Principal Architect / Solution Architect – PHP & Node.js || RemoteHybrid

Position Title Principal Architect / Solution Architect – PHP & Node.js Location Remote with travel to client site as and when required.Job Description  Key ResponsibilitiesDefine and own the end-to-end architecture for enterprise applications built using PHP and Node.js technologies.Design scalable, highly available, secure, and cloud-ready solutions aligned with enterprise architecture standards.Lead modernization initiatives, including monolith-to-microservices transformation and cloud migration programs.Define API architecture, integration patterns, security standards, and service governance frameworks.Drive technical decisions around application architecture, database design, caching strategies, and event-driven systems.Establish architecture principles, coding standards, design patterns, and best practices across development teams.Lead architecture reviews, technical assessments, solution estimations, and technology evaluations.Collaborate with product owners, business stakeholders, and engineering teams to translate business requirements into technical solutions.Mentor development teams, conduct design reviews, and provide technical leadership throughout the project lifecycle.Define observability, monitoring, disaster recovery, scalability, and performance strategies.Ensure compliance with enterprise security standards, regulatory requirements, audit controls, and data privacy requirements.Partner with DevOps teams to implement CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), and cloud-native deployment models.Support pre-sales activities, solution proposals, RFP responses, effort estimation, and technical presentations to customers.Required Skills (Must Have)Architecture & Design15+ years of software engineering experience with at least 5+ years in Solution/Technical Architecture roles.Strong expertise in enterprise architecture and distributed system design.Proven experience designing high-volume, mission-critical, and customer-facing applications.Deep understanding of Microservices, SOA, Event-Driven Architecture, Domain-Driven Design (DDD), and API-led architecture.Expertise in designing secure, scalable, and fault-tolerant systems.PHP StackStrong expertise in PHP 7/8 and modern architecture frameworks.Extensive experience with Laravel and/or Symfony frameworks.Deep understanding of PHP design patterns, middleware architecture, dependency injection, and service-oriented architecture.Node.js StackStrong experience with Node.js and backend frameworks such as Express.js, NestJS, or Fastify.Experience designing high-performance asynchronous and event-driven applications.Knowledge of Node.js scalability patterns, clustering, worker threads, and API gateway integrations.Database & Data ArchitectureExpertise in MySQL, PostgreSQL, and database architecture.Experience in database optimization, replication, partitioning, indexing, and performance tuning.Exposure to NoSQL databases such as MongoDB, Redis, DynamoDB, or Cosmos DB.Integration & API ManagementExtensive experience designing RESTful APIs.Knowledge of GraphQL and API-first architecture principles.Experience with OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, JWT, SAML, and SSO integrations.Experience with API Management platforms and gateway technologies.Cloud & DevOpsHands-on architecture experience on Azure, AWS, or GCP.Strong understanding of containerization and orchestration technologies including Docker and Kubernetes.Experience implementing CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, Jenkins, or similar platforms.Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, ARM, Bicep, CloudFormation).Good to HaveExperience in BFSI, Insurance, HCM, FinTech, or highly regulated industries.Experience with Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure Functions, Logic Apps, Service Bus, and API Management.Knowledge of Event Streaming platforms such as Kafka, RabbitMQ, ActiveMQ, or Event Hub.Experience with Elastic Search, ELK Stack, Grafana, Prometheus, Datadog, or Splunk.Exposure to AI/GenAI platform integrations and modern digital transformation programs.Experience with enterprise integration platforms such as MuleSoft, Boomi, or Azure Integration Services.TOGAF, Azure Solutions Architect, AWS Solutions Architect, or equivalent certifications.Typical Technology StackBackendPHP 8+, Laravel, SymfonyNode.js, Express.js, NestJSAPIs & IntegrationREST APIsGraphQLOAuth 2.0, JWT, SAML, OpenID ConnectAPI Gateway / API ManagementDatabasesMySQLPostgreSQLMongoDBRedisMessaging & Event StreamingKafkaRabbitMQAzure Service BusEvent HubDevOps & ContainersGitHubAzure DevOpsJenkinsDockerKubernetesCloud PlatformsMicrosoft Azure (Preferred)AWSGCPMonitoring & ObservabilityAzure MonitorApplication InsightsELK StackGrafanaPrometheusSplunkExperience & Education15+ years of overall software engineering experience.5+ years of Solution Architect / Technical Architect experience.Proven experience leading enterprise-scale technology transformation initiatives.Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or related discipline.Relevant cloud and architecture certifications preferred.Leadership & Soft SkillsStrong stakeholder management and executive communication skills.Ability to influence technical direction across multiple teams and programs.Excellent problem-solving and architectural decision-making capabilities.Experience mentoring architects, technical leads, and development teams.Ability to balance business priorities, technical excellence, cost optimization, and delivery timelines.Strong ownership mindset with experience working in global and distributed delivery models.