{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"b3bd6d971479a35c62a521a4","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/b3bd6d971479a35c62a521a4","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/b3bd6d971479a35c62a521a4","title":"Director Applications Architecture - Kafka, Java","description":"Director, Application Architecture - Kafka, Java, CloudSALARY: $270k - $280k plus 30% bonusLOCATION: CHICAGO, ILHYBRID 3 DAYS ONSITELooking for a Director over Java application and is hands on Java Kafka Kubernetes Cloud AWS.What We Offer:Organizational mandate to define and enforce architecture standards at a SIFMU, with real consequences when they are not followedExecutive sponsorship and a leadership team that treats architecture as a strategic function, not a compliance gateThe opportunity to shape how application portfolio evolves through one of the most significant technology transformation programs in the organization's historyis consolidating its architecture function under a unified, clarity-of-accountability model. The Executive Director of Application Architecture leads the team responsible for shaping technology strategy across applications, integrations, APIs, tech stack selection, and software design patterns.Lead the Application Architecture FunctionLead, develop, and set direction for a team of application architects, each retaining individual domain focus across clearing, risk, data, APIs, and integrationsEstablish and enforce architecture standards across applications, integration patterns, API design, tech stack selection, and software design patternsOwn the Application Architecture visionEnsure consistent application of enterprise standards across all delivery teamsServe as the primary architecture partner to Engineering, Product, Financial RiskManagement, and Quantitative Risk ManagementCollaborate with Security, QA, and Governance/Risk to ensure architectural decisions satisfy regulatory requirements including Regulation SCI and CPMI-IOSCO principlesEngage with Product Owners, Technology Leads, and senior leadership to translate business requirements into durable architectural strategiesProvide architecture input and review for vendor selections, technology evaluations, and major program decisionsQualifications:Demonstrated experience defining and enforcing application architecture standards at organizational scale across complex, multi-system portfoliosDeep hands-on background in application architecture — APIs, integration patterns, distributed systems, event-driven architecture, and microservices, Kafka, Kubernetes, CloudExperience with both legacy/brownfield modernization and greenfield cloud-native developmentStrong working knowledge of CI/CD, automated testing, and quality gate enforcement as architecture concernsAbility to lead through influence as well as authority — building alignment across Engineering, Security, QA, and Governance without losing the ability to make hard callsExcellent communication skills — able to represent architecture decisions to executive leadership and translate strategy into actionable standards for development teamsTechnical Skills (Preferred):Hands-on experience with Java, Kafka, Kubernetes, and cloud-native architectures on AWS or equivalentExperience with scaled agile frameworks (SAFe) in large enterprise delivery programsFamiliarity with AI-assisted development practices and their implications for architecture and standardsBS degree","company":"Request Technology","rawCompany":"request technology","city":"Chicago","state":"IL","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-05-21T03:57:22.865Z","occupations":[{"code":"15-1299.08","title":"Computer Systems Engineers/Architects","slug":"computer-systems-engineers-architects"},{"code":"15-1252.00","title":"Software Developers","slug":"software-developers"},{"code":"11-3021.00","title":"Computer and Information Systems Managers","slug":"computer-and-information-systems-managers"}],"industries":[{"code":"541512","title":"Computer Systems Design Services","slug":"computer-systems-design-services"},{"code":"541511","title":"Custom Computer Programming Services","slug":"custom-computer-programming-services"},{"code":"513210","title":"Software Publishers","slug":"software-publishers"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Director Applications Architecture - Kafka, Java","description":"Director, Application Architecture - Kafka, Java, CloudSALARY: $270k - $280k plus 30% bonusLOCATION: CHICAGO, ILHYBRID 3 DAYS ONSITELooking for a Director over Java application and is hands on Java Kafka Kubernetes Cloud AWS.What We Offer:Organizational mandate to define and enforce architecture standards at a SIFMU, with real consequences when they are not followedExecutive sponsorship and a leadership team that treats architecture as a strategic function, not a compliance gateThe opportunity to shape how application portfolio evolves through one of the most significant technology transformation programs in the organization's historyis consolidating its architecture function under a unified, clarity-of-accountability model. The Executive Director of Application Architecture leads the team responsible for shaping technology strategy across applications, integrations, APIs, tech stack selection, and software design patterns.Lead the Application Architecture FunctionLead, develop, and set direction for a team of application architects, each retaining individual domain focus across clearing, risk, data, APIs, and integrationsEstablish and enforce architecture standards across applications, integration patterns, API design, tech stack selection, and software design patternsOwn the Application Architecture visionEnsure consistent application of enterprise standards across all delivery teamsServe as the primary architecture partner to Engineering, Product, Financial RiskManagement, and Quantitative Risk ManagementCollaborate with Security, QA, and Governance/Risk to ensure architectural decisions satisfy regulatory requirements including Regulation SCI and CPMI-IOSCO principlesEngage with Product Owners, Technology Leads, and senior leadership to translate business requirements into durable architectural strategiesProvide architecture input and review for vendor selections, technology evaluations, and major program decisionsQualifications:Demonstrated experience defining and enforcing application architecture standards at organizational scale across complex, multi-system portfoliosDeep hands-on background in application architecture — APIs, integration patterns, distributed systems, event-driven architecture, and microservices, Kafka, Kubernetes, CloudExperience with both legacy/brownfield modernization and greenfield cloud-native developmentStrong working knowledge of CI/CD, automated testing, and quality gate enforcement as architecture concernsAbility to lead through influence as well as authority — building alignment across Engineering, Security, QA, and Governance without losing the ability to make hard callsExcellent communication skills — able to represent architecture decisions to executive leadership and translate strategy into actionable standards for development teamsTechnical Skills (Preferred):Hands-on experience with Java, Kafka, Kubernetes, and cloud-native architectures on AWS or equivalentExperience with scaled agile frameworks (SAFe) in large enterprise delivery programsFamiliarity with AI-assisted development practices and their implications for architecture and standardsBS degree","datePosted":"2026-05-21T03:57:22.865Z","dateModified":"2026-05-21T03:57:22.865Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Request Technology","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Chicago","addressRegion":"IL","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"b3bd6d971479a35c62a521a4"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/b3bd6d971479a35c62a521a4"}}