Program Architect ADMS Transformation

Program Architect ADMS Transformation (BH-397368)

Location:

Dallas, United States. Sector:
Utilities.

Program Architect ADMS Transformation

12+ month contract

Downtown Dallas (Hybrid)

The ADMS transformation program delivers a modern, integrated grid operations platform combining outage management (OMS), distribution management (DMS), and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA). The program spans real-time grid monitoring and control, outage detection and restoration, network modeling and analytics, DER integration and orchestration, and integration with GIS, AMI, EMS, and enterprise systems. This initiative is a cornerstone of grid modernization, driving improved situational awareness, reliability, and scalability of distribution operations.

• System availability and uptime (e.g., 99.99% reliability targets)
• Reduction in outage duration (SAIDI/SAIFI impact)
• Architectural defect reduction and integration stability
• Vendor delivery quality and adherence to architecture standards
• Program risk reduction and predictability of delivery

This is not a traditional architect role. It requires a rare combination of utility domain mastery, real-time systems expertise, and enterprise transformation leadership. At this level, success is defined not by producing architecture but by ensuring the program delivers resilient, scalable, and future-ready grid operations capabilities at enterprise scale.

• Program Architecture Ownership (End-to-End)
  Own the target state, transition states, and execution architecture roadmap for the ADMS program; serve as the final decision authority for all program-level architectural trade-offs; ensure architecture decisions are aligned to measurable business and operational outcomes.
• Enterprise Strategy Execution
  Translate enterprise architecture strategy into actionable and enforceable program architecture; define technology investment direction and challenge internal and vendor-driven roadmaps; establish justified exceptions to enterprise standards where necessary.
• Vendor & System Integrator Governance
  Own architectural governance across system integrators, vendors, and platform providers; critically evaluate and challenge vendor solutions, designs, and delivery approaches; prevent over-customization and ensure long-term platform sustainability and maintainability.
• Executive Influence & Leadership
  Act as the primary architectural advisor to CIO/CTO, executive steering committees, and program leadership; drive decision-making in high-impact, ambiguous situations; communicate architecture trade-offs in clear, outcome-oriented language.
• Integration & Real-Time Systems Architecture
  Define the integration architecture across ADMS ecosystem components; lead design of real-time, event-driven, and high-availability architectures supporting SCADA and grid operations; ensure alignment across IT/OT boundaries.
• Risk, Complexity & Program Stabilization
  Identify and mitigate systemic architectural risks across a multi-system, multi-year program; lead architectural recovery efforts for at-risk or underperforming program components; rapidly assess and re-baseline architecture where required to protect delivery outcomes.
• Delivery & Operational Readiness
  Ensure architecture is deployable, operable, and production-ready; define patterns for resilience, fault tolerance, disaster recovery, and observability; support go-lives, cutovers, and phased rollout strategies.

• 15+ years in architecture, engineering, or senior technical leadership roles
• 15+ years in Electrical Utility / Energy domain
• Proven leadership of large-scale transformation programs ($50M-$200M+)
• Experience leading architecture across 10+ integrated systems and cross-functional teams
• Demonstrated experience in mission-critical / control room systems environments
• Proven track record in turnaround or stabilization of complex programs
• ADMS Expertise (Mandatory):
  Hands-on experience with Aspen Tech OSI ADMS or equivalent systems; participation in at least one full ADMS implementation lifecycle (design, deployment, stabilization); deep understanding of OMS, DMS, SCADA, and grid operations workflows
• Technical Depth:
  Real-time systems architecture and low-latency data processing (SCADA/telemetry); event-driven and streaming architectures; high-availability and fault-tolerant design patterns for mission-critical systems; data synchronization strategies across operational and enterprise platforms; IT/OT convergence and cybersecurity (NERC CIP awareness preferred)
• Leadership & Influence:
  Demonstrated ability to lead without authority across federated teams; strong decision-making under ambiguity and competing priorities; proven ability to challenge stakeholders, vendors, and delivery teams constructively
• Communication:
  Exceptional executive communication skills; ability to translate architecture into business outcomes, risks, and trade-offs; produces concise,…