AEM Solution Architect

Remote is possibleLocal candidates preferredMust reside in EST zoneDescription:Diversified Systems is searching for an experienced AEM Solution Architect toassess the Commonwealth's majority vendor-built Adobe Experience Manager as aCloud Service implementation and define a sustainable long-term support modelfor the implementation of pa.gov.The current AEM environment is highly customized and largely opaque to internal teams. This role exists to change that — to bring clarity to the architecture, identify what is sound versus what introduces risk, and recommend the staffing, governance, and support approach needed for the platform's next phases.The selected candidate will lead an upfront assessment in the first several months, then continue as a strategic technical advisor through the remainder of the engagement, supporting transition execution, governance, and platform decisions as they arise.The AEM Solution Architect partners with leadership, engineering, operations, procurement, and the current technical vendor to evaluate the platform's current state and shape its future. The work begins as a diagnostic engagement and evolves into ongoing architectural advisory as transition activities get underway. Lead architecture and solution design for relevant AEM tools, including: AEM Sites, Assets, Forms, and others.This role requires deep AEM expertise, the judgment to distinguish standard practice from over-customization, and the communication skills to make complex technical realities legible to executive and non-technical audiences. The candidate will be responsible for guiding internal and external development teams on security and performance best practices as well as code review, enforcement and creation of standards, and support deployment/governance strategies.Over the course of the engagement, the architect will produce written assessments, recommendations, and supporting documentation that give a clear understanding of the department's AEM platform and a credible path forward for its support. Specific artifacts will be defined collaboratively based on assessment findings and organizational needs.Responsibilities:Platform assessment and architecture review: Evaluate the current AEM as a Cloud Service implementation, distinguish standard platform practice from over-customization or unnecessary complexity, assess long-term maintainability, and recommend simplification, stabilization, or remediation where warranted. Support model and transition planning: Define what support work can reasonably be performed internally, by contractors, or by a vendor; develop a credible transition approach; and identify the skills and roles required for the future-state team. Documentation and knowledge transfer: Identify gaps in existing platform documentation, establish documentation standards, and guide knowledge transfer between the current vendor and future support resources so that critical knowledge lives in the organization rather than in individuals. Cross-functional collaboration: Work with stakeholders across product, UX, and engineering teams. Architecture support: Evaluate and define component, template, and experience architecture, and translate business requirements into technical architecture, workflows, and content models. Governance and supportability: Recommend guardrails to ensure future enhancements align with sound AEM practice, and advise leadership on architectural tradeoffs, technical debt, and the long-term implications of platform decisions. Stakeholder communication: Serve as a trusted technical advisor to leadership, and translate architectural complexity into clear, actionable guidance for executive, procurement, and operational audiences. Risk and decision support: Surface platform risks and operational dependencies with clear analysis and decision points and help leadership weigh the cost of maintaining the current model against alternatives. Vendor and contractor oversight: Evaluate current vendor responsibilities and provide technical input into future contractor or vendor scopes, labor categories, and accountability expectations. Requirements:8-10 years of experience in enterprise content management, digital platform architecture, or closely related roles required. Deep, hands-on Adobe Experience Manager expertise across architecture, implementation, and support required. Deep knowledge of Java, Sling, Dispatcher, and front-end integration required. Experience assessing complex, highly customized enterprise platform environments and identifying supportability risks required. Experience working with vendor-built systems and evaluating transition readiness required. Demonstrated ability to develop technical assessments, support models, and documentation strategies required. Experience with collaboration and delivery tools such as Confluence, SharePoint, or Azure DevOps required. Preferred Skills:Experience supporting transitions from vendor-led to internal or hybrid support models. Experience establishing or maturing enterprise platform governance, including customization standards, change management, and support ownership models. Experience contributing to technical procurement, SOWs, or contractor role definition. Experience supporting large public-facing or government digital platforms. Familiarity with AEM as a Cloud Service operational constraints, including Cloud Manager pipelines, deployment strategies, and DevOps practices (branching, automated testing, environment management). Understanding of AEM security models and familiarity with accessibility requirements. Relevant Adobe or architecture certifications. About Diversified SystemsFounded in 1990, Diversified Systems is an award-winning Technology Services corporation providing all levels of IT project consulting services nationwide. DSI is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio with regional offices in the American Midwest and East Coast. We offer our consultants a number of flexible and competitive compensation benefit packages.Diversified Systems is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations.Diversity, Equity and InclusionDSI values authenticity and is committed to making sure our employees and partners are valued and respected. At DSI, we believe building a diverse culture is important because we know when people work together, we can achieve better results as a team. DSI realizes that everyone comes from various backgrounds. We celebrate these differences because our employees are our greatest asset as we strive to best meet the needs of those we serve. As part of our ongoing efforts, DSI is focused on advancing equality, diversity, and inclusion by setting high standards to continually evolve our culture. This includes but is not limited to recruiting, community involvement, client delivery, and career development.