path from working prototype to supported environment at every tierDrive Organizational AdoptionPilot the graduated SDLC with 2+ development teams, iterating based on real-world feedbackBuild alignment across Engineering, Architecture, Security, QA, and Governance/Risk functionsEstablish a quarterly organizational learning system where operational data, code review patterns, graduation assessments, and incident post-mortems feed back into living standardsDevelop training and coaching programs that help developers at every level internalize the standards not just comply with themQualifications:10+ years in software engineering, architecture, or development methodology rolesDemonstrated experience designing and implementing SDLC standards or development practice frameworks at organizational scale not single-teamHands-on experience with AI coding agents (Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, or equivalent) in real codebases not just demosWorking knowledge of context engineering: persistent context files, research-plan-implement workflows, progressive disclosure, context window managementExperience with brownfield/legacy codebases understanding why AI-assisted development in complex existing systems is fundamentally different from greenfieldStrong facilitation and coalition-building skills ability to drive alignment across engineering, security, architecture, and governance functionsExcellent written and verbal communication ability to translate technical concepts for executives and organizational standards for AI agents