Lead Solution Architect: Remote-First Governance

YOUR CREATIVE FIELDWe are looking for aYOUR CREATIVE FIELDWe are looking for a full-time , permanent Lead Architect - Engineering Practices & AI Enablement (all genders) in Germany to start as soon as possible . We live remote-first, but you have the freedom to choose whether you want to work hybrid or completely on-site due to your proximity to one of our locations.Your mission is to build pragmatic architecture governance for our products, raise engineering effectiveness across teams, and actively introduce and support modern AI-supported development practices into our software organization. This role is not about abstract enterprise architecture. It is about creating standards, ways of working and guardrails that teams actually use in day-to-day delivery.You lead primarily through influence rather than hierarchy: by creating clarity, defining standards, facilitating alignment and enabling teams to succeed. In this role, you work closely with our COO and act as a key sparring partner for Product and Engineering Leads.Three major areas will define your impact:Architecture Governance (Product & Software Architecture)Design and operate a pragmatic governance model (e.g., Architecture Council, Design/Architecture Reviews, ADR/RFC processes)Define and maintain architecture principles, standards, and guardrails (patterns, integration standards, NFRs)Establish clear boundaries within which teams can make autonomous decisions (decision rights), while ensuring structured escalation and resolution of cross-cutting topicsGuide target architectures and modernization paths (legacy/monolith to modular or service-based architectures, strangler pattern, stabilization and decoupling)Create architectural transparency through clear communication and visualization, enabling Product, Engineering, and Operations to speak the same language (C4 models and ADRs instead of "PowerPoint archaeology")Practice Management (Engineering Effectiveness)Drive engineering effectiveness in practice: improve release discipline, review quality, rollback capability, observability standards, post-mortem quality, and developer experience across teams.Introduce AI-supported and agentic development capabilities into engineering teams in a pragmatic, secure and measurable way.Focus on enablement rather than control: introduce templates, "golden paths," practical guidelines, mentoring, and communities of practiceBuild a repeatable improvement cycle based on measurement, feedback loops, and continuous adaptationSecurity & Compliance by DesignEmbed security and compliance considerations directly into architecture and delivery standards (e.g., OSS/license hygiene, SBOM approaches, audit requirements in software delivery)Collaborate closely with Security, Legal, and Compliance teams without becoming the formal audit ownerHow will we measure the success of your role?Architectural decisions are transparent and traceable (e.g., through ADRs), conflicts are resolved more quickly, and defined standards are actively applied across teamsTeams deliver with less rework and fewer production incidentsClear release and rollback processes are established and consistently followedModernization and product development follow defined architectural paths, with technical debt actively managed rather than merely documentedPractice Management is perceived as enablement and support — not as gatekeepingWhat Convinces UsYour personality, combined with:Must-HavesSeveral years of experience (5+ years) in Software or Solution Architecture within complex, distributed systems (experience in cloud, hosting, internet-scale or IoT environments is a plus)Proven ability to drive impact without formal authority — leading laterally, moderating trade-offs, preparing decisions, and managing stakeholders effectivelyExperience in establishing and operating architecture governance frameworks (reviews, ADRs, standards, decision processes) — pragmatic and outcome-focused rather than bureaucraticStrong communication skills: you can explain architecture in a way that enables teams to implement it and allows Product and Business stakeholders to understand itDeep understanding of non-functional requirements (reliability, security, performance, cost) and the ability to operationalize them through standards, reviews, and measurable criteriaYou have already helped development teams adopt modern AI-supported or agentic coding practices in a real delivery environment.You have improved how engineering teams work in practice, not only through governance, but through measurable changes in delivery quality, release reliability, testing, observability, and/or developer experience.Excellent English skills and professional fluency in GermanShould-HavesExperience in modernization and decoupling of legacy systems (monolith to modular services), including migration strategies and risk managementExperience in Developer Experience and enablement initiatives (tooling, templates, standards, platform "golden paths")Solid understanding of common cloud and container ecosystems, Infrastructure-as-Code, and automation (at least at a contextual level)AWESOME PROSPECTSAt Contabo, we are constantly evolving. Our growth creates space for new ideas, ownership, and real impact for people who want to make a difference.What defines us is trust, direct communication, and an open feedback culture. We believe the best solutions are built together and that everyone has the opportunity to contribute, grow, and leave their own footprint.Additionally, we offer:Work the way that fits your life – Remote or hybrid with flexible hours for a healthy work-life balance and the same technical equipment at home as in the officeExperience real freedom – Workation across the EU and in our summer office in MallorcaStay active and healthy – Access to EGYM Wellpass and thousands of fitness and wellness facilitiesEnjoy exclusive perks – Attractive discounts on many products and services through our corporate benefits programRecharge your energy – 30 days of vacation plus additional days off on Christmas Eve and New Year's EveGive back – An extra day off to get involved in social activities through our Volunteer DayMake an impact – Take ownership and bring your ideas to life with real creative freedomKeep growing – Individual professional and personal development opportunities in an innovative tech environmentFeel comfortable where you work – Modern, conveniently located offices across our European locationsBe part of a diverse team – Work in an international environment shaped by diversityCreate lasting memories – Company events and team activities you won't forgetHow To Reach UsYou can reach Alina by phone at +49 (0) 89 244 106 7714 or by email at alina.peissl@contabo.de .ABOUT USContabo - High-quality Cloud Hosting Made in Germany!As a leading infrastructure service provider in the field of cloud instances and dedicated servers, we have stood for first-class quality, reliability and favorable prices since our foundation in Munich in 2003. Meanwhile, more than 225,000 customers in over 190 countries trust our services.We specialize in providing German quality to users worldwide, focusing on the stability and security of our data centers, the optimization of internal processes, and excellent customer support.Become a part of our future-oriented company, which plays a significant role in the development of digital cloud hosting, and support us with your ideas and commitment.#J-18808-Ljbffr