Solutions Architect
NON-NEGOTIABLE SKILLS / EXP
Must-haves skills
Note: Combo skills and niche skills are generally harder to find.
Strong understanding of solution architecture practices, including defining current, transition, and target state architectures.
Solid knowledge of application development, middleware, system integration, infrastructure, network architecture, database management, data governance, security, and IT operations.
Ability to create and maintain solution patterns, non-functional requirements, and architecture documentation.
Proven experience in architecture governance aligned with enterprise architecture guardrails (principles, patterns, standards).
Strong capability to identify technical debt, assess risks, and recommend remediation or modernization.
Knowledge of solution delivery lifecycle, including agile methods and processes.
8+ years in IT software/services development, build, or management.
2–3 years direct experience in Solution Architecture, responsible for defining solution vision and architecture direction.
Exposure to multiple, diverse technologies, spanning legacy, on premise, and cloud.
Excellent analytical, technical, and problem solving skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to switch between technical and business language.
Ability to present architecture proposals to governance bodies and key stakeholders.
Strong interpersonal skills: teamwork, facilitation, negotiation.
Ability to work closely with cross functional teams (architects, PMs, infra teams, developers, vendors).
Proactive, driven, and receptive to feedback.
NEGOTIABLE SKILLS / EXP
Not required and nice-to-have skills
Understanding of financial services, payments, or insurance industry domains.
Experience with emerging technologies and modern digital business models.
Familiarity with cloud-native architectures, microservices, or container orchestration platforms (if not yet fully developed).
Knowledge of technology evaluation and vendor assessment frameworks.
Experience leading technology standard selection or building organizational architecture patterns.
Exposure to solution architecture communities of practice or knowledge-sharing functions.
Prior involvement in digital transformation or modernization programs.
TOGAF, SAFe Architect, AWS/Azure/GCP Architect certifications, or similar.
Vendor-specific architecture certifications (e.g., API platforms, middleware, security tools).
Advanced presentation or storytelling skills for architecture buy in.
Broader change management or stakeholder management skills.
Experience mentoring junior architects or leading architecture capability-building efforts.